Event Details
Saturday, 28 May 2022 — Zoom
9:00-10:30am (GMT-4) / 9:00-10:30pm (GMT+8)
IFI & APSDA Leadership
Shashi Caan, FoIFI – Moderator (USA)
FRSA (UK), FCIDI (Ibero Americanos), Hon FASID (US), Hon FBIID (UK), Hon FDIA (Australia)
IFI CEO | IFI President 2009-2011 & 2011-2014 | Architect/Designers
With her extensive international professional and teaching experience, Shashi Caan is a multidisciplinary and multicultural architect, designer, educator and author. In her leadership roles with a roster of global clients, institutions, and firms, she has focused on meaningful improvement of life quality as shaped by design. Often described as a futurist and visionary, she has a keen interest in the foundational development for architecture and design to address current societal challenges. Her seminal book Rethinking Design and Interiors: Human Beings in the Built Environment has been translated into multiple languages. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the US Designer of Year, and she has been conferred international, regional, and national professional fellowships from IFI-the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers, Latin America, Australia, the UK, and the US.
Emrah Kaymak (Turkey)
IFI President 2022-2024 | President 2016-2022, Chamber of Interior Architects Turkey (CIAT)
Emrah Kaymak received his Bachelor Degree (2007) in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at ID Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey. During his graduate study (2007-2008) at Istituto Superiore di Architecttura e Design (ISAD) in Milan, Italy, he specialized in Interior Design and TV Set Design. Upon graduation he took part in many national and international projects and worked for various construction companies and design offices in Turkey until 2012. In 2012, he established his own brand as ”Mekansal Fikirler (Spatial Ideas)” under his company EKY Project, Interior Architecture and Construction Co., where he continues to practice on national and international levels. In 2012, he worked for the foundation of the Ankara Branch of the Chamber of Interior Architects of Turkey (CIAT). He served two terms as its first president before being elected national CIAT president in 2016. He is also a founding member and Vice-President of the Design and Planning Accreditation Association (TAPLAK) Turkey.
Tatu Ahlroos (Finland)
IFI President-Elect 2022-2024 | Chairman 2015-2020, The Association of Finnish Interior Architects SIO
Tatu Ahlroos was the Chairman for Sisustusarkkitehti SIO / TaM, the association of Finnish Interior Architects until 2021. He held the position for 5 of his 12 years working as a professional in the field of design and architecture. Tatu is currently Senior Interior Architect at Synopsis Architects Ltd, a Helsinki based architectural office specialized in demanding renovation projects. In 2008, Tatu also founded his own company, Taking Care of Design. This is a Helsinki based design office, working with interiors, graphic design and soundscapes. He holds a degree in Furniture Design, as well as having completed a Master’s Degree in Interior Architecture from Aalto University. During his studies, he also explored themes of Aesthetics, Urban Planning, Spatial Design. His Master’s Thesis focused on dealing with designing urban spaces.
Titi Ogufere (Nigeria)
IFI Past President 2022-2024 | Founder & President 2014-2018, Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDA)
Titi Ogufere is an interior designer, author, publisher, media entrepreneur, product designer and curator. Titi exceptional career in Design has run the gamut for two decades and she is arguably among the top ten leaders in the African design world. As a thought leader and pioneer, she founded the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) – an organisation charged with promoting and providing excellence for the Interiors’ profession throughout Nigeria. She also founded Essential interiors Magazine, Made by Design Show (a luxury home and hospitality show), Interior Design Excellence Awards, Design Week Lagos and Design Museum Lagos. Through her Design practice, Essential Interiors Consultants (EIC), Titi has designed high-end residential, commercial and hospitality projects for an exclusive list clients globally.Titi has worked across a wide range of disciplines, creating a rich portfolio of work. In addition to all her accomplishments, she is the publisher of Essential Interiors Magazine, Essential Traveler, Essential Woman Magazine, and author of several books focusing on interior design, product design, architecture, art and fashion.
