Congratulations to Joan Blumenfeld on receiving the 2026 Harvard University Graduate School of Design Alumni Award, recognizing her distinguished career and leadership in helping build a more diverse and inclusive design profession. During her 20 years with our firm, Joan, our first Firmwide Interior Design Director, grew our interiors practice to more than 400 designers and led award-winning projects across the corporate, higher education, and institutional sectors worldwide. A passionate advocate for health, sustainability, and gender equity in the built environment, she also helped shape post-9/11 planning at the World Trade Center, championed new workplace standards for interior design in New York City, and co-developed the Fitwel Certification System with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and GSA. “After about six months [at the GSD], I came to realize I had finally found my people; a cohort of individuals with whom I could share worldviews, values, and most importantly, a sense of humor,” says Joan. “To receive an award from a place that so profoundly changed the trajectory of my life is an unbelievably satisfying honor.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gSukxv3z 📷: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Laboratory Medicine Building
An achievement like this reflects something deeper than individual recognition—it reflects the lasting impact of leadership within a design practice. Building a 400+ person interiors practice, shaping workplace standards, and contributing to major civic and institutional work demonstrates how design leadership can influence both people and the built environment. What stands out most is the emphasis on finding a community of people who share values and a worldview. Strong practices are ultimately built on that foundation: talent, trust, mentorship, and a shared belief in what design can accomplish. Congratulations to Joan Blumenfeld on a truly distinguished milestone. 👏
Congratulations to Joan Blumenfeld on this well-deserved recognition. Her remarkable leadership, commitment to inclusive design, and lasting contributions to healthier, more sustainable built environments continue to inspire the AEC community. Wishing her continued success as she shapes the future of design through innovation, mentorship, and purpose.
Joan, you have been an inspiration to many. So well deserved!
Joan, you are an inspiration. Congratulations on this well deserved and well earned honor.
Congratulations Joan!!
Amazing, congratulations!
Congratulations Joan, a truly well-deserved honor! Her contributions to interior design, health, sustainability, and equity in the built environment have been nothing short of extraordinary. What an incredible legacy!
Congratulations on this most prestigious honor Joan! You have been an incredible inspiration to everyone around you and have profoundly shaped the careers of so many young architects and interior designers. I am so lucky to have you as a dear friend and colleague!
Congratulations Joan, you bring a new meaning to icon in our industry!
Well-deserved recognition for Joan Blumenfeld! Her pioneering focus on sustainability and health in design has clearly redefined workplace and institutional environments. Translating complex green building standards like Fitwel into physical spaces relies heavily on sustainable materials—from ultra-low-carbon aluminum curtain wall systems to precision interior framing that maximizes natural light and indoor quality. Outstanding legacy at Perkins&Will!