Daniel J. Park, a senior BFA student at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID), has won the 2009 Angelo Donghia Foundation Senior Scholarship Award. Park will receive a $30,000 scholarship to help cover the cost of tuition, room and board, books and other materials.
His winning project was a design for an outpatient health-care facility for those coping with incurable diseases, inspired by an HIV-positive friend. Park's primary goal was to infuse the facility with a hospitality atmosphere, creating a welcoming, optimistic and serene environment. The design includes a sky-lighted central reception area that doubles as a museum for art therapy, a meditation courtyard, a relaxation spa, as well as an area to conduct research for the development of new treatments and possible cures.
"What an honor it is to win the National Donghia Scholarship Competition," said Park. "The New York School of Interior Design and my current internship with Jeffrey Beers International have given me a strong foundation to make my dreams become a reality. I am humbled by this life-changing recognition and look forward to my graduation in the spring of 2010."
"On behalf of the NYSID community, we congratulate Daniel Park on winning this prestigious award," said President Christopher Cyphers. "Daniel's talent and dedication are self-evident in his thoughtful and innovative design for a health-care facility. The Donghia Foundation has shown great generosity and commitment to interior design education, and we thank them for the assistance they have provided to Daniel and the nine other NYSID students who have won Donghia scholarship awards since the program was launched in 2002."
The 2009 scholarship was awarded to 11 individuals chosen from interior design bachelor's degree programs across the country. The jury was comprised of six distinguished professionals in the field: Stephen Drucker, Editor in Chief, House Beautiful; Thad Hayes, Thad Hayes Inc.; Amy Lau, Amy Lau Design; Charles Pavarini, Charles Pavarini III Design Associates; Carolyn Sollis, Editor at Large and Stylist; Masaru Suzuki, Donghia Inc.; and Donna Warner, Editor in Chief, Metropolitan Home.