This year the Utah State University interior design program’s sophomore class will put their skills and knowledge to the test while they work on preparing models for the renovation of the sociology department’s graduate areas.
Professor Leon Anderson, the head of the sociology department, said he reached out to the interior design program because was interested in updating the graduate study rooms and a colleague referred him to the class.
“The graduate study rooms, which we call the bullpens, have not been updated since the 1960’s," he said. "There were old desks and stuff that had been moved in over the years. They didn't look professional."
The students are currently in the Interior Space Planning and Human Dimensions course taught by Sarah Urquhart where they learn how the human body fits into a environment. Designing a space helps the student’s apply what they learn in class.
“Space planning in particular is a very skill-driven class. It’s very much about human dimensions and understanding how the human body relates to the build environment,”Urquhart said. “There’s many things in our build environment that we take for granted. Like the height of a doorknob. Why is it there? Why is it that high?”
Each student will prepare their individual design model and then the client will choose their favorite idea for the space
Autumn Shakespear and Emily Thaxton are two students working on the remodel project.
“Right now we’re in the middle and just trying to fit everything in the space and decide what elements we want to include,” Thaxton said.
Shakespear said that she has enjoyed working on the project so far.
“I like it,” she said. “But I don’t think we've really hit the stressful part yet.”
Students will begin presenting April 20. Anderson said he is looking forward to the presentations.
“It’s a slower process because it’s got to be part of their overall learning experience,” he said. “I’m optimistic that it will be well worth the time to get through their design process.”
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