Shanghai-based firm Linehouse built this shared office space in a former opium factory
The World Interior of the Year shortlist has been announced, bringing together 2017's best designed hotels, restaurants, offices and retail spaces.
But while the nominees hail from around the globe, there is one clear winner: China.
Multi-disciplinary design company Half and Half Studio was one of five Hong Kong companies featured in this year's shortlist.
More than a third of the 78 finalists are based in China.
CHA Chinese Restaurant at Wanda Vista Hefei by Wanda Hotel Design Institute (Hefei)
Among the nominees are a co-working space in Shanghai, a minimalist Beijing comic store and a sleek Japanese restaurant in the southern city of Shenzhen. At least one Chinese interior was shortlisted in each of the award program's nine categories, which encompass residential, commercial and public spaces. Nimman Spa by Maos Design (Shanghai)
At the time of the inaugural World Interior of the Year awards in 2011, fewer than 10% of the finalists came from China. And all of those projects were based in Shanghai. Big Small Coffee and Guestroom by Office AIO (Beijing)
Fast-forward six years, and cities less familiar to the international design circuit - like Hefei and Baoding - now appear on the shortlist. Bamboo's Eatery by Minggu Design (Nanjing)
Half of the nominated projects in this year's Bars and Restaurants category can be found in Greater China. Among them is Big Small, a 366-square-foot coffee shop and guesthouse designed by the Beijing-based firm Office AIO. Polyphony by andSCALE Architecture Design Consultants (Beijing)
According to the company's co-founder, Tim Kwan, the shortlist reflects changing attitudes toward design in China. Baoding Xinhua Bookstore by Beijing Fenghemuchen Space Design (Baoding)
"The market is becoming more sensitive to the idea and values of 'design' - both the clients and the public are now seeking innovation and uniqueness."
Shanghai-based firm Linehouse built this shared office space in a former opium factory
Nimman Spa by Maos Design (Shanghai)
Big Small Coffee and Guestroom by Office AIO (Beijing)
Bamboo's Eatery by Minggu Design (Nanjing)
Polyphony by andSCALE Architecture Design Consultants (Beijing)
Baoding Xinhua Bookstore by Beijing Fenghemuchen Space Design (Baoding)
