Penn College News

Sitting idly by? Not these students!

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Six teams of third-year students in Architectural Design Studio V pursued the literal "seat of knowledge" in fashioning functional furniture out of corrugated cardboard on each side of the recent Spring Break. Offered annually since at least 2016, the creative exercise gives the groups two weeks each to design and build full-scale chairs from sheets of the recyclable material that integrate the concepts of function, aesthetics, ergonomics and detail. After their deadline at 10:15 p.m. Thursday, the teams – which made good use of The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College downstairs – reconvened on the second floor of the Hager Lifelong Education Center at 8 the following morning to share their respective projects with peers and judges (who included Geoffrey M. Campbell, assistant professor and department head for architecture, and Rob A. Wozniak, associate professor of architecture). The presentations, as varied as the chairs themselves, gave voice to the students' development, construction and assembly of their creations – as well as occasional struggles on the path to completion. "If it fails, it fails," one said of the risk-taking approach. "At least we tried!"


– Photos by Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday


Explaining the design of their Model S-10 chair, which combined sustainability and architecture through

Explaining the design of their Model S-10 chair, which combined sustainability and architecture through "a responsibility to make our world a better place," are (from left) Rodrigo Barrios-Piedra, of Avondale; Haley M. Kalvin-Gold, of Boalsburg; Rajni "RJ" Thompson, of Merion Station; and Diana M. Gaglione, of Williamsport.

Reflecting the fun side of collaborating on a focused task, Cyvae Hunte (center), of Langhorne, demonstrates the cellphone-storage capability of the chair's center console. He is joined by teammates Alec J. Rivera (left), of Temple; and Lex R. Yocum, of Watsontown. The good humor carried through to the project's name, as the group paid homage to Pink Floyd in dubbing it

Reflecting the fun side of collaborating on a focused task, Cyvae Hunte (center), of Langhorne, demonstrates the cellphone-storage capability of the chair's center console. He is joined by teammates Alec J. Rivera (left), of Temple; and Lex R. Yocum, of Watsontown. The good humor carried through to the project's name, as the group paid homage to Pink Floyd in dubbing it "Another Bench in the Hall."

Judges Alejandro F. Huaman, of Dingmans Ferry, one of last year's competitors, and Melinda D. Heckman, coordinator of admissions events and communications, gauge the chair's comfort and durability. Huaman earned an associate degree in architectural technology in 2016 and is scheduled to graduate in May with a bachelor's in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

Judges Alejandro F. Huaman, of Dingmans Ferry, one of last year's competitors, and Melinda D. Heckman, coordinator of admissions events and communications, gauge the chair's comfort and durability. Huaman earned an associate degree in architectural technology in 2016 and is scheduled to graduate in May with a bachelor's in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration.

A gracefully slim entry (with dowels and decorative side pieces), which used 49 of the allowable 50 pieces of corrugated cardboard, is presented by its creators. From left are Andy M. McMullen, of Hollidaysburg; Amanda F. Ritter, of Williamsport; and Steven A. Adams, of Watsontown.

A gracefully slim entry (with dowels and decorative side pieces), which used 49 of the allowable 50 pieces of corrugated cardboard, is presented by its creators. From left are Andy M. McMullen, of Hollidaysburg; Amanda F. Ritter, of Williamsport; and Steven A. Adams, of Watsontown.

The group's

The group's "Relaxation" design is assessed by Wozniak, who appears to affirm the sought-after vibe. Also judging the entries were Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies; Roberta Schwenk, makerspace assistant; and Campbell.

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The "Interweave" chair, with cardboard strips entwined into a uniquely intricate pattern, is displayed by Jacob M. Pusateri, of Port Matilda. Enhancing the presentation are classmates (from left) Brandon M. Malchano, of McKees Rocks; Christine A. Limbert, of Curwensville; and Dominic J. McClellan, of Spring Creek.

Students recount the trial-and-error process that resulted in

Students recount the trial-and-error process that resulted in "The Throne," so named for its resemblance to – yep, you guessed it. From left are Carter J. Simcox, of Lock Haven; Zackary R. Burkhart, of Milton; Mark A. Dosa, of Warminster; and Bryce A. Martin, of Thompsontown.

Beshoy A. Farid (left), of Lancaster, and Ben M. Kratzer, of Middleburg, share the particulars of their design, which includes eye-pleasing armrests and a combined seat and back for stability. (Not present was Cole S. King, of York Springs.)

Beshoy A. Farid (left), of Lancaster, and Ben M. Kratzer, of Middleburg, share the particulars of their design, which includes eye-pleasing armrests and a combined seat and back for stability. (Not present was Cole S. King, of York Springs.)

Wozniak and Campbell join their students (and the students' chairs) outside the architectural wing of the LEC.

Wozniak and Campbell join their students (and the students' chairs) outside the architectural wing of the LEC.

With a background in architecture and marketing, Lester is well positioned to offer the students advice on crafting effective presentations that provide a clear sense of both their talent and individuality.

With a background in architecture and marketing, Lester is well positioned to offer the students advice on crafting effective presentations that provide a clear sense of both their talent and individuality.