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Interior design students tackle seniors' centre

Like an episode straight off your favourite interior design show, students from the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) in Toronto have accepted the challenge of breathing new life into an outdated and underused space at a seniors' home.

LINDA WHITE
[ 2006-02-08 ]

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The Baker Centre gang, from left to right: Rex Warren (resident), Max Cole (resident), Lynn Ezer (design supervisor), Hannah Waisberg (design supervisor), Gordon Froom (resident), Mary Lou Ianni (executive director, Baker Centre Health Care Foundation), Milena Sujer (administrator, Harold & Grace Baker Centre), James Rennie (resident) and Lillian Cole (resident).

"It's a great experience," says Lynn Ezer, a mother of three who returned to school part-time two years ago after working in the social services sector. "We'll develop confidence in our skills and make new contacts ... Everyone has great ideas. Hopefully, the residents will be pleased."

The Harold and Grace Baker Centre -- also known as The Baker Centre -- is a non-profit home that offers both retirement and long-term care services. Executive Director Mary Lou Ianni approached IADT in hopes of finding interior design students who'd be willing to volunteer their time and energy to update a multipurpose area that's currently used as a cafe, library and TV/sitting area.

"The area is 20 years old and is in need of a facelift," Ianni says. "As a non-profit, we try to raise funds and support to address capital projects that enhance the lives of our seniors ... This is a wonderful partnership, seeing the young helping the old."

Eight IADT students have begun design work and are working to complete the area by the end of June. "The area is very dated and dark and is just not meeting the needs of seniors, their families and staff," says Ezer, assigned project supervisor for the task. "We want to create a warm and friendly atmosphere."


Fellow project supervisor Hannah Waisberg returned to school full-time after working in marketing. She will graduate in June and is eager to update the underused space. "When designing for seniors, you need to consider accessibility and ease of moving around," she says. "You need to think about the weight of furniture and how they get their bearings through colour and light."

The project allows students in IADT's two-year and three-year interior design programs to gain work experience while giving back to the community. "Students need to complete at least 120 in the industry before they can graduate from our two-year program," says Heather Babcock, student employment coordinator at IADT.

"This work-study project gives them a chance to build up their portfolio and make contacts while doing something good for their community. We tell our students that volunteer work is a wonderful way for them to get their foot in the door ... It will pay off in the long run."

In addition to honing skills learned in the classroom, students will develop team-building skills as they meet deadlines and work within a budget. Those students serving as supervisors will also develop valuable leadership skills. "It's a wonderful hands-on experience for them," says Joyce O'Keefe, director of IADT's School of Interior Design. "It's a chance to boost their confidence as they prepare to leave school and look for jobs."

The Baker Centre will be approaching contractors and stores to donate services and products. If you'd like to lend a hand, contact Mary Lou Ianni at 416-654-2889, ext. 228.



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