The Multi-Use Building Becomes the Canvas for City College Design Students
By John R. Adkins
jradproduction@gmail.com
and Wilbur Chen
wilburchen99@gmail.com
City College celebrated the grand opening of three newly transformed student spaces in the Multi-Use Building on Monday, Jan. 13.
The MUB space transformation projects were the results of the college’s second-annual Academic Contest. Three teams of students and alumni from the Architecture, Interior Design and Construction Management Departments were provided with the resources to design and build the new lounge spaces with customized furniture and décor.
“There weren’t any spaces for students here before, even though this is such a highly utilized building,” said Cathy Chang, contest organizer and senior management assistant for Outreach and Recruitment.
The grand opening of the spaces featured acknowledgments from Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Lisa Cooper Wilkins, Interim Vice Chancellor David Yee and Interim Chancellor Mitch Bailey. Snacks and refreshments were provided while a panel of student team members detailed the challenges and rewards of their experiences
“Our students have gone above and beyond to bring their ideas to life, each leaving a lasting legacy that has an impact on our community,” Wilkins said.
After the initial application process, students formed teams and had two weeks to create a presentation. The teams with the most creative designs were selected to transform the south entrance corner, the south end space on the second floor, and the northern end space on the third floor.
Students presented their final designs to judges on Friday, Dec. 6. Wilkins and Yee were both among them.
The Teams and their Creations:
Infinite Design:
J’tier Favors
Shyam Suresh
Brandon Baird
- The Oasis – South entrance corner (The Most Innovative Award)
Studio Emanon:
Andrea Rodriguez
Ethan Herrero
Ozlem Korkmaz
Valerie La
- The Somnium – Second-floor south end (The Best Overall Award)
DB4:
Charles Miles
Wenna Lu
Zachary Van Zant
Luis-Miguel Bermudez Sr.
- The Ram’s Lodge- Third-floor Northern end (The Most Inspirational Award)
The teams operated with limited budgets, ranging from $800 to $1100, depending on the size of the space, forcing them to be creative in allocating resources.
“It didn’t even feel real until we actually got the furniture. The whole time I was installing it, I was thinking, ‘Wow, I actually designed this,’” said Brandon Baird of Infinite Design.
Shyam Suresh of Infinite Design agreed, “When I had signed up for this project, I didn’t expect it to be as big as it was, I was mindblown at the opportunity.”
The Oasis, presented by Infinite Design, was inspired by eco-friendly environments and incorporated plants and couches with chargers underneath for studying.
Sominium, presented by Emanon Studio, developed a concept that was a breathing, vibrant space with natural ventilation. Study tables are situated between the window views and a mural that evokes the natural flow of the overall design.
“I really don’t know when I would ever get another chance like this,” Valerie La said.
The Ram’s Lodge concept, created by DB4, utilized the darkness of their space to their advantage by designing a uniquely curved podium and a projector where students could practice presentations or watch media. The Ram’s lodge is now home to a four-foot wooden Ram’s shield mounted to the wall and a custom-fabricated metal sign by the nearest exit.
“The competition did not truly feel like a competition. It was more of a large cooperative project. In the end, our cooperation was what helped us finish the contest so strongly,” said Ethan Herrero of Studio Emanon.
Meg Hudson, Dean of Outreach and Community Partnerships and director of the contest, commended the opportunity for students to apply classroom experience to real-world problem-solving.
“This proved to be so much more than the spaces being transformed, they also transformed themselves,” Chang said.