ASHEBORO (February 15, 2011) - Randolph County Emergency Services now has a detailed plan for expansion of its 9-1-1 Call Center and a local engaged couple and their builder obtained some great ideas for the renovation of an old family home thanks to the efforts of Randolph Community College's Interior Design students in the first year of a student/community project called the Randolph County Design Initiative.

"The students had the chance to work with a live client and gain real world experience," said Holly Barker, program head and instructor for the Commercial Design II (DES 241) class that tackled the job of redesigning and planning the expansion of Randolph County's 911 Call Center and administrative offices on North Fayetteville Street. The Interior Design program solicited applicants last spring for both a commercial and residential project to complete during the fall semester.

The nine Commercial Design students visited the Call Center to interview their clients, take measurements, and make sketches before beginning the project. Then, in mid December, they presented a floor plan, elevation drawings of new office space, perspective drawings of a new conference room, fabric and finishing choices, and a proposed budget to the Emergency Services personnel.

"We were blown away. They exceeded our expectations," said Justine Buxton, technology officer for Randolph County Emergency Services, about the results. "The presentation was superb," agreed Donovan Davis, director of emergency services. The organization will incorporate many of the students’ ideas when they move forward with the project in the next fiscal year, he noted.

"If we had the funds, we would probably do it exactly as it was proposed," Buxton said. "We were so pleased with every detail of the design. But because of the budget, we will have to do it a little bit at a time."

Ann Smith-Palenchar, instructor for the Residential Design II (DES 231) class, said they did not initially receive any applications for the residential design project. So she contacted the Board of Realtors and some Randolph County builders, who eventually put her in contact with Tim Garris at Garris Design Construction in Asheboro. Garris had recently taken on a project to renovate a 1949 home in the Greystone area for engaged couple Vicki Moss and Jay Councilman and felt the students might benefit from the experience.

"My students had the opportunity to work with both a contractor and a client…to actually experience the process of design," said Smith-Palenchar. Garris came to the group's CAD lab with his original drawings and the students were able to ask questions and make suggestions. "The students made very good use of the available technological resources," said Garris. "They displayed a very high level of professionalism in their presentations. I was very impressed with the quality of the ideas."

The students also interviewed Moss, who was attempting to combine two households of furnishings and styles into one. "My goal was not to have to buy any new furniture," said Moss. The students created nine different designs and presented them to the contractor and client. They provided Moss with a project book that showed space plans, materials, furniture placement, elevations, budgetary considerations, and even where to purchase items. "They really did a great job," said Moss. "I'm a retired educator so I know it is a really great opportunity for students to have a hands-on learning experience." Now when she has to make a decision about the renovation, whether it is about cabinets or counters or paint, she just pulls out the project book and has plenty of choices. She hopes the house renovations will be completed before the end of the spring semester so the students will be able to see their work realized.

The students were happy with the projects as well. "I learned more about color coordinating and meeting the client's needs," said student Kerri Beth Frazier of Sophia. "Working with a live client when you can talk back and forth helps a lot in the learning process." Sallie Sullivan, an Interior Design student from Pittsboro, said, "We were given a specific budget and that was helpful for us to gain knowledge of working within a budget and not to exceed that amount."

"The goal of the Randolph County Design Initiative is to actively promote the College in the community, support the success of our students, and establish community partnerships," said Barker. The department is now soliciting applicants for the 2011 projects.

To be eligible for the free design services, you must be a property owner in Randolph County; both residential and nonresidential interior spaces will be considered. The owner must be available to meet with the Interior Design Program. For more details on the 2011 project, eligibility, the application, and the selection process, go to www.randolph.edu/interiordesign/initiative.php. The application deadline is May 1, 2011, for the design projects that will be completed during the fall 2011 semester.

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CUTLINES:

ID_ResidentialClass:
Randolph Community College Interior Design students (from left) Kerri Beth Frazier, Sallie Sullivan, Emily Chandler, Amarinh Kongmanivong, Misty Eagle, Chelsea Haga, Alex Hoover, and Savannah Chappell show some of the presentation boards they created for their residential client as part of the Randolph County Design Initiative.

ID_Commercial Design:
Students in Randolph Community College's Commercial Design II class pose with Donovan Davis, director, Justine Buxton, technology officer, and other personnel from Randolph County Emergency Services after presenting their design for the renovation and expansion of the 9-1-1 Call Center and administrative offices on North Fayetteville Street.