3 Questions for Interior Architecture Students
Interior spaces are important now more than ever with many people spending their days at home. Interior Architecture students, Cynthia Andujar ‘21 and Jenna Kshatri ‘23 explain how interior spaces affect us, their favorite parts of their major, and some helpful tips for creating a comforting space during quarantine.
Cynthia Andujar
Masters of Interior Architecture, ‘21
How has your interior architecture education changed the way you look at the world?
Interior design is just so much more about designing "pretty" spaces and includes applying technical knowledge to advocate for those who don't have a voice. For example, in our healthcare studio, we read that GBBN Architects found people entering the healthcare industry are experiencing crowded work areas with break rooms as an afterthought, which is causing burnout in employees. The healthcare industry is asking architects and designers for help to improve employee wellbeing and retain staff. Interior Designers have a responsibility to advocate for those like the healthcare workers who don’t feel like they have a voice.
What has been a highlight of your experience at Chatham?
Honestly, the highlight of my experience at Chatham is how passionate my professors have been in trying to teach more than just the requirements of the coursework. They each have a unique sense of humor and a passion to teach students that evokes confidence in us. For my furniture class, a common saying is, "Ideas are free" to let go of the fear of submitting a silly or ugly design.
Do you have any advice for students who want to spruce up their living space during quarantine?
I highly recommend introducing some outdoor elements indoors like plants. There are a lot of scientific studies that say that the incorporation of nature indoors has positive outcomes on people. In order to get better rest, I recommend blackout curtains that block any sunlight from entering your room. Curtains also add some vibrancy to the walls. For my room, I paired my black-out curtains with some forest green velvet curtains to add some colors and textures from my white walls. I also recommend adding some art and even making your own creations. Ultimately, remember your space is unique to you.
Jenna Kshatri
Bachelors of Interior Architecture, ‘23
How has your interior architecture education changed the way you look at the world?
I ask so many questions of each space I visit now because of Chatham’s program. I’ve learned to always question everything and to never settle for the status quo. I’ve also come to see that our spaces ultimately determine our behavior. Whether we realize it or not, our lives would not function without interior architecture. When I look around at the world, I see a trillion different spaces that are affecting people’s thoughts and actions in a trillion different ways, which are subconscious to people.
What has been a highlight of your experience at Chatham?
Meeting the people who have turned out to be some of my best friends and best colleagues! Interior architecture is such a people-focused career, and as an introvert, I was initially worried about that, but this first year has completely erased that fear for me. It’s been so rewarding to have peers who I can work studiously with on a project and then laugh with for hours on end. I thought it would be strange to be in a program that has such few students, but it turns out that was the best part.
Do you have any advice for students who want to spruce up their living space during quarantine?
Not to sound too much like Marie Kondo, but just by decluttering your space, you can easily open it up which changes the overall feel of it. Adding some lights to the room, whether it be string lights or a cool lamp, can bring life to the space and give it a cozy feel. Different types of lighting can be for different moods or functions. I like to have string lights for those dim-lit Netflix nights, but I also enjoy my funky table lamp for overall aesthetics and doing homework.
To learn more about the Interior Architecture program’s highlights and offerings at Chatham, click here.