Keat Ong (Singapore)
APSDA President | President, Society of Interior Designers, Singapore (SIDS)
An architect by training and multidisciplinary designer by profession, Professor Keat Ong is a celebrated, awards-winning designer. He is the founder of Nota Design Group and Keat Ong Design as well as a three-term president of Society of Interior Designers, Singapore (SIDS). Keat chairs the Singapore Interior Design Accreditation Council, which oversees the competency of interior design practitioners in Singapore. He was also elected to preside over the 13-nation Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) for the 2021-2023 term. In 2014, he was named one of Asia’s top designers by the Singapore Design Awards, and in 2016-17, he was awarded Designer of the Year from the famed INTERIOR DESIGN magazine. In 2017, he was named “The Most Influential Designer” by China Building Decoration Association, the country’s national body for interior design. He is a visiting professor to numerous universities in Asia and judges many prestigious award competitions internationally.
Emil Chao (Taiwan, ROC)
APSDA Vice President | President, Chinese Society of Interior Designers (CSID)
Mr. Emil Chao has engaged in the field of interior design since 1991. His experience includes working in an architectural firm and in the architectural studio before establishing his own interior design company. Solid architectural skill and exceptional sense of architectural beauty are utilized in many of his notable works. In addition to grasping the natural connection between interior and exterior, Emil believes the essence of design lies in space configuration and human activity, and he has unique insight toward beauty and order in space design. To contribute to his profession and advance it in his country, he gave a speech in the government agencies and schools and was also appointed as a jury member in design awards.
Gavin Campbell (Australia)
APSDA Board Member | President, Design Institute of Australia (DIA)
Gavin has long been an advocate of the DIA on a local, state, and national level. He chaired the Western Australian Branch for five years and acted as a national director for four years. After 16 years as a senior associate with HASSEL, Gavin now provides specialist design consultancy services. His recent collaborations include interior design and architecture, branding and marketing, photography, styling, and graphic design. Gavin’s strong passion for design and its value to our culture has motivated him to work to promote the values of good design across the whole community. Gavin is passionate about recognizing the changing landscape of design and looks forward contributing to the implementation of the DIA’s strategic vision.
IDr. Lilia De Jesus, FoIFI (Philippines)
APSDA Board Member | Past President, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID)
Lilia C. de Jesus holds a bachelor of fine arts, with a major interior design, from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). She also holds a master’s in art education, and doctors in educational psychology from the University of the Philippines. She currently chairs the Technical Committee for Interior Design and leads the newly formed interior design program of Enderun Colleges, under the College of Architecture and Design. She also teaches at the Graduate School of UST and runs research funded by the Research Center for Culture and the Arts (RCCAH), with a specific focus to advance the multidisciplinary aspect of interior design both as a program and practice. Lilia was elected president of the Council of Interior Design Educators for four terms, and between 2017 to 2019, she was the president of the National Professional Oganization of Interior Designers. Lilia gained global recognition when she was elected as a board member to the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI), headquartered in New York, between 2015 to 2017. Now, she is a conferred fellow of IFI, granted last February 2022. She is also a current board member of the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) in Malaysia.
