David Adjaye Wins MIT’s 2016 Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has selected architect and designer David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates as the recipient of the 2016 Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts.

President Barack Obama Awards Everett Fly with 2014 National Humanities Medal

President Barack Obama is presenting the 2014 National Medals of Arts and Humanities to award recipients during a ceremony at the White House today.

Martha Thorne Named Dean of IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid

IE University has appointed Pritzker Architecture Prize Executive Director Martha Thorne as the new dean of its Madrid and Segovia, Spain–based School of Architecture and Design.

Mahesh Ramanujam Selected as New U.S. Green Building Council CEO

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has named Mahesh Ramanujam, the company’s current chief operating officer, as USGBC’s new CEO.

David Parken Resigns as CEO of the Australian Institute of Architects

During his tenure with the organization, Parken made significant contributions to the architecture, design, and construction industries, and helped to augment the organization’s member services and event programming.

Architect Robert Mosher Dies at Age 94

He is most well known for his work as a design consultant for the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.

Alejandro Aravena to Direct the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale

This year’s theme “Battles to be Won” will emphasize how improving the built environment can enhance people’s overall quality of life.

Alex de Rijke Resigns as Dean of Architecture at the Royal College of Art

His role will officially end this September, at which point he plans to focus more on his work with locally based dRMM—a firm he founded with Sadie Morgan and Philip Marsh in 1995.

Pedro Gadanho to Join New Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology in Lisbon

Gadanho will resign from his position as curator of contemporary art and architecture at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, which he was appointed to three years ago.

California Architect Donald Wexler Dies at Age 89

Known for designing midcentury steel homes and the main terminal at the Palm Springs International Airport in California, Wexler was a disciple of California architect Richard Neutra and a proponent of the desert modern movement.

Katie Michael­-Battaglia Named Chapter President of IIDA NY

A member of IIDA NY since 2002, Michael-Battaglia has worked with the Leaders Breakfast committee since 2011 and previously served as vice president of membership from 2008 to 2009.

Nader Tehrani Appointed The Cooper Union Dean of Architecture

Tehrani brings with him more than 25 years of industry experience, during which he founded Boston–based NADAAA.

Rick Fedrizzi to End Term as CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council in 2016

Since 2003, Fedrizzi has served as CEO for the organization, which has assembled a search committee to fill the position for 2017.

37th Annual Interiors Awards Jury Announced

The Interiors Awards celebrate great design in projects across 14 categories of commercial interior architecture and design, as well as a student category.

The American Society of Interior Designers Elects 2016 Board of Directors

The 2016 ASID Board of Directors term begins on October 1, 2015, and the current board will continue to serve until then.

Indian Architect Charles Correa Dies at Age 84

Correa, an RIBA Gold Medal recipient, created a modernist architectural vocabulary in India, designing many buildings there and abroad.

Patricia Urquiola Inspires with Keynote Address at NeoCon 2015

Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola discusses her inspirations, the trajectory of her career, and what she has learned from consistently pushing the boundaries as a woman in the design industry.

Yves Béhar Honored with 2015 IIDA Star Award

Béhar is a proponent of holistic product, digital, and brand design and actively practices design as a means of social and environmental change.

IIDA Names Patricia Urquiola as the 2015 IIDA Titan Award Recipient

Urquiola founded her eponymous studio in Milan where she currently works on product design, architecture, interiors, installations, and concept creation. 

Monica Ponce de Leon Named Dean of Princeton’s School of Architecture

Ponce de Leon will replace Alejandro Zaera-Polo following allegations of plagiarism in his work for the 2014 Venice Biennale.

Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley Appointed to Curate Istanbul Design Biennial

The curators plan to reveal the third Istanbul Design Biennial’s theme in December 2015. 

Thomas V. Vonier, FAIA, Elected 2017 AIA President

Additionally, Jennifer Workman, AIA, L. Jane Frederick, FAIA, and Anthony P. Schirripa, FAIA, were elected to serve as at-large directors, while Stuart L. Coppedge, AIA, was elected 2016–2017 treasurer.

Jane Hallinan Named IIDA 2015 Member of the Year

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has named Jane Hallinan, Assoc. IIDA, as the 2015 Member of the Year award recipient. 

Contract Publisher John Rouse Among NYSID Honorary Doctorate Recipients

Trisha Wilson and Jamie Drake will additionally receive Honorary Doctorate degrees, with Wilson giving the commencement speech.

Glen Morrison Named President of Tarkett North America

The majority of his past experience is in the building and construction industry, having most recently served as president of Alcoa.

Harvard GSD Appoints John Peterson as Loeb Fellowship Curator

Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) has appointed John Peterson, a 2006 Loeb Fellow and Contract’s 2009 Designer of the Year, to succeed James Stockard as the new curator of the Loeb Fellowship beginning in January, 2016.

Steve Hillis Named President of Beaulieu Commercial

Hillis previously served as the senior vice president of Durkan Hospitality.

IIDA to Induct New President and Board Members

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has appointed Nelson Design Director Scott Hierlinger, IIDA, as the 2015-16 president and HOK Vice President and Director of Interior Design Marlene Liriano, IIDA, as its president-elect.

