Retrospective Studies: Students Designing for Students
Workflow, Materiality and Utilization of Interior Environments
Designing campus spaces with undergraduate interior design students for implementation is a unique pedagogical approach to imparting real world design skills with undergraduate students. Unlike theoretical projects with real sites that complete at the design concept phase, these projects continue through design development, construction documentation and budgeting culminating in construction and occupation. Along the way students are introduced to investigatory methods, ethnography and data analysis to inform decision making. Projects have included libraries and dormitory public spaces across two western New York universities. We believe that these are a few, if only, higher education redesigns of public spaces approached in this collaborative way with students.
Our Research
This research includes retrospective assessment studies of campus projects where students have designed for students and installations have been actively occupied for five years or more. Data analysis and ethnographic interviews provide source content for evaluating the effectiveness of the design intent. Scholarly reporting includes a reflection of the design-build process and the impact of redesigned spaces on the psycho social benefits to users.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the student-centered approach to design, merging professional design process with ethnographic, experiential field and studio-based research leads to innovative, psycho-socially relevant interiors that positively impact their peers academically and socially.
Implementation + Longevity
Retrospective studies of each university redesigned space, inclusive of post occupancy surveys and focus groups, are underway to validate occupancy needs were met based on the original design intent. Scholarship explorations include investigations into long term spatial use, sustainable material and product longevity, human factors, student success and retention. Studies in Process:
Our Research
This research includes retrospective assessment studies of campus projects where students have designed for students and installations have been actively occupied for five years or more. Data analysis and ethnographic interviews provide source content for evaluating the effectiveness of the design intent. Scholarly reporting includes a reflection of the design-build process and the impact of redesigned spaces on the psycho social benefits to users.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the student-centered approach to design, merging professional design process with ethnographic, experiential field and studio-based research leads to innovative, psycho-socially relevant interiors that positively impact their peers academically and socially.
Implementation + Longevity
Retrospective studies of each university redesigned space, inclusive of post occupancy surveys and focus groups, are underway to validate occupancy needs were met based on the original design intent. Scholarship explorations include investigations into long term spatial use, sustainable material and product longevity, human factors, student success and retention. Studies in Process:
- Student designed spaces: A retrospective report on renovations in four dormitory public spaces
- Alfred State College Dormitory Renovations: The impact of student-centered design on retention and achievement
- Undergraduate Research and the Design Process: A five-year ethnographic retrospective of a university writing commons redesign that engaged students as co-researchers and designers: student and staff perspectives
- Students Designing for Students: The psycho-social benefits of student designed spaces
- Designing on campus: Lessons learned by a designer navigating administrative and state procedures to implement student inspired designs.
The Projects: Students Designing for Students
Rochester Institute of Technology
University Writing Commons
PI: Mary Golden
Co PI: Rachel Chaffee, PhD
Undergraduate Researchers: Jordanae Smith, Octavia Spelman and Siobhan Paige
This project was a collaboration between the interior design program, the Wallace Library and the University Writing Program's 'Writing Commons.'
Members of an interdisciplinary research partnership including Assistant Professor of Interior Design Mary Golden, three undergraduate interior design students Jordanae Smith, Octavia Spelman and Siobhan Paige, and the Director of the University Writing Commons Rachel Chaffee, Phd. Together they embarked on a four-month ethnographic interior design study to explore people’s preferences and behaviors while working together in collaborative and consultancy settings with a diverse student population at the RIT Writing Commons. The multifactorial studies included field based observational research, personalized interviews, focus groups, and surveys with strategic questions aimed at deconstructing the process of how people work. The pedagogical goal was to provide a design and research opportunity for students to apply their knowledge from the studio and classroom to a real customer scenario.
Based on our observations and interview process we designed a layout for the WC complete with furnishings and finishes. The design team prepared a series of interviews, focus groups and clipboard surveys to better understand the needs of the staff and students using the facilities. We used the data to verify our planning and design scheme. The research team programmed for a versatile, adaptive learning environment and specified the FF&E package while working with vendors to value engineer the design to meet budget. Our design research team created a new logo and branding scheme for the Writing Commons. We partnered with the WC staff, Head Librarian, Wallace facilities, RIT facilities and our product partners at Merkel Donohue to value engineer the design and realize a project that would fit in budget.
Co PI: Rachel Chaffee, PhD
Undergraduate Researchers: Jordanae Smith, Octavia Spelman and Siobhan Paige
This project was a collaboration between the interior design program, the Wallace Library and the University Writing Program's 'Writing Commons.'
Members of an interdisciplinary research partnership including Assistant Professor of Interior Design Mary Golden, three undergraduate interior design students Jordanae Smith, Octavia Spelman and Siobhan Paige, and the Director of the University Writing Commons Rachel Chaffee, Phd. Together they embarked on a four-month ethnographic interior design study to explore people’s preferences and behaviors while working together in collaborative and consultancy settings with a diverse student population at the RIT Writing Commons. The multifactorial studies included field based observational research, personalized interviews, focus groups, and surveys with strategic questions aimed at deconstructing the process of how people work. The pedagogical goal was to provide a design and research opportunity for students to apply their knowledge from the studio and classroom to a real customer scenario.
