Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC) has announced the distinguished recipients of its 2021 Awards of Excellence. Open to all Registered Interior Designers (RID) in British Columbia, the Awards honour individuals that have submitted exceptional interior design projects. This year, of fifty submissions, the jury selected four recipients of its Awards of Excellence, ten Awards of Merit, and Interior Designer of the Year.
“We are very pleased to recognize and showcase some of the outstanding talent among British Columbia’s Registered Interior Designers,” says IDIBC President Jennifer Heffel RID, and Principal at HB Design in Vancouver. “The Awards this year show a lot of softer elements overall. The textures, curves, and warm colour palettes create a sense of calm and comfort. Now as we emerge from our cocoons, we appreciate these quiet, intimate transitional spaces. We are so proud to honour these designers.”
Adjudicators were Johnson Chou ARIDO, of Johnson Chou in Toronto; Marc Bherer APDIQ, of Desjardins Bherer in Montreal; and Valerie Gow ARIDO, Gow Hastings Architects in Toronto. Awards recipients were honoured at the IDIBC Awards Presentation, streamed online on November 5, 2021.
IDIBC 2021 Award of Excellence (AOE) Recipients
recognizing submissions deemed to have an exceptional level of design
AOE2 Recipient: Janay Koldingnes RID IDIBC, Edit Studios
Project: BlueArck, Vancouver BC
An environment that evokes an elegant Parisian home, addressing the trend of “resimercial” design. This hybrid approach of imbuing commercial spaces a residential feel employs design features like soft drapery and furnishings that provide sound absorption as well as comfort and privacy.
Category: Workplace—Total
Photo credit: Ema Peter Photography
Jury comments
“It’s idiosyncratic! There’s a distinct taste and style that is evoked quite well.”
“The attention to detail is very consistent throughout the office. You feel that the different spaces are the same space.”
“There are tasteful elements, especially the bathroom with the vanity and mirror details.
AOE3 Recipient: Andrea McLean RID IDIBC, Andrea McLean Studio Inc.
Project: Common Good, Abbotsford BC
The iconic gelaterias of Italy have inspired this contemporary and regional take on a beloved age-old program. The design evokes the textures and colours of waffle cones and ice cream, creating a welcoming environment for all ages.
Category: Food and Beverage
Photo credit: Tina Kulic
Jury comments
“This is a masterful exercise in restraint and branding where you just have a couple of elements and the Donald Judd benches. That’s all you need, and it’s a memorable space that creates a memorable experience.”
AOE4 Recipient: David Nicolay RID IDIBC, Evoke International Design
Project: RC at CF Richmond Centre, Richmond BC
A warm and inviting environment for a program type that is too often brash or sterile. The designer has used wood, copper, plantings and other features to create a warm and sophisticated environment for customer conversations and purchase.
Category: Multi-Residential and Sales Centres
Photo credit: Janis Nicolay
Jury comments
“I think this is a very sophisticated sales centre, and they really developed the brand for it very well.”
“The introduction of the copper elements adds sparkle and warmth throughout the space.”
“The use of screens demonstrates the skills of the designer, and it also speaks to the sophistication they are looking to achieve in the development.”
AOE1 Recipient: Jennifer Kurtz RID IDIBC, KurtzDesign Inc.
Project: Members Lounge, Vancouver BC
A site for meeting and relaxing by day that transforms into a vibrant wine bar at night. This dark and intimate space, a renovation of the historic club’s former Billiards Room, has chalked up a double honour, receiving an Award of Excellence and Interior Designer of the Year, which recognizes the project designer whose submission is deemed by the jury to display the most outstanding interior design among all submitted.
Category: Food and Beverage
Photo credit: Ema Peter Photography
Jury comments – Interior Designer of the Year
“Layering and complexity created a very successful project.”
“The program was executed very well to create a particular ambiance and consistent branding that resonates in all the finishes and furniture selections.”
“Going there would be a memorable experience.”
Jury comments – Project
“In terms of branding, it works to create a particular ambiance. It’s dark, but the materials and colours used, work together to create an eclectic experience.”
“The layout is done well. It appears to be a huge space, but it’s comfortable and well programmed.”
“The bar and lighting stand out, and are well done.”
IDIBC 2021 Award of Merit (AOM) Recipients
recognizing submissions deemed to have a high level of design
AOM1 Recipient: Stephanie Brown RID IDIBC, Stephanie Brown Inc.
Project: Makena Road, Makena Hawaii
A luxury vacation home which melds traditional Hawaiian architecture with modern design, using natural materials including limestone, walnut, and volcanic stone.
Category: Residential—Total
AOM2 Recipient: Jay Brooks RID IDIBC, BOX Interior Design Inc.
Project: Private Residence, Vancouver BC
A waterfront home that fashionably and powerfully presents the owner as a worldly connoisseur, reflecting both Asian and Western sensibilities.
Category: Residential—Partial
AOM3 Recipient: Andrea McLean RID IDIBC, Andrea McLean Studio Inc.
Project: The Cabana, Vancouver BC
The transformation of a Vancouver bungalow into an urban oasis that the family could grow into.
Category: Residential—Partial
AOM4 Recipient: Sharon Bortolotto RID IDIBC, BBA Design Consultants Inc.
Project: Tapestry Victoria Harbour, Victoria BC
A welcoming, comfortable and refined environment for an active aging lifestyle.
Category: Hospitality
AOM5 Recipient: Brenda Chiu RID IDIBC, Area3 Design Studio Inc.
Project: HI Jasper Hostel, Jasper AB
Accommodation for contemporary backpackers, with design features that create an environment that is inviting, interactive, fun, and memorable.
Category: Hospitality
AOM6 Recipient: Jay Brooks RID IDIBC, BOX Interior Design Inc.
Project: Sidecut, Whistler BC
The transformation of a 20-year-old restaurant into two distinct dining concepts for the Four Seasons Hotel Whistler.
Category: Food and Beverage
AOM7 Recipient: Jennifer Hoffbeck RID IDIBC and Kimberly Hume Intern Interior Designer IDIBC, Earls Restaurants
Project: Beach House Restaurant, West Vancouver BC
The revitalization of a historic building and restaurant with a bright and fresh design and unobstructed beachfront views.
Category: Food and Beverage
AOM8 Recipient: Kenna Manley RID IDIBC and Robin Bailey RID IDIBC, SSDG Interiors Inc
Project: Kerrisdale Lumber, Vancouver BC
A highly functional and contemporary display system for a retail icon after its relocation to a new building.
Category: Retail and Kiosks
AOM9 Recipient: David Nicolay RID IDIBC, Evoke International Design
Project: Kiaro Cannabis, Vancouver BC
A cannabis retail environment reflecting the concepts of quality, education, and customer service.
Category: Retail and Kiosks
AOM10 Recipient: David Nicolay RID IDIBC, Evoke International Design
Project: Little Kitchen Academy, Vancouver BC
A Montessori-based kitchen academy for children from kindergarten to age 12.
Category: Healthcare and Personal Services
About the Awards and IDIBC
IDIBC Awards of Excellence have honoured the most outstanding Registered Interior Designers (RID) in British Columbia since 1981. Each year, a distinguished jury considers entries across eleven sectors in residential and commercial design to select the Award of Excellence and Award of Merit recipients and Interior Designer of the Year.
IDIBC provides a regulatory framework of professional standards, to serve the public interest and advance the interior design profession. These high standards are recognized through the RID designation. To this end, IDIBC has developed a Strategic Plan to best serve its members and the profession in the years to come. More information on IDIBC’s vision and initiatives can be found in the 2021-2023 IDIBC Strategic Plan.
