The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) announced the winners of its annual awards program during a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, October 6.
The ARIDO Awards is one of the most highly regarded honours in the interior design community. In 2020, ARIDO halted the existing awards program to undertake a review and improve the program for 2021 and beyond. Among the changes, ARIDO now incorporates criteria that recognize projects designed by members that support or address equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion.
Interior design firm Figure3 earned the most accolades on Wednesday. Two awards in the Work category were for reimagining the head offices of the Ontario Power Generation (pictured up top) and First Gulf.
Brian Harrison, executive vice president of First Gulf, had previously commended on the workplace transformation. “We entrusted them to push boundaries and execute our vision to elevate our workplace experience,” he said. “What they delivered was beyond our expectations, and we couldn’t be happier. It’s been transformative for us as a business, and employees feel more connected to our impact on our community.”
The firm also won in the Craft category for its 411 Lobby Sculpture at the 411 Church condominium in Toronto. A Craft Award that night also went to Johnson Chou Inc. for The Selby – Still Light.
At 411 Church, a striking custom metal sculpture suspended over the reception desk completes the space, accenting the height of the lobby. Viewed from the double story window outside, the Figure3-designed interior captures attention. Photo by Steve Tsai Photography.
Also in the Work category, IBI Group won for Smart City Sandbox and Richardson Wealth Vancouver, while Interior Architects earned an honour for Innovation Hub. iN STUDIO won for the design of the Red Bull Canada office and Spin Master (Floor 1-6). Gensler won for Spin Master (7th Floor). Lastly, B+H Architects received this honour for Uber Canada headquarters, while HOK was lauded for The Co-operators Regina office.
In the LEARN category, Gow Hastings won for both Niagara College Welland Student Commons and Fleming College A-Wing, Sutherland Campus. Other awards went to Perkins&Will for Centre for Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, and Moriyama & Teshima Architects for St. Francis Xavier University – Brian Mulroney Institute of Government.
In the EAT + STAY category, accolades went to Denizens of Design for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Cafe and stré studio for Nando’s Woodmore Towne Centre.
A DISTINCT award went to Zeidler Architecture for McCrum’s Office Furnishings.
The Impact Award was also handed out for the first time. Replacing Project of the Year, it celebrates a “significant impact on an occupant or end user, neighbourhood, community, or project team etc.” This year’s winner was DEXD (Danaie Experience Design Inc.) for DS-09 Subway Station Design Standard
IMPACT AWARD: DS-09 Subway Station Design Standard
Interior Designer: Greg Parsons, ARIDO
Design Firm: DEXD (Danaie Experience Design Inc.) pic.twitter.com/PMoMVLAgkY— ARIDO (@ARIDOntario) October 6, 2021
