Benjamin Glunz presenting his final project, including architecture and interiors, at Judson University.
Great building designers bring together their natural talent, passion, and a good education in the principles of their craft. While the first two qualities are provided by the designer, Judson University in Illinois provides the next generation of architects and designers the principles, skills, and a learning environment that allows their students to develop their craft.
Judson University provides an undergraduate and graduate program in architecture, and has recently introduced an interior design major. Whether a student chooses interior design specifically or takes a more general interest in architecture at Judson, they will benefit from an impressive student teacher ratio, real-world experience, and an education from a school that has been well-recognized for its dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
In fact, Judson’s School of Art, Design and Architecture is housed in one of the world’s most sustainable buildings, the Harm A. Weber Academic Center. A mere photo does not do this building justice, and there is an interactive map of the LEED Gold certified building highlighting some of its features here. Judson University has certainly made it clear that they practice those important principles that they impress on their students.
Judson also serves the architectural community by hosting a summer Architecture Discovery Workshop for high school students, as well as symposiums and lecture series for professionals in the field who wish to stay informed, share ideas, and further develop their skills and knowledge.
Judson University also believes in the importance Christian values will have in creating the buildings and interiors in which we will live, work, and play. That unique factor stood out to us here at Goedeker’s, where our Christian values direct how we conduct ourselves and our business of furnishing your home.
Keelan Kaiser, the chair of the Architecture department at Judson University and a practicing architect, took some time to talk to us about Judson’s unique offerings and what Judson is doing for the world’s future architects and designers.
Goedeker’s: What skills are critical for a student in interior design to develop during their education at Judson University?
Keelan Kaiser: Interior environments are a critical part of our working and living culture. The quality and thoughtfulness of the design of these environments often makes the difference between a good and great working or living experience. The Judson University Interior Design program is composed of a solid liberal arts core education, includes two years of architecture core courses, and concludes with two years of highly specialized courses that prepare our graduates to practice professionally. The critical skills an interior design student develops during their education at JU include reading, writing, speaking, research, drawing, and design.
Goedeker’s: How can a Christian use Interior Design to honor Christ?
Keelan Kaiser: Judson has made a name for itself in the design education world as a place where students experience an awesome quality of community and place. The faith-based mission of Judson University, interpersonal experiences within the School of Art, Design and Architecture, and a great new facility in the Harm Weber Academic Center all combine to form a rich environment for learning and sharing collegiate life. Interior Design impacts the quality of life of people every day. You could think about a career in Interior Design as a means of edifying the users of a building through the quality and care of design decision making. The servant leader is an expression we use in architecture and interior design to describe the combined necessity of service to others while also providing education and leadership in these highly specialized professional services. We believe Christ is honored in our service to others through exercising the gifts He has given, in a way that blesses others, edifies, illuminates, and lifts up.
Goedeker’s: What are some of the amazing things your alumni have accomplished?
Keelan Kaiser: Our architecture alumni are working all over the world now. Africa, Asia and Europe have Judson University graduates. Almost every state in the US has a Judson University graduate working in offices. Some of our architecture graduates are working as interior architects as well as architects. Our graduates are working in some of the most well know offices in the world. We believe that we are graduating students who are going to provide a contribute a different kind of office culture. We see them providing a hopeful outlook on life, being a good example of service and humility, in short, being Christ in their chosen areas of work.
Design by Judson graduate Linda Coile, currently working with Glave & Holmes in Richmond, Virgina
For more information on Judson University and its architecture and interior design programs visit http://arch.JudsonU.edu.
