IIDA NY: New President, New Look
The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) has some exciting news to share: the organization is happy to announce that Barry Richards of Rockwell Group is the Chapter’s new President. Simultaneously, the Chapter has unveiled a rebranded look to reflect the reach of the organization. The twin announcements kick-off another year of forward-thinking events and initiatives for IIDA NY.
Barry Richards, a Principal and Studio Leader at the award-winning firm Rockwell Group, brings a multifaceted skillset ranging from architecture and interior design to products, productions and playgrounds. As Chapter President, Richards will focus his time and efforts on broadening the dialogue within the A&D community and bring in more diverse perspectives. “I want to use my time as president to ‘broaden the dialogue’ — who we are talking to, who we are partnering with, who are we are inspiring, and who we are reaching out to,” said Richards. “We need to be talking to more than just to our friends and associates. It could mean a lot of different things, but it is an opportunity to expand what design is, to be more inclusive, to inspire us to do more and inspire others.” He also hopes to reach a younger audience and engage students, integrating other organizations within the architecture and design fields into IIDA NY’s initiatives as well as foster more inclusion and diversity within the interior design field.
At Rockwell Group, Richards’ diverse portfolio includes Imagination Playground, a global children’s play initiative; exhibition design for the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta and the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco; scenic design the Broadway production of Hairspray, the 2009 and 2010 Academy Awards and the film Team America: World Police; and product collections for Knoll, Stellar Works, Rich Brilliant Willing, The Rug Company, Maya Romanoff, and Jim Thompson. He is a graduate of the University of Washington in Fine Arts and Architecture, and received his Master of Architecture from Princeton University. Honors and recognition include an Interior Design Best of Year Award for the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Architect’s Newspaper Visionary Award for David Rockwell for Rich Brilliant Willing, and a Contract Magazine’s Best of NeoCon Award for Rockwell Unscripted.
Coinciding with Richards’ appointment, the IIDA NY has just undergone a rebrand. The refreshed look will don a new logo meant to show unification within the Chapter and a soon-to-be unveiled website that will offer a more user-friendly format. The new logo is a fractal abstraction of the outline of New York State, recognizing the three city centers (Albany, Buffalo and Rochester) as a unified organization. The series of logos supports the expanse of interior design professionals unified within the boundaries of New York and the various facets that encompass the practice of interior design. The Primary Regional logo is represented in blue with the 10 forum logos owning their own colors.
With these new presidential initiatives and a new design to bind the design community in New York, the organization is looking forward to offering insightful panels, mentorship for students and new designers, and the continued fostering of growth amongst all who are part of the IIDA NY.
About IIDA NY
The IIDA New York Chapter (IIDA NY) is a professional networking and educational association of more than 800 Members in ten specialty Forums. IIDA NY provides its Members with the resources to reach expertise, knowledge and contacts. Networking events allow professionals and industry members to connect on more personal terms that encourage trust, collaboration, and innovation. The Chapter is proud to have been recognized as IIDA Large Chapter of the Year in 2011, 2008, 2001 and 2000. For more information, visit: http://www.iidany.org/.
About Rockwell Group
Based in New York with a satellite office in Madrid, Rockwell Group is an interdisciplinary architecture and design firm that emphasizes innovation and thought leadership in every project. Founded by David Rockwell, FAIA, the 250-person firm uses theater, technology, and finely-wrought craft to create extraordinary experiences and built environments across the globe. Projects include Union Square Cafe (New York); Nobu Downtown (New York); NeueHouse (New York and Los Angeles); TED Theater (Vancouver); the New York EDITION; 15 Hudson Yards and the Shed in New York in collaboration with Diller Scofidio + Renfro; W Hotels (New York, Paris, Madrid, Suzhou, Singapore and Vieques); Nobu restaurants and hotels worldwide; and set designs for the Public Theater’s 2017 season of Shakespeare in the Park; Falsettos, She Loves Me, and Kinky Boots. For more information, please visit www.rockwellgroup.com.