Environmental + Interior Design

Designing Women

May 5, 2023

E+ID students present their works at the Senior Showcase Exhibit

After all the late nights, tears and sweat, 2023 graduating seniors, Montserrat Lanfranco, Laura Flor, Maria Bernaldez, Angela Huber and Sarah Robertson had one last hurdle before Commencement: the Environmental + Interior Design’s Senior Showcase Exhibit. Presenting their projects to industry designers, family and friends on a Thursday night, the five seniors were eager to share a compilation of their works over the course of their undergraduate studies.

“There will be no more crying in the studio and calling security late at night to open the doors,” Flor laughed. “It’s exciting to be done, but it feels surreal because we’re all still busy.”

During her freshman year, Lanfranco built a “light box,” as required in her EID 205 Color for Interiors class, which focused extensively on the use and application of color in interior environments, including color notations, the Psychology of color and human response and application of color.

Using a flashlight utility on an iPhone, Lanfranco pointed a beam inside the box—which had several round cutouts, each covered with a different patch of color cellophane—and explained the effects that color has on people’s moods.

“Imagine this is a building and the sun is moving through it, casting different colors and lighting,” said Lanfranco, shining a beam across her light box. “Color and lighting can certainly impact a person’s behavior and mental state.”

For her senior Capstone project, Bernaldez presented a re-design proposal to members of the Kahuku Medical Center Kupuna Caregivers. She also participated in a pitch to Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center in East Oahu.

“I also had an internship with RMA Architects,” Bernaldez said. “And I just received an email about a full-time junior interior designer job offer from my supervisor at RMA, so I’m absolutely thrilled.”

The mission of Chaminade University’s Environmental + Interior Design Program is to educate, engage and empower students to optimize design of the built environment as it relates to our global, multi-cultural, multi-generational living and working communities. Graduates, like Bernaldez, are prepared to make the transition to entry-level professional practice, and to collaborate with architects and related industry professionals.

“The scope of design has expanded and much broader now,” explained E + ID program coordinator Matthew Higgins. “Here at Chaminade, the program added ‘Environmental’ to the curriculum in attempt to breakdown barriers, and to think beyond windows and doors.”

This was precisely the approach that Fuentes took when she worked on her Art Museum project. “I wanted to see how someone diagnosed with autism—which includes such a broad spectrum—would experience an art exhibit,” Fuentes said. “So, I set out to create more of an interactive exhibit.”

Celebration of the Arts

April 5, 2023

During the pandemic, most campus events went dark, including the Environmental + Interior Design Program’s annual art exhibition. However, as COVID restrictions lifted last year, Dr. Junghwa Suh decided to resurrect the program and named it Celebration of the Arts. This year, the associate professor of Arts and Design tacked on “Gala” at the end of the title to reflect what she hopes will be even bigger and better than last year’s celebration.

“This is to showcase the talent on campus,” Suh says. “Our art program is actually flourishing, and we’re seeing higher enrollment.”

Faculty and staff members, students and anyone with an artistic flair are invited to submit their pièces de résistance, from ceramics and drawings to paintings and poetry. The Chaminade Celebration of the Arts at the Sullivan Family Library held a soft opening on April 10 with a celebration gala held on April 19. The installation can be viewed until the end of the month.

The Celebration of Arts installation will be on display through the end of April.

Supported by The Marianist Sponsorship Ministries Foundation, the Chaminade Celebration of the Arts Gala will be a culmination of “The Marianists & the Arts” workshop series, which began in 2021. The year-long project was undertaken to engage Chaminade faculty, staff and undergraduate and graduate student leaders in the historical stories of the transformative educational approach—witty, quirky and visionary—of the first Marianists in Hawaii in the establishment of Chaminade.

“The first year of the granted project focused on building ‘A Sense of Spirit; A Sense of Place’ with the study of six of the early Marianists in Hawaii,” explains Sr. Malia Wong, D.Min, Program Director for Chaminade’s BDK-Fujitani Interfaith Program. “The second year of the project focused on using the Hawaiian translation (‘olelo Hawai’i) of the Characteristics of Marianist Education to inspire others to reflect on these guiding principles in their lives, in their language, and hopefully as wisdom values to nobly live by. This is one way of perpetuating the legacy of Chaminade against the unique and diverse cultural richness of the environment embraced in the graciousness of the spirit of Hawaii.”

