October 15, 2009

Developer Carl Dranoff, a 1970 Drexel graduate, has afforded our Interior Design students the challenge of designing the ultimate green living space for the hospitality suite at Dranoff Properties' new LEED-registered building at 777 Broad Street. Dranoff Properties has completed seven residential and mixed-use projects including Philadelphia's Symphony House, World Café Live and the Venice Lofts, and Mr. Dranoff created this competition for our students. Professor Deb Ruben's Competition Studio class will work in groups to design a two-bedroom 1,100 square-foot space that meets standards in sustainability on a $15,000 budget. Part of the design process will be sourcing green products including furniture, accessories, household appliances, bedding, lighting and electronics. The winning team's design will become the hospitality suite when 777 Broad Street opens in 2010.

A panel of advisors, including professionals in the field of green construction and interior design, will work with the students by providing site plans and renderings and giving professional design consultations. The designs will be judged by Carl Dranoff; Katherine Gajewski, Director of Sustainability for the City of Philadelphia; Kerri-Lee Halkett, anchor of Philadelphia's Fox-29 News; and Daniel Garofalo, University of Pennsylvania's Environmental Sustainability Coordinator and Senior Facilities Planner. Winners will be announced in December.