The first in a series of programs for those who design, or dream of designing buildings, clothing, artwork and landscapes will take place at the Allenia Space on Galva’s Front Street from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.
According to the owner, Astrid Haryati, her goal is to bring together aspiring designers, design enthusiasts, and general observers to share ideas.
“Together we can work to improve our environment and the places around it,” she said. “Planning, collaborating and sharing ideas can take a small idea and make it happen.”
She goes on to say that it can also be fun and include people of all ages.
The family-friendly gathering will begin with a short film on how design impacts everyday lives through basic shapes, without using words.
Three presentations on design will follow:
First up, Frankie Cortes will share his dream and vision for a “tiny home” where he can live more independently, perhaps with his own dog. He envisions a place with cool design features from his ever-expanding wish list. There are approximately 10,000 tiny homes in the US, mostly in Southern states. However, the market is expanding and such homes, which can vary from 100 to 600 square feet, are becoming more popular everywhere.
Frankie has the foresight and fortitude to make his dream a reality. A champion for the disability community, he’s an aspiring designer and is well-known as a hard worker. Aside from assisting his mother as a baker, secretary, and golf cart delivery driver at Special Kneads Bakery, he does maintenance at Subway and provides weekly duties at a local legal firm. He is also actively involved in the Galva Kiwanis Club and the Galva Arts Council. In his spare time, he loves designing ideas for his tiny house.
Next will be Cattleya Srikandani, known by her friends as Leya or Cat, a 10-year-old fourth grader at Henry Senachwine Grade School. She is passionate about art, music, and fashion design. For two years in a row, she won the poster contest of the Knights of Columbus campaign “against drug/alcohol abuse and drinking while driving”. She plays violin, flute, and piano, and loves to sing. At this first Allenia Space’s Design+Makers event, she will share her interest in historical fashion.
Leya is particularly well versed in Victorian era and Tudor period fashions and how they influenced her design perspective.
“I hope to encourage more youth to explore their design interests and share their passion in a supportive and nurturing environment,” said the young designer.
Rounding out the evening will be founder Astrid Haryati’s presentation that shows how low-tech and high-tech ideas help create fun, interactive and educational design elements for public spaces.
Haryati is an architect and landscape architect who has served in Chicago and San Francisco city governments. Her award-winning design firm’s projects are found locally and internationally.
She co-founded Allenia Space as a design center that housed her interior and garden design studio (Allenia Design), a home and lifestyle design shop and an incubation space for the local design community.
She currently resides in Henry, Ill., where she is working with city officials to revamp the riverfront. Haryati splits her time between Henry and Galva, all the while making the Allenia Space available for rent to private parties and community groups. Her array of design items and comfortable meeting room is a welcome addition to the city.
“I’m always happy to show people what we have done to refurbish the rooms,” she said. “This initial program will allow the audience to see how simple designs can make an area beautiful and inviting.”
The evening event is free, and refreshments will be available. RSVP on the Allenia Space Facebook event page to reserve a spot.
