South Hackensack, NJ, May 3, 2019 – As a way to say “thank you” to their loyal customers, ModernfoldStyles hosted their first ever Customer Appreciation Event at their newly renovated Showroom in South Hackensack, NJ on Thursday, May 2, 2019. The event also hosted their bi-annual “Workplace of the Future” Student Design Competition. The competition was created to give back to the communities they serve and help support and promote the field of architecture and interior design. Eligible U.S. graduate and undergraduate students majoring in architecture or interior design within the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania were encouraged to participate using their creativity and innovative ideas to create their own vision of the “Workplace of the Future”.

Once all the design submissions were in, the viewing public had the opportunity to vote for their favorite design. At the end of the online public voting period, the esteemed judging panel then had the difficult task of narrowing it down to the 3 top finalists. Back on the judging panel from the previous competition were renowned architects: Brian Berry, Design Director, Principal at Gensler NY; Sandra Tripp, Managing Director at Huntsman Architectural Group; and Brent Capron, Design Director of Interiors at Perkins + Will. New to the distinguished panel were Anthony Koehler, Director of Design at SBLM Architects; and Lisabeth Jimenez, Interior Designer at TPG Architecture.

On the evening of May 2nd, the finalists were invited to the Customer Appreciation Event and were each given 5 minutes to present their design concept to the panel of judges.

JUDGING CRITERIA:
Each design submission was evaluated and scored based on innovation, artistic and creative skill – considering the representation of the Contest theme “Workplace of the Future”, as well as the unique and original approach to the design. This year’s theme challenged the students to consider the trend of open offices with the need to balance workplace acoustics. Designing for a law firm, the concept had to support a business culture of innovation, collaboration, and creativity while still maintaining practical spaces; convey a deep understanding of the needs of a future work office environment; create an optimal environment to address different worker typologies; promote a productive workspace environment while integrating balance and wellness into the design; and communicate the Contest theme in both design and supporting statement.

AWARDS:
Based on these criteria, the judging panel selected Amena Chaudhri, interior design major of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), as the Winner of the 2019 “Workplace of the Future” design competition. Passing the torch, Sara Ebrahim, previous winner of the 2017 Student Design Competition, awarded the Winner and runner-ups. First place winner Amena Chaudhri won for her design “Equity Office” winning a $3,750 scholarship and summer internship with TPG Architecture. Second place winner receiving a $2,000 scholarship was James Chao, architecture major at NJIT, with his “Collaboration Initiative” design. Sara Whitehouse, interior design major at NJIT, placed third with her “The Living Office” design concept winning a $1,000 scholarship.

1st PLACE WINNER: “EQUITY OFFICE” by Amena Chaudhri

2nd PLACE WINNER: “COLLABORATION INITIATIVE” by James Chao

3rd PLACE: “THE LIVING OFFICE” by Sarah Whitehouse

Words of Wisdom: Judges of renowned architectural firms lending empirical advice to winning students of the 2019 “Workplace of the Future” Design Competition.

Design Award Ceremony: Sara Ebrahim, former winner; Amena Chaudhri, 2019 “Workplace of the Future” Design Competition winner; and Bob Styles, CEO of ModernfoldStyles.