The challenge to the Fairfield University Interior Design class was to create a sketch for the outside façade of a brand-new building that was to be erected on West 122nd Street in Manhattan. The aim would be to make the structure unique, but in keeping with the classic Harlem neighborhood, which is home to the famous Madam Walker House. The lure was that this wasn't just a theoretical class project: Rob Hardy, coordinator for the University College Interior Design Certificate Program at Fairfield, was a friend of the owners, and if they liked one of his student's submissions, they might just use it.

"There was one that we really liked," said Greenwich resident Jacques Guillet, who owns the building with his wife Claudia Weldon. "It inspired." They had been charmed by a sketch created by Ginny Moffitt, one of Hardy's star pupils. Fairfield University presented Moffitt with an outstanding academic achievement award in interior design in May.

The couple made some alterations to Moffitt's original and adopted the plan for the façade of the seven-story structure, which houses five condominiums. They broke ground in the spring of 2004 and will move in this fall.

Moffitt had submitted a Federal style façade for the new building that would look current and use modern materials, but recall classical architectural style. The red brick exterior design features symmetrical divided light windows with white muntins and dental molding. A transom frames the top two windows, while black wrought iron railings with intricate orioles case the entrance.

"Most of the time, building façades are designed by architects," Hardy said. It is rare for building owners to engage an interior designer to do the work. "We usually deal with anything within the structure." It is probably rarer for an interior design student to have her sketch chosen for a real-life façade, Hardy said.

Moffitt had done her research, looking into the architecture of surrounding buildings, most of which were constructed in the 1800s. "The area is loaded with beautiful architecture," Moffitt said. She paid particular attention to one structure around the corner, which was built by Madam C.J. Walker, an entrepreneur who lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s and became one of the nation's first African-American millionaires (on an inflation-adjusted basis) by selling her own line of hair care products. Walker's townhouse had been designed by the African-American architect Vertner Tandy, and Moffitt incorporated some of its elements in her own design.

Moffitt plans to consult as an interior designer when she completes the Fairfield University certificate program. The field represents a second career for Moffitt, whose undergraduate work had been in English and Spanish. While she had studied a good deal of fashion design, Moffitt was discouraged from entering the design business because her parents didn't think she would be able to land a secure job in the industry. She worked as a flight attendant with Pan-Am for three years, married a pilot and for the next 10 years focused on raising a family. During that time, her interest in design persisted. When her children were young, Moffitt started working as a real estate agent. From there, her interest in the design of a room started to blossom.

"I wanted to learn more about room scale, color and furniture placement," Moffitt said. While it was fashion design that had initially attracted her, the study of fabrics also piqued her interest in the world of interior design.

"The design of an entire room became fascinating to me," Moffitt said. Through word-of-mouth, Moffitt heard about University College's Interior Design program at Fairfield University. She began taking classes five years ago. She was gratified to wed her fashion background with her real estate interests. "I felt, oh my gosh, I'm in the right place finally!" During that time, Hardy received a request from an ASID colleague at Country Design, a high-end New Canaan design firm that lead Moffitt to a design sales position which she still holds part time.

Moffitt is currently the director of sales and marketing for Southport Green a complex of office and residential space, where she has also put her skills to practical use. She designed and outfitted the firm's sales center. Moffitt has also provided input on the interior layout of the condo units, recommending the coffered ceilings, random-width select red oak flooring, and other touches that give the homes a regal atmosphere. She hopes that Southport Green customers will select her as their interior designer for their new homes.

"We are so proud of Ginny for her accomplishments. This is a fine example of real life living and learning," said Edna Farace Wilson, Ph.D., dean of University College.

In some respects, Moffitt's case is not unusual. Hardy's students are often full-time mothers or working women who have always nurtured an interest in interior design but never went for it, he said. "They can't go to school full-time," Hardy said, because they are already working. But University College offers an intensive certificate program that enables them to pursue their education in the evenings. Daytime courses are also offered.

The 45-credit Interior Design Professional Certificate provides a hands-on design experience, plus training that enables students to translate abstract concepts into three-dimensional reality. Students develop the type of portfolio and presentation style that is the mark of a professional. Students in Fairfield University's Professional Certificate program must maintain at least a B average and a favorable evaluation of their portfolio in order to receive a certificate of completion. The Professional Certificate, when taken for credit, satisfies the minimum educational eligibility requirements for NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Certification. The NCIDQ certification, which also requires four years of full-time work experience and a series of exams, is a prerequisite for professional membership in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the nation's largest professional organization of interior designers. Students may join ASID as student members while they are going to school.

The 30-credit Interior Design Residential Certificate provides the same foundation for hands-on design experience and training as the professional certificate, but is geared to students who wish to specialize in residential design only and are not interested in NCIDQ certification. Students enrolled in the 30-credit program can choose to switch to the Professional Certificate at any time, however only courses taken for credit can be applied to NCIDQ requirements.

Participants in the interior design certificate programs pay $395 per credit, plus a $25 registration fee. Students who would like to take some of the interior design courses not-for-credit, pay $570 per course. In addition to its certificate programs, University College offers students a chance to "get their feet wet" with four non-credit courses in interior design. The Business of Interior Design, a series of six sessions for $275, offers students the viewpoints of six practicing interior designers. Portfolio Techniques, $150, is a one-session seminar focusing entirely on improving the quality of presentation boards. Textiles, a $375 eight-session course, exposes students to all aspects of fabrics for interior design.

The College also offers a $55 guided tour of the D&D Building in New York City to help students become acquainted with the vast array of materials available to interior designers. For information on any of the Interior Design programs, call 203-254-4307. University College will also host a free Open House for those interested in learning more about its Interior Design programs on Wednesday, November 2, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at University College.

"These classes really can lead to something," said Moffitt, who lives in Fairfield with her husband William Van Ollefen, a nationwide wine writer. "I have been able to bring together so many of my life's passions. To have my design chosen for the building is such an added honor. This is the serendipity of life."

Posted On: 09-20-2005 10:09 AM

Volume: 38 Number: 17