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Interior Design and Architecture Students Visit Eskew+Dumez+Ripple in New Orleans

Offices of Eskew+Dumez+Ripple

Offices of Eskew+Dumez+Ripple

On Monday, November 4, six fourth-year interior design students and six second-year architecture graduate students visited Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, a nationally recognized, award-winning architecture firm located in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The three founding partners of Eskew+Dumez+Ripple are LSU School of Architecture alumni who often commit their time to numerous initiatives that advocate quality in the design of the built environment, including teaching, research, speaking engagements, and public advocacy. The firm is known for its commitment to the civic realm as well as a sustainable future.

The field trip was arranged by Julie LeFebvre, director of development at the College of Art + Design; Jori Erdman, director and professor at the School of Architecture; and Jim Sullivan, chair of the School of Interior Design.

LeFebvre, Erdman, Sullivan, and the interior design and architecture students began their visit by touring the offices of Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, housed in an open studio that offers expansive views of the Mississippi River and the historic Vieux Carré. The students were encouraged to roam and observe the professionals at work in the studio environment before joining Steve Dumez, partner and director of design, for an hour-long presentation about the firm.

Steve Dumez, partner and director of design, gives a presentation about Eskew+Dumez+Ripple to architecture and interior design students.

Steve Dumez, partner and director of design, gives a presentation about Eskew+Dumez+Ripple to architecture and interior design students.

The presentation focused on how the firm is analyzing the performance of their projects in regards to meeting energy use intensity (EUI) benchmarks against baseline models. Eskew+Dumez+Ripple is committed to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 Challenge, which asks the global architecture and building community to adopt targets to reduce energy consumption, with the aim of accomplishing carbon neutral, sustainable designs by the year 2030.

After the presentation, students were encouraged to tour up to 10 Eskew+Dumez+Ripple projects in New Orleans. The firm had even made arrangements for the students to visit four of the project sites.

After a quick lunch at Reginelli’s, Erdman, Sullivan, and the students toured the residential tower at 930 Poydras. It was evident that Eskew+Dumez+Ripple looked at French Quarter housing as a model for adapting the high-rise residential atmosphere, with the “courtyard” style “through-space” and the town houses atop the ninth-floor roof deck.

930 Poydras - residential tower

930 Poydras – residential tower

Lobby, or "through space" at 930 Poydras

Lobby, or “through space” at 930 Poydras

Second-year architecture graduate students

Second-year architecture graduate students

Fourth-year interior design students with Chair Jim Sullivan

Fourth-year interior design students with Chair Jim Sullivan

After touring the residential tower, the students viewed the restoration of the Civic Theatre then headed to the Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center in Broadmoor.

Civic Theatre renovation - lobby

Civic Theatre renovation – lobby

The library was of particular interest to the architecture graduate students—their final assignment for the fall semester is to design a library. All agreed that the library design was an amazing accomplishment with the unusual “green-dot” exterior and spiral, wooden interior—especially when orchestrated in such a small space. The students remarked upon the landscaping at the library, as well, which was designed by Spackman Mossop and Michaels. (Partners Elizabeth Mossop and Wes Michaels are LSU Robert Reich School of Architecture faculty.)

Interior of Rosa F. Keller Library

Interior of Rosa F. Keller Library

About Eskew+Dumez+Ripple
Eskew+Dumez+Ripple is widely recognized for award-winning, innovative architecture and planning projects, grounded by a strong understanding of context and culture, which resonate far beyond the Southeast region. The New Orleans–based multi-disciplinary practice is comprised of 45 professionals who offer clients a deep commitment to every project they touch. The firm’s size and management protocols are structured to provide hands-on principal involvement in every commission they undertake from conception to completion. Visit eskewdumezripple.com for more information. 

About LSU School of Interior Design
The LSU School of Interior Design program emphasizes creative problem solving, research and analysis, and graphic skills. Student activities are supported in the design studios, which form the core of the educational experience. Liberal arts, business, communication, and technical courses are required and complement the program’s strong emphasis on design. For more information, visit interiordesign.lsu.edu.

About the LSU School of Architecture Graduate Program
The LSU School of Architecture Graduate Program focuses on engaging students and faculty who share interests in design and the built environment. The backbone of the Master of Architecture program is the Design Studio, where students engage in the design education process. The graduate program integrates innovative design with technical, social, and practical concerns to address complex global conditions. Courses and studios focused on history, theory, sustainability, digital media, and community design provide the knowledge to concentrate on solving real-life problems in the built environment. Studio projects focus on spatial design, Louisiana coastal issues, and community design efforts. For more information, visit architecture.lsu.edu.