Having worked in interior design, architecture and product design, Sam has developed a depth of expertise in commercial hospitality interiors. Since becoming creative director at Ctrl Space, he has focused on “pushing the boundaries of design and exploring new creative frontiers”.

Who do you admire within the interior design industry and why?

Sam Griffin (SG): I often refer to New Zealand as a little island in the middle of nowhere — a place we all adore for its isolation. Yet it’s that very isolation that limits our exposure to, and the supply of, offshore materials, products, fabricators and factories that ultimately shape our interior projects. Fortunately, deeply ingrained in our local design and architecture industry is a competitive streak, paired with ingenuity and exceptional talent, where we strive to punch above our weight, even with fewer resources. These are the people I admire — they are paving the way, breaking the rules, and going above and beyond to create world-class projects. Exceptional design is becoming commonplace here, and our global reputation is heating up. It’s a rewarding time to be part of this ever-developing industry.

What trends do you think we might see this year?

SG: I get asked this question now and again, and it really piques my interest. I’d describe a trend as a perception of popularity by a group of people and, in the world of interiors, it tends to be a popular word. I believe that there are more trends than ever before, running in parallel, overlapping, endorsed and appreciated by different designers and demographics. The idea of ‘one size fits all’ is certainly a thing of the past — now, creative authenticity and design innovation take centre stage. Our world is more integrated than ever before — digitally, culturally and creatively — and our design outputs are becoming more diverse, pulling references from trends both past and present, globally and locally. There’s a lot on the horizon to explore and I look forward to seeing fine examples of design diversity and originality in the upcoming awards.

What are you looking forward to while judging the Interior Awards 2025?

SG: Having presented many projects over the years, I am looking forward to sitting on the other side of the table alongside the wonderful 2025 jury. I’ve always admired the meaningful process of the Interior Awards, where entries are first shortlisted and then invited to present face-to-face. Following this comes deep discussions between the jury — each judge bringing a unique background and point of view — before final decisions are made. I’m eagerly awaiting the submissions to land, getting the first glimpse of what has been created over the past year, and diving into the details. What an honour!

Click here for more on the Interior Awards and here to submit your projects to the 2025 Interior Awards before Wednesday 30 April.