At this year's Pinnacle Awards organised by the International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD), designer Lee Pei Pei of Hévéa House was named a finalist in multiple categories, marking a progression from her earlier student participation to professional recognition within the European and international design landscape.
© SARL Hévéa HouseLee Pei Pei was honoured with her first Pinnacle Award at the Gala on 27 October.
This year's awards also marked a shared milestone for Lee and fellow emerging designer Kian Maghsoud, who, like Lee, began her Pinnacle journey as a student. Maghsoud was a student finalist in 2023 for her project LayerLounge, and her early involvement with ISFD became a springboard into a professional design role at Otto & Moore, where she first joined as an intern.
Based in France, Hévéa House positions its design work around natural materials and biophilic principles. Lee's shortlisted pieces, including the Pelican Chair, Perriand Table, and Charlotte Bookcase, reflect the company's ongoing exploration of tactile materials and integrated functionality. "Being a finalist is an acknowledgment of the effort and collaboration behind these designs," Lee said. "It allows us to share our philosophy with a broader professional audience."
From student entry to professional recognition
Lee first encountered the Pinnacle Awards while studying interior design in 2022, entering in the Innovation Design category. Although her first submission did not reach the finalist round, she describes that experience as an essential stage in her development. "It wasn't only about recognition," she said. "It was about preparing, presenting, and reflecting on our design philosophy, and gaining confidence that our work could stand on an international stage."
Similarly, Maghsoud reflects on the role the Pinnacles played in shaping her pathway:
"ISFD had been a part of my journey even before I officially entered the industry," she shared. "The Pinnacle Awards opened doors to conversations with designers and industry professionals I would never have met otherwise."
Since joining Hévéa House, Lee has focused on translating that same design philosophy into products that merge form, function, and material integrity. Her Pelican Chair, designed with Francois Iglesia, is featured in both the Biophilic Design in Wood and Home Office categories at this year's Pinnacle Awards.
© SARL Hévéa House
Hévéa House was honoured to receive the Biophilic Design in Wood and Home Office awards at the 2025 Pinnacle Awards.
Design process at Hévéa House
Hévéa House operates with a material-driven approach, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design research. The company's collections often use natural woods and finishes to articulate texture and balance within interiors.
"Our process at Hévéa House begins with observation, of how people move, how materials age, and how design can coexist with its environment," Lee explained. "The aim is not decorative, but relational: how a piece engages with space and user."
Through collaboration between its designers and local craftspeople, the studio works across both residential and professional contexts, developing pieces that align with biophilic design concepts and adaptable use.
Linking education and industry
For Lee, the ISFD's emphasis on connecting emerging designers with established industry professionals remains valuable. "The Pinnacle Awards gave me an early understanding of what the market expects and how ideas can evolve from concept to product," she said. "That process continues now at Hévéa House, every project begins with an idea but ends in dialogue with manufacturers, clients, and materials."
Her work illustrates the way younger designers are contributing new methodologies to established European design companies, blending academic experimentation with practical application.
Both Lee and Maghsoud agree that the Pinnacles accelerated their growth as young designers, giving them visibility, confidence, and professional networks early in their careers.
Their shared message to students is clear:
© SARL Hévéa House
"There's nothing to lose and so much to gain,"Maghsoud noted. "Don't be shy about starting conversations,ask people about their journeys, their challenges, or even one lesson that inspired
them. Step out of your comfort zone and make
the experience meaningful."
A measured approach to growth
While Lee's designs now gain recognition beyond France, she maintains a measured perspective. "Recognition is encouraging, but the work itself remains the focus," she noted. "Each project is an opportunity to question, refine, and reimagine."
Kian Maghsoud.
Through her collaboration with Hévéa House, Lee Pei Pei represents a generation of designers who move between education, experimentation, and market reality, extending design conversations beyond form and aesthetics toward function and cultural continuity.
More information:
SARL Hévéa House
[email protected]
www.heveahouse.fr
France
