Congratulations to Junior Interior Design Student Lindsey Richards who recieved an Honorable Mention in the 2009 PAVE (Planning and Visual Education Partnership) Retail Store Design Competition. The project was completed in fall semester third year studio taught by Lisa tucker.

Jim Burton is a partner in the firm Carter + Burton Architecture in Berryville, VA. Jim graduated with a B.Arch from Mississippi State University where he studied under Chris Rischer and A.I.A gold medal winner Sam Mockbee. His unique experience has focused on experimetation with design-build projects. Two of these projects, Studio Loggerheads and Boxhead, were built as primary homes for the Burton family. These structures have also served as painting studios and exhibition space for his collections. He has received many design awards and has enjoyed lecturing and writing about the process that has produced a body of forward thinking sustainable projects.His research in new materials and technologies helped achieve the first LEED gold house in the southeast United States.

Steve Chang

At the annual IDEA Awards - a joint venture between the Virginia/West Virginia Chapters of IIDA and ASID - six student awards were presented. Our students won all six. That's a clean sweep for the Hokies.

This year Virginia Tech students won three Honorable Mentions, two First Place awards and the best-in-show award "Bright Idea."   

Brightest Idea Award: Steve Chang

First Place: Steve Chang
First Place Hye Won Kim 

Honorable Mention: Phi Luong
Honorable Mention: Marianna Gonzales
Honorable Mention: Bri Duvall

All projects were completed in the vertical Lighting Studio taught by
Lisa Tucker in the Spring of 2009.

 Team Soap Box: Josh Camden, Bri Duvall, Katherine Johnson, and Nicole LaPierre

For the second year, we have the seniors simulating professional practice by dividing the studio into 5 "firms" with 4 members each. Each week, for four weeks, the firms compete for a commission by presenting schematic designs to their "client." After the presentations, the client picks the firm they would hire for the project. In the first week, the firm, Soap Box, was selected to design the new NEXT Models agency in NYC.

In addition to presenting multiple design schemes to the client, the students track their hours, submit invoices, and develop a variety of marketing materials specific for the client. The design work is excellent among all of the design firms, so the client's decision is tough and seems to always be decided based on the persausiveness of the winning firm. The marketing efforts are impressive. Stay tuned to see who wins next.

Noon this Friday, Sept 11th, IDEAS Lecture Series kicks off the new academic year with an exciting presentation of interior works by Phanie Gapinski (a.k.a. Phang) a graduate from our program.

Phanie Gapinski graduated in 2003 and has been living and designing in Washington DC for the past 6 years. She has designed award winning commercial interiors, high-end retail boutiques as well as residential and multi-family spaces. For Phanie, design is much more than a career, it is her passion. In addition to designing quality spaces for others, she also is a graphic artist, a roller derby girl known as Phang, and uses sewing and gardening to remain grounded. In her own words, "anything challenging or related to creative exploration is what it's all about".

Come and visit us in the Interior Design Lecture Room, 2nd floor Burruss Hall, and see all the great work Phanie has prepared to show us.