Yabu Pushelberg Gets IIDA Star Award

March 5, 2014  by in Designer Weekly   

The award is given to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the design industry. The 2014 IIDA Star Award will be presented at the Association’s Annual Meeting June 8 at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. www.mcachicago.org

“Yabu Pushelberg’s commitment to the highest standards of hospitality and retail design is evident in the vigorous innovation of the firm’s work, and is reflected in the many honors that George and Glenn have received,” said Cheryl Durst, executive vice president and CEO. “Because of this demonstrated commitment and its far-reaching impact elevating the profession worldwide, we are pleased to honor and celebrate Yabu Pushelberg as this year’s Star Award recipient.”

Founded in 1980 by Glenn Pushelberg and George Yabu, Yabu Pushelberg maintains a focus on design and project management, specializing in interior, furniture and product design for the hospitality and retail industries. With studios in Toronto, New York and, more recently, in Guangzhou, China, he duo has developed and realized their vision through distinctive projects around the world, including Bergdorf Goodman New York; the Four Seasons Hotels in Toronto and Tokyo; the W Hotel in Times Square, New York; Louis Vuitton, Hong Kong; the Viceroy Maldives Resort, and more.

The firm has received numerous industry honors, such as Hospitality Design magazine’s Platinum Circle Award, the James Beard Foundation Award for Excellence in Restaurant Design, and recently Best of Competition honors for the firm’s design of the W Guangzhou in Guangzhou, China, in the 2013 IIDA Best of Asia Pacific Competition. Interior Design magazine has named Yabu Pushelberg to its Interior Design Hall of Fame, and the two principals have been honored as Contract magazine’s Designers of the Year. In December of 2013, Yabu and Pushelberg were awarded the Order of Canada—their country’s highest honor—for their contributions to international design excellence.