NEWH Green Voice Design Competition Winners

Stacey Shield 2007

My name is Stacey Schield and currently I am in my fourth of five years at the University of Cincinnati. The five years I will have spent learning about interior design will provide me with a Bachelor of Science diploma in Spring of 2008. I have enjoyed turning the theory of my classes into practical experience during the two years of internships that my school requires. My next internship opportunity will be the fall of this year and I hope to spend that time at a hospitality firm so that I can further my skills...

Toni Cosper 2008

Man’s heart, away from nature, becomes hard; [the Lakota tribe] knew that a lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans too...Luther Standing Bear Sustainable building encompasses more than just the chosen materials. To me, sustainability is about respect—respect for the earth and its precious resources, for other living things, our fellow man, and our future generations...

Oriel Poole 2009

My name is Oriel Poole. I am an aspiring interior designer from Drexel University with a passion for hospitality design, lighting design and the entertainment industry. My idea of success is to be surrounded by the things that bring me joy; art, music and enterprise...

Kathleen Hummel 2010

Kat started her educational design career at the International Academy of Design & Technology in Orlando, Florida in January of 2008. Already having an Associate in Arts degree, Kat was able to advance quickly through the interior design program at IADT, while maintaining a 3.97 GPA. Her core studies included hospitality design, residential design, contract design, sustainable design, AutoCAD and computer and hand rendering.

Jamie Ivey 2011

I am a graduating interior design student at Virginia Tech about to head off into the real world for a second time. I previously graduated from Virginia Tech in 2001 with a Bachelors in Industrial and Systems Engineering. Knowing engineering wasn't for me, I move to New York City to pursue management/IT consulting...

Brittany Swingley 2012

Hailing from Great Falls, Montana, Brittany is slowly (but surely) adapting to the Las Vegas lifestyle. Her passion for design, particularly hospitality, lead her to viva Las Vegas where she has mastered the art of working hard and playing even harder...

Nitya Krishnan 2012

Nitya Krishnan has 3 yrs of experience as an architect working on projects related to design of office spaces, interiors, School residences, and star hotels with LEED ratings. A 2007 graduate from Anna University (India), Nitya holds Bachelors in Architecture. She is also pursuing here Masters in Sustainable interior environments in NY school of Interior Design given her experience and her interests.

Rachel Brennan 2013

I am a fifth year senior in the interior design program at Virginia Tech. After my freshman year in general studies I applied and was accepted into the college of architecture + design. Since being enrolled in interior design I have had the wonderful opportunity of studying abroad to Portugal and Spain. I am very passionate about...

Alina Bungardean 2014

After graduating University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in 2003, followed by a Masters in Cultural Management, I started working as an industrial designer. The projects I was involved in brought me closer and closer to the complex and amazing world of interior design which soon became a passion for me. My work experience between 2003 and 2010 includes private residential and retail interior design projects. In 2010 I relocated to Toronto and started working as an interior designer for Cecconi-Simone Inc. Between 2011 and 2013 I have contributed to designs of various lobbies, amenities and sale centers for condominiums in Canada and in the United States...

Victor Lee 2014

My name is Victor Lee, and I am a recent graduate from Illinois State University with a master’s degree in Interior & Environmental Design, and a passion towards hospitality design. There is so much inspiration in this world and I’ve been fortunate to have had traveled to countries in Asia, Europe, and North America to appreciate the beauty of human, architecture, and design. I am eager to contribute what I have learned in school to the real world, and as a constant learner, I am yearning to go out there to the real world and ready to be wowed...

Swathi de Faria 2015

Swathi received her bachelors degree in Fine Art from Goa University, India with a concentration in Applied Art & Advertising and worked in the fields of advertising and hospitality. Though her education prepared her in the field of media and communications, Swathi's continued interest in the field of architecture and design led her to seek out a graduate program in Interior Architecture. Swathi is currently a graduate student at the New England School of Art and Design (NESAD) - Suffolk University Boston Ma. She is also currently an intern at ID8 Design Studio and a student member of the IIDA. After the successful completion of her program she is eager to join the commercial design world.

Erica Brooks 2015

Studying Interior Design at Virginia Tech has been an ideal academic program for me. The program combines my organized mindset and proficiency in math with a passion for fine art and design. I studied abroad in 2012 through Germany, Austria, and Italy. Interning at RTKL and Fanelli McClain furthered my passion for design. I work as president for Habitat for Humanity at Virginia Tech, which has not only given me ample practical experience, but a direction and purpose for design in the future. As I build my interior design skills and knowledge, I frequently discover new aspects of design to pursue. My design goals are to create an interior experience that not only impacts the occupants within the space, but also involves and affects the surrounding community.

