The inaugural winners of the Ashcroft Design Challenge will be announced on Wednesday, April 25, at Lethbridge College. The announcement is part of surRENDER, an annual showcase for the Interior Design Technology (IDT) program.
The Ashcroft Design Challenge was announced in January. Students had the chance to create modern home designs that met market needs. The designs were judged by Ashcroft Master Builder earlier this month. The company will then build the winning design, with the designing students working with the team as interns.
“Our students are incredibly excited to find out who the winner will be,” says Cherie Reitzel, Interior Design Technology instructor. “Ashcroft chose our top three projects at our project pitch at the beginning of April. Each pair of finalists is preparing a virtual walk-through of each home that can be experienced at surRENDER.”
Now in its second year, surRENDER will also feature virtual reality demonstrations, student work showcases and the opportunity to network with instructors and industry professionals in a relaxed setting. It takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility.
“surRENDER is a great opportunity for anyone interested in technology, virtual reality, architectural animation or interior design,” says Reitzel. “The college’s Interior Design Technology program examines design, animation and immersive architecture and explores these topics in a fun and interactive way.”
The world of interior design has expanded beyond physical walls, to a virtual world where possibilities are limitless. Lethbridge College will showcase how it is becoming a leader in this area.
“The quality of the work our students have showcased is phenomenal,” says Kris Hodgson, interim chair for the School of Media and Design. “Industry partners should be very excited to hire our grads.”
Snacks and refreshments will be served. Tickets for surRENDER are $10 each plus fees and are available online.
Interior Design Technology is a two-year diploma program offered by Lethbridge College. To make sure that students are trained up to the always-evolving standards of the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, the program relies on many types of technology, including virtual reality. VR allows designers to bring their visions to life in a three-dimensional way, engulfing the client in the world they’ve envisioned, whether it’s for a home, a restaurant, a retail space or any other space.
The winning team will be announced at 6 p.m. The home animations are available to view online.