UNIVERSITY HALL OF INNOVATION
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by Design:


Between 2010 and the Fall of 2019 nearly 700 design students from 15 different colleges and universities around the world took part in the original University Hall of Innovation Groovystuff by Design Challenge. 

In 2016 the University Hall of Innovation was officially incorporated as a non-profit in the state of North Carolina and Marywood University took on the first two pilot Challenges with outside manufacturers.  

After the 2018 Spring High Point Market Chris Bruning closed Groovystuff, Inc, and Stephen Garrison assumed the role of President of the University Hall of Innovation.  In continuing the development of the by Design Challenges and University Hall of Innovation, 2018 saw the inaugural by Design Plywood Challenge undertaken by Auburn University,  Shu-Te University, the University of Minnesota, and Marywood University.  This Challenge involves an exhibition of scale models at Fall High Point Market and popular voting to determine which students and products will be invited to exhibit full-scale designs at Spring High Point Market.  From this first exhibit in October 2018, there will be 12 full-scale products on display April 2019.
 




2010-2019
Participating Schools

Appalachian State University
The Art Institute of Las Vegas
Auburn University
Columbia College – Chicago
Florida State University
KMIT (Bangkok, Thailand)
Marywood University
NC State University
Purdue University
SIU Carbondale
The University of Georgia
University of Idaho
The University of Minnesota
UNC – Greensboro
The University of Oregon

University Hall of Innovation Board of Directors

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Paige Bechtle:
Paige graduated in May of 2021 from Marywood University with a Master of Interior Architecture. It was here she also completed her undergraduate degree and received the schoolwide medal for ‘Excellence in Design’ upon graduation. Paige also holds a minor in Photography, which has always nurtured her sense of creativity and design.  While a student, Paige undertook the University Hall of Innovation Challenge, as well as serving as a host for the A Student’s Perspective web series during seasons 1 through 5. 
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In 2020, she began as an Adjunct Professor at her Alma Mater, teaching the foundation level studio of architecture and design, along with a design and drawing course. She now works as an associate designer at an interior architecture firm in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where she is eager to earn her NCIDQ certification.

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Dave Cohen:
For over a decade, Dave Cohen has served many sectors of the design industry, whether as Founder of one of the first nationwide online natural stone distributors ( Rock Bottom Tile and Stone ), manufacturing custom stone mosaic tile designs as Co-Founder of the US produced Elegant Mosaics with his brother Sam, as artist representative for David Cohen Brands and Artistic Design Works, and as High Point Market Authority Hospitality Ambassador. 
 
With expertise in brand building, product development, customer interaction and market channel distribution, he has an uncanny ability to connect people within the industry to forge meaningful relationships geared towards mutual business growth. With a passion for both Hospitality and Residential design he looks to bring these two parts of the industry closer together as they move towards the future.  


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Natalia Colasurdo:
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A 2020 graduate from Marywood University School of Architecture, Natalia acquired her Bachelor’s of Interior Architecture degree with a minor in Photography and focus in Furniture Design.  While a student, Natalia undertook several University Hall of Innovation Challenges, being one of the first design students to have their full-scale prototypes featured during Spring High Point Market 2019.  Natalia was a respected member of the School of Architecture Student Council, a stellar student-athlete on the Soccer field, as well as serving as founding host for the A Student’s Perspective web series appearing in seasons 1 through 5. 
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Natalia built upon the networking focus of University Hall of Innovation and A Student’s Perspective, having worked for one of her A Student’s Perspective guests, at Casa Santi Interior Design, before becoming an Interior Designer for Frank Raffaele & Sons Custom Carpentry. Natalia’s interest lie in adaptive reuse and ecological thinking, looking to apply her creative artistic style into innovative ideas, sustainable design concepts and solutions.

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Victoria Farrow:
Victoria Farrow is an architect and educator based in Birmingham, England. As director of her own architectural and design practice, she has enjoyed working across many different sectors in the profession but particularly residential work.  Victoria is incredibly passionate about architectural education and as one of the co-founders of the aae (association of architectural educators), she has built a broad network of architecture schools, practices and educators from around the UK, and abroad.
In 2017, Victoria founded BIM in Birmingham, a network connecting academics and practitioners from around the world via an annual conference held in the UK.  Running annually for 5 years now and continues to make connections between practice and academia.
 
In addition to directing the undergraduate Architecture program at Birmingham City University, Victoria has collaborated on numerous international projects and research activities with several schools of architecture in America.  Victoria is a reviewer and on the editorial committee for Charette, aae journal and through the aae and her work with the RIBA, she continues to support the improvement and development of architectural education in the UK, through such activities as judging for the Vectorworks design scholarship and the RIBA bronze medal.
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Stephen Garrison, President- University Hall
University Hall of Innovation President Stephen Garrison is a tenured Associate Professor of Interior Architecture, having spent the past 20+ years teaching courses in Studio Arts, Design History, Representation, and Furniture Design.  In 2017 Stephen was named to the Board of Directors of the Interior Design Educators Council Foundation, where he currently serves as Director of Communication.   After leading a class through the Groovystuff by Design Challenge he was invited to sit on the inaugural  Board of Directors of the University Hall of Innovation and Job Creation by its Founder, Chris Bruning.  Upon the closing of Groovystuff, Stephen elected to continue University Hall of Innovation reforming it as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose goal is to broaden the connection between students and the residential furniture market.  In 2018 the addition of the A Student’s Perspective webcast built upon the University Hall model of mentorship and network-building.
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Stephen maintains an active profile as an artist exhibiting paintings nationally, as well as presenting research in the pedagogy of Foundation Design, Interior Architecture, and Higher Education Culture.  He has presented or served as peer reviewer on a national and international level including: the Association of Architectural Educators, UK,  the National Conference on the Beginning Design Student,  the Foundations in Art: Theory and Education conference, the Journal of South African Institute of Architects, and the Global Undergraduate Art Awards in Architecture and Design.  



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Michelle Pannone:
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Designer, educator, and urbanist; Michelle is an Assistant Professor of Interior Architecture at Marywood University focusing on the communication of design ideas to diverse audiences in addition to the execution of full-scale build projects that explore interiority at the urban scale. Her expertise is in innovative methods of communication, including graphic representation, virtual reality, full-scale mock-ups, and workshops. Michelle is driven by the power of the design thinking methodology to address design through a comprehensive approach that is both user centered and interdisciplinary. Her human-centered design focus has proven that the act of engagement is an agent of instilling ownership in the evolution of space. Her current research focuses on innovative participation methods to create a stronger connection between students and their local communities. These projects explore the complex relationship between design and technology as a mechanism to communicate with a diverse audience. Michelle received her B.Arch from Virginia Tech and her M.S. in Urbanism Studies from KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
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universityhallofinnovation@gmail.com
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  • Home
  • History and Board of Directors
  • by Design Challenges
  • Open Challenges
    • 2022 High School Challenge
    • Past Challenges
  • A Students Perspective
  • Become a mentor
  • BECOME A SPONSOR
  • other opportunities