OU students will be giving hand-built furniture to Norman families in need by the end of May.
A furniture design class has designed and built furniture for the Food and Shelter for Friends project. The furniture is expected to be moved by the end of May, said Hans-Peter Wachter, associate professor of interior design.
The class has worked with the design/build class to provide furniture for the project, Wachter said.
"Students have to build furniture to be donated to the community," Wachter said. "The furniture design class wanted to enhance the idea of interior designers serving the community."
Elaine Hunter, director of the non-profit organization, said it serves three functions for the city of Norman. The organization serves a free community lunch Monday through Saturday, provides shelter for homeless families, and provides utility and rent assistance to the community for residents facing utility cut-off or eviction.
The students thought the designs would be best for the Food and Shelter for Friends project, said Cassandra Clark, interior design senior.
Public service is a great way to help out the city, Clark said. "People will think someone cares."
The Food and Shelter for Friends project was a collaboration of architecture and interior design students, Wachter said. Interior design students have designed and built furniture, and architecture students have designed and are currently building the shelter downtown at 104 W. Comanche St.
The furniture design and design/build classes are both offered by the College of Architecture.
The furniture design class is a requirement for interior design students, Wachter said. Architecture students may take this class as an elective.
Architecture students taking the class can do more liberal things, said Jennifer Mitchum, architecture senior. Students can do specific things for a specific purpose when it involves the project. Architecture focuses more on the outside, and interior design focuses more on the inside.
"Furniture is a very interactive way to get into the little parts of designing the space and using the space," Mitchum said.
Interior design focuses on ergonomics, efficiency of space, living style of the user of the space and the flow of space, said Yean Jong, interior design senior.
The class has two rewards: a learning experience for students and a designed piece that will be used by the community, Wachter said.
Students receive funding for the class by asking local businesses to donate supplies, Wachter said.
"OU is not just an educational institution, but it also gives back to the community," Wachter said. "The whole idea is a long-term investment."
The Home Depot had a budget for how much it would donate, said Stephanie Willard, interior design senior. Once the allotted funding was used up, students had to find other ways to pay for supplies and tools.
Asking for donations was difficult said Kara Legako, interior design junior.
Clark said businesses were willing to donate.
"I asked if they'd be willing to donate, and they said yes," Clark said.
This class raises students' awareness and it raises confidence levels, Wachter said. Students are taught to be proud of their work.
"It's helpful to actually build it," Trinh Bui, interior design senior, said.
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