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In recent months, SVA's BFA Interior Design: Built Environments received some major recognition once again from the celebrated Angelo Donghia Foundation. Donghia’s 2024 Student Scholarship Program in Interior Design announced it was awarding fourth-year BFA Interior Design: Built Environments student Morgan Jourdin the prestigious prize. Along with over a dozen other interior design student award recipients, Jourdin received $30,000 in scholarships for tuition, board, and other expenses. 

“Morgan worked tirelessly after the 2024 spring term was done to prepare her project for the Angelo Donghia Foundation competition due during the summer, which required real competition boards, not digital images,” said Dr. Carol Bentel, chair of the department and Jourdin’s third-year studio instructor. Jourdin’s project was inspired by a prompt by Bentel, which challenged students to design temporary housing for migrant families focusing on integrative water systems. Her project, “Ebb+Flow,” hopes to raise awareness about the power design has to make the built environment a more welcoming and equitable place for all people. “Morgan's design focused on the migrant journey itself, often over water and its perils,” said Bentel. “Her references to water and its potential to heal rather than harm are visible throughout the project.”

“As a South Florida native, the juxtaposition between the ocean’s dangerous and healing qualities has captivated me from a young age,” Jourdin explained. “My choice in designing for Caribbean families stems from this. Rather than perceiving water as a medium for potential danger, I wondered how it could be used as an integrative medium, employing a soothing language of flowing and healing.” 

Conceptually, “Ebb + Flow” offers a destination along the Hudson River that serves as a landing spot and integration point for Caribbean families. The Center provides a safe and hopefully familiar environment for them to engage, settle, and make sense of the vibrant New York milieu. The programmatic arrangement facilitates the journey to settlement in three phases: Engagement, Settlement, and Integration. “Winning this award feels so gratifying, but realizing the passion I have for design through this process is the most valuable takeaway for me,” Jourdin added.

Jourdin is already preparing for her final year thesis projects and the future. “During this year, I hope to continue designing spaces and objects that enhance better living,” she said. “Once I graduate, I hope to begin a Master’s degree in Architecture. I dream of a career that helps others through the design of our built environment.”

SVA students from the BFA Interior Design: Built Environments program have won 14 Donghia scholarships in the past. Some of the previous alumni winners from the College include Hwanil Chang and Hyun Jung Park (2020), Lucie Meichun Cai and Stephanie Chan (2017), Derek Sunghoon Lee (2012), Dana Jeong (2011), Sarah Schwartz (2009), Stella Yom (2008), Kimberly Merchant (2006), Renee Wong (2003) and Eric DiFronzo (2002).

The Donghia Foundation jury, composed of top design professionals, architects, educators, and members of the press, selected Jourdin’s project from numerous nationwide submissions. 

The Angelo Donghia Foundation provides support in two areas: the advancement of education in interior design and initiatives about discovering causes of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its related diseases and treatments. Since 2002, the foundation has awarded scholarships to deserving students entering their senior year in a baccalaureate degree program in interior design.