O'More Students Reimagine Nashville Landmark

Students create vision for multi-use neighborhood space in O’More’s second annual integrated studio

O'More College of Design paired architecture and interior design students last semester for the College’s integrated studio, simulating a professional design agency to prepare students for future careers.

Assistant professors Anthony Monica from architecture and Peter Aylsworth from interior design led the integrated studio, stretching fourth-year architecture and third-year interior design students to collaborate across disciplines.

Students designed a multi-use space for Cleveland Park, a historically significant Nashville neighborhood grappling with preserving its identity amid rapid growth.

Partnering with this studio, a local developer challenged students to reimagine a prominent existing building and parking lot, and incorporate programs such as a public library, art gallery, cafe and community gathering spaces.

“It was definitely a learning curve – these are real people in a real community, so getting feedback was more personal than the theoretical clients we’ve had in the past,” said Lauren Pham, interior design student.

The project drew influence from William Edmonson, a historic Nashville artist born to formerly enslaved Tennessee natives. His minimalist limestone figures made him the first African American artist featured in a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.

“We learned how to pivot and had so many new experiences,” said Jacob Driskill, interior design student. “There were so many things that I didn't know how to approach and now I do because we worked directly with architects.”

Interdisciplinary design studios dissolve traditional barriers between disciplines, teaching future professionals how to communicate, compromise and create together — essential skills for today’s integrated design industry.

“The very first week we were all very silent and really didn't get to know each other past the point of just professionalism and being here for school,” said Pham. “But soon enough, we started to build true relationships with each other and that really made the project flourish.”

The intensive process included site visits, professional workshops and a two-and-a-half-week charrette. Students fabricated architectural details, creating half-scale models o understand fabrication, material properties and structural connections.

The semester culminated as students presented their final designs to a jury of local professionals, including the developer, council members and community stakeholders.

“You guys have knocked it out of the park, and I don’t say that lightly. How far you've come and the thoughtfulness in which you've provided for this design output is just amazing,” said Daniel Cremin of HASTINGS Architecture. “I really think it's a fantastic project. I'm so proud of you for getting this to where it is now.”

Beyond earning jury acclaim for their storytelling and community engagement, students gained portfolio-worthy experience in real-world design challenges.

Architecture student Allya Miramontes highlighted a memorable project moment: "We got to work in the wood shop and actually build it to full size scale, which is not something you generally get to do in architecture school. I think that's a really amazing moment to look back on and remember working as a team together to do that."