Category: Advocacy

IIDA Northern California Wins Catalyst Grant

Posted on by Heather

Empowering Climate Action in Interior Design

In a world increasingly aware of the urgent need for environmental action, the interior design industry is stepping up to the challenge. IIDA Northern California Chapter, through its Climate Action Committee, has been at the forefront of this movement. Recently, the chapter secured a significant win—the IIDA Catalyst Grant—based on its compelling submission outlining an innovative project aimed at advancing sustainable design practices and fostering community engagement.

Project Purpose

At the core of the winning submission lies the IIDA Northern California Chapter Climate Action Committee’s vision to amplify its Climate Crawl series impact through the creation of an annual Climate Crawl Zine. This project represents a natural progression from the committee’s previous endeavors, particularly the Climate Crawl Series—a bi-monthly collaborative forum focusing on climate action initiatives and sustainability best practices within interior design.

The Climate Crawl Zine serves as a dynamic platform for sharing insights, strategies, and case studies, nurturing a community of environmentally conscious interior designers. Each edition of the Zine will delve into various facets of climate action in interior design, from building deconstruction to sustainable materials, fostering diverse perspectives and featuring thought-provoking articles, interviews with industry leaders, and exemplary sustainable projects within the chapter.

By intertwining the Climate Crawl series with the annual Zine, the project aims to create a vibrant, accessible, and evolving resource that propels the interior design community towards a greener, more responsible future.

Project Goal

The project sets forth several measurable goals:

  • Raising Awareness: Increasing awareness of climate action within the interior design industry.
  • Knowledge Expansion: Extending the reach of the Climate Crawl series to IIDA members across the chapter and the entire IIDA organization.
  • Educational Platform: Demonstrating IIDA as a platform for meaningful and educational content.
  • Community Expansion: Expanding Climate Crawl Series participation to a minimum of three new City Centers.
  • Advocacy Integration: Linking Climate Action activities with Advocacy efforts, enhancing IIDA’s value to the communities it serves.

In securing the Catalyst Grant, IIDA Northern California Chapter has not only gained financial support but also validation of its commitment to advancing sustainable design practices and fostering community engagement. This project stands as a testament to the chapter’s dedication to driving positive change within the interior design industry.

As the Climate Crawl Zine takes shape, it holds the promise of inspiring and empowering interior designers to embrace sustainable practices, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more resilient planet. Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, IIDA Northern California Chapter continues to lead the charge towards a greener future—one page at a time.

Lobby Day Rewind

Posted on by Heather

Advocacy in Action for California’s Interior Designers

Ahead of the March 11th California Architect’s Board Sunset Hearing, a group of IIDA advocates took to the capitol to educate legislators on the profession of commercial interior design and the occupational barriers this profession faces in California. Representing the profession were Adam Newton, VP of Advocacy; Melissa Pesci, President-Elect; Tamara Roth, Sole Practitioner and Advocacy Committee Member; and Ellon Brittingham from Full Moon Strategies.

Lobby Day: A Gathering of Passionate Voices

Lobby days are an important tool in educating the legislature on any topic of advocacy. Lead by our lobbying team Full Moon Strategies, the team spent the day explaining the broad scope and powerful impact of commercial interior design projects, from restaurants to hospitals and everything in between. As a women and queer lead profession it was essential to educate our lawmakers on the importance of making change to improve equity throughout the construction industry. Additionally, Tamara Roth shared her experience as a sole practitioner who is regularly economically impacted by the outdated and inconsistent structure currently in California. Without updating the governance for commercial interior designers to be a state entity, sole practitioners will continue to be disproportionately impacted.

In total, IIDA met with nine legislative offices during the Lobby Day, making a grand total of thirty separate meetings with legislators and staff in the last two months alone. This high degree of engagement is only possible with the support of thought-leading firms and an active community of members.

