recycling with rik

One used to say, “Waste not, want not,” and mean, “If I’m careful with my resources, I’ll never do without.” That’s still sound advice, but today the broader concept of “sustainability” has gained currency.

What is sustainability? The World Commission on Environmental Development characterizes sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

This pushes the waste-not-want-not maxim beyond self concern, the immediate, to the selfless, the future: “If I’m responsible with resources, my grandchildren won’t do without.” Today, a generation of interior designers are embracing sustainability, and with great success.

Nicole Kelln, who graduated this spring with a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Washington State University, took the 2005 grand prize in the National Sustainable Design Competition sponsored by the International Interior Design Association. Each year the IIDA sponsors the Sustainable Design Student Competition, which is open to interior design students around the world.

Judy Theodorson, instructor in WSU’s Interdisciplinary Design Institute, says Kelln’s award-winning project demonstrates environmental responsibility.

“Nicole’s design introduces the world’s first environmentally conscious electronics store,” Theodorson says. “Most electronics stores have not taken on a green-design approach.”

Theodorson says green design not only minimizes the amount of materials used, but employs rapidly renewable building materials and products made from recycled content, or ones that can be recycled at the end of their use.

“I created an environment that paired natural materials, the architecture, with technology, the products,” says Kelln. “The natural materials I used were in both the renewable and recyclable categories. They included bamboo and stone flooring, plaster walls and wood display tables.”

In her project design, Kelln used a neutral palette so that the architecture would not overpower the products.

“The desert was my inspiration for the palette: the neutral tones of the sand and the bright blue of the sky,” she says. “The minimal and subdued use of color puts the focus on the products.”

Kelln explains that the connection to nature was desirable because she wanted to create a place that both Generations X and Y would appreciate.

“Generally speaking, these two generations have comparatively differing concerns,” Kelln says. “Gen X is older and wealthier and can afford luxurious things. They are concerned about luxury. The younger Gen Y is concerned about global issues and sustainability. And while they have concern for luxury as well, they also want to change the world. So the connection to nature was desirable because it’s pleasing to Gen X, but resonates with Gen Y’s desire to make the world a better place.”

Kelln shares that concern, even in a consumer setting.

“In your typical big-box electronics store, you are overwhelmed with a sensory experience of lights and sounds,” she says. “I wanted to change this chaos into something more holistic. I wanted to go above and beyond and target the generation of customers that believe we need to do more for the world. My design was about setting precedents, about being a leader of change.”

Kelln’s top award was the second for a WSU Interdisciplinary Design Institute alumna. In 2004, Kate Hauge won the national honor with her design in which sustainability also was a key component.

“In teaching design, sustainability is the place you start from, the expectation,” says Theodorson. “Not surprisingly, students intuitively grasp that access to light and nature is healthy. So sustainability is easy to teach. They also know that to get a job, they need to know this. So that’s motivation, too.”

A motivated Kelln learned her lessons well. After interning at Callison Architecture in Seattle, the largest retail design firm in the world, she took a full-time position there in June. She’s taken the philosophy of sustainability with her.

“As a designer, it is my responsibility to inform the public about good design,” she says.