Drexel undergraduate and graduate interior design students recently participated in the 18th annual Design Competition hosted by Jacobs, an international design firm. Competing against 60 students from five other Philadelphia schools, the seven-hour charrette challenged participants to design an airport lounge anywhere in the world by completing a series of programming requirements, branding of the space, and selecting materials. 

Drexel graduate Interior Architecture & Design student Kristianne Simeon won first place, and a prize of $5000. Two other Drexel graduate students, Rachel Ayella-Silver and Pei Tian, were finalists. Simeon’s winning project was situated in Santiago, Chile and aimed to leave passengers with a lasting memory. Her design was inspired by the Blue Marble Caves of Carretera Austral in Chile, and Chilean fashion designer Martin Luttecke. Simeon noted, “Luttecke’s latest fashion line was incredibly compelling, defined by these experimental forms and interesting silhouettes reminiscent of the 1960s. I thought why not create this romantic nod to mod futurism when travel was glamorous. I wanted to leave visitors with a fantastical set of imagery that felt lively and fun, emboldening the reputation of Santiago as a worldly destination.” 

Simeon is currently developing a thesis project exploring similar ideas and working in the Philadelphia office of Nelson. 

“Drexel students have done well in these competitions over the past few years,” said program director William Mangold, “in part because we require them to do similarly intensive problems in our graduate coursework. We see this as integral to their larger professional training and preparation for the NCIDQ exam. It’s great to see their efforts recognized—congratulations to all the finalists—and we appreciate that Jacobs hosts this annual event.”