Raising the bar of Design Innovation and Excellence:
IFI’s Global Awards Program (IFI GAP) recognizes best built Interiors worldwide
Inaugural IFI Design Distinction Awards (IFI DDA) recognize completed projects through global design competition.
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.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
COMMERCE
GOLD – JINS SWFC Shop (China) by junya.ishigami+associates (Japan)
SILVER – Shanghai Xinzhuang Zhongsheng Store (China) by Atelier Archmixing + Supercloud Studio (China)
BRONZE – TARA MATA Fashion Boutique (China) by PMT Partners Ltd. (China)
HABITAT
Sponsored by Theodore Alexander
GOLD – Tiny Holiday Home (The Netherlands) by i29 interior architects (The Netherlands)
SILVER – Light House (Australia) by LAYAN (Australia)
BRONZE – White Building at the foot of Wan’an Mountain (China) by Fanben Space Design Firm (China)
HEALTH
Sponsored by Grohe
GOLD – NewYork-Presbyterian David H. Koch Center (USA) by HOK (USA)
SILVER – Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation (Colombia) by El Equipo Mazzanti (Colombia)
BRONZE – Hainan Sanya Rusi International Medical and Beauty Center (China) by Nanjing Xusong Decoration Design Co., Ltd. (China)
HUMANITARIAN
GOLD – Xiamutang Children’s Bamboo Library (China) by Zhanghaiao (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) (China)
SILVER – African Mobilities – This is not a refugee camp exhibition (Germany) by Wolff Architects (South Africa)
BRONZE – Times Book Club 2 (China) by PSD (China)
LEARNING
GOLD – National University of Singapore School of Design & Environment 4 (Singapore) by Serie + Multiply Architects with Surbana Jurong and National University of Singapore School of Design & Environment (UK, Singapore)
SILVER – NUBO (Australia) by PAL Design Group (Hong Kong, China)
BRONZE – Aichi Bunka Fashion College (Japan) by Hiroyuki Niwa (Japan)
PLAY
GOLD – Ayla Clubhouse & Golf Academy (Jordan) by Oppenheim Architecture (USA)
SILVER – Jiyu SPA (China) by Shanghai Hip-pop Design Team (China)
BRONZE – Dong Xi Courtyard (China) by Shenzhen Horizontal Design Co., Ltd. (China)
STAY
Sponsored by AXENT Group
GOLD – Su House (China) by KUNYU-DESIGN (China)
SILVER – Bo Du Resort Hotel – Co-existing with the Poetic Rural (China) by CSD.DESIGN (China)
BRONZE – Poly Linzhi Yatu Hotel (China) by WTD (China)
STUDENT
Sponsored by Muli
GOLD – S/ash /iving (Hong Kong, China) by Kwan Yiu Tam, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong, China)
SILVER – Music Therapy Tea House (Hong Kong, China) by Ka Wing Chu, Hong Kong Design Institute (Hong Kong, China)
BRONZE – Shangri-La Ancient Spa Resort (USA) by Jianfeng Ni and Yanru Yin, California College of the Arts (USA)
SUSTAINABILITY
GOLD – Alila Yangshuo (China) by Shenzhen Horizontal Design Co., Ltd. (China)
SILVER – Shixia Cottage, Qinhuangdao (China) by Beijing Shanfangzhu Art Design Co., Ltd. (China)
BRONZE – Wild Coast Tented Lodge (Sri Lanka) by Nomadic Resorts (Mauritius)
WORK
Sponsored by Moorgen
GOLD – Luther’s Machinery Hall (Estonia) by HG Arhitektuur OÜ (Estonia)
SILVER – NVIDIA Headquarters (USA) by Gensler (USA)
BRONZE – McDonald’s Headquarters (USA) by Studio O+A and IA Interior Architects (USA)
About IFI
The International Federation of Interior Architects / Designers (IFI) is the global voice and authority for professional Interior Architects / Designers. It is the singular international federating body for Interior Architecture / Design organizations. IFI acts as a global forum for the exchange and development of knowledge and experience in worldwide education, research and practice and connects the international community to further the impact, influence and application of the design of interiors. www.ifiworld.org
About IFI Global Awards Program (IFI GAP)
IFI’s Global Awards Program (IFI GAP) recognizes and awards design excellence at the world level. This biennial program acknowledges exceptional leadership and talent internationally, and seeks to identify contributions of the profession’s individual luminaries and the best-of-the-best of built environments.
IFI’s highest honor, the IFI PRIZE, along with the IFI Fellowship (FoIFI) and the Design Journalism Award (IFI DJA) recognize the exemplary contribution of individuals in strengthening and progressing Interior Architecture/Design, both within the profession and to broader audiences. In the form of a global design competition, IFI’s Design Distinction Awards (IFI DDA) recognize excellence in designed outcomes of built projects.
See full list of 2020 winners, with images of all projects, here.