AIANY Names David Burney Interim Executive Director

David Burney, FAIA, has been named interim executive director of the AIANY and Center for Architecture.

Hughes, Shimoda, Braga, and Molina Named IIDA Fellows

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) has announced that four members will be inducted into its College of Follows, the highest honor offered by IIDA to its members.

Rick Bell Resigns as AIANY Executive Director

The New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIANY) has announced that Executive Director Rick Bell, FAIA, has resigned, effective immediately, after nearly 14 years in the position. No explanation for the resignation is given.

Ralph Mancini, Founder of Mancini Duffy, Has Died

Mancini served as Chairman Emeritus with Mancini Duffy after retiring in 2006.

Omer Arbel to Receive 2015 Allied Arts Medal

Omer Arbel, principal of Omer Arbel Office and co-founder and creative director of Bocci, is the recipient of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s (RAIC) 2015 Allied Arts Medal. 

Michael Graves Dies at Age 80

Architecture and design legend Michael Graves, FAIA, died this morning in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 80.

David Chipperfield Selected to Redesign Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Southwest Wing

After a yearlong selection process, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has chosen British firm David Chipperfield Architects to redesign the museum’s Southwest Wing for modern and contemporary art. 

Frei Otto Named 2015 Pritzker Laureate

German architect Frei Otto learned in recent weeks that he was going to be named the 2015 Pritzker Prize Laureate in the public announcement that was scheduled to be made on March 23.

Anthony J. Haas Named 2015 President of American College of Healthcare Architects

American College of Healthcare Architects (ACHA) has named WHR Architects Senior Principal Anthony J. Haas FAIA, FACHA, as its 2015 president. 

Perkins+Will Names Tyson Curcio as Chief Operating Officer

Perkins+Will, a global architecture and design firm, announced the appointment of Tyson Curcio, AIA, as the company’s chief operating officer (COO).

AIA Selects 2015 Diversity Recognition Program Honorees

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has named Urban Design Regional Action for Minorities (UDream) and Sorg Architects as the 2015 honorees of the AIA Diversity Recognition Program.

2015 Netherlands’ Sikkens Prize Awarded to David Chipperfield

British architect David Chipperfield is the 36th recipient of the Sikkens Prize, one of the oldest independent art prizes in the Netherlands.

AIACC Announces Three Council Awards Program Recipients

The American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC), has named three Council Awards Program recipients.

Columbia University Names New Director of the Graduate Urban Design Program

Kate Orff, founder and partner of New York–based landscape architecture studio SCAPE, has been named director of the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation’s (GSAPP) Urban Design Program.

AIA Announces 2015 Recipients for the Thomas Jefferson Award and Institute Honors for Collaborative Achievement

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced recipients for two of its annual awards.

U.S. Stamp Honors Architect Robert Robinson Taylor

On Thursday, February 12, the United States Postal Service released a limited edition of the Forever Stamp of Robert Robinson Taylor.

Ellis Woodman Named New Director of The Architecture Foundation in London

Next month, Ellis Woodman will succeed acting director Sarah Gaventa and begin his new role as director of The Architecture Foundation (AF) in London. 

Rosanne Somerson Named 17th President of RISD

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has named furniture designer, former provost, and educator Rosanne Somerson as its 17th president.

California Architect Jon Jerde Dies

California-based architect Jon Jerde, FAIA, founder of The Jerde Partnership, has died at age 75 from a long illness.

Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano Win 2015 Alvar Aalto Medal

Spanish architects Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano, founders of Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos, have been awarded the 2015 Alvar Aalto Medal, Finnish architecture's most prestigious award.

HGA Names Tim Carl as CEO

HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA) announced on February 10 that its board of directors unanimously named Tim Carl, FAIA, as the firm’s new CEO, effective February 1.

Brian MacKay-Lyons Awarded 2015 RAIC Gold Medal

Brian MacKay-Lyons, FRAIC has been awarded the 2015 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Gold Medal.

Expanded Editorial Advisory Board, Guests Enjoy the 2014 Contract Design Forum

Contract magazine’s annual Design Forum was held at Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colorado.

AIA Announces 2015 Young Architects and Associates Award Winners

Fourteen architects and two associates receive awards.

2015 Designer of the Year: Martin Lesjak

An architect and his firm of Austrian design innovators craft beautiful interiors and products.

2015 Legend: David Mourning

By defining best business practices in the commercial design profession today, the founder of IA Interior Architects is a legend.

Lynn M. Utter Resigns as President and COO of Knoll Office

Lynn M. Utter, President and COO of Knoll Office since 2007, has resigned.

Aaron Betsky Named Dean of Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture

CIDA Elects Officers and Appoints New Directors

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) board of directors has elected Dr. Pamela K. Evans, FIDEC, IIDA, as the 2015 board chair.

Barnes Foundation Names Thomas Collins as Executive Director and President

The Board of Trustees of the Barnes Foundation has named Thomas “Thom” Collins as the foundation’s new executive director and president.

Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA, Begins AIA Presidency 

Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA, CEO of Richter Architects in Corpus Christi, Texas, has begun her term as the 91st president of The American Institute of Architects (AIA). 

