IIDA Perspective - Fall/Winter 2017 - 42

lived in Paris as well as California so I'm hoping one of my
strengths will lie in that.
The French approach of interior design is very rigorous.
It comes from centuries of knowledge, and it's not the
same as I've seen in the United States. I also believe there
is a certain timeless elegance and sophistication to French
design that you don't quite see anywhere else.
Yet I've also been very impacted by Californian
architecture and interior design. It's opened up all these
possibilities I'd never known about. In Californian design,
there's a real sense of freedom and a strong need for the
interior of a space to be created in connection with the
surrounding environment.
CHEN: I hope interior design and architecture can
become a single entity. Studying interior design will

probably benefit me in designing architecture because
I believe sometimes architecture should rise from the
inside, rather than the outside. The interiors are where
people use the space. I'd also like to integrate some of the
ideas of urban design so that streets and interior spaces
are connected somehow.
DUVAL: Something that I have made a personal goal for
myself as a young designer is to focus on connection-the
connection of people and design in vague terms. As I
grow as a designer and become more experienced, I hope
this goal allows me to create spaces that understand
human behavior and interact with our daily lives more
than ever before. I hope this influences the future of the
design industry in a positive and innovative way, ultimately
creating a foundation as it continues to evolve. n

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
Our panel members share the projects and people that motivated them this year.

11 Howard hotel, New York,
New York, USA; Designed by
Anda Andrei Design, New
York and Space Copenhagen,
Copenhagen, Denmark
For me, it represents a
new shift in the direction
for hospitality design.
The aesthetics of the
hotel contextualize
SoHo and integrate
midcentury design
and contemporary
Danish design, making
the space timeless
yet contemporary. This
project redefined the idea
of modern
luxury and
staying at
a hotel.

42

perspective

iida.org/perspective

LINDZEY DUVAL,
STUDENT IIDA:

MARIE MELVIN,
STUDENT IIDA:

Milken Community Schools
Guerin Family Institute
and Architecture + Design
Institute, Los Angeles,
California, USA; Designed
by Lehrer Architects LA,
Los Angeles
I had the
pleasure of
watching the
interior design
competition
winners
announced at
the IIDA COOL
gala, and I found
this one in particular
inspirational because of the
level of human connection
in the design. This
institute showcases a
wonderful space for
design students to
learn, experience,
and grow. I believe
having a space like
this to support these
[opportunities] will
foster impactful design for
the students attending. And
that will expand into their
professional careers.

The Hollander, Chicago,
Illinois, USA; Designed by
Cigüe, Montreuil, France, and
Delordinaire, Paris, France
French studios Cigüe
et Delordinaire were able
to magnify the existing
structure with their
respectful, sober, yet
powerful approach. The
project doesn't borrow from
one clearly identifiable style
but shows various influences
that make you wonder, "Is
this in Rio or Manhattan?
Or maybe Milan?" The
choice of materials and
colors is absolutely
impeccable:
elegant and
warm. Finally
the treatment
of the rooms
is smart,
functional,
and inviting.
They remind
me a bit of the
students' rooms
designed by Le Corbusier.
This is a very beautiful
project.

RAQUEL RANEY,
STUDENT IIDA:
India Mahdavi, architect
and designer, Paris
My 2017 inspiration is
not a specific project but
a badass woman: India
Mahdavi. With a rich mix of
colors, cultures, and recurring
design elements, she creates
playfully sophisticated
environments that are
establishing a contemporary
style that spans
interior,
graphic, and
product
design.

Photos by: (from left) Nikolas Koenig/ Courtesy of 11 Howard;
Nikolas Koenig/ Courtesy of 11 Howard; courtesy of GRUPO HABITA; © Paolo Roversi

MAXWELL
(CHUN-WEI) CHEN:
http://www.iida.org/perspective
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IIDA Perspective - Fall/Winter 2017
