NEW YORK, NY – At a special gala ceremony in Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 26 February, 30 projects were recognized with IFI Design Distinction Awards, from a shortlist of 50 completed interiors from across the world.
From a tiny holiday home in the Netherlands, a net-zero energy university education space in Singapore, and a locally crafted clubhouse in Jordan, the 2020 winners of the inaugural IFI Global Awards Program showcase the diversity of global Interiors practice and immense value of high-quality architecture/design worldwide.
Immediate Past President of IFI and IFI GAP Jury Chairman, Steve Leung, said that the award-winning projects highlighted the creativity, integrity and accomplishments of Interior architects, both emerging and established. “Reflecting an extensive geographic variety, IFI DDA winning projects feature original design narratives rooted in local heritage and built for the betterment of human experience,” he said. “Collectively they represent the leading edge of Interior Architecture/Design practice.”
The IFI Design Distinction Awards form part of the IFI Global Awards Program (IFI GAP), which recognizes and documents exemplary vision, talent and commitment showcased in the practice of Interior Architecture/Design today. The 2020 IFI DDA marked its debut with 563 outstanding entries from 38 countries and regions across ten different categories: commerce, habitat, humanitarian, learning, play, stay, student, sustainability and work.
Entries were considered by an international jury featuring premier international Interior architecture and design practitioners, including representatives from Gensler (USA), HASSELL (Australia), Lissoni Associati (Italy), OMA (Netherlands), Studio MK27 (Brazil), Tange Associates (Japan), Yabu Pushelberg (Canada/USA), and Zaha Hadid Design (ZHD) (UK).
IFI DDA jury member, Woody Yao of internationally renowned Zaha Hadid Design said: “It has been an absolute delight and privilege to have been involved in this process. There was a hugely impressive high standard of design and diverse range of ideas. We are proud to support the work of IFI and their global mandate to connect, educate and innovate without boundaries,” Woody Yao said on behalf of ZHD.
In a collaboration with leaders in fine natural stone CITCO, Zaha Hadid Design partnered with IFI to create the winner trophies. Carved from a singular orthogonal block, the set of trophies for each category maintains a direct relationship with each other; embodying the spirit of collaboration and cooperation that leads to exceptional and distinct designs.
IFI CEO, Shashi Caan said the strength of this year’s entry field is testament to the important individual contributions made by each candidate, project and organization who participated, “reflecting the collective ability, diversity and impact of the Interiors profession worldwide. IFI is proud to honor them by recognizing their work, which we are sure will continue to shape many generations to come.”
