December 15, 2009

Interior Design students were challenged to design the ultimate green living space for the hospitality suite at Dranoff Properties' LEED-registered building at 777 South Broad. As part of the competition, Deb Ruben's Competition Studio class worked in groups to design a two-bedroom 1,100 square-foot space that meets standards in sustainability on a $15,000 budget. The challenge, issued by 1970 Drexel alumnus Carl Dranoff, came to an exciting end on December 10th when five teams of three students each presented their plans to a panel of local celebrity judges. Congratulations to the winning team, C3, whose members, Candace Spence, Courtney Robinson and Christine Murray, will see their design brought to life when 777 South Broad opens in 2010. The celebrity judges who chose the winners included Carl Dranoff, Dranoff Properties President; Kerri-Lee Halkett, anchor, Philadelphia's FOX 29 News and a sustainable design advocate; Katherine Gajewski, Director of Sustainability, City of Philadelphia; Daniel Garofalo, University of Pennsylvania's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator and Senior Facilities Planner; and Floss Barber, CEO and Principal Designer, Floss Barber, Inc.

Submissions were judged for suitability of design to the project challenge, originality of design solution, and successful integration of interior finishes and furnishings. Part of the design process was sourcing green products including furniture, accessories, household appliances, bedding, lighting and electronics. Students worked with a panel of advisors that included professionals in the field of green building, construction, interior design, and project management. Advisors guided site tours, provided site plans and renderings, offered professional design consultation, and provided vendor contacts.

777 South Broad Street will become Philadelphia's first mixed-use LEED certified building. Congratulations to the winners and to all the students who were part of this exciting endeavor.