Close

Winners of the 2020 IFI Design Distinction Awards announced in Dubai

IFI DDA forms part of the IFI Global Awards Program, recognising best built interiors.

The winners of the inaugural IFI Design Distinction Awards (IFI DDA) have been announced at a ceremony in Dubai during the recent IFI Congress. The winners were chosen from 563 entries from 38 countries and regions across ten different categories. The IFA DDA form part of the IFI Global Awards Program (IFI GAP), which recognises and documents exemplary vision, talent and commitment in the practice of interior architecture/design.

In addition to the winners across the 10 categories, a number of special awards were handed out. The IFI Prize recipient was Arthur Gensler of the USA and the IFI Design Journalism Award was presented to Alice Rawsthorn of the UK.

Five new Fellows of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (FOIFI) were named. They are Sebastiano Raneri (Italy), Julio Cesar Chavez Espino (Mexico), Mohamad Faisal Ghazali (Malaysia), Jooyun Kim, Ph.D. (Korea) and Susan Szenasy (United States of America).


The winners in the 10 awards categories were named as:

COMMERCE: JINS SWFC Shop (China) by junya.ishigami+associates (Japan)

JINS SWFC Shop

Photo: Eiichi Kano

HABITAT: Tiny Holiday Home by i29 interior architects (Netherlands)

Tiny Holiday Home

Photo: Ewout Huibers

HEALTH: New York Presbyterian David H. Koch Center by HOK (USA)

HUMANITARIAN: Xiamutang Children’s Bamboo Library by Zhanghaiao (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) (China)

Xiamutang Children's Bamboo Library

LEARNING: National University of Singapore School of Design & Environment 4 (Singapore) by Serie + Multiply Architects (UK / Singapore ) with Surbana Jurong and National University of Singapore School of Design & Environment

PLAY: Ayla Clubhouse & Golf Academy (Jordan) by Oppenheim Architecture (USA)Ayla Clubhouse and Golf Academy

STAY: Su House by KUNYU-DESIGN (China)

Su House

STUDENT: S/ash /iving by Kwan Yiu Tam, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong, China)

SUSTAINABILITY: Alila Yangshuo Shenzhen by Horizontal Design Co., Ltd. (China)Alila Yangshuo Shenzen

WORK: Luther’s Machinery Hall by HG Arhitektuur OÜ (Estonia)Luther's Machinery Hall

The Latest

Design Take: Inside the Royal Suite at Jumeirah Al Naseem

With sweeping views of the ocean and Burj Al Arab, this two bedroom royal suite offers a lush stay.

Elevated Living

Designed by La Bottega Interiors, this penthouse at the Delano Dubai echoes soft minimalism

Quiet Luxury

Studio SuCo transforms a villa in Dubailand into a refined home

Contrasting Textures

Located in Al Barari and designed by BONE Studio, this home provides both openness and intimacy through the unique use of materials

Stillness, Form and Function

Yasmin Farahmandy of Y Design Interior has designed a home for a creative from the film industry

From Private to Public

How ELE Interior is reshaping hospitality and commercial spaces around the world – while staying unmistakably itself

A collaborative design journey

A Life By Design (ALBD) Group and Condor Developers have collaborated on some standout spaces in Dubai

Ahmed Bukhash podcast

New Episode: In Design With: Ahmed Bukhash

Watch the latest episode on In Design With.

Highlights of the Biennale Architettura 2025

We shine a light on the pavilions from the Arab world at the Venice Architecture Biennale, on display until Sunday 23 November 2025

Read ‘Bold Design’ – Note from the editor – July/August 2025

Read identity magazine's July/August 2025 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy at the newsstands.

Things to Covet

Elevate your spaces with a pop of colour through these unique pieces

Designing Spaces with Purpose and Passion

We interview Andrea Savage from A Life By Design – Living & Branding on creating aesthetically beautiful and deeply functional spaces