1.16.15 | Chicago, IL | The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) convened a select group of design, manufacturing, and corporate real estate experts for the 18th Annual IIDA Industry Roundtable, where they explored the increasing impact and importance of workplace well-being. The Roundtable, which took place in Chicago on Jan. 10-11, addressed employee well-being as a necessary component in design strategy and provided manufacturers and designers with new perspectives on human-focused design.
 
Because conversations about workplace well-being are being held at an unprecedented rate, clients are looking to design firms to help them increase employee productivity, satisfaction, and retention, and improve overall work culture. Ergonomic products and multiple work styles and environments that support an employee’s physical, emotional, social, and mental health are regarded as design approaches that contribute to a positive work structure encouraging employee growth, choice, and engagement. Essentially, firms now are being asked to create communities and not merely workspaces.
 
“This gathering was particularly astute at aligning trends in business, the economy, and wellness to determine a viable future direction for workplace and employee satisfaction,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP. International President of IIDA Julio Braga, IIDA, LEED AP, added, “The Industry Roundtable was inspiring, enlightening, and informative.  The in-depth discussions reminded us of how prevalent the issue of wellness is in our industry, and why it continues to be a major issue guiding the design of our projects.”
 
The participants at the Roundtable included:
• Roy Abernathy, AIA, IFMA, REGA, ULI (Senior Managing Director, Savills Studley)
• Alan Almasy, Industry IIDA (Director of A&D Programs and Marketing, Herman Miller)
• Julio Braga, IIDA, LEED AP, International President of IIDA (Principal, IA Interior Architects)
• Jennifer Busch, Honorary IIDA (Vice President, A&D, Teknion)
• Amy E. Corneliussen Sickeler, IIDA, AAHID, LEED AP BD+C LEED AP (Principal/ Design Director, Perkins+Will)
• Scott Hierlinger, IIDA, IIDA President- Elect (Principal/Design Director, Nelson)
• Mark Kieckhafer, Industry IIDA (Specifications Sales Manager, Wilsonart)
• Jeff Krejsa, Industry IIDA (Vice President of Marketing, Tarkett)
• Marlene Liriano, IIDA LEED AP ID+C, IIDA Vice President (Director of Interiors, HOK)
• Susanne Molina, IIDA, CID, LEED AP ID+C, IIDA Vice President (Director, Klawiter & Associates)
• Primo Orpilla, Associate IIDA (Principal, STUDIO O+A)
• Susan Pedersen, Industry IIDA (Regional Vice President, Midwest, Bentley Mills)
• Enrique Reyes, Industry IIDA, IIDA Vice President (Director of A&D Development North America, Milliken)
• Kent Reyling, Industry IIDA (Director of Market Education, Kimball Office)
• Kirsten Ritchie, PE, LEED AP O+M (Principal/Director, Gensler)
• Kylie Roth, Industry IIDA (Director of Workplace Research & Strategy, Knoll)
• Patricia Rotondo, IIDA (Principal, Chipman Design Architecture)
• Mark Shannon, Industry IIDA (Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Crossville, Inc.)
• Doug Shapiro, Industry IIDA (Director of A+D Sales, OFS Brands)
• Felice Silverman, FIIDA, IIDA Vice President (President/Principal, Silverman Trykowski Associates, Inc.)
• Melissa Sopwith, Industry IIDA (Director of Marketing, ESI Ergonomic Solutions)
• Jon Strassner, Industry IIDA (Director of A&D North America, Humanscale)
• John Stephens, Industry IIDA (Vice President of Marketing, Shaw Contract Group)
• Chris Stulpin, Industry IIDA (Creative Director, Mohawk Group)
• Alissa Wehmueller, IIDA (Director of Interiors, Helix / Architecture + Design)
• Lois Wellwood, IIDA, ARIDO, IDC (Principal, NBBJ)
• James Williamson, FIIDA, LEED AP ID+C IIDA Vice President (Principal, Gensler)

The Roundtable report will be available in early spring 2015.
 
About International Interior Design Association

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is the preeminent Commercial Interior Design professional networking and educational association with more than 13,000 Members practicing worldwide in more than 50 countries. IIDA promotes the value of Interior Design to business decision makers and to the general public through its Members who create the exceptional environments that encompass every aspect of the human experience. IIDA is committed to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in Interior Design and advancing Interior Design through knowledge, value and community.

IIDA International Headquarters | 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 567 | Chicago, IL 60654 | 888.799.4432 | www.iida.org