Bienenstock Furniture Library Announces 2014 Design Competition Winners

Furniture World News Desk on 3/17/2014

  

Interior Design competition winner Adriann Welch (left). Furniture Design competition winner Christopher Eitel (right).  

Last week the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library Board of Directors announced the winners of design competitions that awarded two $10,000 scholarships to distinguished scholars to continue studies in their respective fields of Interior Design and Furniture Design. In addition to the $10,000 awards, they have been given memberships in the ASFD and ASID professional associations.

Honorable mentions were awarded to Ngoc Tran, Savannah College of Art and Design in the Furniture Design category and Alston Willcox, Forsyth Technical Community College in the Interior Design category. All judging is unbiased without any name or school on the project.

The Bienenstock scholarships are open to any junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college design program. Each winner will be awarded scholarship funds during the April 2014 High Point Market.

“Our founder, Sandy Bienenstock, advanced his long-standing desire to invest in the education and future of the furniture industry by establishing the Library itself and by initiating the Bienenstock Scholarships,” said Russell Bienenstock, president of the Library Board. “The intention of these scholarships is to encourage and inspire the best and most creative minds and help them to develop their talents. To that end, this is the second year we added a scholarship in interior design to our long-standing award in furniture design, creating two substantial national scholarships.”

These competitions are a collaborative effort among the ASFD, ASID and the library. The ASFD founded the furniture competition and leads the judging. The ASID sponsors and judges the interior design completion. The library hosts the competition and funds the scholarships. This is an annual competition and a new contest will be announced in November.

FURNITURE DESIGN COMPETITION




Entrants were asked to design an aesthetically pleasing cocktail table of original design from any material. Instructions were “cocktail table should be visually stunning, appropriate for manufacturing, fiscally feasible and suitable within the constraints of mass production.”

Judges in the furniture design category included Paul Brayton, Paul Brayton Designs; Richard Frinier, Frinier Atelier; Danny Davis, Davis Furniture Industries, Inc.; Dudley Moore, ASFD, Otto & Moore Inc.; Rick Schroeder, Stanley Furniture; Royal Wiggin, Thayer Coggin Inc.

Dudley Moore, Chairman of ASFD and Chairman of the Furniture Design Committee noted, “I am very pleased with the selection of Chris Eitel’s Lucite and burl walnut cocktail table as the winner of the 2014 Bienenstock/ASFD furniture design competition. The judges were impressed with Chris’s clever interlocking Lucite panel construction, which houses a gorgeous and useful burl walnut storage box.

He added, “The use of Lucite allows the box to appear to float, making the table both beautiful and functional. Chris’s table exemplifies the magic that can occur when form and function marry seamlessly in an innovative design.”

Eitel, a student at Kendall College of Art and Design said he was “infatuated by the cantilevers and the structural aesthetics of Frank Lloyd Wight architecture, I began with a design inspired by the mid century modern architect. As I explored my design through ideation, I became more interested in the idea of a cantilever suspending itself in space. This idea of suspension became the focal point of further ide¬ations and ultimately my final design.”

The cocktail table is constructed three 3/4” Lucite panes machined to allow for knockdown capabilities and con¬struction with the insertion of a wood storage box. The storage box is veneered burl walnut with a cloth lined inside. SOSS hinges and a lift stay allow for the lid of the storage to function with no hardware shown in its closed state. A slightly carved notch on either side of the storage lid allows for a finger grip when opening and closing the storage.

Professor Monty Simpson, Christopher Eitel's academic advisor on this project noted: “Chris approaches the design process from both the creative and technical side of design. He uses his knowledge of period styling, hands on experience with various construction methods, and exploration of new materials and finishes to create his own style. Chris is outgoing and motivated. He is not afraid to seek out advice from professionals, try something new in KCAD wood and metal shop, or submit his design to various design competitions.”

INTERIOR DESIGN COMPETITION



Entrants were asked to design a project including both residential and commercial spaces to a detailed set of specifications. This year’s project was to design a sleepover camp activity center specializing in activities for 30 traditional and special-needs campers. Located on the second floor of the activity center, accessed by a stairway and elevator, is a private residence, executive office and executive conference room. Students were asked to create a design plan for the entire complex.

Judges in the interior design category included: Christi Spangle, ASID, Barbour Spangle Design; Libby Langdon, Libby Interiors, Inc.; Marilyn Russell, Design Magnifique; Jena Hall, Jena Hall Designs; and Brianne Verstat, ASID, Barbour Spangle Design.

