from here:
http://www.planphilly.com/dranoff-ch...h-broad-street
Drexel Students to LEED the Way in Greening 777 South Broad
Carl Dranoff challenges interior design students at Drexel to turn 777’s hospitality suite into a luxurious, eco-conscious living space
PHILADELPHIA—October 2, 2009—This fall, undergraduate interior design students at Drexel University will embark on a term-long challenge to design the ultimate green living space for the hospitality suite at Dranoff Properties’ LEED-registered 777 South Broad. With seven residential and mixed-used projects under his belt, Dranoff is now passing the baton to Drexel’s students, calling on them to write the next chapter in Philadelphia’s urban renewal chronicle.
During the challenge, groups of students in Professor Debra Ruben’s Competition Studio class will compete against one another to design a space that meets standards in sustainability, function, and budget. Ruben is a LEED AP and head of Drexel’s Interiors Program sustainability curriculum.
Dranoff Properties will install and assemble the winning design in the hospitality suite, ready for the opening of 777 South Broad in Spring 2010.
“As we finish construction on 777 South Broad, we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss a single detail in our goal to blend urban luxury with sustainability,” says Carl Dranoff, Founder and President of Dranoff Properties. “Who better to partner with in that effort than Drexel, an institution close to my heart, but more importantly, a school boasting some of the nation’s brightest students, best design and engineering programs and a unique, campus-wide green initiative. It’s my pleasure to share my vision for livable, walkable, sustainable communities with the minds of the future, and incorporate their fresh perspectives and creative ingenuity into Philadelphia’s residential landscape.”
Students will be divided into five groups of three. They will be required to apply their knowledge of sustainability, light, space, and human needs to design the two-bedroom, 1,100 square-foot suite on a $15,000 budget. Students will source green products, including furniture, accessories, household appliances, bedding, linens, lighting, electronics, and so on. They will incorporate these products into their designs, research their environmental impact, and contact manufacturers for availability.
Winners will be announced in December.