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Burch Builders offers college students real-world design experience
Student designers got a chance to see how what they're learning in the classroom applies in the field last week through the American Society of Interior Designers' RealWorld DesignWeek.The national program was implemented locally by project designer Allie Mann of Warrenton's Burch Builder Group, who worked with six interior design students from Northern Virginia Community College and the Art Institute of Washington to provide hands-on experience in the profession.
In its first year, the DesignWeek program focuses on career development, offering both classroom and hands-on learning experiences to introduce students to the real world of interior design, a press release issued by the organization said. Exclusively for ASID members, the program matches students with professionals for a one-day shadow experience. Participants log in for online instructional seminars at the beginning of the week and again at its conclusion.
A designer for four years, Mann is an allied member of ASID and joined the staff at Burch Builder's about a year ago.
“At Burch Builders, we've been very fortunate that people wanted to come out every day this week," Mann said, noting that she worked with at least one student every day and two on Friday. "It's been a nice experience getting to know everyone and where they are in their careers. For some, it might be their first career, and for others it's a change in their career path."
Throughout the week, Mann met with students in the morning to discuss the basics of specific projects. She walked them through phases of the design-build projects, from initial consultation and determination of whether the client and the company were a good match for one another to the finished product.
Using blueprints and architectural drawings, Mann showed DDE_LINK1Stella Taylor and Manuela Tosceno DDE_LINK1, both NOVA students, examples of the firm's work and the design process.
In one instance, the original kitchen design called for a half wall between the kitchen and the great room, but the homeowners decided that they preferred to have the kitchen closed off from the other space. As a result of that decision, the sink and cabinets had to be moved, Mann explained, adding that each project is different and subject to change based on many factors.
“You can see how we got from the design process to where we ended up," she said.
Pointing to an entry the firm will make in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's Contract of the Year Award competition, Mann noted that an early design called for a much smaller bathtub that the one that ended up in the house. The homeowner, she explained, had knee surgery so the new, larger tub was added to accommodate her rehabilitation.
“That's part of the design-build process," Mann said. "Ideas change based on the clients wants and needs or costs or different ideas that develop during the process."
After working with clients to develop a design, Mann then helps them find the right materials and finishes before construction begins, she said. Her job, she explained, also includes lots of time on-site at jobs, taking final measurements after walls are built to ensure the proper fit of ordered cabinets and countertops, for instance. It's also her job, Mann said, to keep an eye on the details ?how the tiles are laid, where the lighting is placed, that these are the correct fixtures.
Listening intently, the students asked the occasional question, but mostly seemed to soak up the experience.
After talking design in the morning, Mann took the students on-site to see work in progress.
“I really enjoyed being at Burch. Allie gave us a great day," said Taylor, an international student visiting from the United Kingdom. "It was so interesting being able to see the plans she had worked on and then actually visit the job site where those plan were in progress. As a student, you do lots of planning, but, of course, there is never an end result, so it was really great to see the work in progress and how the plans translated to an actual space."
Noting that design opportunities are more abundant in the States than they are in England, Taylor said that her experience at Burch Builders "reinforced for me that I want to work in the residential field. It is really encouraging to see companies like Burch building and remodeling homes for people, and really making their dream come alive.
“It is such a difference from a lot of the mass-produced, cookie-cutter homes that are being built at the moment. I am already very interested in lw_1225292948_2 lw_1225292948_2sustainable design, and the experience showed me that it can be incorporated into even the most high-end spaces without compromising the aesthetics of a space," Taylor said.
Mann's excitement for the job and her passion for designing beautiful rooms was clear, but she also made clear the many hurdles that must be overcome to bring designs to fruition. The devil is in the detail when it comes to beading along cabinet doors or the placement of bedroom closets and kitchen cooktops.
The rewards, she said, are happy customers.
“We get a lot of repeat clients, people with multiple projects," Mann said. "It's reaffirming to know that you did a good job the first time, and they want to have you back again to do more work."
Burch Builders, located on E. Lee Street in Warrenton, does new construction, remodeling and additions.
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