The winning project for the interior design category was named "The Dew Drop." According to Welch, “The concept of "The Dew Drop" symbolizes refreshment, simplicity, and renewal. This concept creates a space that provides a calming and reviving atmosphere, one that is not only comforting, but also simplifies the fast pace life of today's society. Morning dew opens the door for a unique color scheme. The color scheme will not only bring in the soft blues and yellows commonly associated with dew, but also vibrant pops of purple, orange, and red in accessories and artwork. The vibrant colors are a reflection of the many flowers, trees and leaves that are touched by the dew. The patterns and textures chosen reflect the shape of the dew drop as seen through ripples and circles.”

The concept utilizes design principles of unity, variety, rhythm and balance. The style of the Activity Center incorporates traditional lodge architecture with modern furnishings. Creating a fresh and inviting space will help the traditional and special needs campers feel relaxed and at ease.

Christi Spangle, who chaired the selection committee, said, “At first glance I knew Randolph Community College’s Adriann Welch had a design that was going to be a contender. After digging deeper into the technical aspects of the project (codes/ADA compliance, etc.), I realized that she was right on the money. We have seen many wonderful and creative designs over the past two years but this one stood out as one of the best overall.”

Holly Barker is Department Head of Design Programs in the Business and Commercial Arts Division at Randolph Community College. About Adriann as a student, she said: “If anyone is deserving of this win it is Addie! Her natural talent, competitive spirit, and thoughtful design are a testament to her winning this competition.” Regarding the Interior Design Programs at Randolph, she added: “The talent, design passion, and determination of our Interior Design students is considerable. Our program has had a successful 46-year history of graduating creative, knowledgeable, and skilled Interior Design professionals. We were in it to win and that’s exactly what we did.”

When Adriann was asked what guided her to a career in interior design, she replied, “I have always had a love for architecture, art, and any form of creativity. After earning an associates degree in Architectural Engineering and working for several years, there was still something missing. I had heard about the great program at Randolph and knew that it was achievable as a non-traditional student. Although my educational career has not followed a traditional path, the timing has been perfect. The interior design program at RCC has offered the perfect balance of creative design and architecture.”


THE BIENENSTOCK SCHOLARSHIPS
Students from 18 colleges and universities submitted qualifying entries to the Library’s 2014 design scholarship competition. All judging was unbiased—with no name or college shown with the submission. A distinguished panel of industry experts juried each competition.

The 2014 winners will be awarded their $10,000 scholarships, along with respective one-year student membership in ASFD or ASID, during High Point Market in April.

The annual Bienenstock Scholarship competitions are open to any junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college program of furniture design or interior design. Since 1984, the Library has awarded more than $370,000 in scholarships to students in hundreds of colleges and universities.

About Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library: Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library—a worldwide center for research, design, and collaboration—holds the world’s largest collection of rare and significant books on the history and design of furniture, open and free to the public. Founded in 1970 and endowed by the Bienenstock family, the Library is devoted the advancement of knowledge about design, furniture, interiors, architecture, textiles, finishes, and constructions.

Significant among Bienenstock Furniture Library’s 4,000+ holdings are contemporary acquisitions and an international collection of rare books published since 1640, including complete original works of Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite, and Diderot’s encyclopedia. The Library operates a specialty bookstore selling significant contemporary works, out-of-print, and hard-to-find volumes. Most Library services are free. Bienenstock Furniture Library, located in High Point NC, welcomes professionals and scholars for research, collaboration, meetings, seminars, lectures, and events. Visit www.furniturelibrary.com.

About ASFD: Founded in 1981, ASFD is the only international non-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing, improving and supporting the profession of furniture design and its positive impact in the marketplace. Professional Members specialize in the design of both residential and contract furnishings and accessories. Membership includes both American and International professional designers, industry affiliates and associates, design schoolteachers and students. Corporate Members include suppliers of products and services to the industry and furniture manufacturing companies who wish to support the goals and objectives of the Society. http://www.asfd.com.


About the ASID: ASID is a community of people driven by a common love for design and committed to the belief that interior design, as a service to people, is a powerful, multi-faceted profession that can positively change people’s lives. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 30,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Founded in 1975, the American Society of Interior Designers is the oldest, largest and leading professional organization for interior designers. The Society’s membership also includes more than 10,500 students of interior design. http://www.asid.org