On May 15, 2024 our design community joined together in person again at SF Jazz for an mind-blowing talk by artist, Amy Karle, who captivated the audience with her keynote address, exploring the profound question, “What does it mean to be human in the age of technology?” Her thought-provoking presentation delved into the merging of humans and technology, showcasing how innovative design can enhance and support humanity. Amy then engaged in conversation with Gervais Tompkin, an expert in workplace design and hybrid work practices. Gervais’s insightful questions and engaging discussion with Amy provided valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of design and technology.
This year our chapter honored Brian Wilson & Brian Buhl of Two, affectionately referred to as “The Brians”, with the 2024 Distinguished Achievement Award for their decades of work with the architectural and design community. After being introduced by Louis Schump of Gensler The Brians shared with us their “Love Letter” to our community.
If you missed this inspiring event, you can view the photos and watch the video recording below. And even if you were there and just want to be reminded of this Pioneer and her vision, take a watch. Follow the link to the full photo album and download your favorites.
For all the background on our Pioneer and Honorees, see the event page.
If you are interested in being a part of the Pioneers in Design committee for 2025, please reach out.
Cocktails and Conversations The evening kicked off with cocktails in the gorgeous mid-century lobby of the Masonic Auditorium. Attendees enjoyed reconnecting with friends and colleagues before moving to the main hall for dinner and a memorable night.
Welcoming Remarks Our emcee, Jonathan Chow, Event Committee Chair and Designer at DLR Group, warmly welcomed the attendees. He recalled his journey from a past IIDA Student Award winner to emceeing this grand event and expressed gratitude towards the Honor Awards committee. Jonathan’s introduction set the stage for a night where tradition meets innovation.
Acknowledging Excellence Cheryl Durst, IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, highlighted our advocacy efforts and forward-thinking legislative actions in California. She praised the designers of tomorrow while introducing the recipients of the Student Awards, which included the promising sophomore Kami Huynh, multi-year winner Electra White, and trailblazing senior Soojee Choi.
On March 14, 2024, energy buzzed through the Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco, as the IIDA Northern California Chapter Honor Awards celebrated stellar interior design projects. These projects not only define spaces but also set new standards. The event embodied a spirit of innovation and camaraderie, and we extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated. Your contributions inspire our community, fostering confidence and optimism.
Award Highlights
Innovative Design Recognized The awards segment was filled with excitement as presenters spotlighted exceptional projects:
LIVE Category: Katelyn Hoffman and Enrique Sanchez showcased projects that turn spaces into homes.
JEWEL BOX Award: Jones Haydu presented the award for intimate design to Caffe by Mr. Espresso.
PLAY Award: Ian White and Whitney Feussner celebrated EHDD’s transformation of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.
HEAL Award: Stantec was honored for Care Essentials by Kaiser, a space where wellness thrives.
Sustainability and Craftsmanship The evening continued with Ai Hamaji and Damien Watson presenting the SERVE award to HMC Architects for Sierra College, a beacon of community and learning. The LONG VIEW award went to EHDD for their sustainable design of the YouTube Campus Expansion. The CRAFT award recognized DLR Group for the SFMTA Subway Chinatown project, a testament to detailed and thoughtful design.
Corporate Creativity The WORK awards highlighted functional creativity in corporate spaces:
SMALL Category: Gensler for LinkedIn Maude Deep Focus.
MEDIUM Category: Aidlin Darling Design for The Prow.
LARGE Category: Gensler again shone with NVIDIA Headquarters.
It’s All About Community
In her closing remarks, Katy Mercer, IIDA Northern California Chapter President, along with Melissa Pesci, Chapter President-elect, emphasized the strength of our community and collaboration. The Lark-Inn project, a harmonious partnership between DLR Group, Stantec, CRB, and Gensler, earned the SUMMIT award.
As the event concluded, Jonathan Chow reflected on an evening where aspirations met appreciation. Every speech, acknowledgment, and awarded project underscored the vital role of design in not just shaping spaces but lives.
Thank you to our dedicated committee for putting together another extraordinary event and all of our presenters! If you are interested in being a part of the Honor Awards committee for 2025, please reach out.