Ellon Brittingham, Adam Newton, Melissa Pesci, Tamara Roth
Helping educate our lawmakers about Commercial Interior Design and what we’re trying to accomplish with our advocacy. Download your own copy →

The Hearing: From Discussions to Decisions

On March 11th IIDA represented commercial interior designers to the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee for the California Architects Board Sunset Hearing. We appreciated the comments from Senator Roth, a long-time and esteemed member of the committee, and our colleagues at the American Institute of Architects California Chapter. This hearing was a very preliminary first step as we ramp up for more robust conversations so we are looking forward to collaborate more with stakeholders as this process progresses.

Watch Ellon & Melissa take the mic at 46:00 →
“I just want to thank you all for your time and interest in the issues, very well outlined in the background, that interior designers are facing in California. We’re really excited to collaborate with you all, and with CAB, to bring some consistency to our practitioners, our clients and our building officials.”
Melissa Pesci, AIA, NCIDQ, LEED AP, IIDA Northern CA President-Elect

Advocating for Progress

Posted on by Heather

Empowering Commercial Interior Designers in California

IIDA’s Northern and Southern California chapters’ advocacy efforts are moving ahead full steam this year to advance legislation that empowers commercial interior designers. In recent discussions surrounding these efforts, various points of view have emerged that illustrate the passionate engagement of professionals in the A&D industry. As part of our ongoing commitment to elevating our profession, it’s crucial to clarify the intentions of our efforts and dispel any misconceptions.

There are three main tenets of our objectives this year:

  1. Modernization: Working with state lawmakers to develop a governance structure that better reflects the increasing complexity of our practice and acknowledges the interdisciplinary landscape of our project teams.
  2. Consistency: Aligning commercial interior designers, and our statutory privileges, with the standardized regulatory environments of our peer professionals on the job site, in our offices, and across the nation.
  3. Equity: Acknowledging that the commercial interior design field is led by women and queer professionals, who currently do not enjoy the same statutory privileges as the colleagues in related fields.

TODAY: Monday, March 11th is the California Architect’s Board Sunset Review hearing and, based on the board’s sunset report, we anticipate these longstanding, structural issues to be a significant discussion. This follows on the heels of months of meaningful engagement with stakeholders. Don’t worry – we’ll be there to advocate for you! We are privileged to have this opportunity to collaborate with our lawmakers and architectural colleagues to align with many other states that govern architecture and interior design professionals under equivalent or joint regulatory structures.

When pushing for progress, it’s natural, and expected, for concerns from others to arise. It’s important to emphasize that our proposed goals seek to support, not undermine, our diverse community of professionals. As IIDA members, please understand that there is NO effort being made to dismantle the existing Certified Interior Designer (CID) structure. Instead, we aim to carve out a modernized governance structure that grants consistent privileges specifically for commercial interior designers. This is not a new concept; 31 other jurisdictions (29 states + DC and Puerto Rico) have some form of state-governed regulation for our profession. Even as recently as this week, a title act granting the ability to stamp and seal for state-registered interior designers was signed into law in Nebraska. For a leader like California, this change is long overdue.

We invite you to follow along during this process and look forward to the ongoing constructive conversations with our industry colleagues; this is only the beginning.

National Firms Support IIDA Efforts

Posted on by Heather
February 1, 2024

HGA and ASD|SKY Inaugural Signatories Supporting California Registered Commercial Interior Designer Title Act

Leading architecture and design firms, HGA and ASD|SKY, have signed letters to AIA California in support of a Commercial Interior Designer Title Act. This follows on the heels of a recent announcement by the International Interior Design Association’s (IIDA) California chapters declaring their intention to sponsor legislation for a title act in 2024, a move that has garnered widespread support within the industry. As inaugural signatories, these firms are at the forefront of a movement aimed at advancing the profession within the state.

HGA and ASD|SKY commitment to this cause is a reflection of their leadership in fostering innovative and collaborative approaches in architecture and design. Their participation as the first signatories underlines a shared vision for the future of the architecture and design industry – one that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and team-based project execution.

