2007 National Design Awards
Interiordesign.net celebrates the winners and finalists of the 2007 National Design Awards.
Sheila Kim-Jamet -- Interior Design, 6/6/2007 12:00:00 AM
Our hats go off to the winners and finalists of this year's National Design Awards, a program that is now in its eighth year. Whereas previously, the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum announced finalists earlier in the year, and winners at a later date, the New York–based Smithsonian institution decided to release this year's finalists' names simultaneously with the winners on May 16. All will be honored at a celebration and gala dinner at the museum on October 18.
Architecture Design: Office dA
Boston-based Office dA is best known for its interdisciplinary approach to architecture, as well as innovative construction techniques. In addition to working on projects that range from affordable housing to academic buildings, the firm's principals, Nadar Tehrani and Monica Ponce de Leon, currently teach at Harvard's Graduate School of Design. Finalists in this category: Enrique Norten, principal of TEN Arquitectos and professor at both University of Pennsylvania and Yale School of Architecture; Dan Rockhill, principal of Rockhill + Associates and director of Studio 804 at the University of Kansas.
Communications Design: Chip Kidd
Recognized for his striking graphic design, most notably for book covers, Kidd has also written about graphic design and pop culture, and edits comic books for Pantheon. Readers can look out for his designs, which are gracing the covers of three of this year's Pulitzer Prize–winning books. Finalists in this category: C&G Partners, led by Steff Geissbuhler, Keith Helmetag, Jonathan Alger, and Emanuela Frigerio; Paula Scher, a principal for Pentagram since 1991.
Fashion Design: Rick Owens
With an edgy design sensibility, Owens uses a minimalist palette for his own women's-wear line. His work is best known for its dramatic flair, often demonstrating a masterful use of asymmetrical cut and draping. Finalists in this category: Phillip Lim, founder of the 3.1 phillip lim women's-wear line; Narciso Rodriguez, whose minimal women's clothing is noted for its sensual tailoring.
Interior Design: Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis
We couldn't rave enough about this year's winner, nor the finalists. The winner, Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis, has again and again demonstrated an out-of-the-box approach to interior design and experimentation through a slew of small but visually-powerful projects—from Xing to Fluff, both of them restaurants in New York. The firm's principals are Paul Lewis, Marc Tsurumaki, and David Lewis. Finalists in this category: Interior Design Hall of Fame member David Rockwell, founder of Rockwell Group; Interior Design Hall of Fame members Calvin Tsao and Zack McKown, principals of Tsao & McKown Architects.
Landscape Design: Peter Walker
The principal of his namesake firm, Walker has more than 50 years of experience in teaching and practicing landscape architecture. Major works include Stanford University's Center for Clinical Science Research in California, the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art in Japan, and the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas. Additionally, Walker's design for the World Trade Center Memorial in New York, a collaboration with architect Michael Arad, has been selected. Finalists in this category: Field Operations, led by founder James Corner; Ken Smith, known for his urban parks and public spaces.
Product Design: Jonathan Ive for Apple
Mention computer giant Apple, and there's no need to say more about how the company's design of computers, portable audio players, and other gadgetry has changed the way we look at and feel about consumer technology today. Apple's senior vice president of industrial design, Jonathan Ive, is largely responsible for this. Since 1996, he has led the company's product design team to bring such joys to the international audience as the all-in-one iMac and the iconic iPod. Finalists in this category: Karim Rashid, the New York designer who's created consumer products for such companies as Umbra and Alessi, as well as interiors; Smart Design, led by principals Davin Stowell and Tom Dair, a firm behind award-winning products for Oxo and Samsung.
Lifetime Achievement: Antoine Predock
The principal of his namesake architectural firm since 1967, Antoine Predock has been recognized for his highly contextual works; major projects include the Tacoma Art Museum in Washington, the Austin City Hall in Texas, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. While he maintains offices in Los Angeles, Albuquerque, and Taiwan, Predock also lectures, as well as exhibits his work, internationally.
Corporate Achievement: Adobe Systems
The award bestowed to a corporation that fosters the relationship between design and quality of life this year goes to software giant Adobe Systems, who's revolutionized the way both consumers and professionals approach and work with design through such programs as Flash, Photoshop, and Illustrator, among others.
Design Mind: Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates
This category recognizes the visionary individuals or firms who've affected a shift in design thinking or practice. This year, the Cooper-Hewitt has selected the principals of Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates—Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. For more than 30 years, the Philadelphia practitioners have been involved in design and urban planning, and contributed to architectural theory. Major projects include the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery in London, and additions to the Seattle Art Museum, Tsingha University in Beijing, and Harvard University in Massachusetts.
Special Jury Commendation: Francis D.K. Ching
Through writing and illustration, Ching has influenced a generation of students and continues to further design education by articulating the often-complex relationships between abstract ideas and their resulting designs. Major texts include Architecture: Form, Space and Order and Building Construction Illustrated.
Design Patron: Maharam
Honoring companies or individuals for outstanding support and patronage within the design community, this year's patron award is being presented to textile company, Maharam. For more than a century, Maharam has been and continues to be a pioneer in the textiles and design industry, valuing and working with leaders in various disciplines such as Hella Jongerius, Bruce Mau, and Paul Smith.
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