The International Interior Design Association (IIDA), in collaboration with EDmarket, proudly announces the winners of the 2015 EDspaces Innovation Awards. The competition recognizes manufacturers and designers for excellence in product design for the learning environment. Awards were announced yesterday at the EDspaces tradeshow and conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, with this year’s Best of Competition honors awarded to Borgo Contract Seating for its product, Pivot.

“This year’s winners exemplified cutting-edge innovation at the intersection of design and functionality,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP. “These elements are key to elevating educational product design and improving the quality of learning spaces – which in turn improves learning outcomes. These products represent what is next for students everywhere.”

The judging panel this year included: Katy Flammia, IIDA, AIA, LEED AP (Lead Interior Architect, NBBJ), Christina Gonano, IIDA, RID (Professor, The Savannah College of Art and Design), and Randy Stauffer (Interim Provost, Woodbury University).

On behalf of the judges, Flammia stated, “This year, movement – whether height adjustment, swiveling, pivoting, or even pedaling – was a key element to many of the products. We also saw manufacturers taking their cues from the changing classroom and different learning styles of students. Many products aided in student collaboration and participation.”

The 2015 EDspaces Innovation Awards winners are as follows:

BEST OF COMPETITION
Manufacturer: Borgo Contract Seating
Product: Pivot

FURNITURE
Manufacturer: Kidsfit
Product: The Kinesthetic Classroom

Manufacturer: Palmer Hamilton
Product: Reload Train

SEATING
Manufacturer: Borgo Contract Seating
Product: Pivot

SPECIALITIES
Manufacturer: FSR Inc.
Product: MiniVu Collaboration Station

EQUIPMENT
Manufacturer: Bretford Manufacturing
Product: Bretford TechGuard Charging Lockers