{"689934":{"#nid":"689934","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meet the Interior Designers Elevating the Georgia Tech Experience ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInterior design in higher education goes far beyond aesthetics. At Georgia Tech, it plays a critical role in shaping how students learn, collaborate, live, and feel on campus. From classrooms and labs to student centers, offices, and shared spaces, thoughtfully designed interiors quietly support the Institute\u2019s mission every day.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat impact is driven by a talented team of interior designers \u2014 Christie Berkowitz , Reagan Donley, Alexandra Gutierrez, Stacy Laux , Polly Patton, Sarah Vaillancourt, and Becky Williams\u003Cstrong\u003E \u2014 \u003C\/strong\u003Ewhose combined experience spans decades and whose work touches nearly every corner of campus. While their backgrounds and approaches vary, they are united by a shared commitment to people, collaboration, and meaningful design in higher education.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDesigning With Purpose\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross campus, interior design is often shaped by historic buildings, fixed timelines, tight budgets, or sometimes, small footprints. Rather than limiting creativity, these constraints often elevate it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Sarah Vaillancourt, those challenges sharpen her design thinking. One of her favorite projects, a graduate student space designed to foster creativity and collaboration, used flexible seating, modular furniture, bright accents, and natural elements to support multiple ways of working. \u201cThe offices and spaces can sometimes be a constraint,\u201d she said. \u201cThat pushes creativity.\u201d More importantly, the project reinforced her belief in design\u2019s influence on mindset and behavior. \u201cI wanted to design a space that not only looked appealing but also supported students\u2019 creativity and productivity.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat focus on everyday impact resonates with Christie Berkowitz, who joined the Institute in 2023. Her favorite projects have been classroom renovations \u2014 spaces that may not stand out visually but make an immediate difference. \u201cWhile they might not be the flashiest spaces on campus, they have an immediate, profound impact on the student experience,\u201d she said. Transforming older classrooms into modern, active\u2011learning environments embodies her belief that good design is grounded in function.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReagan Donley, who has been at Georgia Tech for more than 11 years, approaches every project with the same philosophy. \u201cWhen I\u2019m designing or managing the design of a project, I always try to make sure a space functions like the users need it to and is the best design solution to meet those needs,\u201d she said. Her work balances form, function, long-term institutional goals, maintenance considerations, and historic preservation, often simultaneously.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollaboration at the Core\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInterior design in higher education is inherently collaborative, and every designer emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and trust.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Alexandra Gutierrez, communication is foundational. \u201cStarting conversations with the right stakeholders and understanding the scope and budget early on helps keep the project moving smoothly,\u201d she said. That approach guided her favorite projects, the Skiles and A. French breakrooms, where she was able to design the spaces from start to finish.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecky Williams, who previously worked at a design firm with Georgia Tech as her client for almost a decade, enjoys being on the other side of the table. She views design as a collective effort. \u201cI\u2019ve always viewed a project as a \u2018we\u2019 effort, we\u2019re all working toward the same goal, and we get there faster and better when we support each other,\u201d she said. Her favorite project,\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003ETech Square 3 (George Tower | Scheller Tower), stood out for its scale and complexity and for the opportunity to help guide the project from the owner\u2019s side.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat spirit of coordination defined one of Donley\u2019s most meaningful projects, a renovation for the Office of Undergraduate Education in the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons. With rigid funding and scheduling constraints, success depended on collaboration across campus. \u201cWe had to pull all the strings to get the project finished in time,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was a privilege to help them meet their goals.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESpaces That Reflect the People Who Use Them\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile collaboration shapes the process, people remain at the center of every design decision.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Stacy Laux, design begins with listening. \u003Cem\u003E\u201c\u003C\/em\u003EA workspace should feel like the person who uses it\u2014not the designer behind it,\u201d she said. Her favorite project, Science Square, stood out because \u201ceverything clicked.\u201d The success of the project came not just from the outcome, but from a team aligned around a shared vision.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer greatest inspiration comes from witnessing user connections firsthand. She tries to understand how the user moves through their day, what gives them energy, and what helps them unwind. She observes little habits and routines, which then inform her design process. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing better than seeing someone walk into a finished space and instantly feel like, \u2018Yep ... this is me,\u2019\u201d she said. That moment, she explained, is why design matters.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPolly Patton\u2019s nearly 19 years at Georgia Tech make her one of the team\u2019s longest-tenured designers. For her, that user connection begins face\u2011to\u2011face. \u201cI like to meet in person with my end\u2011user clients and listen to their needs before starting to formulate a design,\u201d she said. Her favorite project, the John Lewis Student Center renovation, reflects that philosophy at the largest scale. \u201cIt\u2019s the heart of the campus and is used by all students,\u201d she noted, making it especially meaningful.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EWhere Inspiration Begins\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor these designers, inspiration comes from many places: the campus community, the design process itself, and sometimes it\u2019s personal. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFirst and foremost, the students,\u201d Patton said. \u201cDesigning spaces to make their time here at Georgia Tech more enjoyable inspires me to work harder.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDonley finds inspiration in color and in helping users solve challenges\u2014whether through furniture, layout, or budgets. She enjoyed the Clough project because of the challenge of it being a significant change to the organization of the space.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBerkowitz is \u201cdriven by building the strong structural foundations that allow us to execute our jobs at a higher level,\u201d finding inspiration in systems and processes, building tools, and standards that allow the team to work more effectively.