Suh has already commissioned works from students and adjunct faculty, guaranteeing that there will be a good representation of the various art mediums. “There is so much creativity on campus,” says the Discipline Coordinator for Arts and Design. “The Gala Night will feature food, a talent show and live music. It will truly be a celebratory event.”

Suh and Wong are excited about the inclusion of more three-dimensional art, more commonly referred to as 3D art. The term refers to any art that is created in three dimensions, rather than two-dimensional, like a drawing. This type of three-dimensional art can be made in many different ways, including sculptures, paintings and even photographs. 3D art can be used to create beautiful and intricate pieces that are sure to amaze and impress viewers.

“We also emphasize the therapeutic and healing aspects of art,” Suh says. “I believe there should be a balance between the humanities and the sciences, and art is the perfect medium to achieve that equilibrium.”

The Gala is open to the Kalaepohaku community and neighboring residents and will be on display through the month of April.

Top 40 Under 40

February 7, 2023

Katelynn Perrault makes “The Analytical Scientist Power List 2022”

Lab coats buttoned up and goggles on, Katelynn Perrault, Ph.D., instructs her students in the FS 430L class at Henry Lab 5. For the past five years, the Canadian native has taught aspiring forensic scientists the techniques and forensic methodologies for qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical evidence. Making “The Analytical Scientist Power List 2022 – Top 40 Under 40,” the Associate Professor of Forensic Sciences and Chemistry is passionate and proud of her achievements, which include a 2021 Fr. John F. Bolin Award for scholarly work, a 2021 Distinguished Faculty Award, as well as the 2021 President Mackey Award for outstanding mentorship.

“I was always intrigued by science outreach events when I had access to them, and eventually did a career project in high school on Forensic Sciences,” recalls Perrault, “I was also curious about the thought of using the sciences to solve crime and contribute to serving justice.”

Perhaps popularized by CBS’s NCIS program, employment of forensic scientists is expected to grow 17 percent by 2026, which is quicker than the average of all U.S. occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2020, there were 16,640 forensic scientists, also known as crime scene investigators or forensic science technicians. The BLS projects that 2,500 new forensic scientist jobs will be added to the market each year through 2030.

Katelynn Perreault made “The Analytical Scientist Power List 2022.”

And growth has also occurred in the Chaminade program. So, too, has interest and breadth.

“When I started, we did not have a chemistry major,” says Perrault, who teaches across the department’s Forensic Sciences, Biochemistry and Chemistry majors. “It is exciting to see more students considering chemistry as a major. I feel that we have seen more positive perception shifts towards the utility of chemistry in other disciplines during my time, which is always exciting to see.”

Perrault is also the Principal Investigator of the Laboratory of Forensic and Bioanalytical Chemistry, which focuses on using multidimensional chromatography to uncover volatiles as mediator chemicals in processes associated with life, health and death. Through her research, she has cultivated an international network of collaborators in academia, police and government agencies.

Marking the second time she has appeared on the “The Analytical Scientist Power List 2022 – Top 40 Under 40,” Perrault says it’s affirmation that she continues to do novel research in the field of analytical chemistry that is contributing to society.

“I think as scientists, this is one of the things we are always striving for—to use science in service,” Perrault points out. “This recognition helps me to reflect on the fact that others see this applied chemistry as being meaningful and worthwhile, and that means a lot to me. This motivates me to continue to use chemistry as a means to solve important challenges in our world.”

Now entering her sixth year at Chaminade, Perrault has discovered a passion for training the next generation of scientists. “It brings me great fulfillment thinking about the work they will do beyond their time with us,” she says. “Receiving emails from our alumni about the exciting things they are doing always brings a smile to my face.”

Scents and Sensibility

January 26, 2023

Chaminade freshman turns her love of candles and Hawaii into a business

Part science, part apothecary, the art of candle making can be traced as far back as 1000 BCE when ancient Romans would use tallow—a rendered form of beef or mutton fat—to make molded candles. The idea intrigued Chaminade freshman, Tahiya Kahaulelio ‘26, so much so that she established her own candle-making enterprise, Kahaulelio Candle Company.

Tahiya Kahaulelio poses with her finished candle.

“It wasn’t the first idea I had for a business,” says Kahaulelio, who plans to major in Environmental + Interior Design. “At first, it was actually to establish a clothing business but, knowing myself, I knew I would get bored, so I needed to find something that I could stick [no pun intended] with for a long time.”