Heather Canania 2016

Heather Canania is a fourth year interior design student at Maryville University. Design program skills combined with a love of materials empowers Heather to bring her work to life. She favors retail, corporate and landscape design, which highlights her preference for flexible organization. Beyond the collegiate experience, Heather has been honing her design skills via internships at Daltile and Working Spaces.

Rebecca Johnson 2016

Rebecca Johnson, a fourth year honors student at Maryville University, is majoring in interior design with a minor in psychology. Rebecca uses her skills in research and conceptual development to create meaningful spaces that truly embody the client’s needs. She favors healthcare and education, which highlight her desire to merge psychology and design to increase the benefits of the spaces she designs. Beyond the collegiate experience, Rebecca has been exploring different opportunities in the design community through her internships at Meglio and Associates, Answers Inc., and Forum Studios.

Yen Nong 2016

As a child, I was always curious about architecture and interior design. This curiosity has grown into a strong passion and love leading me down the path of becoming an interior designer. I graduated with a B.S degree in Interior Design in August 2014 from Seminole State College, Florida. Currently, I am getting my Master of Science in Architecture with concentration in Interior Design at Virginia Tech. As a designer, I believe I can make a difference by using my creative and problem solving skills to improve the quality of people's lives in the built environment. My goal is to continue to learn, improve and sharpen my skills. And, I would like to pour all my passion for design and contribute my skills to my future employer.

Francene Ray 2017

My name is Francene Ray, I am a designer, born and raised in Seattle, WA. I was exposed to the elements and have grown to appreciate the eclectic things in life. I find inspiration in unique individuals, captivating places and curious things; it is in these items that I rediscover and celebrate the art of design. I will graduate in May 2017 from the University of Idaho with a Bachelors of Interior Design (B.I.D.) and minors in Architecture and Business. I plan to be NCIDQ and LEED AP ID +C certified.

Arkgo Hsi Chen 2017

The gesture of thinking makes a building a work of architecture. Building a work of architecture is the gesture of thinking. I, Arkgo Chen, am a Masters student studying at the University of British Columbia with a passion for urban ecology and visual communication. As a Vancouverite, I am strongly inspired by my surrounding environment, which consists of divine nature and vibrant culture. This inspiration always relates to my experience with architecture. My visit to Teshima Art Museum in Japan was a critical sustainable architectural inspiration for me - it was a space that comes into being as something that goes back to nature as it is. I came to realize that a work of sustainable architecture is to contribute back to the surrounding environment, to re-discover an identity that belongs, to re-establish experience that evokes memories, and to recall that “design” is to solve problems of the age.

JunJie Liao 2017

I, Jasper Liao, was born in the southern Chinese city of Shaoguan. This city is famous for being a cradle of Zen Buddhism. Hence, I grew up in an atmosphere rich with Zen spirit. I am especially fond of the Nanhua Temple that sits atop my hometown with its thousand years of history, and it is there that I fell in love with architecture and how it can enhance its surrounding landscape. It was not just the physical building of the “Nanhua Temple” that inspired me, but also the Zen habits of the Buddhist monks who live in there provoking a sustainable lifestyle. From these early influences, I gradually formed my aesthetic sensibilities and values: 1) harmony between people, built spaces, and nature; 2) kindness and compassion in intent; and 3) sustainable solutions toward functionality. These values will implement into the project of "The Norm Hotel" for further exploration.

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Keely Lange 2018

My name is Keely Lange, a student in my final year at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. I am pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Interior Design with a minor in Construction Management Technology. My education, coupled with my recent summer internship experience, have directed me toward hospitality design. I love the creative possibilities that hospitality design involves, along with its unique challenges in maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of occupants. As I complete my senior year and prepare for graduation, I look forward to a career in hospitality design and the experiences and challenges that await! Growing up, I had lots of interests and career goals throughout the years. I was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho and lived there until graduating high school and moving on to Weber State University. I remember spending countless hours researching careers, combing through majors options, and taking various aptitude and career placement tests while I was in high school. The results varied from engineering to graphic design to furniture making. These options all seemed appealing in their own right, but I was looking for something more. I stumbled across the interior design major at Weber State and began looking into what it entailed. As I researched the options of an interior design degree, I realized this was exactly what I was looking for. To me, interior design is the intersection of creativity and real-world problem solving. That’s why I love it so much! Every day presents a new challenge; designers continually learn and grow with each project. Through my education, I have found that I now see the world through new eyes. I am constantly looking at architectural styles and detailing, thinking about space planning arrangements, and analyzing code compliance in the places in which I find myself. Design has strongly impacted my life and has shown me that inspiration can truly be found anywhere.

