Three groups of Interior Design students from the American University in Dubai (AUD) achieved international recognition at the LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2025, marking a notable achievement for emerging talent in hospitality design.

Their award-winning projects showcase innovation, creativity, and a strong understanding of contemporary design challenges. These include:

LIV Winner – Interior Design / Hotel (Boutique): OGI Villas and Onsen Retreat by Aisha Alsamt, Hamda Alghaith, and Ola Alhazeem. The project had already secured 1st place in the Hotel Regeneration Design Challenge 2025 – Rotana Hotels Design Challenge Edition 7, under the mentorship of Prof. A. Lambri.

Ogi Villas is a modular hospitality concept inspired by the Japanese folding fan, designed to create adaptable, restorative living spaces that respond to guests’ changing needs throughout the day. Rooted in traditional Japanese architecture and rituals and combined with contemporary design, the villas offer personalized experiences focused on wellness, privacy, and connection to nature. The project addresses the post-pandemic demand for flexible, healing retreats where spaces can shift between rest, work, reflection, and rejuvenation.

LIV Winner – Interior Design / Resort (Luxury): ALPINE SERENITY by Fatma Alnoori and Maryam Altayer, which also previously earned 2nd place in the same competition, mentored by Prof. A. Lambri.

Alpine Serenity blends the serene beauty of the Swiss Alps with modern luxury, offering a peaceful sanctuary that connects guests to nature. The design incorporates natural materials, such as wood and stone, to create a relaxing and eco-conscious atmosphere. The suite focuses on flexibility, wellness, and sustainability, providing an immersive experience in harmony with the environment.

LIV Winner – Interior Design / Hotel (Boutique): ETERNA by Cathlyn Nassif, Tania Khachek, and Leen Moussa. The project had earlier achieved 3rd place in the Hotel Regeneration Design Challenge 2025 – Rotana Hotels Design Challenge Edition 7, under the mentorship of Prof. Imad Hanna.

ETERNA reimagines boutique hospitality as an immersive, ever-evolving experience shaped by nature. Inspired by the fluidity and quiet strength of water and the natural process of erosion, the design explores how space can be sculpted over time, resulting in soft, continuous, and deeply personal environments. Rather than following conventional hospitality layouts, ETERNA treats architecture as a process of transformation, where organic forms, light, and materiality converge to create adaptive environments that respond to the user, blurring the boundary between architecture and emotion.

Reflecting on their achievement, the team shared:
“This recognition highlights the strength of our applied skills, combining research, critical thinking, and design to create impactful work. It reflects AUD’s supportive creative environment and strong industry partnerships, which ensure our work is both innovative and professionally relevant, shaping capable and adaptable designers.”

Dr. Annamaria Lambri, Chair of the Department of Interior Design, said:
“The LIV Hospitality Design Awards stand among the most prestigious global competitions in the field, recognizing outstanding student work. The remarkable achievements of our Interior Design students reflect their dedication, creativity, and professionalism, as well as the academic rigor and high standards of our program and the exceptional talent we nurture.”

Prof. Imad Hanna, Associate Professor of Interior Design, added:
“Our approach goes beyond traditional project delivery, we focus on shaping a forward-thinking mindset that bridges creativity, advanced digital tools, and real-world application. Students are challenged to develop concepts that are both visually compelling and deeply grounded in a rigorous, iterative design process. They learn to explore ideas boldly, test possibilities, and refine their work using a powerful combination of traditional methods and emerging technologies. Close collaboration with industry partners further prepares them to meet professional standards and think critically about the future of hospitality design.”

The LIV Hospitality Design Awards is a global competition launched in 2020 to recognize excellence in hospitality architecture, interior design, and guest experience. Open to both professionals and students worldwide, projects are evaluated by an international jury of architects, designers, and industry experts based on criteria such as innovation, aesthetics, functionality, and overall impact.