An Advanced Diploma in Interior Design student has been announced as one of the student winners in the prestigious SIT Furniture Design Awards.
Kayla Obbes won the Furniture Design - Armchair category for her design, titled Grounded.
Her design is “a statement seating piece embracing an organic, harmonious, down to earth and soothing energy. Conceptually derived from a brass singing bowl and the experience thereof. Embracing shape; Held space; Centered and Grounded”.
Obbes said that during her third year of study at BHC School of Design last year, the students were tasked to design a furniture prototype.
“Then, when I started my Advanced Diploma at CPUT, my lecturer, Colleen Cocotos, looked through my work, and she saw potential in this design and encouraged me to enter the SIT furniture design award. Thereafter, I reworked some of my design and uploaded it.
“When I got the email from the awards to congratulate me as a winner, I was quite taken aback. I was not expecting it at all.”
Kayla expressed her gratitude for the immense support and guidance from her lecturers at BHC during the design, development and manufacturing process and to Cocotos for her support and encouragement.
Cocotos said, “I strive to ensure that our students are recognised for their hard work, both locally and internationally. I present these opportunities, and the students are the ones who fulfil the necessary outcomes. I appreciate Kayla’s proactive commitment to her work.”
