NEW YORK, USA — For her outstanding international contribution to the Interiors profession, IFI, the International Federation of Interior Architects/ Designers, has awarded Spanish/Italian designer/architect Patricia Urquiola the 2022 IFI PRIZE—Interiors’ highest individual accolade internationally.
The IFI PRIZE is awarded as part of IFI’s Global Awards Program (IFI GAP) which recognizes and awards design excellence at the world level. Announced at a special virtual ceremony on Feb. 21, 2022, the founder and owner of Studio Urquiola was praised for her accomplishments and commitment to elevating the practice of Interior Architecture/ Design. She was recognized for the breadth of her work, scope of her achievements, and contribution at an international level to the discipline.
Urquiola was credited by the IFI PRIZE 2022 jury as “commanding world-class distinction for the quality of her professional work and demonstrating visionary leadership, as well as an ongoing contribution to humanity through design. She represents the combined embodiment of the values, professionalism, and achievement celebrated by the award.”
Also honored, was editorial director of Italian magazine Domus, Walter Mariotti, who was presented with the IFI Design Journalism Award (IFI DJA) for delivering outstanding and impactful reporting and storytelling.
The jury for the IFI DJA described Mariotti as “an excellent champion of Domus’s support of Interior Design throughout his editorship, making him a very worthy winner of this award. His sustained commitment to advancing the creative industries and advocating for critical reflection in the design profession is crucial and should be commended.”
Further international design leaders were recognized as Fellows of IFI (FoIFI), individuals who have displayed outstanding and exemplary professional leadership and international achievements within the Interior Architecture/Design discipline.
Steve Leung (Hong Kong SAR, China), former President of IFI 2017-2020, Program Chairman of IFI GAP and founder of Steve Leung Design Group – SLD, was awarded for his service and commitment to IFI during his time as IFI President and member of the IFI Executive Board from 2014-2022.
Lilia De Jesus, PhD (Philippines), associate professor; senior design consultant, APJArchitects; former IFI Board Member 2015- 2017; and former Philippine Institute of Interior Design President 2017-2019, was recognized for her ongoing academic, practice and volunteer work as a champion of the discipline in her country and region.
Joice Joppert Leal (Brazil), founder & CEO, Objeto Brasil Association, was commended for her long-standing support and furthering of IFI’s mandate, as well as her tireless commitment to knowledge-sharing, design advocacy and spreading design awareness in Brazil and beyond.
IFI is proud to award these remarkable individuals, who have forever changed the discipline through their passion, commitment and brilliance. They embody the spirit and ambition of IFI GAP’s highest honors, through their record of exceptional impact to the field of Interior Architecture/Design. Their work represents an undeniable contribution to the shaping of Interiors, which we are certain will leave a mark for many generations to come.
The IFI GAP 2022 winners were revealed during the virtual premiere of this year’s awards ceremony on the IFI website and all the Federation’s related platforms. Following its premiere, the IFI GAP 2022 Awards Ceremony remains available on-demand and accessible by visiting here.
