Second-year interior design technology students grew their skills in sustainable design thanks to a locally sourced project. 

Lakeland interior design technology student, Katlynn Healey, stands with her mid-century modern and sustainable design project.

They were assigned to design a sustainable home for a fictitious client based on the Trout Pond in Vermilion Provincial Park. The project combined what the students have learned in design and graphic presentation courses as part of the interior design technology program, as well as gave an opportunity to use digital modelling.

Katlynn Healey, an interior design student who participated in the project, enjoyed it because it gave her a chance to put what she has learned so far into practice and left room for creative interpretation.

“It was pretty exciting because we had more freedom to design the way we wanted to instead of having strict parameters,” she says.

Students worked on the project for about a month, visiting the location to get a spatial awareness of it and decide on the specific location for their designs.

Healey's house was based on a linear design with lots of windows and natural light, high-efficiency appliances, a garage to store an electric car, kayaks, biking and hiking equipment. She also ensured she included plenty of space to store art, as well as a studio and an office space, both of which the fictitious client required.

“Today, when we're trying to move towards more sustainable, green buildings, I feel like we learned a lot in this project that will help us design in the real world,” Healey says. “My project turned out so well. It met all the requirements and I love how it looks because it's in my personal design style. I was really happy with it. It's something I personally would love to live in.”

For Healey, the project was a culmination of the skills she has developed so far.

“We started out learning basic skills and then progressively started adding the other skills we need,” she explains. “I like this program because the courses are amazing and the instructors are really good. I feel like I've gained so much knowledge and experience by being here.”

Photo: Katlynn Healey stands with her mid-century modern and sustainable design project.