Design Competition

Ana Gonzales

University of Nevada Las Vegas
Gonzales’ Grand Prize submission brought natural elements indoors with her biophilic design of a hypothetical hotel lobby. Gonzales thoughtfully integrated architectural elements and earthy colors to ground her design and offer practical solutions to urban problems..

Lillian Skelson-Walker

Design Institute of San Diego
Skelson-Walker’s First Runner-Up submission presented a serene, inviting space that celebrated the beauty of natural elements. Expansive windows invited natural light to flow freely throughout while the open floor plan encouraged fluid movement and enhanced the feeling of openness.

Calvin Ma

UCLA Extension/Cal Poly Pomona
Ma’s Grand Prize submission of a casita paid homage to the people who helped build Palm Springs. Ma honored the Mexican people and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians by placing handcrafts, ceramics, and woven objects throughout.

Christopher Fill

Scottsdale Community College
Fill’s First Runner-Up submission melded mid-century modern with tropical ambiance. The styles of South Beach, Miami, and Palm Springs influenced the project. Fill created an indoor/outdoor space with an expansive glass door that folded open to a courtyard.

Calvin Ma
UCLA Extension/Cal Poly Pomona
Calvin designed the winning submission for the commercial category: a tradeshow booth with touches of multiple cultural sources, including Japanese indigo patchwork, as well as Mexican and Brazilian culture and design. He incorporated a warm color palette, representing sustainability and resilience.

Aleksandra Tolovikova
UC Berkeley Extension
Tolovikova created an inviting kitchen design, landing her as the grand prize winner in the residential category. She used a muted, mature color palette full of browns and blues.

Helen Hoang
University of Cincinnati
Hoang’s winning submission, “Eco”, reimaged a mid-century modern family home in Las Vegas to be more functional and contemporary without losing the fashionable appeal of the era. She innovatively wove in a palette of warm, inviting colors honoring the past and present.

Callie Welsh
Savannah College of Art & Design
Welsh created an experiential space in a San Francisco Dunn-Edwards Paints store weaving virtual reality into the traditional buying process. She mixed a palette of soothing darker tones with pops of lighter shades to guide customers within the store.