When second-year interior design technology students were tasked with coming up with a new design for their Cutting Room, John Cruz took it as an opportunity to conceptualize a functional workplace with a look that was meant to last.

“I wanted to make something that allowed the students to work in a way that didn't interrupt their flow in the space,” he explains.

The Cutting Room functions as both a workspace for building projects, as well as storage space for material and industry samples. The students also use it as a break room.

Part of the challenge involved working within a set $6,000 budget -- funds that were donated by supporters at Feast on the Farm, an annual event that raises funds to create experiences where students can learn, lead and manage.

When each student completed their design, the top design was voted on by students, staff and community members. After the votes were tallied, Cruz's design was the top choice.

“It was a complete shock to be chosen,” Cruz says. “I was so impressed with the other designs. It gave me another perspective to look at the project and see how others used materials and lighting. I kept thinking how cool it was and how I should have done that too. It was pretty inspiring.”

As a child, Cruz helped his father with construction work, which inspired him to enter the interior design field. “I looked up to him and wanted to be cool like that,” he explains. “I always wanted to do something that's related to my dad's occupation. So here I am.”

He's enjoying the unique projects in the program, each of which teach him something different. The nature of this project allowed him time to come back to his design, to take a second look. It was a new experience when usually, after he is done a new project, he moves on to the next.

“I was able to take that second look, to open the project up again and ask myself about what I could do better with the space I've made. It was an extra challenge, but the more experience we get in class, it makes it easier to look at the different ways you can do something with the space.

“Projects like this, which incorporate real-life components like the budget and how much it actually costs to do something are good experience, for sure.”

Photos: (Top) John Cruz (Middle) Cruz is announced as the winner of the competition. (Bottom) Cruz's Cutting Room design.