(Photos: Julia Rose)
Studio IDC President Stephanie Tyler participated in a panel with prominent design industry leaders at South Florida’s “Hats Off” Member Appreciation Brunch on April 5, 2025. The panel included:
-Olfat Ayad, VP of Design, ID & Design International
-Katie Rothfield, Design Director at More Development
-Antonia Cuevas, PM & Senior Interior Design at EoA Group
-Bobbie Brown, Design Manager at Avroko (Moderator)
The conversation, titled “Design in Full Bloom: The Approach to Wellness & Sustainability,” explored how the industry can, and should, prioritize longevity, wellness, and environmental responsibility.
A Return to Respect for Nature
“For much of my early career, people traveled to experience nature: beaches, rivers, the ocean,” Stephanie shared. “But somewhere along the way, we forgot to protect what we admired.” She noted that today’s designers, especially those working in resort settings, are returning to foundational ideas: working with the land, using natural ventilation, and considering orientation and light from the earliest architectural stages.
Rethinking Packaging and Procurement
Stephanie also challenged designers to consider sustainability in the full lifecycle of their work, especially in remote locations. “We receive container after container of furniture. The amount of trash created by packaging is enormous,” she said. She encouraged designers to ask vendors about recycled or recyclable packaging and even include these requests in purchase orders. “It’s something we can all be doing better.”
Innovation in Materials
When asked about making sustainable choices in limited-resource locations, such as islands, Stephanie offered several examples from Studio IDC’s recent renovation projects. “We’ve used ultra-thin carbon-neutral tiles made in Spain to resurface old floors without demolition,” she said. “It reduces labor, waste, and shipping impact.” She also highlighted materials like rattan (a fast-regenerating wicker) and the practice of repurposing furniture, such as refinishing colonial mahogany beds rather than replacing them.
Communicating Long-Term Value
Stephanie emphasized the importance of educating clients and partners on the long-term value of sustainable design. “Today’s guests are younger, more aware, and more concerned about the future,” she said. In one recent example, an estate project removed all its doors and windows and donated them to an orphanage and school on the island. “Everyone involved felt great about it. It’s a win-win for people and the planet.”
(Photos: Julia Rose)
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