The Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Awards were announced May 5. Of those recognized, the late Michael Graves, who passed away on March 12 at the age of 80, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement award. Credited with broadening the role of architects and increasing interest in good design as essential to the quality of life, he established Michael Graves Architecture & Design in 1964.
Although widely recognized for his work with Alessi, Target, and Kimberly-Clark, his work later focused on accessibility and healthcare, including creating housing for disabled veterans, designing hospitals, and producing innovative furniture to ease accessibility. His work in healthcare won him inclusion to the list of the top twenty-five most influential people in healthcare design by the Center for Health Design in 2010.
Ten additional designers and artists were honored by the jury:
- Director’s Award: Jack Lenon Larsen
- Design Mind: Rosanne Haggerty
- Corporate & Institutional Achievement: Heath Ceramics
- Architecture: MOS Architects
- Communication: Project Projects
- Fashion: threeASFOUR
- Interaction: John Underkoffler
- Interior: Commune
- Landscape: Coen + Partners
- Product: Stephen Burks
This year’s National Design Award winners will be honored at a gala benefit on October 15, 2015 during the Cooper-Hewitt’s National Design Week, which runs from October 10-18. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.cooperhewitt.org.