Brennan Broome 2019

Brennan Broome, LEED Green Associate, is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and designer living and working in Miami, Florida. Brennan holds a BFA in Intermedia from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, and Master’s of Interior Architecture from Florida International University. He is one-half of design duo Raneytown, and is a Designer at EoA in Coral Gables, Florida. His work has been featured in Interior Design Magazine, Interiors + Sources, and the Wall Street Journal.

Raquel Raney 2019

Raquel Raney, LEED Green Associate, is a Designer from Miami, Florida. She holds a BS in Visual Communication from Arizona State University and a Master's of Interior Architecture from Florida International University. For over 10 years she has been running her own award-winning graphic design studio, Raneytown, and is currently a Designer at the Hospitality firm EoA in Coral Gables, FL. In 2018 she was named as a Designer to Watch by Interiors + Sources magazine.

Keyaira Mumford 2019

I am currently a Junior in the School of Design and Construction at Washington State University. I have a passion for sustainability, good design, and creative problem solving. I first connected in a deeper way with the built environment in high school while studying the development of sustainable buildings. Design offers me an opportunity to make the world a better, healthier place to live. As Jason McLennan said, “the human future depends on our collective awakening to the reality that life exists only in a community and depends on the active engagement of every living being in the capture, exchange, and sharing of energy, nutrients, and water.” As a designer I hope to enhance the relationship between the built and natural environments. I aspire to push the capabilities of regenerative design and to help make it a standard for living.

Nada Boules 2020

Nada Boules is currently in her Junior year in the accredited Interior Design program at Hillier College of Architecture and Design at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ. Considering her thirst for knowledge, she also declares a minor in Environmental Studies and Sustainability and pursues a master’s degree in Architecture. Before traveling to the United States, she and her family absconded from multi-systemic injustices. Living in the U.S., education became essential to her since it is the key to helping her family financially. Additionally, it is the opportunity to proceed with her dreams of becoming a successful designer. She not only believes interior designing is about improving interior spaces and creating practical, personal, and eco-friendly environments, but is also by adhering to practices that protect the health, welfare, and safety of people. Karim Rashid once said, "Design is about the betterment of our lives poetically, aesthetically, experientially, sensorially and emotionally." Therefore, she considers interior design as a tool to enhance humanity and to provide a better society overall.

Mona Nahm 2020

I am a graduating MFA student at the New York School of Interior Design. I also hold a BFA in Film Production from Loyola Marymount University and an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA. Prior to attending NYSID, I worked as a production designer for independent films. I was driven to create environments that were truthful to the characters while finding balance between realism and fantasy. However, I made the leap to change my career because I wanted to design more permanent spaces that could directly affect the lives of the users. As a student, I have interned at five architecture and design firms in New York City. Although I have explored many building types, I found hospitality design to be the most exciting. For me, hospitality pervades all design. It is the space that invites the public, a point of connection between the host and the guest. I hope to continue to have the opportunity to design spaces that are inclusive and welcoming.

Isaac Wood 2021

Isaac Wood is an ambitious and focused student, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design with a Minor in Building Science at Appalachian State University, in Boone, N.C. He is currently at a junior level and is a student member of both ASID and IIDA. He is the faculty appointed Junior Ambassador Leader for the Interior Design Program within the Department of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State, and was previously a sophomore ambassador. Isaac enjoys working with fellow students and faculty; he was a Teacher’s Assistant for Interior Design Studio I in Spring of 2019, and most recently journeyed through an independent study in Enscape, offering tutorials and help to fellow students using the software. Isaac won first place in the 2019/2020 ASID Carolina’s Otto Zenke Competition, which focuses on accessible, universal, and sustainable design. He has a passion for sustainable and environmentally friendly design, which is shown in much of his work - these principles also have a heavy influence in his personal life. After graduation, he plans to pursue his NCIDQ certification as well as become a LEED and WELL A.P. Once he achieves his NCIDQ certification, he plans to work in the field for a few years before pursuing a Master of Interior Architecture. In his free time, Isaac is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, taking full advantage of the gorgeous Blueridge Parkway in the backyard of Boone, N.C.