At HGA it is a priority to elevate and integrate the Interior Design discipline into every project and into the leadership of the firm. We believe this integrated approach along with the visionary leadership of our Interior Design Partners is critical to the quality of our work and our future success. HGA strongly supports the path to licensure that the IIDA is proposing in the State of California.
Tim Carl | CEO, HGA

The proposed title act by IIDA aims to establish and recognize professional standards and qualifications for the profession of commercial interior design in California. This legislative effort is a crucial step towards aligning the profession with the evolving demands of the industry, where interdisciplinary collaboration and consistent regulation are increasingly becoming the norm. 

Both ASD|SKY and HGA have expressed their enthusiasm for this initiative, emphasizing its importance in shaping a more dynamic, integrated, and professional future for commercial interior designers in California. 

ASD|SKY is a multi-disciplinary firm where holistic design is paramount and interior design is a key element of our integrated approach. We see a clear path to licensure for our invaluable interior designers in the State of California as a long overdue measure. ASD|SKY fully supports the path to licensure that IIDA is proposing in the State of California.
Amy Tamburro | Principal, ASD|SKY SF

Katy Mercer, President of the IIDA Northern California Chapter, commented on this: “The backing of this initiative by leading firms like ASD|SKY and HGA highlights a long-awaited and crucial step for our industry in California. It signals a collective acknowledgment and readiness to embrace modernized practice and interdisciplinary approaches that many in our field have long seen as necessary for our profession’s growth and relevance.”

Brett Shwery, President of the IIDA Southern California Chapter, expressed his thoughts on the matter: “The support for this initiative from prominent organizations underscores a pivotal advancement for Commercial Interior Designers in California. Sharing this collective recognition and providing vital leadership is imperative to advancing the profession that provides vital practices in support of our ever-evolving society and the built environment”. 
For more information or to get more involved email advocacy@iidanc.org.

Sign. Seal. Empower.

Posted on by Heather
February 1, 2024

IIDA California Chapters Announce Intention to Enter 2024 Title Act Legislation for Commercial Interior Designers

In a progressive move, IIDA California chapters are spearheading a revolution for California interior design professionals, propelling them into a future where licensure standards reflect the modernized A&D industry. This innovative approach aims to empower commercial interior designers with permitting privileges, following the wave of national recognition and influence.

California commercial interior design professionals have long grappled with outdated regulations overseen by an all-volunteer board lacking the necessary consistency in licensing standards. It’s time to adapt and follow the currents of change sweeping across the nation.

The landscape has evolved since the 1990s, and it’s time for California to catch up. Since then:

  • AIA has shifted from outright opposition to a more neutral stance both at the national and state levels, allowing for increased collaboration and dialogue.
  • 28 states plus two jurisdictions have legislation in place, with a growing number of states are pursuing permitting privileges. 
  • SB 816, etched into law in 2023, marks a historic milestone by officially recognizing the designation of a commercial interior designer in California.

Armed with these developments, IIDA is reigniting efforts to carve a voluntary path for commercial interior designers seeking permitting privileges. The focus is on creating a nuanced route tailored to those in the commercial realm without compromising the practices of residential and kitchen-and-bath design colleagues.

At its core, this initiative is about interior designers taking the lead to modernize an outdated governmental structure that reflects current practice and industry standards. Collaboration is key. IIDA’s Northern and Southern California teams are building alliances with key stakeholders, from State Legislature experts to industry peers. The mission? To ensure that commercial interior designers stand tall alongside their industry colleagues.Over the next few months, IIDA is aiming to build consensus, educate the State Legislature, and pave the way for groundbreaking Title Act legislation with permitting privileges. Stay tuned as we keep you in the loop on this transformative journey. Have questions or want to be part of history in the making? Text “InteriorDesign” to 52886 or contact your local VP of Advocacy. Please direct all questions to advocacy@iidanc.org.  

