Interior design graduate, Emily Ryan, has received the first place award in the Graduating Student Category at the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Northern Pacific Student Exhibition for her project, Collective Grocery and Health. This project fulfilled the ID 426 capstone studio instructed by Minyoung Cerruti. Through this studio, students were tasked to create a gourmet grocery and convenient clinic complex in Columbia City, Washington from an as-built grocery store plan (44,000 sq/ft) with limited alterations to the building envelope.
Emily’s research uncovered that Columbia City has a robust immigrant history and high disability rate but is also experiencing significant demographic changes due to ongoing gentrification. Her project explores the question, “What could the most inclusive space look like in Columbia City if integrated accessibility is a bare minimum?” By delving into this topic, Emily discovered how easy it is to miss the biases that are, perhaps unconsciously, built into the designs around us. According to Emily:
“I have learned it is crucial for designers to create opportunities for listening to our communities, to not lead by assumption, and to facilitate greater diversity in our design community.”
The result is a design which prioritizes intuitive and flexible navigation, opportunities for social interaction, family support, an international palette, and above all, joy. Emily’s experience at the WSU Interior Design program, and her curiosity about social justice, helped her discover her passion for community-building design and equity.
“I am particularly grateful to the School of Design and Construction and my talented instructors for sharing their expertise with me at Washington State University,” Emily added. “Their enthusiasm and instruction encouraged me to pursue these topics more deeply and shifted my viewpoint in exciting directions.”
Emily holds a previous degree in International Relations. She currently resides in Baltimore, MD.