Wesley Liu (Hong Kong, China)
APSDA Board Member | Vice-Chairman, PRC Affairs, Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA)
Wesley Liu is well known for creating harmony and warm style interiors at all levels. After graduating with a master’s degree in design from the College of Fine Art, University of New South Wales in 2007, he worked with a celebrated architectural firm before he founded his design studio, PplusP Designers Limited, in 2009. Within years, his works received numerous accolades, including the Best of Year Award (US), American MasterPrize (US), International Property Awards (UK), Design for Asia Award (HK), Perspective and A&D Trophy Awards (HK) and Asia Pacific Interior Design Award – APIDA (HK). In 2012, his outstanding work and contribution to the industry in his region gained him the 40under40 Award presented by the renowned design magazine “Perspective (Hong Kong),” and in 2016, he was conferred with the honor of “10 Most Outstanding Young Persons” by the China Official. In 2022, Wesley was admitted to a doctoral program in architecture and urban design with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia. Wesley is a member of the China Institute of Interior Design and serves on the executive committee of Hong Kong Interior Design Association. In 2018, he voluntary assisted to organize the 40under40 Interior Design (Hong Kong) 2018–2019 Award, presented by Guangzhou Design Week. As a judge of Chinese Design Elite 2018–2019, he gave advice and inspiration to candidates and helped elevate young design talent in China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
Hiroyuki Niwa (Japan)
APSDA Board Member | President, Japan Interior Architects/Designers Association (JID)
Hiroyuki Niwa is an architect, interior designer and a multiple award-winning professional designer from Nagoya-city, Aichi, Japan. As the president of the Japan Interior Architects/Designers’ Association and member of Japan Commercial Environmental Design Association, Hiroyuki leads Void Corporation Limited with the desire to understand, organize and rearrange lifestyles, requests, affordability, skills, materials and environments for consumers. Hiroyuki’s goal is to design a new relationship between Void and its consumers by improving images and providing a reliable lifestyle.
Bindra K. Pradhan (Nepal)
APSDA Board Member | President, Interior Designers’ Association of Nepal
Bindra Kachhipati Pradhan is an interior designer and entrepreneur with interior design qualification from IPW, New Delhi, India. She chaired Interior Designers Association of Nepal (IDEA Nepal) as well as served as a board member and head of the membership committee of the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA). For more than 25 years, Bindra has been involved in design, supervision, consultancy, construction/implementation and project management. She has undertaken worked with corporations, multi-national corporations, INGOs, governments and private clients, where she was involved with product design and management consultancy.
Currently, Bindra manages interior design, construction and management for Keen Enterprises P Ltd, and works as the managing director and principal designer for Creates Management and Continental Business Network P Ltd. She is also a lecturer at Interior Design Institutes and other events and has written articles and columns about interior design. Bindra is also a founder member of Vishwo Niketan Gambhirman Foundation, a social non-profit organization which contributes to education.
Rohadi Sumardi (Indonesia)
APSDA Board Member | President, Himpunan Desainer Interior Indonesia (HDII)
Rohadi Sumardi, a master of interior design from Jakarta Institute of Art — is the incumbent President of HDII 2021 – 2024, a lecturer of Interior Design at the Sekolah Tinggi Inter Study Jakarta, owner of PT Tata Optima Pratama, an interior design consultancy firm, and PT Optima Karya Disain, an exhibition and event organiser firm. His projects — among others– include Indonesian Embassy office in Manila, Indonesian Consulate General office in Davao, Museum Belangga in Palangkaraya, Kalimantan, and Diorama of National Archive Building, Jakarta. Mr Rohadi has been active in the interior design and exhibition community since 2011.
Ar. IDr. Chris Yap (Malaysia)
APSDA Board Member | Past President, Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID)
Ar.IDr Chris Yap SC is the founder and group chairman of the Spatial Factors Group, consisting of Spatial Factors Architects, Spatial Factors (Interior Designers), Spatial Factors SB (Project Management) and Chris Yap Architect. The firms specialize in design, architecture, contracts and administration, providing integrated and cross-platform consultancy services from commencement to delivery in synergistic and effective ways.
Chris is a co-founder and past president of Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) and currently in Council, the founding president and board member of the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA), and an active member of Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), holding the PAM Education Fund Directorship. He is a fellow member of MIID, APSDA, PAM and honorary fellow of CIDI Ibero-American Council of Interior Designers, South America and a professional member of Retail Design Institute (RDI), USA. Chris has been a board member representing interior designers on the Legislative Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) since 2015 and is a panel member of the Malaysian BAR Council Disciplinary Board. He co-authored the Malaysian Green Building Index ID Rating Tools and LAM Interior Design Accreditation Manual for Institutions of Higher Learning and serves as an external examiner, accessor and industry advisory expert for universities.