2023 Legislator of the Year

Posted on by Heather
January 9, 2024

IIDA’s Northern and Southern California Chapters Honor State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman

From L to R: Northern California President Elect Melissa Pesci, AIA, LEED AP, California State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, and VP of Advocacy Adam Newton, Assoc. IIDA

The Northern and Southern California chapters of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) have proudly announced the awarding of the prestigious 2023 Legislator of the Year to State Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman. This accolade is a testament to Eggman’s exemplary legislative leadership. As the third annual lawmaker to receive this award, Eggman joins a cohort of celebrated legislative leaders in California. Northern California President Elect Melissa Pesci, AIA, LEED AP, and VP of Advocacy Adam Newton, Assoc. IIDA, met with Senator Eggman in her Sacramento office to present the award.

Senator Eggman’s work spans several key areas important to California’s commercial interior designers, notably in improving health care and advocating for environmental sustainability. Her legislative priorities not only address urgent societal needs but also resonate with the values of the interior design community. Her efforts to enhance public health and make healthcare more accessible reflect IIDA’s commitment to inclusive and supportive environments. She’s also been a steadfast supporter of sustainable projects and initiatives, echoing IIDA’s focus on design excellence and environmental stewardship.

“This award not only honors Eggman’s substantial legislative achievements but is also an acknowledgement of the similarities in her social work background, to the occupational barriers commercial interior designers experience everyday. Eggman’s legislative efforts reflect an understanding of how essential it is to recognize the value and expertise required by these women-lead professions,” noted Adam Newton, VP Advocacy IIDA Northern California. The IIDA Northern and Southern California chapters look forward to continued collaboration with Senator Eggman’s office. To learn more about Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman’s initiatives and legislative work, or to show your support, you can visit her official website.

2023 Distinguished Achievement Award

Posted on by Heather

Embracing Innovation and Building Lasting Connections

An Inspiring Journey of 38 Years in Bay Area Design

On May 23 at the annual Pioneers in Design event, Rachel Stallworth, a highly accomplished and respected professional in our local industry, was recently awarded the prestigious 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award by the Northern California International Interior Design Association (IIDA) chapter. This esteemed recognition is given to individuals who have made significant and consistent contributions to the profession, reflecting a deep commitment to excellence and dedication to their craft.

Lisa Weeks, from Gensler, had the privilege of introducing Rachel Stallworth as this year’s recipient, highlighting her remarkable ability to evolve and adapt throughout her career. Rachel has been an active participant in the Bay Area design community since 1985, embracing every industry shift and staying attuned to the needs of designers, manufacturers, and clients over the past 38 years.

Upon accepting the award, Rachel expressed her deep love for the industry and her immense gratitude to the Northern California chapter and its members. She credited her family, friends, and the countless designers, reps, and manufacturer rep agencies who have recommended her to others, acknowledging their support as integral to her success.

Over the years, Rachel’s dedication to her craft and commitment to supporting others led her to develop digital libraries and online tools to assist designers and manufacturers. She emphasized the importance of connections within the industry, encouraging everyone to reconnect and support one another, especially during challenging times.

Rachel Stallworth
Owner | Stallworth Enterprises, Inc.

2023 Chapter Honoree

Posted on by Heather

Celebrating CCB: A Remarkable Industry Steward and Honoree

On March 23, at the Honor Awards for IIDA Northern California, Carolyn Clark Beetle (CCB) was recognized as the Chapter Honoree for 2023. CCB, who has dedicated 12 years of volunteer service to the board, received accolades from her colleagues and peers for her inspirational leadership and unwavering commitment to the betterment of the community.

During the ceremony, Paul Mabe took the stage to express his admiration for CCB’s innovative and forward-thinking nature. He recounted how, when considering his current role, CCB was one of the first people he reached out to for advice. Her belief in him and recognition of his talent meant a great deal, showcasing her authenticity and generosity. CCB’s kindness extends not only financially but also in her willingness to guide and mentor others, making her an invaluable presence in the community.