The young entrepreneur, though, knew she wanted to continue her education and attend college. Chaminade beckoned over Saint Joseph’s and La Salle, two universities located closer to her hometown of Philadelphia. A devout Catholic, Kahaulelio chose to leave The City of Brotherly Love to get in touch with her island roots. Her Nigerian mother had already taught her the values and customs of her West African home country, but she wasn’t familiar with her father’s Hawaiian heritage.

“I had questions about my Hawaiian side,” Kahaulelio says. “I feel like I was missing a piece of my heritage and I needed to get answers.”

Having never been to Hawai‘i, Kahaulelio was understandably nervous. She knew it would be challenging to be 5,000 miles away from her mother, step-father and siblings, but she was also comforted knowing that her biological dad’s family lived on O‘ahu. Questions of not being good enough, meeting new friends, college life and all the doubts associated with the responsibility of a young adult, all swirled in her mind. She was anxious.

And then she arrived on campus.

“I immediately felt comfortable and the people were so nice,” says Kahaulelio, with an infectious smile. “I didn’t feel like an outsider because everyone was so welcoming. I no longer see Chaminade as a school but as a family that I can reach out to for guidance and help.”

Now in her second semester, Kahaulelio juggles between being a student and running a business. When she’s not designing interior spaces with colors and texture for class, she’s experimenting with different combinations of scents, infusing her bees-wax-based candles with such local-inspired essential oils as hibiscus, coconut, cucumbers, papaya, mango and rosewood.

Using a digital scale to precisely weigh 12 ounces of wax, Kahaulelio places the wedges in a pitcher and slowly melts the wax over a Nesco stainless burner for four minutes. She then incorporates four teaspoons—two teaspoons at a time—of essential oils, stirring the elixir to release the fragrances. Now to the tricky part: cutting the length of the circular wick so that it’s not too long nor too short.

“My stepdad is so much better at this than I am,” admits Kahaulelio, while eyeballing the length of the wick. “He’s a chef so he has a really keen eye and an excellent sense of aroma.”

Freshman Tahiya Kahaulelio has developed a variety of island-fragrant-infused candles.

Environmental + Interior Design’s new program coordinator challenges students to think outside the box

November 4, 2022

The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilized, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what’s in or what’s out.
– Albert Hadley

Working with his students, Tina-Marie Dust, Alyssa Hofilena and Amisha Singh, on the interior space of a Chinatown restaurant, Matthew Higgins carefully reviewed their choices of color and textiles, reminding them that a room is a behavioral space that sets the mood.

Higgins started at Chaminade University as a visiting professor with the Environmental + Interior Design program a year ago and only recently accepted the position as its program coordinator. In his new role, he will help set the vision for the department and ensure that it retains its Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) accreditation.

“I never take anything for granted,” says Higgins, referring to the program’s CIDA accreditation. “It’s a rigorous process, which requires a three-day on-site review by a visiting team to determine whether a program meets the standards for interior design education.”

A significant element in this peer review process is evaluating student work to determine achievement levels as an indicator of the adequacy of the required curriculum. Additional factors include academic and professional qualifications of the faculty in relation to the purposes and objectives of the program; adequacy of the facilities for the educational program; administrative structure of the program and its relationship to the institution as a whole; and program assessment methods, and the program’s continued development and improvement as a result of assessment.

“The scope of design has expanded and much broader now,” Higgins explains. “Here at Chaminade, the program added ‘Environmental’ to the curriculum in attempt to breakdown barriers, and to think beyond windows and doors.”

A licensed Realtor, Ruth Simmons decided to attain her BFA at the university, citing that she wanted to be able to offer her clients interior design recommendations. “I see it as complementing my skills as a Realtor,” she says. “The more you can provide your clients, the better.”

Also in their last semesters, Angela Huber and Laura Flor both hope to land jobs with an interior design firm when they graduate. The two seniors agreed that they’ve learned real-world skills that will help them execute the design process.

“Students can consider a room as behavioral space and change the mood of that room with interior design,” Higgins explains. “They can play with different materials, forms and hues. They get a really good grounding on the principles of interior design in this program.”

Higgins also appreciates the fact that Chaminade students are working toward a BFA (Bachelor’s of Fine Art) instead of a BA, distinguishing that the former demands more diligence and detail, and encompasses a host of topics, including color theory, textiles, sustainability in design, the history of furniture and much more.

“Chaminade has the only CIDA-accredited interior design program in Hawai‘i,” Higgins points out. “And, if for some reason, you didn’t want to stay in Hawaii, the next closest programs are in California or Japan.”

