Preparing to practice interior design requires students in the Department of Interior Architecture and Design to apply skills ranging from building codes application and lighting to product specification and space planning, creating complex interior environments that support users’ physical, psychological, and emotional needs. The Department’s studio and support courses are often problem-solving laboratories where knowledge and skills are brought to bear in the crafting of unique places including hotels, restaurants, health clinics, museums, and workplaces. When a student submits their design projects to external competitions, it ups the game of the scrutiny, bringing comparison to those of students from other universities and colleges. When a project receives an award, it provides confirmation that design practitioner reviewers are favorably impressed with the student’s skills and potential. Such awards benefit the students’ records, helping them to achieve distinction in securing design employment.
The year 2022 is a special one for the Department, as IAD students have succeeded in sweeping every category with first place honors in the American Society of Interior Designers North Florida Chapter Student Design Competition, plus others as well. Here are this year’s award winners with images of their award-winning entries and comments. Congratulations to all, including the FSU instructors who guided these students to success!
First place, Residential Design category
Ciara Iglesias
Project: Parisian Apartment Great Room, a project of the Graphic Techniques II class, Ken Saginario, instructor.
“This second story Haussman-era style Parisian flat was designed for a couple who enjoy antiquing, studying history, and growing houseplants. This project focused on selecting the color palette, materials, lighting, and furnishings for the common living spaces while satisfying the client’s wish to preserve most of the historic architectural elements of the space. This reflects the nature of the clients as they look to the past with a modern perception.”
First place, Commercial/Hospitality category
Olivia Zollo
Project: The Vault, a project of the Studio V class, Associate Professor Steve Webber, instructor.
“I am excited to have been awarded first place in the hospitality category, as I am most proud of this project. I think hospitality design taught me the importance of creating an environment that merges aesthetics and functionality to better enhance the guest experience. Throughout the design process, I was really challenged to think about every aspect of design, from materials selection to lighting to branding and wayfinding considerations, and every decision had a reason. The Vault, located in Southwark, London, aimed to merge local culture and architecture with contemporary design to create a more authentic atmosphere that appealed to both locals and tourists.”
First place, Wildcard category
Camila Ferro and Yukee Wang
Project: Sunny Side Up Café, a project of the Studio III class, Associate Professor Amy Huber, instructor.
“The Sunny Side Up brunch cafe aims to create an energetic third place for the Tallahassee community, through the use of original branding graphics, bold pops of color, and whimsical and playful elements.”
Second place, Commercial/Hospitality category
Camila Ferro
Project: Arrive Outdoors Workplace, a project of the Studio III class, Associate Professor Amy Huber, instructor.
“The monumental stair and the collaboration hub come together to form a central node that facilitates wayfinding and encourages collaboration within Arrive Outdoors’ workplace, connecting the design to the concept of synergetic immersion.”