AUSTIN - O'Connell Robertson & Associates, a local architecture/engineering firm, recently won first place in the International Interior Design Association's local design competition benefiting the new Children's Medical Center of Central Texas. The competition involved transformation of a child-sized, rectangular wood table and two straight-back chairs to portray a word provided by the competition theme, "Turning the Tables".

O'Connell Robertson was one of 12 Austin design firms selected to participate in the design competition. Teams were asked to transform the table and chair set into spaces of play or dining for children, using an assigned word as a design theme. Judging criteria was based on creativity, durability, safety, function, and appropriateness to the word assigned. After the competition, the tables were sold in a silent auction where most were donated back to the Children's Medical Center.

Drawing on experience in educational facility design, the O'Connell Robertson team applied their understanding of "kid-friendly" spaces to their entry. Focusing on the word "wheel", the Team created a place for children to sit, spin, sort, and play.

"Our team had fun going through a process of identifying the word and transforming it to play-art for a child," said O'Connell Robertson's Senior Interior Designer Laura Chapa. "Our design for the children's table embodies the word "wheel" by spinning the perceptions of both wheel and table: between hubcap play tray and tabletop "lazy susan", between black rubber and table cloth, and between wheel and ottoman." The table also creates a lighted play area in the space of the tire under the table.

The competition & fundraiser was held Saturday, April 24, 2004 at the Texas Culinary Academy's La Ventana. The event included a silent auction, Turning the Tables design competition, music and food.

O'Connell Robertson & Associates is an Austin-based architecture & engineering firm which specializes in both education and healthcare facility design. Local clients include the Seton Health Network, Austin Independent School District, and the University of Texas.

Copyright 2002 O'Connell Robertson & Associates