Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) have presented Leszek M. Muniak, co-founder and principal of the Toronto-based Larden Muniak Consulting Inc., with the prestigious 2010 IIDA Leadership Award of Excellence. The award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession of interior design, was presented at the fourth annual IIDA Leaders Breakfast on Dec. 3 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto. Paul Lavoie, chairman of TAXI, one of Canada’s leading and award-winning advertising agencies, delivered the keynote address.
“Les has been instrumental in assisting interior designers in the application of building codes, fire safety principles, and innovative design approaches for many years,” says IDC president, David Hanson. “We’ve chosen to honour him for his exceptional leadership in this area and his support of the interior design profession across the country.”
During his more than 30-year career, Les has worked with a wide variety of clients on hundreds of building code and fire protection projects across Canada, the United States, and the Middle East. Many of these projects required him to pioneer new techniques in fire protection and building code compliance. He has developed fire analysis computer techniques, conducted fire investigations, acted as consultant for legal counsel, and presented various building code training courses. He regularly initiates innovative solutions to complex building design problems.
In addition, he volunteers countless hours to the associations of the interior design community and to government committees, to ensure the profession’s right to practise is at the forefront of important discussions and any related legislation.
“I’m honoured to receive this award from the interior design community. Throughout my career, I’ve directed a great deal of my attention toward assisting interior designers in applying building codes and fire safety principles in their designs. It is very rewarding to be recognized this way,” says Les Muniak.
Les’s propensity for innovative design has won him multiple awards, a seat on the Ontario and National Building Code committees, and honorary membership in the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO). In 2004 Les received the Louis S. Tregre Award from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) for outstanding volunteer service to advance NCIDQ’s mission of public protection.