E+ID Class Project Becomes Career-Launching Opportunity

February 14, 2022

It’s not every day an assignment in class turns into a career-launching opportunity.

But that’s exactly the kind of project Kailani Torres is just wrapping up—and her good work (and innovative design) will be appreciated by countless members of the community for years to come.

Torres, who is from Mililani, Hawaii, is now a senior in the Environmental + Interior Design program and is leading a major makeover of the main conference room at Sacred Hearts Academy. The project had her doing just about everything a professional does, from working with contractors to incorporating feedback into her design.

“It was very empowering to do this project,” Torres said. “Being able to work with and learn from professionals as well as building connections was so incredible. What better way to gain some exposure than while I’m still completing my degree? This gave me the confidence to know I’m on my way.”

The project was born when Sacred Hearts Academy reached out to Chaminade’s Environmental + Interior Design program to solicit proposals from students to redesign a key conference room on their Kaimuki campus. Students in Professor Junghwa Suh’s EID 271: Materiality in Interior Design class were invited to take up the project for class credit—and the chance to work on a real-world design.

Sacred Hearts Academy conference room (pre-renovation)
Sacred Hearts Academy conference room (pre-renovation)
Sacred Hearts Academy conference room (pre-renovation)
Sacred Hearts Academy conference room (pre-renovation)
Sacred Hearts Academy conference room (mid-renovation)
Sacred Hearts Academy conference room (mid-renovation)

Torres jumped at the opportunity to participate but tried not to get her hopes up.

“I thought it was just a wonderful opportunity to gain some experience with a real client,” she said, adding students visited the Sacred Hearts campus, “feel out the space,” and interview those who use the conference room. After putting everything together, she set to work on a design proposal that would not only reflect the school’s identity but be practical and flexible for conference room users.

Envisioning what she wanted and actually finishing her proposal turned out to be two different things.

Just as she started jumping into the design software required to craft her proposal, the pandemic started and lockdowns went into place. Virtual learning meant Torres had to troubleshoot more than she was used to. But she says the experience helped her build confidence in her skills.

Kailani’s original design proposal
Kailani’s original design proposal
Kailani’s original design proposal
Kailani’s original design proposal

At the end of the semester, it was go time: students in the class presented their conference room proposals to Sacred Heart’s board and leadership. Torres was nervous about her final product but knew she’d done her best. After that final presentation, she waited for news. And waited. And waited.

It was several months later that Torres received an email from her professor that her design had been selected. Her reaction: “Complete disbelief.” She added, “I read that email over and over again trying to make sure I had read it right. I even had moments of denial,” she said. Torres later got a follow-up message that Sacred Hearts was proceeding with the renovation and ready to work with her.

“Needless to say, excited was an understatement,” she said.

In the weeks that followed, Torres would find herself working directly with Sacred Hearts Academy President Scott Schroeder and the school’s leadership on changes to her design to meet new needs. She made a new presentation to the board in September 2021—and they loved it. From there, Torres was connected with the project’s contractor to make her conference room design a reality.

Kailani presenting her conference room design to Sacred Hearts Academy
Kailani presenting her conference room design to Sacred Hearts Academy
Kailani presenting her conference room design to Sacred Hearts Academy
Kailani presenting her conference room design to Sacred Hearts Academy

The rectangular space is about 1,500 square feet with 11-foot-high ceilings. Torres’ challenge was to make the conference room feel warm but not stifling, flexible without feeling temporary, and completely in line with Sacred Hearts’ character as a school and a community.

To make that happen, Torres’ design includes chairs at long tables that can be easily reconfigured.

Her favorite part of the design: acoustic ceiling wave tiles that not only serve a great function—preventing sound from echoing—but evoke a strong sense of place. She said her original design also incorporated a wave element in the carpet, but that was changed based on client feedback.

Torres is okay with that. After all, it’s her design but it’s the client’s space.

“Design is not just about how the space looks, it’s also the feeling of changing somebody’s life,” Torres said. “I am filled with an immense amount of gratitude knowing that professionals in the field see potential in me. Sacred Hearts Academy took a chance on a small-town girl with big dreams.”

Torres added she still gets chicken skin when she thinks about all the thousands of students and educators in the coming years who will use the conference room and get some joy from her design. “And who knows?” she said. “Maybe one of those students will be a daughter or a niece.”