NEW YORK, USA — IFI, the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers, is launching the inaugural edition of IFI LEADS – Luminary Experts, Architects & Designers Speaker Series on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Presented as a 50-minute virtual panel of world-renowned keynote speakers, IFI LEADS 2022 features the discipline’s luminaries who represent varied perspectives and interpretations of topical issues at the world level.
This year’s first edition showcases four exceptional presentations centered around the theme of “Design & Creativity: Innovating for New World Realities.” Viewers will have the opportunity to hear and be inspired by preeminent architects/designers Chi Wing Lo, Patricia Urquiola, and David Rockwell; and journalist/editor-in-chief Walter Mariotti. This outstanding line-up of leading voices, representing aspects of the design discipline worldwide, shares insightful presentations, each addressing different perspectives for Design & Creativity.
IFI LEADS 2022 Keynote Speakers
Chi Wing Lo
Founder, DIMENSIONE CHI WING LO (China)
- Raised in Hong Kong
- Master’s degree in Architecture from Harvard
- Prolific works encompass the fields of architecture, sculpture, interiors, furniture, and object design
- World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer Award 2015 recipient
- Founded DIMENSIONE CHI WING LO – a furniture brand designed and made in Italy under his close direction
- Art director for Giorgetti from 2004-2006
- Served as a visiting critic in different universities and as a frequent speaker in design events
Walter Mariotti
Editorial Director, Domus (Italy)
- Studied Philosophy in Siena and Harvard and Economics and Management at Bocconi in Milan
- Started career as a researcher and professor, then entered public administration in the sectors of culture, public relations, and strategic planning
- Conceptually redesigned Panorama, later becoming Deputy Editor-in-Chief
- Established Periferie, conceived by Renzo Piano
- Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Domus in 2017, tasked with conceiving, directing, and developing the Domus System, including magazine, website, archive, events, and intelligence
Patricia Urquiola
Founder and Owner, Studio Urquiola (Spain)
- Studied architecture and design in Madrid; completed studies at Politecnico di Milano, under Achille Castiglioni’s mentorship
- Founded multidisciplinary Studio Urquiola in 2001 with her partner, Alberto Zontone
- Served as Creative Director of Cassina since 2015 and works with many important Italian and international design companies
- Work exhibited in art and design museums across the world, including MoMA in New York, Decorative Arts Museum in Paris, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, and the V&A in London
- Advisory board member of the Politecnico di Milano and the Triennale Milano Museum
David Rockwell
Founder and President, Rockwell Group (USA)
- Founder and President of Rockwell Group, an interdisciplinary architecture, and design firm based in New York with offices in Los Angeles and Madrid
- Known for merging theater, performance, and architecture
- Most notable work includes hospitality, luxury residential, airport terminals, cultural institutions, set design, products, exhibitions, and festivals
- Honors include a Tony Award for Best Scenic Design for She Loves Me; two Emmy
- Awards for production design for the Oscars (2021 and 2010); the National Design
- Award from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum for outstanding achievement in
- Interior Design; and the Presidential Design Award
IFI LEADS 2022, premiering Monday, 21 February 2022 on the IFI website at 8am EST, is free to all – no registration is required. Following the event, it will remain available on-demand to ensure worldwide access and benefit.
