Awards & Recognitions
CID Powerlist 50
Sophie Newcombe, our Founder and Managing Director, has been named in the CID Power 50 2024: The Region’s Most Influential Designers by Commercial Interior Design.
This achievement cements Sophie’s position as a visionary force in the industry, leading Soul Road to redefine luxury design across the region. Her experience-based approach to blending creativity, functionality, and a human-centric ethos has positioned Soul Road as a standout name in the world of interior design, delivering projects that transform residential, hospitality, and commercial spaces.
This recognition is a testament to Sophie’s relentless drive to innovate and elevate design standards, and to Soul Road’s growing impact on the industry.
Boutique Firm of the Year - Winner, ALA 2025
Soul Road is honoured to have been named Boutique Architecture Firm of the Year at the 2025 Architect Leaders Awards. This award recognises studios that have distinguished themselves through a strong design identity, innovative thinking, and an ability to deliver meaningful work at a consistently high standard.
For Soul Road, this recognition affirms the values at the core of the practice: a commitment to architectural discipline paired with soulful storytelling, and a belief that the spaces we design must balance precision with humanity. Every project begins with intent, unfolds through collaboration, and is shaped by an attention to detail that ensures both elegance and function.
Winning this award is not only a milestone for the studio, but also a celebration of the trust our clients place in us, and the dedication of the team and collaborators who make each project possible.
Architect of the Year – Shortlisted, ALA 2025
Sophie Newcombe, has been shortlisted for Architect of the Year at the 2025 Architect Leaders Awards. This category recognises individuals whose vision, leadership, and body of work have redefined the architectural landscape.
Sophie’s nomination reflects her ability to unite rigorous technical discipline with a design philosophy grounded in human experience. From private residences to large-scale developments, her projects are marked by clarity, precision, and an insistence on creating spaces that resonate beyond their form.
This recognition highlights Sophie’s role in shaping Soul Road into a practice defined by collaboration, refinement, and purpose. It affirms her continued dedication to delivering architecture that is both timeless in its execution and soulful in its intent.
Woman Icon of the Year – Shortlisted, ALA 2025
Founder and Managing Director, Sophie Newcombe, was shortlisted for Woman Icon of the Year at the 2025 Architect Leaders Awards. This category celebrates women whose influence and leadership are shaping the future of the design industry.
Sophie’s shortlisting reflects more than her design vision. It speaks to the way she leads with clarity, conviction, and care, bringing teams, clients, and collaborators into the process with purpose. Under her direction, Soul Road has grown into a studio known for its discipline and detail, as well as its ability to create spaces that feel deeply human.
This recognition highlights not only what Sophie has achieved, but also how she has achieved it. She guides with intent, champions collaboration, and proves that architecture is at its most powerful when it is rooted in soul.
Emerging Firm of the Year – Shortlisted, ALA 2025
Soul Road was shortlisted for Emerging Architecture Firm of the Year at the Architecture Leaders Awards 2025, a recognition that highlights the studio’s rapid growth and distinctive presence in the regional design landscape.
From its inception, Soul Road has stood out for its bold approach to architecture and interior design — blending innovation with a human-centered ethos. Within a short span, the firm has built a reputation for originality, technical excellence, and the ability to craft projects that leave a lasting impact across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors.
This nomination underscores the dedication of Soul Road’s talented team and reaffirms the studio’s position as one of the most promising and influential emerging firms shaping the future of architecture and design.
CEO of the Year ALA 2025
Sophie Newcombe has been shortlisted for CEO of the Year at the Architecture Leaders Awards 2025. This recognition reflects her outstanding leadership in driving Soul Road’s vision to the forefront of the design and architecture industry.
Sophie has consistently demonstrated the ability to balance business growth with design innovation, ensuring every project not only achieves technical excellence but also embodies Soul Road’s human-centered ethos. Her approach empowers her team while maintaining a strong focus on client satisfaction, creativity, and functionality.
This honor underscores Sophie’s influence as a leader who continues to redefine what it means to guide a modern design firm with purpose and vision.
Boutique Firm of the Year
DME 2024
Soul Road got Shortlisted for Boutique Firm of The Year in the Design Middle East Awards 2024. A recognition that highlights the immense growth of our studio over the past year.
From a vision to reimagine luxury interiors with authenticity and individuality, Soul Road has grown into a talented team of eleven, completing over 30 bespoke projects across luxury residences, commercial spaces, and hospitality venues. This recognition underscores our dedication to delivering design solutions that not only reflect our clients' unique stories but also enhance their lives through thoughtful, purposeful spaces.
CEO of the Year DME 2024
Sophie Newcombe got shortlisted for CEO of The Year in the Design Middle East Awards 2024. This recognition reflects Sophie’s remarkable ability to blend visionary leadership with a deep understanding of design. Under her guidance, Soul Road has become a standout name in the industry, known for delivering innovative designs that balance creativity with functionality. Sophie has fostered a culture where both artistry and technical precision thrive, ensuring that each project not only meets but exceeds client expectations.
Beyond her professional success, Sophie is committed to mentoring the next generation of talent, particularly empowering women in design and construction. This recognition celebrates her leadership in setting new industry standards while maintaining a human-centered approach to business and design.