Rashanda Udekwu joined Paul in honoring CCB and shared her own experiences of CCB’s remarkable qualities. She emphasized CCB’s genuine interest in others and her ability to build authentic connections. CCB’s reputation for knowing almost everyone in the industry stems from her deep personal connections and her commitment to listening and engaging with others. Rashanda also acknowledged CCB’s insatiable curiosity, evident in her drive to explore new ideas and advocate for equity and inclusivity, even before diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) became prominent in the industry.

CCB’s recognition as the 2023 Chapter Honoree by IIDA Northern California highlights her remarkable contributions and exceptional leadership within the industry. Her dedication to fostering genuine connections, mentorship, and advocacy for inclusivity has left an indelible mark on the community. Stepping down from the board after 12 years of volunteer service signifies a transition for CCB, but her influence and legacy will continue to inspire future industry thought leaders. We congratulate CCB on this well-deserved honor and express our deepest gratitude for her invaluable contributions.

Thank you so much for your powerhouse service, commitment & love!

Carolyn Clark Beedle, Industry IIDA
Director of Audience Engagement | One Workplace

Inspirational people don’t just discuss what is important to them; they act upon it. CCB is not just innovative and forward-thinking but is always thinking about the betterment of everyone.

Paul Mabe, VP of Philanthropy

Listening is not a technique but a way of being; it’s about attention, awareness, and genuinely wanting to hear someone else’s story – to be fully present. (Which is not easy for many of us today). It’s the threat that creates real human connections. CCB’s interest and care for others is how she built the reputation of knowing almost everyone in our industry, not from a surface level but on a bona fide deep personal level.

Rashanda Udekwu, VP of EDI

IIDA California Chapters Weigh in on State Legislation

Posted on by Heather
June 1, 2023

Advancing Equity, Sustainability, and Educational Facilities

This year, over 2,630 bills were introduced across the Senate and Assembly houses–a higher number of bill introductions than is typical and the highest number in over a decade. This crush of bills paired with the State’s projected $31.5 billion budget deficit, foreshadows an unlikely future for some initiatives with big price tags. With the 2023 Legislative session nearly halfway complete, we wanted to provide an update of IIDA’s California chapters’ actions on a few pieces of key legislation.

The Northern and Southern California chapters of IIDA have joined together to adopt positions on seven bills which align with our chapters’ missions and core values. These bills include equity, climate and sustainability-focused initiatives, as well as two bond proposals that would, if passed by voters, provide funding for new construction to repair and modernize school facilities for California’s students.

Photo credit: Josh Hild

IIDA supports Senate Bill 306, a climate-conscious building decarbonization initiative that would provide opportunities to better protect residents from the harms of extreme heat, wildfires, and local air pollution. IIDA believes California’s buildings should promote the health and well-being of occupants–providing necessary shelter from the worsening impacts of climate change–while recognizing how decarbonizing buildings can help combat climate change. IIDA supports this opportunity brought forth by Senator Anna Caballero, to improve buildings in the State, minimize our carbon footprint, and advance the safety of all Californians. 

Assembly Bill 529 Would require the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), in consultation with other state agencies to research and develop, and to consider proposing to the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), revisions and clarifications to the California Building Standards Code pertaining to adaptive reuse development projects. Given the State’s ongoing housing crisis–adaptive reuse is an area gaining traction to help increase housing supply.  As experienced commercial interior designers, we appreciate the usefulness and significance of turning commercial properties into housing and look forward to enhancing future conversion projects with our expertise.

Senate Bill 28 and Assembly Bill 247 are both general obligation bonds that, if passed by voters, would fund construction and modernization of school buildings for California’s students. It is anticipated that ultimately only one of the bills will proceed and the Senate and Assembly will negotiate a final bond proposal.  The Senate-side bond, SB 28, focuses on school facilities funding for preschools, K-12, and colleges. The Assembly-side proposal, AB 247, would fund capital projects for transitional kindergarten, K-12 and community colleges. If these measures are passed this session, they would appear for voter consideration on the 2024 statewide primary ballot.  IIDA members design educational facilities across the state every day. We support the improvement of California’s educational facilities that we know assist in improved learning outcomes for students.

