Leszek Muniak — 2010 IDC/IIDA Leaders Award

On December 3, 2010 the Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) presented Leszek M. Muniak, co-founder and principal of Larden Muniak Consulting Inc., with the prestigious 2010 IIDA Leadership Award of Excellence. Les was recognized for his outstanding contributions and exemplary leadership in the profession of interior design at the fourth annual IIDA Leaders Breakfast on December 3 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto.

"Les has been instrumental in assisting interior designers in the application of building codes, fire safety principles, and innovative design approaches for many years," says IDC president, David Hanson. "We've chosen to honour him for his exceptional leadership in this area and his support of the interior design profession across the country."

With more than 30 years of experience, Les has been instrumental in assisting interior designers in the application of building codes, fire safety principles, and innovative design approaches. Les has worked with a wide variety of clients on hundreds of building code and fire protection projects across Canada, the United States, and the Middle East. Many of these projects required him to pioneer new techniques in fire protection and building code compliance. He has developed fire analysis computer techniques, conducted fire investigations, acted as consultant for legal counsel, and presented various building code training courses.

"I'm honoured to receive this award from the interior design community. Throughout my career, I've directed a great deal of my attention toward assisting interior designers in applying building codes and fire safety principles in their designs. It is very rewarding to be recognized this way," says Les Muniak.

Les's propensity for innovative design has won him multiple awards, a seat on the Ontario and National Building Code committees, and honorary membership in the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO). In 2004 Les received the Louis S. Tregre Award from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) for outstanding volunteer service to advance NCIDQ's mission of public protection.

Leszek Muniak named Wood Champion of the Year - 2009

Leszek (Les) M. Muniak, co-founder and principal of Larden Muniak Consulting Inc. (LMCI), was honored as Wood Champion of 2009 in Ontario by the Canadian Wood Council for his innovative and sustained support for the use of wood in Canadian construction.

Innovative use of wood in health care facilities
The Canadian Wood Council cited Les Muniak's "innovative designs and ground-breaking work in pioneering new techniques in fire protection and building code compliance, such as the fog fire suppression system at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario." The council also recognized his his educational training seminars and presentations and his ongoing involvement in the council's national and Ontario building code and steering committees.

Les Muniak urges changes to building codes in Canada
"Wood is a definite resource material and one thing that concerns me the most is the fact that regulations which limit the use of wood in Canada, whether it's on the national or provincial level, are out of date," says Muniak. "If you treat it properly, wood is just as effective and equally non-hazardous as any steel or concrete. It just has to be properly applied and protected."

To find out more about using wood effectively in construction projects, email Les Muniak or call 416-762-3808 ext. 225 / 1-866-285-2041 ext. 225.