12 Defining Moments That Made the Atap Design Awards 2024 an Event to Remember

The bar is always raised when it comes to the Atap Design Awards and this year is no exception! 

Held from November 21st to 23rd, this year’s ADA Week went beyond celebrating exceptional talent by offering a platform for collaboration, inspiration and growth. Bringing together industry firms, design professionals and creative minds from branding, photography, and more, the event was packed with unforgettable moments that truly reflected its essence.

Read on below to see the 12 defining moments that made the 2024 Atap Design Awards a truly remarkable event!

1. M Resort & Hotel KL Set the Stage

Homegrown establishment M Resort & Hotel KL served as the perfect venue for the first two days of ADA Week. With its luxurious backdrop, modern facilities and state-of-the-art technology, the five-star hotel perfectly matched this year’s celebration of design excellence from panel discussions on Day 1 to the glamorous award ceremony on Day 2.

2. Our Diverse Panel Discussions

This year’s Atap Design Awards Conference brought a mix of insightful keynotes and panels, exploring fresh perspectives within and beyond design. From exploring global design stories with Nghiêm Đình Toàn of me+ Architect, who also gave a Keynote Presentation on The Veil – White Palace, YC Chen of hoo, and Huat Lim of ZLG Design, moderated by Gary Yeow, we also heard from Lisa Abdullah from Jotun who shared tips on transforming spaces with colour.

Top interior photographers like Marcus Lim of Marcus L Photography, TWJPTO’s Weng Jen, and CJ of XIJ 细节 shared exclusive tips and insights on capturing spaces with Huat Lim from moderating the forum.

Later, The Makeover Guys’ Gavin Liew, Angelica Lee from Sundays in Bed, Leonard Mak of LM Studio, and F&B entrepreneur Kenneth Tan shared their experience in building their brands and navigating the world of social media.

3. Interactive Polls and Q&A

Taking the ADA Designer Conference to the next level, we introduced an interactive app, letting attendees join live polls during sessions and ask speakers questions in real-time. This made the discussions more engaging, inclusive, and dynamic, ensuring everyone had a chance to participate and share their thoughts.

4. Epic Homes Charity Draw

This year’s ADA Gala Night featured a heartwarming charity draw in collaboration with Epic Homes, Kenneth Tan, Creators’ Club, and Wildflowers KL. The initiative raised over RM10,000 to help build a home for an Orang Asli family, demonstrating the powerful impact of design. One lucky winner took home a Jura ENA 4 Black coffee machine, adding an extra touch of excitement to this meaningful cause.

5. Dressed to Impress

The Gala Night wasn’t just about awards—it was also a celebration of style! Guests showed up in their best outfits, from statement gowns to daring suits, turning the night into a runway of creativity and glamour. The stunning attire added an extra sparkle to the evening, making it truly unforgettable.

6. Creative, collaborative Design Fusion Booths

On Day 1 and 2, guests got to explore immersive booths that blended creativity and innovation. Showcasing one-of-a-kind creations, designers from Scalable Malaysia, Pocket Square and WO Atelier seamlessly merged aesthetic design with functionality as they respectively showcased offerings from Antico Stone, Marmo Grande and Global Titanium. Illustrating the creative synergy between designers and brands, ADA participants had the chance to engage with these designs, fostering meaningful discussions while exchanging ideas.

7. Our Esteemed International Judges

This year’s Atap Design Awards welcomed an impressive lineup of 11 international judges who brought their expertise and unique perspectives. From Li Xiang of X+Living in China to Realrich Sjarief of RAW Architecture in Indonesia, and Philip Tang of Ptang Studio in Hong Kong, their insights elevated the judging process.

8. Live Camera Action

Adding a layer of excitement, Day 2’s Gala Night and Awards Ceremony featured a live camera feed, giving everyone a front-row view of the night’s best moments. From heartfelt acceptance speeches to spontaneous celebrations, the feed brought everyone closer to the action, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience. 

9. Jura’s Coffee Stations

Keeping us fueled and productive throughout Days 1 and 2, Official Lifestyle Partner Jura, provided complimentary coffee with its sophisticated machines at their booth. Whether networking with brands and professionals during the Design Conference or enjoying the celebration during the Gala Night, attendees could always count on a perfectly brewed cup to keep them going.

10. Tesla’s Innovative Showcase

ADA’s Official Lifestyle Partner, Tesla, not only inspired this year’s theme but also gave participants an up-close look at their groundbreaking innovations, from sustainable electric vehicles to the revolutionary Tesla robot. Their forward-thinking and sustainable ethos aligned perfectly with this year’s theme, “Driving Design Forward,” inspiring all of us to embrace innovation in our own creative journeys.

11. Collaborating With Over 20 Brands 

This year’s event partnered with over 20 brands—twice as many as last year! Official sponsors Jotun, showcasing their stunning NUANCE Collection, and TOTO by W.Atelier, featuring their innovative sanitaryware, elevated the design experience for all attendees. 

Home and living brands such as Rugsea, Dyson, Primero, The Bedding Gallery, and Bacfree offered attendees a glimpse into their unique offerings. Interior solution leaders including Craftex, Feruni, Antico Stone, DHI, ACA Pacific, Goldenhome, Jubin, Hunter Douglas, VS Interior Decor and Global Titanium showcased premium materials and craftsmanship. 

Adding to the experience, Official Lifestyle Partners Tesla and Jura sparked inspiration and connection while Tekni and Devialet provided an atmospheric and relaxing lounge. We were also proud to partner with Epic Homes for our fundraiser in collaboration with Entrepreneur Kenneth Tan, supporting their mission of building homes for rural communities.

12. ADA Furniture Lounge

This year, we introduced the ADA Furniture Lounge in partnership with Tekni and Devialet. Offering participants a comfortable and stylish space to relax, mingle, and unwind, ADA guests had a chance to experience the unique Ligne Roset pieces and the immersive sound experience of Devialet. It was the perfect spot to connect and take in the atmosphere of ADA Week.

The Atap Design Awards 2024 was more than just an event; it was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and progress. From inspiring panel discussions to meaningful charity initiatives and vibrant gala moments, this year’s awards captured the very best of what the design community has to offer.

We can’t wait to see how these experiences inspire designers to keep Driving Design Forward!

Curious to know how the 3-day event went? Read more about the Atap Design Awards 2024 here.