Daltile, in partnership with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation and the Booz Allen Hamilton Innovation Center, has named Baileigh Petty, a senior at Utah State University majoring in Interior Design, as the grand prize winner of the sixth annual Daltile Interior Design Scholarship. Petty’s design was chosen by a panel of experts from the design industry and beyond. She received the honor in November with her $10,000 scholarship prize.
This year’s design challenge for the Daltile competition was to reimagine the Booz Allen Hamilton Innovation Center using Daltile products and incorporating components from Fitwel, a leading certification system that optimizes buildings to support health, to create a stimulating, comfortable, and futuristic space for employees. The task was to evaluate the entire Innovation Center space and find areas of opportunity throughout the floor plan to be redesigned to increase occupant health and comfort while adhering to a $25,000 to $50,000 budget range.
Petty’s winning concept transformed the Center’s recharge room, a space for employees to take a break from work, eat healthy snacks, and network with their colleagues in a comfortable, informal environment. Her design integrated a variety of products from Daltile, focusing on a predominantly neutral color palette.
Her main goal, she told interiors+sources, was to incorporate the paramount elements of Fitwel into her design. “I chose to focus on the kitchen area because I thought that would be the best way to incorporate those [health factors]. I concentrated on eating and drinking choices and overall well-being in the space. My inspiration was more nature and natural materials and I wanted to incorporate the Booz Allen Hamilton colors and brand identity. I pulled it all together by bringing in plants to incorporate the Fitwel healthy environment and overall user health as well as the colors and feeling of being in nature. Studies show people have better attitudes and improved well-being in nature.”
In pursuing her design career after she graduates, Petty said she hopes to work with a larger design firm that focuses on the commercial market. Yet, she is open to different opportunities that may come her way. “[Last] summer I worked for a high-end residential firm and seeing how things work on that side made me decide I want to [work in] commercial because you have less limitations,” she said. “Commercial interests me a little bit more because of that. I don’t have anything holding me back so I can see myself going [anywhere]. I am definitely excited to get out in the real world.”
