Golden Era Sales Gallery by Yun Khong Chia Wins the Bronze A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design

Yun Khong Chia honored for interior space and exhibition design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 21, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ Golden Era Sales Gallery by Yun Khong Chia, designed for Design Gallery Sdn Bhd, has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The recognition forms part of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

What the Bronze A' Design Award Means

The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Regarding Golden Era Sales Gallery

Golden Era is a jewelry sales gallery located in Sabah, Malaysia. The layout draws on museum galleries and guides visitors through a calm and structured route. Layered lighting is used to highlight each display and to enhance the brilliance of the jewelry. Materials include laminated plywood panels, stainless steel with a gold finish, glass display systems and soft textured surfaces. A modular joinery system supports precise fabrication, simple installation and easy maintenance. Open circulation is combined with defined display zones to balance comfort and security.

About Yun Khong Chia

In 2007, Jackson Y. K. Chia founded DESIGN GALLERY, an interior design and consultancy firm based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. He studied in Architecture but began his career in interior design instead. On top of the years of experiences, the passion in art and love of interior architecture, has shaped him into the creative and innovative designer he is today. He has the desire to create designs that exceed clients’ expectations; The obsession of quality and the attention to the interior details.

Award Record

This recognition makes Yun Khong Chia a winner of 3 A' Design Awards. The awards were granted between the 2022 - 2023 and the 2025 - 2026 editions of the A' Design Award & Competition.

About the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award

The A' Interior Design Award is an international interior design competition recognizing good interior designs by interior designers and architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to interior designers, interior architects, architects and decorators from all countries. Typical entries include residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries and retail stores. The awarded interior designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/interior

About A' Design Award & Competition

Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com

Press Resources

Winner Page: https://designers.org/175058
A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/175058
Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!175058
Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/332076
Further Information from the Laureate: https://bit.ly/4bGWTbj

Media Contact

Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953

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Fact Sheet

The Work

Project: Golden Era Sales Gallery
Function: Sales Gallery
Category: Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Discipline: Spatial Design
Industry: Architecture and Packaging & Retail
Colors: Dim Gray, Dark Olive Green, Gray, Saddle Brown and Rosy Brown
Images: 5
Client: Design Gallery Sdn Bhd

The Recognition

Laureate: Yun Khong Chia
Country: Malaysia
Recognition: Bronze A' Design Award
Edition: 2025 - 2026
Design ID: #175058

Credits

Image Credits: Photographer Credits: AP Production Sabah

Design Details

Unique Properties: This design stands out with its gallery-inspired layout, creating a refined retail journey that highlights craftsmanship and elegance. Custom lighting enhances each display, while rich textures and premium finishes evoke luxury. The design balances openness with security, offering an intimate yet elevated shopping experience that redefines jewelry retail in Sabah. Its cultural subtlety, modern detailing, and spatial precision reflect both artistry and purpose.
Inspiration: Inspired by the timeless allure of gold and the elegance of fine jewelry, the design aims to elevate the retail experience into one of curated sophistication. The concept draws from museum galleries and Sabah’s rich cultural artistry, merging tradition with modern luxury. Research into lighting psychology, spatial flow, and material tactility informed a design that not only showcases jewelry but tells a story of heritage, trust, and refined taste.
Research: We focused on design research to create a truly luxurious ambiance. Our objective was to understand what makes a space feel premium, secure, and emotionally engaging. We studied high-end retail environments, customer behavior, and luxury hospitality spaces. The results revealed that understated elegance, warm lighting, and tactile materials create a lasting impression. This research led to a refined design that enhances brand perception, encourages longer visits, and sets a new benchmark for luxury retail in Sabah.
Challenge: The biggest challenge was balancing high-end aesthetics with practical retail needs. We had to design a luxurious space that also ensured security, staff efficiency, and customer comfort. Limited space, local building codes, and material sourcing in Sabah were external hurdles. Internally, creating a modern identity while respecting cultural expectations was key. We overcame this by testing layouts, customizing materials, and refining every detail through hands-on mockups and client feedback.
Realization and Technology: The design was developed through a user-focused approach, combining spatial zoning with sensory design techniques. High-quality materials like brushed metal, glass, and velvet textures were selected for their visual and tactile richness. Precision lighting was layered to enhance brilliance and depth. 3D modeling and iterative prototyping ensured accurate spatial flow, display ergonomics, and optimal customer experience.
Operation and Interaction: It is designed to guide customers effortlessly through the space, creating a calm and elegant journey. Lighting draws attention to each jewelry piece, while the layout encourages natural flow and close interaction. Display cases are placed for comfort and visibility, making browsing feel personal and exclusive. The design helps customers feel secure, valued, and inspired-enhancing trust and making the experience more memorable and enjoyable.
Project Duration and Location: The designing of the project started in November 2024; Renovation is completed by end of April 2025.
Specifications: Constructed with a modular joinery system using laminated plywood panels, stainless steel elements in gold finish, and selected feature boards for contrast. The façade integrates lightbox signage, concealed LED strip lighting, and glass display systems to enhance product visibility. U-channel trims articulate the geometry while maintaining clean detailing. Fabrication emphasizes precision, prefabrication, and ease of installation, with coordinated electrical routing and lighting integration to ensure consistency, durability, and efficient maintenance.
Keywords: Luxury retail design, jewelry store interior, modern gallery concept, bespoke lighting, Sabah design, glass, premium materials, spatial flow, cultural elegance