SB 306, SB 28, and AB 247 have been passed by their respective houses of origin and have moved into the second house where their assignments to a policy committee(s) are pending. AB 529 is currently on the Assembly floor, awaiting votes that could send it onto the next house. All bills must be passed by their house of origin by Friday, June 2nd in order to move forward this year. We look ahead to continuing our support for these initiatives along the way, and monitoring their progress throughout the remainder of the legislative session. 

IIDA continues to support Assembly Bill 342 which was introduced with support from AIA California., which allows the California Architect Board to ask licensees to provide demographic information including race, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity at the time of initial license and at the time of renewal. AB 342 is well on its way, having already been assigned to two policy committees in the next house: Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development as well as the Judiciary Committee. Our chapters believe the collection of this demographic information will bring value to the industry at large, advancing us toward our shared Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals. 
IIDA maintains a support if amended position on SB 816, which makes minor modifications to certifications for Interior Designers. SB 816 passed the Senate Floor on Wednesday, May 24th and is on its way to the Assembly-side where it will soon be assigned to a policy committee(s). For more information outlining our position, check out our previous blog Senate Bill 816 Pledges Collaboration.

For more information regarding IIDA’s Advocacy efforts, visit each chapter’s Advocacy resources:
Northern California Advocacy
Southern California Advocacy

Designing for Healing and Hope

Posted on by Heather

Elevating Mental Health Awareness through Behavioral Healthcare Interior Design

As Mental Health Awareness Month takes center stage, we turn our attention to the power of design in creating spaces that foster healing, hope, and resilience. 

In the realm of behavioral healthcare, interior designers face a unique set of challenges and considerations to provide environments that promote mental well-being. From cultivating peaceful and functional areas to embracing durability and safety, the intricacies of behavioral healthcare interior design are crucial in supporting patients’ journeys toward recovery. 

We asked Donald Cremers and Michele Hutchinson from HOK to share their thoughtful approach, innovative solutions, and compassionate design principles that shape the healing spaces they design.

Our overall design goal of healthcare environments is to create “healing” spaces, where comfortable, peaceful, functional, and calming attributes are considered. When we take on a behavioral healthcare project, we must dig even deeper for ways to include the features above, but also have many additional, often complicated, things to consider such as:

Consideration of different areas where patients will be throughout the day is important, such as quiet, contemplative areas vs. more active treatment spaces. Interior design lends itself easily to this with color for example: softer tones in the “home” spaces and the ability to increase saturation and even graphics in more active areas.

Treatment areas, such as classrooms, are set up to maximize multi-purpose functions. Different programs can include anything from art therapy, job preparedness courses, writing workshops and even cooking classes. The finishes then need to be incredibly durable and detailed to meet the safety requirements of the space. The goal of the interior design is to create a warm environment that encourages creativity and healing.

Patient environments need to be secure, anti-ligature & tamper-resistant to meet the safety needs of the patients and staff.

Visibility is an important factor in these facilities as well. Staff must be able to easily supervise spaces, so when designing things like nurse stations, providing open access helps to create an environment that encourages communication between patients and staff.  Access to daylight and views is also an important factor; nature is very healing, and being able to celebrate views and artwork depicting nature is always encouraged.

Designing behavioral healthcare environments continues to increase our compassion for people who struggle with mental illness. The goal of these facilities is to prepare patients for life outside of the facility, where they can live healthy, normal lives – love participating in that journey.

Donald Cremers, IIDA

Senior Principal – Interior Design Leader at HOK

Michele Hutchinson, INTCA, LEED GA

Senior Project Interior Designer, Senior Associate at HOK