‘social sustainability is just as critical’ state iF DESIGN AWARD jurors durst & sablan

IF DESIGN AWARD JURY INSIGHTS ON SOCIAL IMPACT

In an exclusive interview with designboom, iF DESIGN AWARD 2025 jury members Cheryl Durst and Pascale Sablan share their unique insights on the growing role of social impact in design. As part of the 2025 iF DESIGN AWARD jury, both Durst, Executive Vice President and CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and Sablan, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), Council Member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAC) CEO of Adjaye Associates New York, and founder of the Beyond the Built Environment (BBE), bring invaluable experience in promoting equitable, sustainable, and community-driven design. Held online and later in Germany, the two-step jury process brings together 130+ global experts to evaluate over 11,000 submissions across nine design disciplines, including architecture and interior architecture. Durst and Sablan emphasize that beyond aesthetics, today’s design must address urgent societal issues, fostering inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability.

‘Design now has the responsibility to be more than just beautiful or functional. It must be relevant to the world and contribute to a better society. As jurors, we have the opportunity to champion projects that amplify voices, foster equity, and genuinely transform communities. What excites me is the possibility to elevate those projects that would not normally be recognized, and to provide visibility to those doing transformative work. The power of design is in its capacity to not just serve but to heal, to bring people together, and to address complex social challenges. It’s also a chance to reinforce that design should be a necessity, not a luxury,’  begins Cheryl Durst, Executive Vice President and CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), in an interview with designboom.

iF DESIGN AWARD 2025 jury members Cheryl Durst (fourth from left) and Pascale Sablan (seventh from left) explain the growing role of social impact in design | all images courtesy of iF DESIGN AWARD

BEGINNINGS OF PURPOSE WITH CHERYL DUST & PASCALE SABLAN

Both Cheryl Durst and Pascale Sablan were invited to their iF DESIGN AWARD jury roles with a wealth of experience and personal histories that deeply inform their design philosophies. For Sablan, her formative experience came during an internship when she worked on the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. This project signified how architecture should honor history, empower communities, and tell untold stories. It highlighted the profound responsibility architects hold in shaping spaces that preserve memory and elevate the identities of communities, especially marginalized ones. Sablan recalls the community involvement in the design process as revelatory, reinforcing the importance of making architectural language accessible so that all stakeholders can understand, contribute, and feel ownership. The experience further deepened her commitment to advocacy, justice, and a people-first approach to design, where social narratives are intentionally embedded into the core of every project.

‘We are seeing a shift in the way we assess projects that are about the story, the process, and the community impact. The value is both in the object and in the way that it uplifts people and improves environments. Sustainability is essential, but social sustainability is just as critical. It is about understanding who is being served, who is included in the conversation, and ensuring that the benefits of design are accessible to all. Designers must think holistically, considering the ripple effects their work will have on future generations and the social fabric of our communities,’ continues Pascale Sablan FAIA, CEO of Adjaye Associates New York and Beyond the Built Environment founder.

the second stage of the jury process (the physical Final Jury) convened experts together for three days in Hamburg, Germany to decide the 2025 award winners

ADVOCATING THROUGH EDUCATION WITH IF DESIGN AWARD

Cheryl Durst and Pascale Sablan bring unique expertise to the iF DESIGN AWARD jury table. Durst, with her leadership at IIDA, has consistently championed diversity and equity in interior design, focusing on creating spaces that reflect and serve all users. Sablan, through Beyond the Built Environment, actively challenges systemic inequities in architecture by spotlighting the work of Black and underrepresented designers globally. Both their experiences go beyond individual practice; they represent an ongoing commitment to pushing the design industry towards inclusion and equality. Together, they bring to the jury a strong, shared understanding that diversity is essential in evaluating what constitutes design excellence.

