February 2014
BIID LOOKS FORWARD TO “LIFE-CHANGING DESIGN" CONFERENCE
With the power to have a dynamic and positive impact on human thinking and behaviour,
design is capable of transforming all our lives for the better. This premise will be explored in
depth at the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) Annual Conference, taking place at
RIBA’s London HQ, Portland Place, London, on Thursday 19th June 2014.
“We live in a world, where the vast majority of people realise that design offers enormous power for
shaping and changing the human experience,” says Sue Timney, President of the BIID. “Design
can be harnessed to solve our problems and make the world a better place.
At this year’s
conference we’ll look at how health centres and hospices, leisure and work spaces, retail and
residential interiors can all be improved through intelligent and creative design. As the professional
body for interior designers, it’s our responsibility to tell this story, and help designers and their clients
realise just what design can achieve.”
The conference entitled “Life-Changing Design: Transforming the Human Experience” will
tackle these issues with the help of a prestigious line-up of inspirational and influential
speakers who will dissect the nature of good design and assess the impact it can have.
Confirmed speakers for the 2014 conference include Lee Penson from leading architecture
and interior design studio Penson, and Charles Jencks, a trustee and Co-founder of Maggie's
Centres. Lee will be talking about his practice’s involvement in the new Google HQ
development and Charles will explain how Maggie’s Centres have created uplifting
environments for cancer care, designed by some of the world’s most renowned architects.
More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Last year’s conference attracted an audience of more than 220 people, including interior
designers, media and leading industry figures. It featured high profile speakers from a range
of design disciplines with Thomas Heatherwick, Ab Rogers, Jason Bruges and Deyan Sudjic
amongst those taking part.
The Annual Conference also provides the opportunity to present the Institute's Honorary
Fellowships created to recognise those who have had a profound impact on the
development and success of the interior design profession.
In 2013, Angela Brady (President of the RIBA), Sir James Dyson, Thomas Heatherwick and
Deyan Sudjic (Director of the Design Museum) joined Sir Paul Smith, Zandra Rhodes, Dr
Paul Thompson (Rector of the Royal College of Art), Andreas Von Einsiedel (celebrated
interiors photographer) and Graham Watts (Chief Executive of the Construction Industry
Council) as BIID Honorary Fellows.
To
find
out
more
and
book
tickets
for
this
unmissable
day
visit
www.biid.org.uk/lifechangingdesign
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Editor’s note:
About the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID)
Established in 1966, the BIID is the pre-eminent professional organisation for interior
designers in the UK. In October 2013, the BIID announced a merger with the Interior
Design Association (IDA) to create one leading body for interior design that will set national
professional standards, promote learning and debate and champion the value of interior
design on the national and international stage.
The BIID’s growing national and international membership represents both the commercial
and residential sectors, from heritage to cutting edge. The Institute is the only professional
organisation for interior designers which has been granted the prestigious and rare accolade
of Institute status by the Minister of State as the pre-eminent body in its field.
In the UK, the BIID is a full member of the Construction Industry Council and, as a result, is
now part of Government consultations to advise on new policy and legislation.
Internationally, the BIID is represented on the board of the International Federation of
Interior Architects and Designers. Visit www.biid.org.uk for details.
For further information, please contact:
Simon Bennett / Hayley Coope-Dempster
Wildwood Public Relations
The Stables, Meadow Court
Faygate Lane, Faygate
West Sussex
RH12 4SJ
Tel : +44 (0)1293 851115
Email: simon.bennett@wildwoodpr.com / hayley@wildwoodpr.com