If you've traveled around Philadelphia—or, at the very least, visited the airport—you're probably familiar with the design work of Karen Daroff '70, Moore alumna and 2024 Visionary Woman Award honoree. Daroff, whose work is ubiquitous in Philadelphia and can also be found in Miami, Atlanta, Aspen, St. Thomas, Barcelona and far beyond, was the creative force behind the redesign of the Philadelphia International Airport's Terminals A, D, E and F, as well as new restaurants in the B Terminal.
Daroff has made her mark on the interior design and architecture world since 1973, when she opened her design firm, Daroff Design Inc + DDI Architects, a Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE). In 2022, after almost 40 years in business, Daroff Designs merged operations with Nelson Worldwide, an architecture, interior design, graphic design and branding strategy firm founded in Philadelphia. Daroff now serves as a Principal at Nelson Worldwide.
Over the past 40 years, Daroff has firmly established herself as a leader in the design world. She's worked in entertainment, restaurant, museums, and within the corporate workspace. In Philadelphia, her work can be seen at the Comcast Center, the new Comcast Technology Center and right here at Moore, in the Connelly Library, The Galleries at Moore and other campus spaces.
"It is particularly rewarding and exciting for me to give back my talent and experience to the institution that began my career and gave so much to me," Daroff said upon the opening of the renovated Connelly Library in 2018, which she worked on with fellow Moore alum Emily Bittenbender '89.
Karen Daroff '70.
Throughout the course of her career, Daroff has received the Design Giant award from Interior Design and the Hospitality Platinum Circle Hall of Fame award from Hospitality Design. As a successful woman in her industry, she was awarded the Pennsylvania Governor’s Top 50 Women in Business Award and has been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a Top Women-Owned Business.
When Daroff launched her business, it was uncommon for interior designers to hold leadership roles. Daroff Design was one of the few women-owned commercial interior design firms, often partnering with male-dominated architectural firms for projects. Daroff was strategic in carving out a leadership role for herself in the industry.
"I was sitting at a Chicago convention, participating in a round-table discussion when each of the male architects announced they were opening their own interior design divisions to gain back market share," Daroff recalled. "When it was my turn, I countered by spontaneously announcing we were creating an architectural division. I added male and female licensed architects to my firm and, in 1979, formed DDI Architects. Our commercial interior design practice, enhanced by architectural services, substantially increased our market share and income."
Daroff continues to give back to the community at Moore, providing life-changing internship opportunities and mentorship over the years to countless students and recent graduates who are just starting out in their careers.
"I'm so honored to receive Moore’s 2024 Visionary Woman Award," Daroff says. "My time at Moore gave me the foundation to launch my design career. It means so much to me to be recognized for my achievements by my alma mater and to have the opportunity to give back to Moore by supporting the next generation of designers."
Help us celebrate Karen Daroff '70 at the 2024 Visionary Woman Awards on May 22, 2024! Visit moore.edu/vwa to learn more about the event and to become an early sponsor.
Top of Page: Universal Studios Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Orlando, FL. Image courtesy of Daroff Design, Inc.
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