Ar. Jabeen L. Zacharias (India)
APSDA Board Member | President, Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID)
Jabeen L Zacharias, a native of Kerala, India, is an architect and interior designer of international repute. In 1984, she graduated from Trivandrum with a degree in architecture and did her advanced studies in interior design in New York. She heads the firm Jabeen Zacharias Architects with headquarters in Cochin and satellite offices in New York and Bangalore. The practice has a unique project profile and clientele ranging from Star Hotels/Resorts for Meridien, Leela and Taj, the Museum for World Bank, showrooms, offices, institutions and exclusive residences.
Jabeen started as a full-time professor of architecture before she stepped into active practice in 1990. She still is a visiting professor at various colleges within the country and abroad. Jabeen is the recipient of many coveted awards and her projects have been widely featured and published in prominent magazines and journals. She is also a multifaceted artist and activist. As a leader, she has been active in professional platforms of both architecture and interior design, including the IIA and IIID, holding many leadership roles at state and national levels. Currently, she is the national president of the Institute of Indian Interior Designers, the first female to hold the role in 50 years.
Vachira Thanmathikom (Thailand)
APSDA Secretary General | Vice President for Special Activities, Thailand Interior Designers Association (TIDA)
Vachira Thanmathikom is a professor of interior architecture in the School of Architecture, Art and Design at King Monkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. She is the vice president of special activity for the Thailand Interior Designer Association (TIDA), as well as the founder and design director of Ongsa IA Company Limited. With a repertoire of strong interior architectural, documentation and communication skills, Vachira is an interdisciplinary designer and lecturer. Her unique skills address a wide range of topics used to orchestrate design and bridge many disciplines. She has stood at the forefront of design service in hospitality and healthcare. She understands that design without functionality is hollow, and functionality without people to utilize the space is even worse. Mostly of her works embrace by the idea that “aesthetics always come with experience.”
IDr. Leong Ta Wah (Malaysia)
APSDA Honorary Treasurer | Corporate Member, Malaysian Institute of Interior Design (MIID)
Leong Ta Wah is a registered interior designer with Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia, member of Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers and principal at TWLEONG DESIGN. He was the vice president of Malaysian Institute Interior Designers from 2018 to 2020, and the honorary treasurer from 2016 to 2018. Currently, he is the honorary treasurer of the Asia-Pacific Space Designers Association. Leong Ta Wah graduated in early 1990s and went to work with an international design consultancy firm where he managed various hotel development projects. In 1997, he started his own practice, where he did various redevelopments of three-star hotels and offices. His expertise is in space planning, detailing, budget planning and cost control for interior design projects.
Mesa Nopakun (Thailand)
TIDA Representative | Professional Affairs Committee, Thailand Interior Designers Association (TIDA)
Mesa Nopakun has over 20 years of experience in the field of design, having undertaken extensive projects ranging from hospitality, commercial and residential design in Thailand and across Asia. Throughout this work, he has gained a wealth of experience in both conceptual design and project management. Mesa has a very strong sense and ability to handle complex projects locally and internationally. He also enjoys pushing his ability to the next level by finding new experiences and enhancing his productivity. Currently, he is leading an interior design firm, Dot Line Plane, with projects mainly in hospitality, restaurant design and retail design.
Ace Le, WELL AP – Industry Expert (Singapore)
Marketing Director, South East & North East Asia, Shaw Contract
Ace Le is an APAC Marketing Director at Shaw Industries, a Berkshire Hathaway company, with a focus on Southeast and Northeast Asia. A WELL Accredited Professional (AP), Ace is an active advocate for the healthy building movement and believes that a human-centric space needs to embody both nature and art. His regional “People Together, Planet Forever” initiative and sustainable art campaign using Shaw’s recycled yarns have won numerous marketing awards in APAC.