Melissa Carrazana 2021

Melissa Carrazana is currently an Interior Architecture graduate student and has been studying architecture, art and design since 2009. Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, she started studying interior design at Brookdale Community College before moving to Florida in 2013. From there, Melissa entered Palm Beach State College where she changed her major to architecture before transferring into Florida International University. Due to some time constraints, another major change had to happen where she then earned her bachelor’s degree in art with a minor in art history in December of 2018. After graduation and giving birth to a beautiful daughter, the opportunity rose again for her to complete her dream in becoming a designer and was accepted into the Paul Cejas School of Architecture at Florida International University in 2019 as a graduate student. Currently in her second year, Melissa has joined the student chapter of IIDA and was rewarded Design Excellence after completing her first semester in Interior Architecture. Melissa’s goals once her studies are complete is to be a part of hospitality design or work on commercial interiors within a firm setting while implementing LEED standards to interior structures. New goals have also come to light given the hurdles COVID-19 has brought. Therefore, an additional interest in considerations towards health and well-being are further motivators.

Yosvaldy Ferrer 2021

Yosvaldy Ferrer Noda is a Master of Interior Architecture candidate at Florida International University (FIU) who began his studies in his native La Habana, Cuba in 2010. After moving to the United States, he studied Architecture and earned an Associate in Arts degree from Miami Dade College in 2016. When Yosvaldy then applied to the accelerated program offered by FIU's School of Architecture, serendipity showed him a different path. After a chance exposure to the detailed and human-centric focus of Interior Architecture, he was inspired by his faculty and peers and became convinced that this career shift would best suit his talents and passions. Now in his second year of the Interior Architecture program, Yosvaldy is fascinated by era-defining legends like Frank Lloyd Wright and their craftsman techniques, and he continues to immerse himself in furniture design, lighting, and the inclusion of artwork to define an interior space.

Haylee Merola 2022

Haylee Merola is an undergraduate student at the accredited Hillier College of Architecture and Design at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Interior Design with a minor in Business and is part of the Albert Dorman Honors College. Haylee was born and raised in Hazleton, Pennsylvania before relocating to New Jersey for her undergraduate degree. As of Spring 2022, she has completed her junior year and has accepted a position as a summer interior design intern at the Gensler Morristown office. Haylee has been recognized twice by the NJIT Design School for her success in both her freshman and sophomore years. In addition to her studies, Haylee works on campus as a peer mentor, volunteers with the design school, acts as an honors ambassador, holds office in two clubs – NJIT IIDA and The Creative Writing Club, and acts as a lead coordinator for the Honors College annual retreat. In coming years, she plans to do research in interior design at NJIT and graduate with her B.A. before pursuing NCIDQ certification. She is of the belief that design can be powerful in shaping the world around us, and she hopes to be part of a positive movement toward equity and sustainability. In her free time, Haylee enjoys writing, painting, spending time with friends and family, playing with her dogs, and, most recently, learning to crochet.

Anja Pantic 2022

Anja Pantić (1998) completed her undergraduate academic studies at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture (2020), after which she has enrolled in the Master Academic Studies in Architecture, module Urbanism - Sustainable City at the previously mentioned faculty. She is currently a final year student. She actively participates in student workshops and specializes in congresses, seminars and courses in the field of architecture, urbanism and graphic design. Within the manifestation Week with Architecture, whereat the most successful student projects of the master's academic studies of the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture were presented, her project First Furrow was exhibited. She has been presenting her works at a large number of exhibitions of regional and international character, of which the IX International Landscape Architecture Exhibition stands out, where she has presented her project EcoSYSTEM44, under the mentorship of Dr Jelena Živković and Dr Marija Cvetković. The exhibited project is also published in the catalog of the mentioned architectural review. She has also exhibited her works at international festivals, such as Da! festival in Zagreb, Croatia. She has participated in several international competitions, of which the first one is the NEWH Green Voice Design Competition. During her studies, she has gained her first work experience in the field of architectural and urban design, as well as personal engagement in the field of graphic design, expressing the desire for continuous research, education and further training in the theoretical and practical framework of architectural discourse.

