Nanda wins 2026 IIDA ICON Award
Upali Nanda, professor of practice at Taubman College, has received a 2026 ICON Award from the International Interior Design Association. The award recognizes extraordinary service and contributions to the interior design profession.
In addition to her teaching and research, Nanda is executive vice president at global architectural firm HKS Inc., overseeing a range of innovation practices. From 2013-2023, she led the firm’s research efforts with a focus on evidence-based, culturally responsive methods.
At Taubman College, her ARCH 509: Health By Design course emphasizes practical, actionable change through evidence-based and evidence-challenging design practices. Key topics include public health, clinical outcomes, safety, technology, and human perception, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches that support primary care in health delivery systems. The two-semester course culminates in the creation of an open-source web publication for the healthbydesign website. For the Fall 2025 semester, students explored the lived experience of diabetes, traced the decision points where individuals and families make daily health choices, and tested how design shapes these moments.
Nanda’s research is the recipient of the AIA Upjohn Grant, European Healthcare Design Research Award, and Journal of Interior Design Scholarship Excellence Award. She was also recognized with the Architectural Record’s 2018 Women in Architecture Innovator Award.
“Dr. Nanda’s research sets a powerful precedent for how design can serve as a force for health and healing,” says Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, executive vice president and CEO at IIDA, in a statement. “As IIDA looks toward the future of design, we are privileged to have leaders like Dr. Nanda continue to shape the industry’s innovation, empathy, and lasting human impact.”
Founded in 1994, IIDA aims to unite interior designers from diverse regions and specialties. Its Design Competitions and Awards recognize excellence in global design, celebrating innovative techniques, originality, and effective design solutions. With 11 annual and one biennial competition, IIDA honors projects across various categories, firm sizes, and regions, including student work and product design.