Cuban Architect Ricardo Porro has Died

Cuban Architect Ricardo Porro died on December 25 at the age of 89. 

Paul Katz, President of KPF, Dies at 57

Katz led the design of significant projects in Japan, Shanghai, London, and New York.

Architect David Mackay Dies at 80

He is best known for his work in Barcelona's 1992 Olympic Village.

Guggenheim Names Troy Therrien as Curator of Architecture and Digital Initiatives

Therrien comes most recently from Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

Europe 40 Under 40 Announces 2014 Architects

The recipients hail from across 11 European nations.

Luti Resigns with Change in Salone Leadership

Kartell CEO Claudio Luti has resigned as president of Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano as well as Cosmit (Comitato Organizzatore del Salone del Mobile Italiano), the organization that oversees the furniture fair held each April in Milan. Luti has led Cosmit and Salone del Mobile since late 2012.  

New York Architect Judith Edelman has Died at 91

Architect Judith Edelman, FAIA, 91, died from a heart attack on October 4, at her home in New York.  

Princeton Dean Zaera-Polo Resigns; Allen Named Interim Dean

Alejandro Zaera-Polo unexpectedly resigned as the dean of Princeton University's School of Architecture on Wednesday, October 1, effective immediately, just weeks into the school year.  

Hernan Diaz Alonso Appointed Next Director of SCI-Arc

Diaz Alonso will succeed architect Eric Owen Moss, SCI-Arc director since 2002

Jessica Hicks Appointed New President of Vitra

Effective April 2014, Vitra has appointed Jessica Hicks as the President of Vitra Inc.

Herman Miller Partners with Unbranded Designs for Design Challenge

In a unique open call for submissions, designers can enter product designs online in a competition through which the winning concept may be selected by Herman Miller to develop and make commercially available.

Michael Graves Honored with Retrospective Exhibition

Environmental Design Research Association Announces 2014-2015 Board of Directors

Deborah Sussman Dies at 83

Sussman is best known for her vibrant, graphic, and colorful designs

Christopher Scoates Named Director of Cranbrook Academy of Art

He was selected for his creative vision and eagerness to embrace new ideology and technology.

Steven Holl Named Praemium Imperiale Laureate of Architecture

The New York architect most recently completed the Reid Building at the Glasgow School of Art.

MoMA Appoints Martino Stierli Chief Curator of Architecture and Design

He currently teaches the history of modern architecture at the University of Zurich.

Los Angeles Architect Randall Stout Dies at 56

He was known for his expressive design of museums and other cultural facilities.

Bruce Brigham, 2009 ASID President, Dies at 63

The interior designer won numerous awards for his 400-plus retail branding and design projects.

Rebecca Steiger Appointed IIDA NY President

The Gensler designer most recently served as the chapter's vice president of communications.

Russell Davidson Elected 2016 AIA President

He will serve as first vice president/president-elect next year.

Matt Schad Named Nucraft CEO

He succeeds his father, Tim Schad, as the furniture company moves into the fourth generation of family leadership.

Contract Publisher John Rouse Receives IIDA Legacy Award

Rouse is recognized for his contributions to the design profession over the last two decades

Contract Publisher John Rouse to Receive IIDA Legacy Award

Rouse is being honored for his contributions to the design profession over the last 20 years.

Massimo Vignelli Has Died at 83

The famed designer produced everything from typography to interiors.

Chicago Architect Jack Train Dies at 91

The founding principal of Valerio Dewalt Train Associates was known for his technical and design excellence.

New York Architect Frederic Schwartz Dies

His post-9/11 work and ideas cemented his role as a visionary designer.

Huntsman Architectural Group Names Sascha Wagner President, CEO

Firm founder Daniel Huntsman will continue as chairman.

Austrian Architect Hans Hollein Dies at 80

The Pritzker Prize laureate is recognized for his postmodern buildings.

Mel Wolf, Founding Partner of Wolf-Gordon, Dies at 90

Wolf co-founded the upholstery and wallcovering company Wolf-Gordon in 1967.

Seattle Architect Robert Hull Dies at 68

His modernist design aesthetic brought exceptional spaces to the Pacific Northwest.

Shigeru Ban Wins 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has won the 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize, announced March 24. Ban was Contract magazine's 2001 Designer of the Year.

Horace Havemeyer III, Founding Publisher of Metropolis, Dies at 72

Havemeyer founded Metropolis magazine in 1981.

Kevin Kuske Named President, CEO of izzy+

He most recently oversaw Steelcase's Turnstone brand.

B&B Italia Founder Piero Busnelli Dies

His industrial approach formed a new chapter in Italian design.

George Yabu, Glenn Pushelberg Appointed to Order of Canada

The civilian honor recognizes the designers' outstanding achievement and service to the country.

Maya Romanoff, Wallcovering Pioneer, dies at 72

His works appear in the Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Charles Lamb, RTKL Founding Partner, Dies at 87

His notable projects include a lodge for the Girl Scouts, the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and a federal courthouse.

Dan Noble Named HKS President, CEO

He serves on the firm's executive committee and has been design director since 2001.