On the morning of Friday, Sept. 8, the design community of Northern California gathered in anticipation and excitement at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. The occasion? The annual IIDA Leaders Breakfast, a prestigious international event series that celebrates the essence of design and recognizes those who have left an indelible mark on the industry, hosted by the IIDA Northern CA Chapter.
Keynote Speaker – Sloan Leo
Illuminating New Dimensions in Design
Sloan Leo, the Founder and CEO of FLOX Studio, commanded the spotlight as the distinguished keynote speaker at the 2023 event. Introduced by IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl Durst, FIIDA, Sloan’s presence embodied the essence of design theory, practice, and facilitation, casting an aura of inspiration that enveloped the audience.
Sloan shared an anecdote as a trans man, shedding light on the challenges they faced in finding a space where they truly belonged. “Nothing felt like I was invited in,” they confessed, highlighting the need for inclusivity and diversity within the design community. In a move to spark meaningful conversations about community design, Sloan initiated a space where individuals could discuss innovative design solutions. The response was overwhelming, with their apartment quickly filling to capacity. Since then, FLOX Studio has launched – a platform that offers a unique blend of strategic management consulting and design education.
Sloan’s vision extends far beyond personal experiences. They firmly believe in a promising future, stating, “The future is coming – there is a plan for me.” Their mission revolves around the power of collective gatherings, emphasizing, “We can figure out how to live forward together.” In a world marked by constant change, Sloan’s determination to foster unity through design shines brightly.
Following their illuminating keynote address, Sloan Leo engaged in a dynamic Q&A session, sharing insights with Cheryl, and responding to thought-provoking questions from the captivated audience.
IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl Durst, FIIDA and Keynote Speaker, Sloan Leo
IIDA Northern California President, Katy Mercer, IIDA and Honoree, Joan Price with Scott Dunlap.
Honoring Joan Price
A Beacon of Connection and Contribution
“LOL” doesn’t always stand for “Lots of Love.” But according to Jane Price’s 92-year-old mother, it certainly does! There was no shortage of “LOL” – whether it was laughter or a little extra love.
At the core of the 2023 Leaders Breakfast was a tribute to Joan Price, a distinguished figure in Bay Area architecture and design. Scott Dunlap of Gensler took the stage to introduce this year’s honoree, highlighting Joan’s remarkable career and her dedication to mentoring women in leadership roles.
While Joan Price may not have been a designer or architect herself, her visionary leadership during her two-decade tenure at Gensler left an indelible mark. She served as the first Director of Business Development and co-managed the San Francisco office. Her impact was palpable, as evidenced by her establishment of Gensler’s Client Advisory Council and her instrumental role in creating the global industry event, Design Forecast Live.
During her heartfelt speech, Joan expressed gratitude to those who had supported her throughout her career, including former colleagues and her family. She humbly acknowledged, “I owe everything to other people.”
Regarding the term “LOL,” Joan shared a different interpretation. To her, “LOL” can also stand for “Leaders of Leaders,” a nod to the exceptional individuals in the room who are driving change in the design field.
Looking ahead, Joan Price is optimistic about the future of design. She firmly believes that despite media narratives, the Bay Area and San Francisco are not in decline. Joan recognizes the dedicated community members working diligently to effect positive change.
In closing, Joan left the audience with a piece of wisdom: “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” And in a more lighthearted moment, she emphasized this point by repeating “LOL” three times, signifying the importance of laughter, leadership, and commitment in the world of design.
Thank you to our dedicated committee for putting together another extraordinary breakfast! If you are interested in being a part of the Leaders Breakfast committee for 2024, please reach out.
On May 23, 2023 our design community joined together in person again at SF Jazz for an inspiring conversation between SFMoMA’s Josh Becker and this year’s Pioneers in Design, Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello. The discussion focused on Rael San Fratello’s design work as acts of activism and their futurist perspective on materiality and technology in new ways of building structures that bring a wealth of resources from which to build that can be accessible to all people.
