Presented by ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) in collaboration with VERANDA, the 2025 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards were unveiled last night during a celebratory gala at Flourish. This annual event honors standout firms and individuals from across the Southeast who represent the pinnacle of excellence and push the boundaries of design across the region. A distinguished panel of judges selected winners in architecture, contract design, and residential design from a talented pool of 27 finalists representing the region. Leading up to the gala, finalists were recognized on Wednesday evening at Logan Gardens during ADAC’s signature spring event, DESIGN ADAC.

The 2025 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year winners are:

CATEGORY FIRM
Architect Joel Kelly Design | Atlanta, GA
Contract Design Jillian Rooker & Amanda Dashwood of Rook and Dash | Atlanta, GA
Residential Design Matt Donahoe of bureau interior architecture | design | Nashville, TN

“It’s truly inspiring to see the remarkable vision and craftsmanship of this year’s winners,” said Katie Miner, ADAC General Manager. “What’s especially exciting is that all three firms are first-time winners. Rook and Dash and bureau interior architecture | design made their first appearances as finalists this year, and Joel Kelly Design, previously recognized in the residential category, received his first time win in architecture. Just like last year, we’re seeing an impressive body of work submitted from both new and seasoned design professionals in the Southeast – a reflection of the region’s abundance of talent and expanding reach. Because the awards are blind-coded, each year offers a new opportunity to spotlight fresh voices and perspectives. That’s what makes these honors so meaningful – they celebrate pure design excellence without bias, and that authenticity continues to elevate our industry.”

With more than 120 entries, this year’s distinguished finalists and winners were selected by a team of top industry professionals, including VERANDA Executive Editor, Ellen McGauley, Young Huh Interior Design Founder, Young Huh, and Tim Barber Architects Founder, Tim Barber. Remarks from the judges regarding the finalists are below:

“The interior design of this residence is so perfectly in step with the architecture. Each room is like a symphony – I could tell the designer furnished them with such reverence for the materials, the forms, the textures of the house itself,” expresses Ellen McGauley about Matt Donahoe of bureau interior architecture | design.

Young Huh describes the space Jillian Rooker and Amanda Dashwood of Rook and Dash created as “warm and inviting, sexy yet restrained.”

Tim Barber notes, “No detail has been neglected, with aged brass details, pegged shelf supports, antique mirrors, walnut tabletops, and molded plywood seat backs. Even the bar ladder, a leather bar top, and the considerate restrooms say, “be our guest,” of Rook and Dash’s space.

“The modest, somber exterior of this lakeside home does not prepare a visitor for the sun-drenched grand interior. Counterpoint abounds, contrasting rigorous symmetry with weathered lap siding and vertical planks, wood shingled roofs next to standing seam metal roofs, and inside, pairing rough stone and reclaimed beams with smooth plaster and tall steel windows and doors,” reflects Tim Barber of Joel Kelly Design.