Next-Generation Talent Creates Winning Door Design
Unique Door Concepts Unveiled as Winners are Selected in the JELD-WEN Student Door Design Contest

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. June 30, 2008 — Historic architecture and modern-day environmental thinking were the inspiration behind winning door designs in the JELD-WEN Student Door Design Contest.

JELD-WEN, the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, selected two grand-prize winners in the third Student Door Design Contest: Jen Gilmore of University of Maine at Augusta and Michelle Pyne of Virginia Tech.

After receiving a record-breaking 349 entries from 89 colleges, JELD-WEN awarded both students a $3,000 scholarship. Winners were selected based on suitability of the design for today’s architecture, creativity, uniqueness and attention to detail.

“The JELD-WEN Student Door Design Contest is an opportunity for young designers and architects to showcase their abilities,” said Elizabeth Souders, JELD-WEN door product manager. “We were overwhelmed by the number of outstanding entries, and we are even more excited to see these emerging architects and interior designers use their talents outside of the classroom.”

Organic Inspiration
Gilmore’s winning tree door design puts the environment at the front and center of a home. Making a strong connection to today’s growing green building movement, Gilmore emphasized that sustainable design should reach beyond technological advances and also keep the natural world in mind. 

“By incorporating natural themes in an entry door one can soften the division between home and the outdoors,” said Gilmore. “Landscaping and architecture become combined in this renewed age of ‘green’ building. I think it is important for designs to show a respect and appreciation of nature.”

The judges applauded Gilmore’s concept.
 
One judge commented that this door design works conceptually and aesthetically. “I especially like her thoughts about the reflection of the tree silhouette.”

Contemporary Style

Pyne’s modern door design was inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and his residential design for Ward M. Willitts in Chicago featuring a symmetrical façade of stucco accented by thick wood strips.

“The beautiful proportions of the stucco squares and the long beams of wood were striking,” said Pyne. “Although the Willitts residence is not one of Wright’s famous public works, it has a simple design quality that I offer in my door design.”

“I love the simplicity and spareness of this design,” said one judge. “The contrasting splines show off the wood's beauty. The balance between glass and wood feels right.”

The judging panel included top editors at leading design publications including Ruth Altchek, senior editor at domino!; Leslie Ensor, editor of Custom Home; Linda Lentz, products editor from Architectural Record; and door experts from JELD-WEN.

“It is our goal that young architects and designers consider the impact an entry door has on great exterior design and curb appeal,” said Souders. “JELD-WEN’s custom door capabilities provide designs appropriate for all types of architecture, and this contest really highlights the unique possibilities that can be made with an architect or designers’ talents and imagination.”

More information on the JELD-WEN Student Door Design Contest including past winners and entry guidelines can be found at www.jeld-wen.com/studentdesign.

FACT SHEET: 2008 STUDENT DOOR DESIGN WINNERS

From contemporary to environmental design, the personal interests of this year’s student door design winners set them apart.

Jen Gilmore 

School: Gilmore just finished her first year of the architecture program at the University of Maine at Augusta.

Hometown: She lives on a small farm in Starks, Maine and is originally from Athol, Mass.

Future goals: Gilmore hopes to complete the masters program at Boston Architectural College and eventually get her architecture license. She is
interested in reusing historic buildings and in public architecture. 

Inspiration: Gilmore has always been attracted to trees and attributes that to her desire to live in the country, her experience grafting apple trees and her love of woodworking. She drew on this inspiration to connect the forest to her door design.

Personal Interests: Gilmore has worked as a carpenter, knowing she wanted to learn the skills to build her own home. Ten years later she opened her own carpentry business specializing in cabinetry and remodeling. She later realized she wanted to be an architect.

Michelle Pyne

School: Pyne will be a senior this fall in the interior design program at Virginia Tech.

Hometown: Malvern, Pa.

Future goals: Pyne plans to take the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) examination soon after graduation and hopes to work in an architecture firm that is committed to sustainable design.

Inspiration: After discussing the JELD-WEN Student Door Design competition in her design studio, Pyne looked for inspiration in an old architectural history book. The page she kept going back to was a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902. Pyne was inspired by what she
described as the beautiful proportions of the stucco squares and striking long beams of dark wood.

Personal Interests: Pyne enjoys the outdoors and especially traveling. On campus, she is involved in IDEAS (Interior Designers for Education and Sustainability), which has weekly lunch seminars on a variety of topics pertaining to interior design and sustainability. Pyne also works with the Virginia Tech Women’s Center in a group called SAVES (Sexual Assault and Violence Education by Students).