Our chapter honored, Rachel Stallworth of Stallworth Enterprises with the 2023 Distinguished Achievement Award for her decades of work with the architectural and design community. Rachel was introduced by Lisa Weeks of Gensler and was accompanied by her family and friends as she gave a moving acceptance of this recognition.
If you missed this inspiring event, you can view the photos and watch the video recording below. And even if you were there and just want to be reminded of these Pioneers and their vision, take a look. Follow the link to the full photo album and download your favorites.
For all the background on our pioneers and honoree, see the event page.
If you are interested in being a part of the Pioneers in Design committee for 2024, please reach out.
On October 12th, we welcomed students and young professionals from across the region to join IIDA Northern California Chapter’s Student Conference for an inspiring in-person experience. We had small group tours throughout the city of furniture and material showrooms, design offices, and client spaces, enjoyed delicious lunch from BiRite in the beautiful atrium at Pier 70, learned from an inspiring group of panelists innovating on the life cycle of materials, and connected with design professionals working across different aspects of our industry in small group conversations.
For more information about the benefits of student membership, visit our Student page or contact our VP of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@iidanc.org.
Once again, an energetic group of designers, manufacturers, architects and contractors came together for a day on the green at the beautiful Sequoyah Golf Course on the Oakland hills. The weather was gorgeous and the good times were a plenty.
If you’re interested in joining the planning committee for our 2023 Golf Tournament, please reach out (this is a fun committee!).
On September 9, 2022 our design community joined together in person again at the Four Seasons in San Francisco for breakfast. Former IIDA Northern California Chapter President, Donald Cremers was honored as a with the renowned Red Eames Stool presented by MillerKnoll. Our keynote speaker, New York Times best-selling author, game designer and futurist, Jane McGonigal, led us through some exercises in future tripping to instill a sense of urgent optimism. The legendary Cheryl Durst joined Jane on stage for a Q&A, diving into Jane’s story and how her futurist thinking can be utilized in the design industry.
In her keynote, Jane challenged us to think of 100 things that are (relatively) true about our industry today and how those things might be different in 10 years. Verda Alexander took that challenge to the airwaves (Zoom that is) and invited folks from our industry to a two-part series of virtual meetings where we brainstormed 100 things about Commercial Interior Design that are true today.
In part 2, we narrowed down a couple of things from the list of 100 to see how we could think like futurists and image how things might be in 10 years.
In the future we turn these things around
Being Misunderstood >>
We educate the public on our value
We revamp HGTV
We promote design beyond just ‘a beautiful space’
We are called Interior Architects
Being Client Focused >>
We are stakeholder focused
We address environment
Stakeholders are at the table with a range of diverse voices
We engage our communities
We consider our global impact
For more information on Leaders Breakfast, this year’s keynote address and bios for Jane and Donald, see the event page. If you are interested in being a part of the Leaders Breakfast planning committee for 2023, please reach out.
On July 27, 2022 our design community joined together in person again at SF Jazz for a riveting conversation between Verda Alexander and this year’s Pioneer in Design, Walter Hood. Walter and Verda discussed how architecture/landscape architecture and memory & meaning intersect in the American landscape. Our chapter also honored, Kriss Kokoefer, President & Owner of Kay Chesterfield with the 2022 Distinguished Achievement Award.
If you missed this inspiring exchange, you can now watch the recording below. And even if you were there and just want to be reminded of this Pioneer and his vision, take a watch.
For all the background on our honorees, see the event page. If you are interested in being a part of the Pioneers in Design committee for 2023, please reach out.
We kicked off this year’s show and celebrated our community being together again with a live, all singing, all dancing musical tribute to the heritage of the Fox Theatre. It was a wild start to the evening! Dancers greeted guests as they arrived at The Fox, posing for photos and ushering guests into the main hall. The room was packed with familiar faces clamoring for that elusive Honor Award.
Our hosts, Tom DiRenzo and Brian Graham regaled the client statements, design teams and judges comments for ten projects honored with awards on this special night. Student award winners brought their families and teachers, manufacturers and dealers brought their clients and design teams brought the ones responsible for the wins. It was a night to remember!
Planning has already begun for our 2023 Honor Awards! If you are interested in volunteering for any of our event planning committees, please reach out.