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Gutierrez, inspiration is personal. \u201cMy dad inspires me not to give up, and my faith pushes me to be better in everything I do.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGrowing up in a family of educators, Williams also draws creative energy from her family. She realized at a young age that drawing floor plans and rearranging her room was more fun than lesson plans. Additionally, the variety of work appeals to her. One week she could be designing a lab, the next, a collaborative space, then followed by something that feels more like a corporate office.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHigher Education Design Matters\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThoughtful design fosters a sense of community and creates engaging learning and work environments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHigher ed allows me to turn ideas into environments that support creativity, productivity, and well-being,\u201d Vaillancourt said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Berkowitz, it\u2019s about shared purpose. \u201cBeing able to tangibly support the day-to-day success of the campus community is what makes higher education special.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDonley points to how campuses have evolved. \u201cNow campuses are about the whole experience of the students,\u201d she said. \u003Cem\u003E\u201c\u003C\/em\u003EFurniture and AV components have become the main characters of these experiences.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPatton echoed that variety and impact. \u201cHigher education is a great mix of lots of different types of design,\u201d she said \u2014 from housing to learning to dining, plus athletics, and even retail \u2014 offering endless opportunities to shape experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen a team is this strong, it becomes its own creative ecosystem,\u201d Laux said. \u201cYou\u2019re not just designing spaces anymore. You\u2019re shaping experiences together. And when you\u2019re surrounded by people who lift your ideas higher, challenge you in the best possible ways, and celebrate every win right alongside you, your own creativity just expands. It\u2019s the kind of environment that keeps you energized and excited to show up every day.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, that ecosystem is one built on collaboration, purpose, and a shared belief that design has the power to elevate the entire campus experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThere\u0027s a whole team of experts designing our campus interior environments.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"There\u0027s a whole team of experts designing our campus interior environments."}],"uid":"35028","created_gmt":"2026-04-21 18:06:58","changed_gmt":"2026-04-21 19:15:59","author":"cbrim3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-21T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680017":{"id":"680017","type":"image","title":"Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe interior designers shaping the campus experience. (L-R) Alexandra Gutierrez, Stacy Laux, Becky Williams, Sarah Vaillancourt, Christie Berkowitz, Polly Patton, Reagan Donley. Photographed on the third floor of the George | Scheller Tower by Allison Carter. March 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776794869","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:07:49","changed":"1776799932","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 19:32:12","alt":"Image of seven Georgia Tech interior designers","file":{"fid":"264250","name":"Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2477803,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/Interior-Design-Women-004--1-.JPG?itok=IC_vKdlU"}},"680018":{"id":"680018","type":"image","title":"Image--63-.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPhoto of the interior design of a Skiles Classroom Building breakroom.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776795489","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:18:09","changed":"1776795489","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 18:18:09","alt":"Photo of the interior design of a Skiles Classroom Building breakroom.","file":{"fid":"264251","name":"Image--63-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Image--63-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/Image--63-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":5607950,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/Image--63-.jpg?itok=3-HqGKj8"}},"680019":{"id":"680019","type":"image","title":"1000006067.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EImage of the light-filled main floor of the George Tower | Scheller Tower Building.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776797451","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:50:51","changed":"1776797451","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 18:50:51","alt":"Image of the light-filled main floor of the George Tower | Scheller Tower Building.","file":{"fid":"264252","name":"1000006067.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/1000006067.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/1000006067.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":477591,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/1000006067.jpg?itok=2AKQYDPX"}},"680020":{"id":"680020","type":"image","title":"acoustical-panels.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EImage of the design of the acoustical panels in the John Lewis Student Center.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776797670","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:54:30","changed":"1776797670","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 18:54:30","alt":"Image of the design of the acoustical panels in the John Lewis Student Center.","file":{"fid":"264253","name":"acoustical-panels.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/acoustical-panels.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/acoustical-panels.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":116686,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/acoustical-panels.jpg?itok=dQ2bo9BK"}},"680021":{"id":"680021","type":"image","title":"ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EImage of the Office of Undergraduate Education in Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1776797963","gmt_created":"2026-04-21 18:59:23","changed":"1776797963","gmt_changed":"2026-04-21 18:59:23","alt":"Image of the Office of Undergraduate Education in Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons.","file":{"fid":"264254","name":"ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/21\/ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1920180,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/21\/ASDSKY_GaTech_VPUE-VRC-Web-04.jpg?itok=5eoM6bHf"}}},"media_ids":["680017","680018","680019","680020","680021"],"groups":[{"id":"383831","name":"Facilities Management"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"474","name":"interior design"},{"id":"177","name":"planning"},{"id":"823","name":"design"},{"id":"195052","name":"and Construction"},{"id":"128181","name":"renovations"},{"id":"193728","name":"I\u0026S News"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECathy Brim\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInfrastructure and Sustainability\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Cathy.brim@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}