Julio Braga, design principal at IA Interior Architects in New York City, has received the IIDA’s top honor, which recognizes those whose work has benefited both the association and the interior design profession at large. Braga's work spans the national and international spectrum, having served at WalkerGroup/CNI's Environmental Branding Studio as design director before establishing Braga Oris Associates and, 10 years ago, joining IA Interior Architects. Additionally, he has earned distinctions including the Institute of Store Planners' Specialty Store of the Year Award in 2002, for his Ford new-concept store; the IFMA Design Excellence Award for his design of IA Interior Architects’ office in New York; and Interior Design magazine's Best of the Year award for the Bancolombia headquarters project in Medellin, Colombia, in 2009.
Julio Braga
“As president of IIDA, one of Julio’s goals included international expansion and involvement, which the association has worked to build for the past decade," said Cheryl Durst, the organization's executive vice president and CEO. "In his term this past year, IIDA saw the creation of a collaboration agreement between IIDA and three leading Italian associations, the first IIDA program presented in Latin America and plans for new chapters, initiatives and programming in cities and countries such as Berlin, Dubai and Singapore. All of this would not be possible without Julio’s vision, influence and work ethic. He is an exemplary ambassador for design excellence."
