When the Division of Inside Structure first began Competition of the Timber in 1987, it was a holiday-centered competitors to advertise and fundraise for inside structure college students. It is now grown to a signature occasion, with a whole bunch in attendance yearly – elevating funds for scholarships and examine overseas grants. 

“The occasion kicks off South Florida’s vacation season,”  stated Brian Schriner, dean of the Faculty of Communication, Structure + The Arts. “The night showcases our extremely gifted inside structure college students, furthering their relationships with design professionals and elevating scholarship and examine overseas grants.” 

All through the years, South Florida’s structure and design group has proven its assist for high quality training by means of its participation. Materials corporations and sponsors companion with designers to construct distinctive vacation “bushes.” The occasion displays the inventive vitality of the group and is a real collaboration between designers, distributors and the general public.  

On the night time of the gala, bushes are placed on show and auctioned off to the very best bidder or positioned on sale at a set worth. All internet proceeds go straight towards offering scholarships and packages for inside structure college students and journey grants for examine overseas journeys.  The “bushes” that aren’t bought or auctioned are donated to the Cortxia Basis – an training nonprofit.

Since its begin, the occasion has raised greater than $500,000 – benefiting many college students who go on to work professionally within the inside design area.  

This yr’s thirty fourth installment of the gala — held earlier this month —comes because the no. 16 nationally ranked Faculty of Structure continues to have a good time its twenty fifth anniversary. Greater than 400 folks attended and practically $100,000 was raised this yr alone. 

Visiting Assistant Educating Professor Esperanza Muino earned her grasp’s in inside structure at FIU. She additionally was a beneficiary of a scholarship raised on the occasion. Hear about her expertise within the video under.