CHICAGO (Jan. 24, 2008) – Three third-year students at Harrington College of Design are winners of a contest sponsored by John Robert Wiltgen Design, Inc. to design a 1,300-square-foot penthouse at Emerald, an eco-friendly development bringing 212 new homes to the West Loop.
The purpose of the competition was to provide students with real-life design experience collaborating with an interior designer, developers and a client – the owner of a penthouse at Emerald.
Lisa Christine Johnsen, 20, took first place and a $1,000 cash prize; Elizabeth Debaun, 24, placed second and won a $500 prize: and Kathryn Welsh Cherne, 28, won $250 for third place. All are residents of Chicago.
Johnsen’s first-place designed plan met the needs of a couple whose teenage son will spend summers with his parents while attending college. Her creative scheme used an entry’s curved walls as a dramatic gallery for the owners’ art collection and provided flexible living and storage in a pleasant, colorful space that pays homage to urban skyline views.
Debaun’s plan showcases the homeowner’s colorful contemporary art glass collection in what she calls a “fluid space’’ meant to conform to the family’s lifestyle.
Cherne’s bold color scheme, dropped ceilings, curvilinear walls and glass bubbles suspended from a pendant chandelier give the penthouse a strong dramatic flair while providing the comfortable environment the family desires.
The Emerald design competition was the brainchild of John Robert Wiltgen, an internationally acclaimed designer and professional member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Emerald’s striking 8,000-square-foot lobby was designed by Wiltgen and showcases sustainable products and furnishings. Occupancy is anticipated in early 2008.
Judges of the competition included Jan Paar, editor of Chicago Home+Garden; developer William Senne; penthouse owner Barbara Murray; Jasmine Nelson, a designer at John Robert Wiltgen Design, Inc.; Constantine Vasilios, an architect/designer who monitors Harrington’s Design Competition Studio; and Wiltgen.
About Harrington College of Design
Harrington College of Design is a four-year college that offers flexible scheduling for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design, an Associate of Applied Science degree in Interior Design or Digital Photography and a new Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Communication Design. Harrington is committed to creating the next generation of design professionals to lead and serve the global community.
Harrington has been a member of Chicago’s design and higher education communities since 1931. Located at 200 W. Madison St., Harrington seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students’ intellectual and artistic potential. The majority of the faculty is practicing interior designers, architects, photographers and fine art professionals.
Harrington is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees and bachelor's degrees. Harrington is recognized as a private college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), and is authorized by the IBHE to confer baccalaureate and associate degrees. The Interior Design Program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER).
For more information on Harrington College of Design, call 312.939.4975 or visit www.harringtoncollege.com.
