Davis Architects Takes Home Top Award at 2025 IDIE Awards

Davis is pleased to announce we are the recipient of the “Best of Assembly & Institutional” award for Seibert Hall at Samford University at the 2025 IDIE Awards presented by The International Interior Design Association – Alabama Chapter (IIDA-AL). The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Alabama Chapter proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements of the state’s design community at the Sixteenth Biennial IDIE Awards Gala & Design Competition at Regions Field in Birmingham on April 11, 2025.

Seibert Hall at Samford University

For decades, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with Samford University, building on a shared vision that honors tradition while embracing innovation. That partnership shines through in the transformation of Seibert Hall.

Once a relic of Samford’s 1959 campus core, Seibert Hall had become functionally irrelevant. Demolition of the building was considered – but the design team saw the potential for something special. The result: a reimagined facility that restores its presence on campus and elevates it as a vibrant hub of student life, wellness, and community.

A new southern expansion, spanning a football practice area, bridges east and west sides of campus, while a carved central stair floods three levels with light and activity. Old spaces were reborn with purpose: the former natatorium became a bustling fitness center, and salvaged wood from the original gym floor now forms the tactile heart of Legacy Court. Transparency throughout—between floors, between spaces—fosters both visual energy and literal connectivity.

With LEED certification in progress, the project underscores Samford’s commitment to sustainability through reused materials, daylighting, and high-efficiency systems.

No longer just a gymnasium, Seibert Hall is a literal and metaphorical bridge—between generations, between the formerly separated sides of campus, and between tradition and transformation. It’s a place where wellness is immersive, social, and visible—a space that is now the hub of student life on campus.

The 2025 IDIE Awards brought together professionals from across Alabama to honor excellence in interior design, recognizing both design firms and furniture dealers for their creative, innovative, and impactful projects. The evening was filled with celebration, inspiration, and a shared passion for advancing the profession.

Out of 86 submissions from 26 firms and dealers, a jury of esteemed design professionals from across the country selected winners in a range of categories. Each winning project demonstrated a high level of creativity, functionality, and design excellence. The event culminated in the announcement of the prestigious “Best of Show” award, presented to the firm or dealer whose project received the highest overall score from the jury.

“The 2025 IDIEs have honored outstanding Registered Interior Designers in Alabama, recognizing their creativity, dedication, and passion,” said Jessica Babler, IIDA Alabama President. “This year’s winners have set new benchmarks for design excellence, shaping inspiring spaces and advancing the industry. At IIDA Alabama, we are proud to celebrate their achievements and the impact they have on the future of interior design.”

IIDA-AL is the state’s association for the commercial interior design industry, providing resources to professionals and students in the industry and their clients to advance the profession and enhance business value. The chapter has City Centers located in Birmingham and Huntsville, as well as Campus Centers at Auburn University, Samford University and the University of Alabama. Members enjoy a variety of professional development programs and networking events throughout the year to support culture, enhance business value, solve problems and bring awareness to the field of commercial interior design

Sponsors of the 2025 IDIE Awards include: 3form, Carpet Specialties, Covington Flooring Co, Inc., HJ Oldenkamp, HPM, and Interface.

For more information about IIDA-AL, visit https://www.iida-al.org/.