Harrington College of DesignFor those venturing to Chicago for the 2009 AAHSA Annual Meeting, you’re in for another year of great events. Last Designer Standing, one of our biggest hits from the 2008 meeting, is returning for its second year with interior design students from Harrington College of Design.

Two teams will go head-to-head over a period of 48 hours to create their interpretations of a local skilled nursing facility resident’s dream room. Each team will have a budget of $2,000.

All work will be done right on the exposition floor in the McCormick Place, starting Monday, Nov. 9, at Noon and continues until the winner is announced on Nov. 11 at 3 p.m.

Prior to the competition, the 15 Harrington student spent four months learning about design elements of senior living. Working in teams of two, they created a room designed to incorporate functionality with personal elements requested by the chosen resident.

Seven teams submitted their room designs, taking inspiration from the “Cornucopia,” Mies van der Rohe’s 1929 Barcelona Pavilion, and the circle of life, to name a few. The designs were juried and ultimately two designs were chosen. The other teams will assist with building the winning designs. That said, all the designs submitted will be on display during the challenge.

Here are the 7 submissions:

Aaron Gilbert and Daniel Harper
Jessica Riddle and Neelima McGibbon
Matthew McGrane and Ava St. Claire
Edward Kucic III and Kristen Penfold
Jennifer Lea and Leslie Bowman
Kate Harms and Valarie Sanchez
Rhonda Johnson and Diana Rizko