On September 16, 2015, the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) announced the winners of its annual Awards program during a gala dinner at the Hilton Toronto Hotel. One of the most highly regarded honours for the profession, the ARIDO Awards recognize excellence, innovation and creativity in interior design. This year’s winners include an Award of Excellence and 21 Awards of Merit.  “Having the title (or role) “president” can have little meaning where the culture of the organization and more importantly, the profession itself is one that does not set itself apart from others. This is not the case for Registered interior designers in Ontario.” says Deanna Hayko, president of ARIDO. “I am fiercely proud of what the interior design community has achieved over the years ‎and continues to accomplish. “ says Hayko. “The strength and talent of the profession and its future is evident in tonight’s award winning projects.”

Evaluated by four esteemed representatives from business, media and design, each of the entrants were asked to confirm existing design elements, budget and project objectives, strategies employed, overall creativity, examples of project results, and sustainability and collaborative elements.

The Award of Excellence was given in one category demonstrating that good design can be employed wherever we live, work and play.

ARIDO member Tania Bortolotto of Bortolotto Design was honoured with an Award of Excellence for her design of the Finch Avenue Optometry. 

A complete listing of all award-winning projects is attached.

For more information, images, or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Tom Kuczynski
Regulatory Communications Coordinator
e: [email protected]
t: 416.921.2127 c: 647.883.9787

About ARIDO

The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) is the only self-regulatory professional organization for interior designers in Ontario. Since its inception in 1934, the Association has played a vital role in the interior design industry by protecting the rights of the interior design profession and regulating the interior design profession in Ontario in the best interests of the public.

Arido obtained Private legislation, Bill Pr6, in 1999 which grants Registered Members who meet ARIDO standards exclusive use of the title Interior Designer in Ontario.

By giving legal standing to the designation of Interior Designer, the government bestows on the title a measure of respect and recognizes the high standards of education, training and formal examination that professional interior designers meet. The act also safeguards consumers by ensuring that members are fully qualified and possess the most current qualifications. Any person in Ontario who is not a Registered member of the ARIDO is guilty of an offense if he or she uses the designation Interior Designer or ARIDO.

The more than 1,100 Registered members of ARIDO have expertise in a wide range of sectors, including corporate, residential, retail, hospitality, health care and institutional. In total, ARIDO has more than 3,000 Registered, Intern, Educator and Student members.

ARIDO congratulates all 2015 ARIDO Award recipients:

Awards of Excellence

^{PROJECT NAME: Finch Avenue Optometry}

^{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Tania Bortolotto, ARIDO}

^{DESIGN FIRM: Bortolotto Design}

Awards of Merit

_{PROJECT NAME: Bennington Heights} 

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Simon Rowlands, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Stuart Cotter, Intern ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Rowlands Associates Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Heathdale Residence}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Michael Krus, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: TACT Design Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Michael Angelo’s}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Brian Bettencourt, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Paulis Ciskevicius, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Watt International Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Village Juicery}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Ashley Rumsey, ARIDO, Stanley Sun, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Ming Chen, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Mason Studio Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Abet Laminati}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Joe Cho, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: JCHO Design}

_{PROJECT NAME: Environics}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Michel Arcand, ARIDO, Don Parker, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Gillian Gregory, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: IN8 Design Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: HOK Toronto Offices}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Sharon Turner, ARIDO, Caitlin Turner, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Clarissa Lam, ARIDO, Daniela Barbon, ARIDO, Lisa Fulford-Roy, ARIDO, Jamie Khan, Intern ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: HOK, Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Sick Kids Ophthalmology}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Andrew Sun, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Zeidler Partnership Architects}

_{PROJECT NAME: The Williamsburg Uptown, Seniors Living}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Judy Newcombe, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Heather Wallace, Intern ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Newcombe Design Associates Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: NOIR Presentation Centre}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Mike Niven, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Mike Niven Interior Design Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Atlas Tube Recreation Centre}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Tarisha Dolyniuk, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects}

_{PROJECT NAME: Branksome Hall Athletics & Wellness Centre}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Tarisha Dolyniuk, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects}

_{PROJECT NAME: Centennial College, Ashtonbee}

_{Campus Student HUB, Library & Athletics}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Tarisha Dolyniuk, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects}

_{PROJECT NAME: Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Bryan Wiens, ARIDO, Lauren Coburn, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: LWG Architectural Interiors Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Darryl J. King Student Life Centre, Kings University College}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Michelle M. Sta Ana-Ascenzi, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Joanne D’Silva, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Perkins + Will, Toronto}

_{PROJECT NAME: Durham College Centre for Food}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Valerie Gow, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Gow Hastings Architects Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Merchandise Building}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Tania Bortolotto, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Bortolotto Design}

_{PROJECT NAME: St.Leo’s Church}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Stanley Kedzierski, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Urban Parallel Inc.}

_{PROJECT NAME: Centennial College Student HUB Benches & Workstations}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Tarisha Dolyniuk, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects}

_{PROJECT NAME: Due West}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Caroline Robbie, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Victoria McGlade, Intern ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Quadrangle Architects Limited}

_{PROJECT NAME: 60 Atlantic Avenue}

_{INTERIOR DESIGNER: Caroline Robbie, ARIDO}

_{DESIGN TEAM: Dyonne Fashina, ARIDO, Julie Mroczkowski, ARIDO, Victoria McGlade, Intern ARIDO}

_{DESIGN FIRM: Quadrangle Architects Limited}

For additional information and images, visit the ARIDO website, and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.