‘My career has been about opening doors and expanding perspectives. Being part of this jury allows me to elevate work that might otherwise be overlooked—projects that address real social issues and offer meaningful change, especially in communities that need it most. It’s about amplifying work that speaks to the dignity of people and the power of design to uplift. It’s not just about what is seen, but about what is felt, what is remembered, and who gets to be a part of that narrative,’ adds Durst.

jury members were split into expert fields to assess specific categories of submissions

Both jury members observe that social impact in design is no longer a niche consideration but a primary focus and a defining metric of success across the industry. Sablan notes that the global design community is becoming increasingly aware of its power to shape more equitable, inclusive societies and that designers are stepping up to this responsibility with intention, consistency, and depth. The universal qualities that now distinguish exceptional design are clear: cultural sensitivity, authenticity, transparency, sustainability, functionality, and measurable social benefits. This shift is evident in the submissions seen at the iF DESIGN AWARD, where jurors actively champion designs that demonstrate social and environmental accountability, and intentionally move away from superficial or purely decorative solutions that fail to engage with deeper, real-world needs.

‘Designers are becoming more intentional about creating solutions that are inclusive and that address social disparities. We are not only asking “is this beautiful?” but “who does this serve, who does this empower?” asks Sablan. ‘This level of awareness is essential for the future of design. We are also paying attention to the process, considering whether the community was engaged and local voices considered. It’s about ensuring that design is created with and for people. This kind of engagement leads to solutions that are more meaningful, more sustainable, and more equitable.’

‘We are seeing a shift in the way we assess projects that are about the story, the process, and the community impact,’ notes Pascale Sablan in an interview with designboom

Durst and Sablan underscore that the iF DESIGN AWARD’s international platform carries a significant responsibility to set benchmarks for socially and environmentally responsible design and to actively shape the direction of the industry. With participants and submissions spanning the globe, the award brings together a diversity of categories – from architecture and urban planning to product design, mobility, fashion, UX and cultural exhibitions. This broad spectrum of entries showcases how impact and excellence can manifest across disciplines and at every scale. Equally important is the diversity of the iF DESIGN AWARD jury, composed of global experts who bring unique cultural, technical, and social perspectives to the evaluation process. This diversity enriches the selection, encourages bolder conversations, and opens space for creative risk-taking that pushes the boundaries of what design can achieve. Jurors advocate through their respective lenses while challenging each other to think beyond conventional measures of success. Durst and Sablan believe this collective, inclusive approach ultimately drives better innovation and ensures socially and environmentally impactful projects rise to the forefront.

‘Being part of the iF DESIGN AWARD is powerful because it sends a message about what matters in design today. It’s about raising the standard—prioritizing empathy, responsibility, and global impact. This platform allows us to amplify what design can truly achieve for society. It also fosters an incredible community of jurors across disciplines, who bring unique lenses and collaborate to advocate for projects. It changes how we show up in our day-to-day work, reminding us to champion people-first design and interconnected solutions beyond traditional boundaries,’ expresses Cheryl Durst.

‘Being part of this jury allows me to elevate work that might otherwise be overlooked,’ Cheryl Durst tells to designboom

Looking ahead, both Cheryl Durst and Pascale Sablan are optimistic about the continued evolution of design evaluation and the direction the global design community is taking. They envision future juries placing even greater emphasis on social narratives, community engagement, and cultural authenticity as critical elements in defining design excellence. The evolving criteria will demand that designers approach their work with deeper responsibility, moving beyond the pursuit of form, profit, or surface innovation. Instead, design will be increasingly expected to address systemic inequities, environmental resilience, and the preservation of cultural identities. As the expectations grow, both the responsibility and the opportunity for designers and jurors will expand, requiring thoughtful, conscientious decision-making that directly impacts real-world communities and contributes to long-term societal well-being. The future of design, as they see it, is rooted in purpose, collaboration, and sustained social transformation.

‘The future of design is deeply connected to the stories we tell and the people we serve. Evaluation must go deeper—looking at how projects can heal, empower, and bridge divides. I see this as a critical moment where we can redefine success in design for the betterment of all. We need to remain consistent in asking tough questions about community impact and to embrace the opportunity to lead with purpose. For me, the iF DESIGN AWARD experience reaffirmed that community-centered design is the standard, not the exception,’ concludes Pascale Sablan.

each jury member brings unique cultural, technical, and social perspectives to the evaluation process

jurors advocate through their respective lenses while challenging each other to think beyond conventional measures of success

social impact in design is no longer a niche consideration but a primary focus and a defining metric of success across the industry

the future of design is rooted in purpose, collaboration, and sustained social transformation

project info: 

organization: iF DESIGN AWARD | @ifdesign

jury members: Cheryl Durst | @cheryldurst; Pascale Sablan | @pascalesablan

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