Emmalee Lowe `22, one of Villa Maria College’s outstanding interior design graduates, is the recipient of multiple recent accolades.
She was honored by the New York Upstate/Canada East Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID NYU/CE) with two 2022 Design Excellence Awards. Emmalee won first place in the Junior/Senior Student category for her design of The Children’s Chemotherapy and Survivorship center and second place in the Junior/Senior Student category for her design of the Armani Hotel Dubai. She designed both projects in her senior studio class with Professor Sandra Reicis.
In her design statement, Emmalee says The Children’s Chemotherapy Center and Survivorship Center focuses on the attributes of a neighborhood, such as live, play, work and dine and a sense of belonging and identity. So, she created the cancer center emphasizing elements of a neighborhood and a connection to greenspaces. Focusing on WELL building standards, Emmalee placed importance on medical and alternative treatment methods such as art therapy, nutrition and fitness.
For the redesign of the Armani Hotel Dubai, Emmalee’s vision blended traditional customs, specifically the use of henna, with contemporary views. The Armani Hotel’s redesign features custom tilework with an eye toward minimal patterns. Emmalee chose a color pattern inspired by the typical stains of henna: hues of tan and terracotta, with green and gold accents. Hotel features include a large glass sculpture upon entry, a nail and henna salon, a prayer room and amenities for suite guests.
To see all of Emmalee’s renderings for The Children’s Chemotherapy Center and Survivorship Center and the Armani Hotel Dubai, including her inspiration and process work, click here.
Read more about the 2022 Design Excellence Awards here.
This is the second year in a row that ASID NYU/CE recognized Emmalee. She took first place in the Junior/Senior Student category last year for her design of Ghillie’s Pub and Restaurant. Details are available in the news story here. Emmalee is the eighth Villa Maria interior design student to win an ASID NYU/CE award.
Emmalee stood out as an exceptional student. She received the Blessed Mary Angela Award at Villa Maria College’s 2022 commencement ceremonies. The highest honor a student can obtain, recipients embody the mission and values of the College, through outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, and service to both the College and local community. Read more here.
In the fall 2020 semester, she was named the Outstanding Student in Interior Design by the program’s faculty and was inducted into the national scholastic honor society, Delta Epsilon Sigma. As a member of the College’s Honors Program, Emmalee was a repeat Dean’s list recipient.
In 2019, Emmalee won a scholarship contest hosted by California Closets. Her design was selected by a panel of interior design professionals from the Western New York community. She led a team of interior design students from the College to design a room in the 2021 Junior League of Buffalo Decorator’s Show House. Learn more here.
To learn more about Emmalee’s experience as an interior design student at Villa Maria College, watch her interview with Brian Emerson, the College’s Vice President for Enrollment and Operations.
For more information on Villa’s Interior Design program, click here.
