A Design Milestone Recognised by International Experts
Established in 2023, the Asia Architecture Design Awards (AADA) celebrates outstanding achievements in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban planning across Asia. Although relatively young, the programme has quickly established itself as a respected platform that brings together architects, designers, developers, and industry experts to recognise projects that shape the future of the built environment through innovation and design excellence.
The 2026 edition marked the largest competition in the award’s history, attracting more than 1,900 registered participants and 853 project submissions across six disciplines and 30 award categories. Each entry was evaluated by an international jury of architects, academics, designers, and industry leaders against criteria including design quality, creativity, originality, functionality, and long-term impact.
Among this year’s winners, The Kross received the Asia’s Best Commercial Building Interior Design award, recognising the project’s exceptional interior design and its thoughtful approach to creating spaces that enrich everyday experiences. More than an international accolade, the award reflects a design philosophy that places architecture, culture, and people at the centre of the project’s vision.
2026 ASIA’S BEST COMMERCIAL BUILDING INTERIOR DESIGN at Asia Architecture Design Awards
Inspired by the Timeless Elegance of the Vietnamese Áo Dài
Behind the contemporary character of The Kross lies a design narrative deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. Rather than translating cultural identity through literal decorative elements, the design team drew inspiration from the graceful silhouette of the Vietnamese Áo Dài, a symbol of elegance, fluidity, and refinement that has endured through generations.
This inspiration is expressed through soft architectural curves, carefully balanced proportions, and seamless transitions between spaces. From the arrival lobby and shared amenities to the serviced apartments, every environment follows a consistent design language that feels calm, sophisticated, and welcoming. Natural stone, timber, textured finishes, and carefully orchestrated daylight work together to create interiors that reveal depth and warmth without relying on visual excess.
Instead of recreating a cultural icon, The Kross interprets its essence through contemporary architecture. The result is an environment that speaks an international design language while remaining firmly connected to its local identity. This ability to translate cultural heritage into a modern spatial experience is one of the qualities that distinguished the project in the eyes of the AADA jury.
Designed to Elevate the Way People Live and Work
As a mixed use development, The Kross was envisioned as more than a collection of independent functions. Offices, serviced apartments, and lifestyle amenities are carefully integrated to create a destination where living, working, and social interaction flow naturally together. Every design decision was guided by the belief that architecture should support the way people experience a place throughout the day rather than simply defining how it looks.
This philosophy is reflected in the seamless transition between spaces, where architecture and interior design operate as one cohesive experience. Materials, natural light, circulation, and spatial proportions have been carefully orchestrated to create environments that are both intuitive and enduring. Influenced by hospitality design principles, every space has been conceived to offer comfort, flexibility, and a sense of belonging, allowing people to move effortlessly between work, leisure, and everyday life.
Rather than pursuing visual statements, The Kross focuses on creating spaces that continue to enrich the lives of their occupants over time. It is this human-centred approach that defines the project’s character and reinforces its long-term relevance.
An Award That Reflects a Long-Term Vision
Across the premium real estate sector, design has become one of the defining measures of quality. Exceptional buildings are no longer evaluated solely by their architectural presence but by the experiences they create, the communities they support, and the lasting value they deliver over time.
Recognition at the Asia Architecture Design Awards 2026 represents an important milestone in The Kross’s journey. It acknowledges a vision that has remained consistent from the earliest stages of development, where architecture, interior design, hospitality, and cultural identity come together to shape a destination with enduring relevance.
As The Kross prepares to welcome businesses, residents, and visitors, this achievement reinforces its commitment to creating meaningful spaces that inspire connection, wellbeing, and a richer urban experience. Rather than marking the end of a design journey, the award stands as the beginning of a new benchmark for mixed use developments in Ho Chi Minh City.
