May 20, 2014, Kuala Lumpur – In 1963, the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) was founded as the global voice and authority for professional Interior Architects/Designers. Today in its 50th year, IFI is the only international federating body bringing together Interior Architecture/Design organizations and the expanded community in order to further the influence and positive impact of the design of interiors; to promote global social responsibility; and to raise the status of the discipline and profession worldwide.

In this special inaugural year, The IFI Fellowship was established to recognize and acknowledge exemplary International achievement within the Interior Architecture/Design profession and to honor those who lead, connect, inspire, enrich and influence the interior architecture/design profession in significant and outstanding ways.

On stage at the IFI 50th Anniversary Awards Gala, held the evning of May 2nd in the Ballroom at the Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, hosted by the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID), the IFI Fellowship recipients were acknowledged by Shashi Caan, IFI President (2009-2014) and members of the 2011-2014 IFI Executive Board.

In the presence of its international interiors community, IFI recognized the outstanding leadership of its past presidents for their continued support to IFI through offering their guidance and service to the Executive Board. These included (and years of service), Arne Remlov (1963 – 1965 posthumously) of Norway, Christian Enevoldsen (1965-1972) of Denmark, C.L.W. Wirtz (1972-1976, posthumously) of The Netherlands, Verena Huber (1978-1980) of Switzerland, Agneta Liljedahl (1980-1983) of Sweden, Bernard Vinick (1983-1985) of the US, Jean Pinton (1985-1987, posthumously) of France, Richard Linington (1987-1989, 1991-1993) of the United Kingdom, Hanna Hjort (1989-1991) of Denmark, Claude Berube (1993-1995) of Canada, Denis Handy (1995-1997) of Ireland, Marianne Frandsen (1997-1999) of Denmark, Desmond Laubscher (1999-2001) of South Africa, Olle Anderson (2001-2003) of Sweden, Young Baek Min (2003-2005) of Korea and Madeline Lester, AM LFDIA (2005-2007) of Australia.

Additionally a select roster of individuals were bestowed the award, both from within and beyond the IFI community. These individuals were selected by the committee for their outstanding leadership and contribution to the Interiors discipline at an international level.

Robert Backhouse, FDIA of Australia, who as Managing Director at HASSEL leadings an international design practice with studios in Australia, China, South East Asia and the UK.

Dr. Theodore H. M. Prudon FAIA of the United States for his extraordinary efforts in support of IFI, which has allowed IFI to accomplish its core initiatives and its 50th anniversary programs.

Andrée Putman (posthumously) of France, distinctive design work over the course of 50 years had a global influence reaching from Europe to the Far East and North and South America.

Constance Ann, IDCS of Singapore, as President of Interior Design Confederation Singapore (IDCS) she was instrumental in coalescing a unified voice for the interiors discipline in her country and later was appointed to the 2011-2014 IFI Regional Leaders Advisory Council (IFI RLAC).

Siti Majidah Binti A. Majid, FMSID of Malaysia who’s long-standing commitment to the interiors profession gained national recognition and directly resulted in the formation of the Malaysian Society of Interior Designers (MSID, now MIID) and served on the IFI Executive Board for two terms.

Ronnie Choong Swee Beng, MIID of Malaysia, is a Founding Member, Past President and 20 year council member of MSID, now the first president of the Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID). During his term he hosted and helped to coordinate the 26th IFI General Assembly and REKA International Design Congress in which the IFI Interiors Declaration was Adopted by the city of Kuala Lumpur.

Yao Cheng Chung, CSID of Taiwan, served as CEO of the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association(APSDA) and helped to organize the first IFI General Assembly within the IDA Congress in Taipei, where he was successful in having Taipei become the first city in the eastern hemisphere to adopt the IFI Interiors Declaration.

Denise Guerin, Ph.D.,FIDEC, FASID of United States, is regionally acclaimed author of countless articles and publications who has written ever-evolving standards for the interiors profession, which have been adopted and shared around the world.

Kenneth Ko, HKIDA considered the “father” of Hong Kong interiors earning him the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award of Interior Design in Asia Pacific from the Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA)

IDr. Belen Morey, FPIID has been Vice President for External Affairs for The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) since 2005 and has PIID’s international liaison to both APSDA and IFI, Belen Morey was appointed to the 2011-2014 IFI RLAC.

Kinuko Nakagawa, JID of Japan, has been vital in evolving the international arm of Japan Interiors Architects/Designers Association (JID) and was fundamental to the planning and organizing of the IFI Congress and GA held in Nagoya in 1995.

Kita Toshiyuki, JID of Japan. An internationally recognized industrial and environmental designer who’s work is held in international collections included in the permanent collections of cultural institutions around the world.

Shashi Caan was also recognized for her outstanding visionary contributions to the Interior Architecture/Design profession worldwide and her two term President’s service to IFI. Ms. Caan was acknowledged by the IFI Chair of the Parliamentary Council and Past President Madeline Lester AM LFDIA, of Australia.