Student Competitions
Each year, we ignite the creative flames within Cornell University’s student body through a series of dynamic competitions and collaborative design charrettes. In our annual fall photo competition, students capture the essence of a healthy future through the lens, showcasing their unique perspectives and sparking dialogue on the significance of well-being. We also embark on design charrettes, partnering with students and on occasion, other universities and organizations, to envision and shape healthy futures. Together, we forge pathways that not only enrich educational experiences but also pioneer transformative ideas, driving us towards a healthy future.
2024 Photo Competition
“Peace by Design” was the theme for our 2023 annual photography contest. Top 3 winners:
2024 Safety by Design Charrette
Cornell and Johns Hopkins University students engaged in a design charrette on May 3-4, 2024, at JHU centered on design safety for older adults. During this event, students targeted specific injuries, proposing modifications to objects, or environments aimed at prevention of these injuries.
This event, Safety by Design, was supported by Johns Hopkins renowned researcher Sue Baker ‘51. Five teams developed safety-sensitive designs for an outdoor space for older adults.
2023 Photo Competition
“Freedom of Expression: contrasting visions of health, hospitality and design” was the theme for our 2023 annual photography contest. Top 3 winners:
Our contest was complimented by a “Freedom of Expression” exhibit during the Spring 2024 semester in Martha Van Rensselaer.
2022 Photo Competition
“Reinventing Healthy, Hospitality and Design” was the theme for our 2022 annual photography contest. Top 3 winners:
Spring 2022 Safety by Design Charrette
The objects and spaces we encounter in day-to-day life may result in unexpected injuries. In workplaces the primary causes of injury are materials handling; slips, trips and falls; being struck by or colliding with an object or incidents involving tools. In homes, injuries caused by falls down stairs; fires that originate from heating and cooking appliances; and scald burns from water that flows from the tap too hot result in emergency department visits, hospital stays and deaths that could have been prevented with more thoughtful design.
Students from both Cornell and Johns Hopkins were asked to design a set of objects/products, a space, a building or an urban environment that incorporated features that support human safety and address an injury risk.
Teams were awarded the following: 1st place $5000, 2nd place $3000, 3rd place $1000
First place: Kitchen Design (pictured)
Sydney Lonker (CU), Jason Heller (CU), Daniel Sohayegh (CU), and Rebeca Aro (CU)
Second place: Wheelchair Design
Cali Wilson (JHU), Renee Liu (JHU), and Shalika Subramanian (JHU)
Third place: Modular Toilet Design
Kristina Im (CU), Lily Stern (CU), Debbie Jung (CU), and Jennifer Tan (JHU)
Thank you to all the students who submitted designs!
We truly enjoyed witnessing the creativity of the Cornell and Johns Hopkins student communities!
2021 Photo Competition
“Images of Recovery” was the theme for our 2021 annual photography contest. Top 3 winners:
2019 Photo Competition
“Healing Through Photography” was also the theme for our 2019 annual photography contest. Top 3 winners:
2018 Photo Competition
“Healing Through Photography” was the theme for our 2018 annual photography contest. Top 3 winners:
2017 Photo Competition
CIHF held its first photography competition in 2017 inviting all Cornell students to submit work reflecting them theme “bring the outside in through nature photography.” Top 3 winners:
2016 Art Competition
CIHF held its first annual art competition in 2016, open to all Cornell University students, of works reflecting its mission integrating health, hospitality and design to enhance service excellence in healthcare, wellness, senior living and related industries. Top 3 winners:
