And the Winner Is Conceived by the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, the National Design Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in American design. First launched at the White House in 2000, the annual awards were established to promote design as a tool in shaping the world; winners are selected based on the level of impact their body of work has had on the public. The awards recognize excellence and innovation across every avenue—from architecture, interiors, and landscape design to fashion, graphics and interactive design.

The 2015 recipients in home-design categories include the late architect and designer Michael Graves for lifetime achievement; New York-based textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen, who won the Director’s Award (chosen for outstanding support and patronage within the design community); Heath Ceramics for corporate and institutional achievement; New York-based MOS Architects for architecture design; L.A.-based commercial, residential and graphic design firm Commune for interior design; and Minneapolis-based Coen + Partners for landscape architecture.

National Design Award winners were chosen by a jury of design leaders and educators nationwide, who reviewed submissions resulting from nominations submitted by the general public. Winners will be honored at a gala dinner on October 15, held at Pier 60 in Manhattan. Proceeds from the gala benefit Cooper-Hewitt.

In conjunction with the National Design Awards program, Cooper-Hewitt sponsors National Design Week, October 10 through 18, a series of free public programs in New York and Washington, DC, that promotes an understanding of the role design plays in all aspects of life. Launched in 2006, this initiative includes interactive events for students, teachers, corporate professionals, and designers. For information on the awards festivities and National Design Week, visit cooperhewitt.org.