Hospitality design firm Studio DADO co-founder Yohandel Ruiz, LEED AP, IIDA, NCIDQ has been named IIDA’s South Florida Chapter 2019 ‘Designer of the Year’ at the 25th Anniversary Bragg Awards Gala held on July 13th at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel. The Bragg Awards is the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) South Florida Chapter’s signature event celebrating design excellence within the South Florida design community awarding professionals for innovative and functional interior design projects.

“I am humbled and grateful for the recognition from our vibrant community of designers,” notes Yohandel Ruiz. “We’re surrounded by immense talent. I thank our trusted partners and clients for the continued opportunities to let me do what I love; elevating experiences through design.

One of the four Founding Partners of Studio DADO; number 58 on Interior Design Magazine’s 2018 Hospitality Giants; Yohandel has over twenty years experience in the interior design industry. He’s successfully developed a private furniture label and a white labeled line of fabrics. With Studio DADO, Yohandel has spearheaded countless noteworthy and award-winning hospitality projects including spaces for Oceania, Regent, Carnival and Norweigian Cruise Lines. Studio DADO has recently garnered international attention with their pivotal role as the design architects in the reimagination of Oceania’s $100 million reinspiration, dubbed as OceaniaNEXT, and their role in the upcoming Princess Cruises’ Sky Suites industry leading design. Other noteworthy projects include the Spa and Suites aboard the upcoming Carnival Mardi Gras ship and several spaces on the Regent Seven Seas Splendor which will debut in 2020.

Award recipients were chosen by a jury of IIDA members and allied professionals from outside the state of Florida based on criteria for each category. IIDA South Florida Chapter advocates for advancements in education, design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of Interior Design as a profession. For more information on IIDA please visit: https://www.iidasfc.org