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The Florida State University Department of Interior Architecture recently hosted its eleventh annual Charrette, a competition in which teams of students compete to solve unique design problems. In past years, students have tackled such creative challenges as building a zombie apocalypse bunker or developing a “life size” version of a favorite childhood game.  

This year’s theme, “Decades of Inspiration” challenged the teams to envision a black-tie event to honor the Department’s own 50th anniversary. Each of the teams were assigned a decade, from the 1970s through the 2010s to base their designs around, leading to a diverse set of styles.  

“Our students work incredibly hard on their Charrette projects each year and I am always impressed with them,” said Terry Londy, assistant professor and director of the Charrette. “It was so interesting to see how each of the teams interpreted the time periods they were assigned. We’re so proud of what they accomplished.” 

Emeritus Professor Lisa Waxman presented a History of Interior Design Education to the entire student body at the event’s Kickoff, to provide context behind the anniversary. Students were given a tour of the FSU Alumni Center Ballroom, where the event will be held.  Students from FSU’s Dedman College of Hospitality also served as special advisors to each group, helping them consider special needs associated with an event. 

Three expert guest judges volunteered to judge this year’s competition:  

 

Marie Roberts (BS 1985) 

Roberts has decades of experience in design and marketing and serves as a Senior Designer at Bright Red Agency, a marketing and advertising firm located in Tallahassee.  

Emory Johnson (BS 1972) 

One of the first alumni of the FSU Interior Design program, Johnson has more than 40 years of experience in the field. He has long been an advocate for the professionalization of the industry, and currently serves as a member of State Regulatory Board of Architecture and Interior Design. Johnson is also a founding member of FSU’s Interior Architecture and Design Advisory Council. 

Michael Fornaro, PhD 

Fornaro, the founder and principal of Luxe Design Associates is a published author, designer and educator with more than 20 years of experience in the design field. He is the current chair of the Interior Architecture & Design Advisory Council.  

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Announcing our 2024 Charrette Winners:   

First Place: Team 383 “1970s” 

Abigail Walrath 

Reegan North 

Alisson Angarita 

Peyton Kimble 

Consultant: Pamela Cabrera  

Second Place: Team 395 “1990s” 

Kayla Reiff 

Ciara Lee 

Alejandro Beltran 

Isabella Escruceria 

Consultant: Sydney Hilgert 

Third Place: Team 387 “1980s” 

James Dzwil 

Victoria Perree 

Isabella Montilla Liscano 

Kate Wankelman 

Consultant: Nydia Clement 

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The winning posters will be on display at the department’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on March 2. The first-place team will attend the celebration as special guests, and elements of their designs have been incorporated into the online promotion of the event.  

 

 

Register for the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Alumni Weekend  

Can’t attend? Honor your time at FSU by making a gift to advance the Department at https://give.fsu.edu/interiordesign.  

 

 

Lisa Waxman, emeritus professor and former department chair of Florida State University’s Department of Interior Architecture and Design, has been honored with the 2023 Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and interior design education.

“We’re very proud that Dr. Waxman has been recognized with this prestigious national award,” said Jim Dawkins, Chair of the Department. “Throughout her career, she has expended a great amount of time, energy, and expertise in advancing our profession and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of such an honor.”

Dr. Waxman began her service with CIDA in 2015 on the Board of Directors and served as Secretary Treasurer in 2015 and Chair-Elect/Board Chair in 2016-2017.  During her service on the Board, Dr. Waxman also contributed extensively to CIDA standards development as Board liaison to the Standards Committee. Her affinity for this work was so strong that Dr. Waxman accepted a position on the CIDA Standards Committee after her Board service was complete, and she presently serves as Chair during her second and final term on the Standards Committee.

In addition to the above CIDA leadership roles, Dr. Waxman has been a regular presenter about CIDA Professional Standards at international conferences and events. She often serves as a panelist at CIDA’s Accreditation Workshops, offering other educators a wealth of knowledge from her perspective as an interior design faculty member (emerita) and a CIDA standards development expert. Dr. Waxman has received many honors across the professional community as an educator, scholar, advocate, and mentor, and CIDA is only one among a plethora of organizations and causes to which Dr. Waxman has leant her volunteer time and professional expertise.

CIDA established the Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award as a legacy to former Director Keith Hooks whose 20+ years of volunteer leadership immeasurably impacted thousands of students in CIDA-accredited programs.

“The CIDA Board gives a standing ovation to the many accomplishments of Dr. Lisa Waxman,” states Felice Silverman, FIIDA, CIDA Board Chair. “Her exceptional leadership both at CIDA and in the profession at large has culminated in a truly outstanding legacy of achievement and positive impact. The Board is honored to join the profession in recognizing Dr. Waxman with the Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award. We congratulate her on CIDA’s highest honor.”

Over 100 interior design educators and practitioners currently volunteer for CIDA. Only one Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award is presented annually. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation is an independent, non-profit, accrediting organization responsible for setting standards and evaluating degree granting interior design programs. Learn more at www.accredit-id.org.