NEWH - Fall 2024 - 60

SUSTAINABILITY | POINT OF VIEW
Congratulations to the 2024 NEWH Green
Voice Design Competition Winners
2024 NEWH Green Voice Design Competition $7,500 undergraduate scholarship, sponsored
by Amtrend, Florida Seating, Posh Textiles, Read Window Products, and Royal Thai
Gemma Cullen is a junior enrolled in the interior design program at Appalachian State University.
Her passion for interior design has led her to own and operate her own student-level interior design
business, Form and Function Co. This endeavor has honed her skills in effective communication with
various industry collaborators and enabled her to learn from industry professionals throughout her
projects. Form and Function serves clients all around the U.S., from California to Tennessee. Gemma is
deeply involved in the Appalachian State University community; as an ambassador for the university
interior design program, she served as the vice president, and now president, of the local ASID chapter.
Gemma is also a teacher's assistant to underclassmen, giving lessons on SketchUp and AutoCAD and
collaborating with students on their designs. With an unwavering passion for interior design, Gemma's
ultimate ambition is to establish herself as a distinguished designer specializing in luxury residential
and hospitality interiors.
GEMMA CULLEN
Appalachian State University
Interior Design, 2025
KELLY GAROUTTE
Appalachian State University
Interior Design, 2025
Kelly Garoutte is currently a junior at Appalachian State University, where she is pursuing a bachelor
of science degree in interior design with a minor in sustainable technology. At Appalachian, she is a
devoted student who serves as a teaching assistant, providing tutorials and support to her peers. This
year, Kelly has deepened her engagement with the broader design community by becoming a student
member of IIDA and ASID. During the summer, she was fortunate to participate in lunch discussions with retired design professionals, including architects, engineers,
construction managers, and interior designers, facilitated in part by her job. These dialogues not only proved enlightening but also paved the way for Kelly to embark
on her inaugural design project. Originally centered around renovating a summer home for a couple affiliated with the country club where she was employed, the
project expanded organically to encompass five distinct summer home renovations for various club members. As Kelly continues her journey in interior design, her
passion, dedication, and leadership skills will continue to leave a lasting impact on both her academic pursuits and the broader design community.
Read about Cullen and Garoutte's winning project, Hotel Basalt, in the Winter 2024 issue!
2024 NEWH Green Voice Design Competition $7,500 graduate scholarship, sponsored by Amtrend, Florida Seating, Posh Textiles,
Read Window Products, and Royal Thai
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CAROLINA GONZALEZ
Florida International University
Masters, Interior Architecture,
2025
" Within my academic community, I actively seek any opportunity to enhance my design skills through extra courses and
participation in extracurricular activities. I aim to give peer support whenever possible, tutoring and providing guidance to
my classmates and new students entering the program. Beyond graduation, my goals extend to pushing design
boundaries and fostering inclusivity in the field. Being a part of initiatives like the Great Diverse Designers Library
from Beyond the Built Environment exemplifies my commitment to advocating for a more equitable built environment,
transcending barriers of gender and ethnicity.
" This scholarship represents a significant goal for me as an interior designer, to receive my LEED Green Associate
accreditation-a step towards my commitment to environmental responsibility. I gained a deeper understanding of what
it takes to classify LEED and WELL-certified buildings and I am grateful for this valuable knowledge which I will carry
with me for future projects as I continue my master's degree. Winning this scholarship is more than a personal triumph;
it's a catalyst in shaping my future as an interior designer. Beyond easing financial burdens, it empowers my ambition to
establish a design firm committed to innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. This scholarship, to me, signifies not just
financial aid but an investment in the lasting impact I aim to make in the world of design. "
Read about Gonzalez' winning project, SoléMar Hotel & Resort, in the Winter 2024 issue! ❙❘❚
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For more information on NEWH Green Voice, visit newh.org/education
posh
textiles
60 newh.org

http://www.newh.org/education http://www.newh.org

NEWH - Fall 2024

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