IDIBC announces 2021 Awards of Excellence Recipients

Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC) has announced the recipients of its 2021 Awards of Excellence, which honours individuals that have submitted exceptional interior design projects.

This year, of fifty submissions, the jury selected four recipients of its Awards of Excellence, ten Awards of Merit, and Interior Designer of the Year. The awards were held virtually on November 5, 2021.

“We are very pleased to recognize and showcase some of the outstanding talent among British Columbia’s Registered Interior Designers,” says IDIBC President Jennifer Heffel, RID and Principal at HB Design in Vancouver. “The Awards this year show a lot of softer elements overall. The textures, curves and warm colour palettes create a sense of calm and comfort. Now as we emerge from our cocoons, we appreciate these quiet, intimate transitional spaces. We are so proud to honour these designers.”

Photo credit Ema Peter

The Interior Designer of the Year went to Jennifer Kurtz RID IDIBC, KurtzDesign Inc, for the Members Lounge in Vancouver. The project, which also received an Award of Excellence, is a renovation of the historic club’s former Billiards Room.

The 2021 IDIBC Award of Excellence (AOE) Recipients include:

JANAY KOLDINGNES RID IDIBC, Edit Studios
BLUEARCK, Vancouver BC

Photo credit Ema Peter

An environment that evokes an elegant Parisian home, addressing the trend of “resimercial” design. This hybrid approach of imbuing commercial spaces a residential feel employs design features like soft drapery and furnishings that provide sound absorption as well as comfort and privacy. 

Category: Workplace—Total


ANDREA MCLEAN RID IDIBC, Andrea McLean Studio Inc.
COMMON GOOD, Abbotsford BC

Photo credit Tina Kulic

The iconic gelaterias of Italy have inspired this contemporary and regional take on a beloved age-old program. The design evokes the textures and colours of waffle cones and ice cream, creating a welcoming environment for all ages. 

Category: Food and Beverage


DAVID NICOLAY RID IDIBC, Evoke International Design
RC at CF RICHMOND CENTRE, Richmond BC

Photo credit Janis Nicolay

A warm and inviting environment for a program type that is too often brash or sterile. The designer has used wood, copper, plantings and other features to create a warm and sophisticated environment for customer conversations and purchase. 

Category: Multi-Residential and Sales Centre


2021 IDIBC Award of Merit (AOM) Recipients:

STEPHANIE BROWN RID IDIBC, Stephanie Brown Inc
Makena Road, Makena Hawaii
Category: Residential—Total

JAY BROOKS RID IDIBC, BOX Interior Design Inc
Private Residence, Vancouver BC
Category: Residential—Partial

ANDREA MCLEAN RID IDIBC, Andrea McLean Studio Inc.
The Cabana, Vancouver BC
Category: Residential—Partial

SHARON BORTOLOTTO RID IDIBC, BBA Design Consultants Inc
Tapestry Victoria Harbour, Victoria BC
Category: Hospitality

BRENDA CHIU RID IDIBC, Area3 Design Studio Inc.
HI Jasper Hostel, Jasper BA
Category: Hospitality

JAY BROOKS RID IDIBC, BOX Interior Design Inc
Sidecut, Whistler BC
Category: Food and Beverage

JENNIFER HOFFBECK RID IDIBC and Kimberly Hume Intern Interior Designer IDIBC,
Beach House Restaurant, West Vancouver BC
Category: Food and Beverage

KENNA MANLEY RID IDIBC and Robin Bailey RID IDIBC, SSDG Interiors Inc
Kerrisdale Lumber, Vancouver BC
Category: Retail and Kiosks

DAVID NICOLAY RID IDIBC, Evoke International Design
Kiaro Cannabis, Vancouver BC
Category: Retail and Kiosks

DAVID NICOLAY RID IDIBC, Evoke International Design
Little Kitchen Academy, Vancouver BC
Category: Healthcare and Personal Services