IIDA Oregon Recognizes Emerging Professional Laura Kienlen

Each year, the IIDA Oregon chapter recognizes a junior designer who has advanced interior design in Oregon through their passion for design and persistent reach for excellence. With a groundswell of backing from her colleagues at SERA, IIDA Oregon honored Interior Designer Laura Kienlen with the 2020 Emerging Professional Award!

A pivotal member of our Workplace studio, Laura has shown a tremendous amount of growth over the past five years at SERA, starting as an Interiors Assist and now leading design efforts on a number of high-profile projects. Laura has proven to be a committed and thoughtful leader at SERA, from promoting the firm’s healthy material tracking to exhibiting a special skill in guiding partners through the design process at both large and intimate scales. 

Also: Hyatt Centric Named Best in Hotels by IIDA Oregon

Laura’s focus on growth is admirable, having recently finished her Healthy Materials certification at the Parsons School of Design. With her tenacious focus on quality design and human experience, she sees each project challenge as an opportunity to educate her teammates, and to grow her own expertise. She approaches every conversation with interest and excitement, and has become a valued collaborator across the firm.

Laura also plays a key role in the community. From her time in college, she’s remained an active member in IIDA, volunteering as the Director of Internal Communications, the Director of the Forums team, and most recently as interim VP of Forums last year. Laura is also a member of SERA’s Meals on Wheels volunteer team. 

Congratulations to Laura Kienlen on this well-deserved honor!

Here are some of the nomination testimonials from her colleagues:

“Laura’s calm voice and thoughtful design sensibility go far — both with clients and with her colleagues — to influence design at every scale.”

— Suzanne Blair

“She pushes through any challenge or struggle, and is an amazing presenter and communicator.”

— Mia Allen

“Laura brings an earnest commitment and willingness to explore and test multiple possibilities with every team and project. Her composure and ability to ask insightful questions to her clients, partners and colleagues makes her a trusted and highly valuable contributor at SERA.”

— Josh Cabot

“She has gone from being the student to the teacher by creating a Healthy Materials 101 course and presenting it to the interiors group in order to further educate us on sustainable practices.”

— Courtney Laird