Zorana Jovic 2022

Zorana Jović (1989) completed bachelor studies at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry (2014), after which she specialized at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Physical Chemistry (2015) as a specialist in Forensics. After passing the professional exam and a short engagement in the profession at the Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology at the National Center for Poison Control at the Military Medical Academy (2016), she decided to enrich the domain of scientific interest. She has completed bachelor studies at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture (2020), where she is currently a final year student of the Master academic studies in Architecture, module Architecture at the mentioned faculty. During studies, she is actively involved in the promotion of science and education by participating in various manifestations. Also, in the same period, she was engaged in schooling at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture as an educator. She confirms commitment to research by participating in national and international workshops and competitions. As part of the manifestation Week with Architecture, in the segment of the most successful student works of master academic studies at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade, in Belgrade, her porojects of the City Library, under the mentorship of Dr. Milan Maksimović and Nikola Milanović and the Nautical Educational Institution, under the mentorship of Nebojša Fotirić and Tamara Radić, were exibiteed. She strives to make a specific contribution within the architectural discourse through multidisciplinary scientific research, constant education and connecting the range of knowledge.

Logen Eshmawy 2023

Logen Eshmawy is an aspiring interior designer currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Interior Design at New Jersey Institute of Technology. With a keen eye for aesthetics and a passion for creating functional, beautiful spaces, she has already demonstrated her talent through various class projects. Logen is eager to embark on her journey in the world of interior design, combining her creative flair with a dedication to enhancing the lives of others through thoughtful design.

Maria Gal Giusiano 2023

Maria, an interior and furniture designer from Argentina, is exceptionally versatile and has worked in high residential and hospitality settings. She received her initial training at the National University of Argentina, where he also worked in the department of design research for students with disabilities. This experience sparked his interest in the effects of design on various users and society. Maria never ceased learning and developing her skills as a professional. She has always had the help and encouragement of her family, coworkers, and friends, who serve as her key sources of support in life. She decided she wanted to pursue a master's degree and chose the United States as his destination because she considers it to be an excellent source of opportunities. From a young age, he was very curious about art and design and how it is transferred to people's daily lives, influencing in different ways and in different cultures. especially FIU, whose academic caliber and breadth of research emphasize the users' significance in relation to the psychology of the living environment. And it is there that Maria may keep expanding her interest in how users interact with interior spaces.

Criteria

Anna Maria Arango Garcia 2023

Ana Maria Arango is a licensed architect from Colombia who finds joy in nature, quality family time, meaningful conversations, and exploring new destinations. She holds a strong belief in the power of a freehand sketch as the starting point for excellent design. Ana Maria sees the role of designers as creators of spaces that foster positive human connections. Her curiosity and passion for design led her to embark on journeys to Milan, Italy, and later Shanghai, China, where she gained over six years of valuable experience. Driven by a relentless desire to deepen her design knowledge, Ana Maria chose to pursue a master's in interior architecture at FIU, focusing on research-based design and the environmental psychology aspects of hospitality. She is set to graduate in May 2024.

Criteria

Gemma Cullen 2024

Gemma Cullen is a senior interior design student at Appalachian State University, serving as an ambassador for their design program as well as the Student President of her ASID Chapter and student representative on the ASID Carolinas board. Outside of school, Gemma owns and operates Form and Function Co., a small interior design studio that specializes in luxury residential and rental properties across the country. After graduation, Gemma plans to pursue her NCIDQ certification, allowing her to stamp and seal her construction drawings. She also aims to expand Form and Function Co., focusing on hospitality, boutique commercial, and high-end residential projects.

Kelly Garoutte 2024

My name is Kelly Garoutte, and I’m a senior in the Interior Design program at Appalachian State University, originally from Kernersville, NC. Growing up I was always extremely competitive, to a fault some may say, yet it was the drive of competition that made me strive for better in all aspects of life. I currently serve as the IIDA Campus Center Student Director, where I work to foster creativity and collaboration within the design community. I’m also actively involved in multiple clubs across campus, which has enriched my university experience and allowed me to build valuable connections. Although my path to design was a winding one, I am grateful to have found it as I am not doing something I am passionate about. With a keen eye for design and a passion for my craft, I’m excited to make a significant impact in the future of the field.

Carolina Gonzalez 2024

Carolina Gonzalez is a Miami native with proud Cuban and Colombian roots. Currently, she is on an exciting journey at Florida International University, pursuing her master’s in interior architecture. This academic pursuit has been a remarkable experience, nurturing her passion for designing spaces. Carolina’s core values revolve around creating a built environment that embodies inclusion, diversity, and sustainability. She is driven to integrate these principles into my future projects, making them not just aesthetically pleasing but also socially and environmentally responsible. She is always excited to connect with others who share a passion for design, innovation, and making a positive impact. Whether through collaboration or conversation, Carolina believes the best ideas come from shared experiences. Together, we can create spaces that not only inspire but also leave a lasting mark on the world of interior architecture.