Based on our observations and interview process we designed a layout for the WC complete with furnishings and finishes. The design team prepared a series of interviews, focus groups and clipboard surveys to better understand the needs of the staff and students using the facilities. We used the data to verify our planning and design scheme. The research team programmed for a versatile, adaptive learning environment and specified the FF&E package while working with vendors to value engineer the design to meet budget. Our design research team created a new logo and branding scheme for the Writing Commons. We partnered with the WC staff, Head Librarian, Wallace facilities, RIT facilities and our product partners at Merkel Donohue to value engineer the design and realize a project that would fit in budget.
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2016 Interior Design Educator’s Council East Regional Conference Golden, M., Chaffee, R., Smith, J., Spelman, O., Paige, S., “Undergraduate Research as an Experiential Forum for Exploring the Design Process: A Panel Discussion of Pedagogical Methodology, Outcomes and Student Perspectives,” 2016 Interior Design Educator’s Council East Regional Conference Panel, Boston, MA., Aug 15-18, 2016. |
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2016 Undergraduate Research Symposium "An Ethnographic Exploration Informing Spatial Design for the Individualized Instruction and Collaborative Work at The RIT Writing Commons" Click this link to see the design poster from the Undergraduate Research Symposium!
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Alfred State College
PI: Mary Golden
Co PI: Steve Tyrell, PhD
Co PI: Steve Tyrell, PhD
The following dormitory projects were developed from student concepts created in a second year AAS interior design program studio. Students were charged with creating designs that would provide select public spaces on the campus with much needed face lifts. Ultimately, the proposed designs had to embody the brand image of "YOUNG.TECHNICAL.HIP." The project was "awarded" to a student and then, as their mentor, we developed the concepts to be inclusive of all public spaces. Detailed specification packages were prepared for purchasing for the campus administration and facilities staff, hired architectural firms and the Dormitory Authority of New York (DASNY).
ASC Peet Hall Dormitory
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Student Designer: Ashley Andrus
Developed with Assist Prof Mary Golden, Bergmann & Associates, Razak Associates, DASNY & Alfred State College Staff Course: CIAT 2304 Interior Design II, Prof Mary Golden, ASID The genesis of this residence hall interior upgrade began with a redesign of the student lounge. The pool table area is an entertainment zone with an LED illuminated feature wall. Deep, comfortable furniture groupings create comfortable areas for students to socialize. Sled bottoms make furniture rearrangement for large or small gatherings light work. High top café and large tables provide places to eat, gather in groups or perform individual work. A café bar with a pass through is an added convenience that visually separates the vending area. The design features and color scheme were developed to include all of the public spaces including the student halls and kitchen. The Welcome Centers and hallway casework were custom designed by Mary Golden. Art work from the Digital Media and Animation Club completes the space. Official Grand Opening Ceremony with the College President Dr. John Anderson, ASC College Council, college staff and students. Click this link to see the design poster for Peet Hall Media room!
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ASC Braddon Hall Dormitory
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Student Designer: Erica Leto
Developed with Assist Prof Mary Golden, Bergmann & Associates, Razak Associates, DASNY & Alfred State College Staff Course: CIAT 2304 Interior Design II, Prof Mary Golden, ASID A "twin" building to Peet Hall, the Braddon Hall dormitory provided for a second perspective of how the residence hall interior upgrade could be approached. The student lounge, of identical square feet to Peet Hall, had a completely different look and feel yet with the same amenities. The lighting fixtures were custom designed by the student from Firefarm. The lounge area is backed by an LED illuminated feature wall. Deep, comfortable furniture groupings create comfortable areas for students to socialize. High top café and large tables provide places to eat, gather in groups or perform individual work. A café bar with a pass through is an added convenience that visually separates the vending area. The design features and color scheme were developed to include all of the public spaces including the student halls and kitchen. Welcome Centers greet visitors and provide wayfinding information. The Welcome Centers and hallway casework were custom designed by Mary Golden. Art work from the Digital Media and Animation Club completes the space. Official Grand Opening Ceremony with the College President Dr. John Anderson, ASC College Council, college staff and students. |
ASC Hinkle Library Redesign
This inaugural Students Designing for Students project was the ethos for the five student designed projects that I have directed or mentored and seen to completion. The Hinkle Library redesign came by invitation from the head librarian who had been given a very modest budget to upscale a library interior that dated back to the 1970s. What began as a competition for our second year interior design students quickly evolved into tutelage on design practice. Students remained involved in design decision making throughout the process and review of the budgetary, purchasing and build out was brought into the design studio as hands-on discussion topics The project came in on budget and ontime, ready to open for students in the fall.
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Student Team Leader: Crystal Medina Student Team Members: Sara Brown and Jocelyn Hannahs Coordinated by Barb Griel, Librarian and implemented by ASC Staff CIAT 2304 Color, Lighting and Acoustics, Assist. Prof. Mary Golden The Hinkle Library “extreme makeover” integrates functional requirements with private study areas and public spaces while optimizing circulation. Revisions to the initial conceptual proposal and furniture layout coupled with a cost effective interior finish and furniture package optimize the design. The renovation areas included the main public space of the first floor, a digital classroom, and a gallery. The furniture and fabrics selected are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable and sustainable. "Green" paint, carpet and finish materials brighten the interior. |