April 28, 2016
La Roche College Interior Design Students Redesign Charleroi Elementary Center
PITTSBURGH, April 28, 2016 – Students from La Roche University’s Interior Design program have partnered with Charleroi School District to transform the main entrance of The Charleroi Elementary Center.
Students began working on the project in January 2016 as part of La Roche’s Interior Design II (B) course, which is an investigation of the design process, basic programming tools, concept development and the relationship between form, function and place-making. The following students participated in the project: Mikayla Ambler of Elizabeth, Pa.; Brittany Craig of Mill Run, Pa.; Clara Grandy of Lewisburg, Pa.; Kelsey Lewis of Coraopolis, Pa.; Andrea Luciano of Altoona, Pa.; and Jennifer Velette of Tarentum, Pa.
“The goal of this project was to make the space at Charleroi Elementary Center inviting and interesting for visitors, faculty, staff and students,” La Roche Associate Professor Maria Ripepi Diven, MFA, said. “It’s important for our students to have a real-world client; they need to meet the client’s needs, budget, timeline, etc., and they receive valuable feedback on how their design ideas can be carried out.”
The group developed renderings for a redesign of the school’s main entrance, incorporating custom designed furniture, new color palettes and materials, interactive spaces for students, a reception area for the school’s security officer and receptionist, and a lounge area for parents. Charleroi School District expects to complete the redesign by this summer.
Charleroi Superintendent Edward Zelich said, “Recognizing the opportunity to form a true partnership and transform the front entrance environment, Charleroi School District partnered with La Roche’s interior design class to provide a friendly, welcoming environment to families. La Roche interior design students exemplified the endless possibilities that a passion for design and student success can achieve.”
La Roche is one of only two colleges in the Pittsburgh area to be fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design. In addition, the Interior Design program has been continuously accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) since 1985, giving La Roche University the distinction of achieving and holding CIDA accreditation longer than any other Pittsburgh interior design program.
The University’s broad-based curriculum prepares students to solve problems and create innovative, functional and aesthetically pleasing solutions for many types of residential and commercial spaces. The curriculum is routinely evaluated to guarantee that all courses offer the educational preparation necessary for graduating interior designers. Changes in the profession often necessitate changes in curriculum, such as including more emphasis on the most current building and safety codes, environmental sustainability and advancements in technical skills.
For more information about the La Roche Design Division, visit designatlaroche.com.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate and six graduate degree programs, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences, as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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