becoming familiar with Bjarke Ingels…..

Posted on February 28, 2012 by sreicis

The Danish architect Bjarke Ingels and his Coppenhagen based firm BIG has won the Kimball Art Center competition. This international competition was charged with designing a new home for the art center in Park City, Utah. So what makes this design the winner? According to Maurice Cox, a member of the selecting group, “BIG won the competition by proposing an iconic building that honors the spirit of Park City’s past and looks ahead into the 21st century.”

Terrace of the proposed Kimball Art Center

The proposed design appears to be a series of skewed Lincoln logs. The architects have struck a balance between context and current. They will also be going for a LEED Platinum rating for the new building.

Restaurant of the proposed art center

Spanning the entire height of the building is a signature staircase that emulates the striated form of the building.

So if the art center resembles Lincoln Logs, check out the video featuring Legos. I think I see a pattern here…..

Villa Alum Danielle Benson in Buffalo Magazine…

Posted on February 26, 2012 by sreicis

Check out the new February/March 2012 Buffalo Magazine for design advice from Villa Maria alum Danielle Benson, of DK Benson Interiors. Danielle contributed to the article, “The home mini-makeover” by Sheryl A. Bauerschmidt.

Danielle Benson, BFA Interior Design, Villa Maria College

Some of Danielle’s advice includes “…alternately stacking your books horizontally and vertically to create interest and balance.” Danielle also provides valuable suggestions for color selections, “Warmer colors such as reds and oranges tend to make spaces feel cozier”. For more on DK Benson Interiors visit their web site http://www.dkbenson.com/

The Buffalo Magazine has featured Villa students and faculty in their August issue as well. The magazine is prepared by the marketing department of the Buffalo News.

A perfect fit for Restoration and Preservation….

Posted on February 11, 2012 by sreicis

Wonderful news from Villa Maria College…… a Certificate program in Historic Restoration and Preservation is now being offered, using Buffalo’s rich, historic architectural environment as a backdrop and laboratory. The curriculum will cover the technical, practical, regulatory and cultural aspects confronting today’s preservationists, with opportunities to gain practical knowledge about the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of historic structures and sites. This is the first of its kind in the Western New York Area.

The certificate program consists of five courses which all earn college credit towards a degree in Interior Design. This is both an academic as well as a hands-on program. Courses include a studio class taught at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, that will combine the ethical and philosphical with a real-world experience.

Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, NY

Similarly students will study fused and leaded glass which will provide ample opportunity to work in glass as well as study the history of glass. Buffalo is blessed to be the home of many historically significant examples of glass windows including designs by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Student Harrison Walsh with professor Sister Ann Therese Kelly in the Glass Atelier

Through the strength of Villa’s CIDA accredited Interior Design program, students will gain valuable knowledge and practical experience, and have the use of Villa’s specialized facilities, including the Art Shop, a state of the art wood working facility.

Students Marcus Carroll, Jason Cole and Hillary Hudson with Professor Jesse Walp working on furniture design.

A special note to alumni,- with the Villa courses you took for your degree, you might be able to earn this certificate in one semester! This is worth checking out.

The iconic meets the practical…….

Posted on February 9, 2012 by sreicis

Although no connection exists between the Mac and the iPoo by Milos Paripovic, the iconic logo lends itself to the form and function of the WC. As the Apple logo is synonymous with quality, it lends that distinction to this luxury toilet.

For my many devoted Mac user friends, I can now suggest a unique way to show your technology preferences.

In addition to the visuals, however, this product has some state of the art bells and whistles. Check out the web site…. http://www.behance.net/gallery/iPoo-Toilet/2741839 The one touch functionality of the Mac computer is the inspiration for the one button functionality of the iPoo….button located on leaf.

Designer Paripovic is a digital artist and designer who works out of Belgrade, Serbia.

As seen in Interior Design Magazine……

Posted on February 5, 2012 by sreicis

Each year Villa Maria College participates in the New York Eleven student exhibition. This organization is dedicated to raising the level of professional awareness for the field of Interior Design, starting with the Legislative and Congressional assemblies in New York State’s capital, Albany. http://www.newyorkeleven.com/ Check out the full page notice in January’s Interior Design magazine……

As one of New York State’s presitigious BFA programs in Interior Design we are very proud to join our colleagues in Albany and NYC. Some photos from our archives……

At the Villa exhibit in Albany 2009, Rosalie Huffnagle, Janet Ramseyer, Kathleen Geiger and Sara Gleason.

Students, Kathleen, Rose, Janet and Sara, dressed in their travel clothes, are pictured with Assemblywoman Jane Corwin (R-NY)

We were honored to be the guests of our elected State Assembly member from the 142nd District, Jane Corwin. http://janecorwin.com/ Students and faculty were invited to the Legistlative Proceedings where we were officially introduced and welcomed from the floor. It also gave the students the opportunity to see the beautiful and historic State Legislative Building. Plans are in progress to travel to Albany again this year for the Opening Ceremony on April 9, 2012.

In search of great textiles……

Posted on February 3, 2012 by sreicis

A fantastic industry collaboration between architect Robert A.M. Stern and the textile manufacturer CF Stinson has produced the imaginative textile product line, the Tracery Collection. Inspired by the tracery of historic windows and other architectural patterns and transparencies, the designs have a unique language that would complement many environments.From the color palette to the pattern scale, these textiles are reminiscent of architectural styles from around the world.

Robert A.M. Stern is founder and principal partner of Robert A.M. Stern Architects. He is also Dean of the Yale School of Architecture and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Many books are written about him, and he has also authored many books himself. Clients include Paris Disneyland, Harvard Law School, and the George W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, along with projects such as Hotel and Private Residences at 30 Park Place.

In search of color…….

Posted on February 2, 2012 by sreicis

The Interior Design Association (IDA) of Western New York is a wonderful organization of local designers. It’s always fun at the meetings, catching up with the great things Villa Alumni are doing, and hearing our student interns success stories. Schuele Paints, a Benjamin Moore independent distributer, hosted our recent meeting, presenting the color trend forcast for 2013…..I thought 2012 just started! Kristine Teno and Sandra Parker gave an informative presentation and at the end of the night participants received a gift bag filled with useful color tools. One of their color messages…..although metalics are popular in the 2012 collection…..they are limited in 2013……helpful knowledge when advising clients looking for design longevity. Barb Reformat, an Interior Design alum and Advisory Council member is pictured in the center, and Danielle Schiavetti, Interior Design alum (in white blouse) are pictured above. Professional organizations are a critical means of staying current with the profession and networking with colleagues.

The Villa Maria College Interior Design student club, called the IN club, is an American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) student chapter club. Membership in this organization is the first step towards a student’s professional life. If you’re not a member you should become one!

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Monthly Archives: February 2012