Studio 1551 Launches Sustainability-Focused Design Competition with Enrique Martí in Phnom Penh
Studio 1551 is hosting a three-month sustainability-focused design competition in Phnom Penh, which will culminate in the announcement of three winners at a grand finale event. The competition kicked off on March 14, 2025, at Studio 1551, featuring industry experts, students, design enthusiasts discussing the latest trends in interior design and wellness.
Centred on the theme “Reduce, Recycle, Reuse," the competition encourages designers to blend sustainability with their creativity to design and craft an upcycled piece that will be rewarded at the final event. During the three months, there will be several activities, industry expert discussions, recycle workshops that will lead towards final announcement, award ceremony.
Spanish designer, Enrique Martí, a pioneer in Future Design and Product Development, has flown into Cambodia to be one of the competition’s main judges, along with several other industry experts.
At the launch of the competition, design students and creative professionals gathered for a 90-minute session with Martí, who is renowned for his expertise in designing homes, restaurants, and communal spaces. During this session, he presented his company's portfolio and introduced the concept of sustainable design, emphasising the crucial balance between beauty and sustainability.
One of the competition's main requirements is that the designs must integrate methods to make waste less harmful to the environment. The intention of organising a competition focused on sustainable innovative designs is to contribute to solutions that help reduce waste, ocean pollution, CO2 emissions, and climate change, while also addressing deforestation.
Martí aptly stated: “What we cannot see doesn’t mean it does not exist."
Key considerations for the design competition:
- Environmental Sustainability: Incorporating sustainable materials, space-saving designs, local supplies, etc.
- Social Sustainability: Choosing suppliers that provide fair working conditions, prioritising quality, and ensuring the well-being and comfort of all involved.
- Economic Sustainability: Emphasising the circular economy and timeless design principles.
- Innovation and Technology: Focusing on reducing material waste and implementing modular design approaches.
Enrique Martí shared that the most important part of sustainability is the balance between product efficiency, choosing the right materials, and properly marketing the product.
Dan Lim, Founder of Studio 1551, remarked on how important it is nowadays to offer a space for the creative community in Cambodia and the region to give them the opportunity to access 'a new approach to the consumer in interior design.'
“For the past 10 years, our vision has always been pivoting the customer experience by offering materials and efficient products that will not just last, but communicate the value of the product that will directly impact people’s lives by experiencing it," stressed Lim.
Why Participate in This Competition?
Participating in this competition will provide student designers the chance to learn about how sustainability and wellness are shaping new trends, while giving them the opportunity to engage in discussions with industry experts and ask questions about their interior design projects.
Closing date to enter the competition is March 20, 2025. The competition finale date and location are still to be confirmed, however, the announcement of three winners is scheduled for approximately mid-May 2025.
Linx International and Studio 1551 are open for partnerships, offering brands an opportunity to stand out and engage with their selected clients in a unique way through this design competition.
To learn more, contact Studio 1551 eddie@destudio11.com or stop by their office 15 Rue Pasteur No. 51, Phnom Penh (Map) https://g.co/kgs/yjqAA83.