乐播传媒

On a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Rena Drakakis wasn’t just taking in the view. She studied the weathered textures of tree bark, the shifting light filtering through the mountain woods, and the way historic Appalachian structures fit naturally into the surrounding landscape.

鈥淚’ve always been drawn to the environment,” she said. “Nature is what inspires me.”

Drakakis brought that passion into Assistant Professor Hojung Kim’s Blurred Boundaries studio, where students were challenged in the spring 2026 course to transform a historic cantilever barn in Cades Cove into a contemporary space while preserving its original character and cultural significance.

“I wanted the space to feel rooted in its environment,” she said. “The goal was to open up the interior and bring the outdoors in, so you’re still connected to the landscape.”

Finding Inspiration

As Drakakis researched Appalachian architecture, the project became more than just redesigning a historic barn. She was fascinated by how generations of builders adapted these structures to the region’s landscape, climate, and available materials. Originally built to store crops and shelter livestock, the barns reflected a deep understanding of both community and place.

“So much knowledge is passed down through these buildings,” she said. “They evolved through generations of people responding to their surroundings and creating spaces that met the needs of their communities.”

Those ideas took shape in Rootbound Studios, Drakakis鈥檚 design proposal for a contemporary artist residency that reimagines the traditional Appalachian cantilever barn as four artist residences arranged around a shared courtyard. Each residence provides space for artists to work independently, while the shared courtyard encourages collaboration and community.

Over 12 weeks, the concept evolved from initial research and sketches into a complete set of construction documents. An elevated deck connects the residences, inspired by the barn’s iconic cantilevered form while drawing residents into the surrounding landscape.

Cedar shake roofing, hickory wood, and linen textiles draw from Appalachian craftsmanship, while a custom biodegradable insulation brick made from soil, reclaimed sawdust, oil, and moss reflects her commitment to sustainable, locally inspired design.

Drakakis credits Professor Kim with helping her recognize that sometimes less is more.

“He challenged me to simplify the project and let the materials speak for themselves,” she said. “That guidance ultimately made the design stronger and more honest.”

The project stood out beyond the studio. Based on the strength of her work, Drakakis was nominated to submit Rootbound Studios for the prestigious Angelo Donghia Scholarship.

A National Honor

Drakakis was visiting family in the Philippines when she learned she had been awarded the Angelo Donghia Scholarship. Because of the 12-hour time difference, she missed the initial phone call but opened the email during a family brunch.

“It was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life,” she said.

Named in honor of renowned interior designer Angelo Donghia, the scholarship is awarded each year to a select group of undergraduate students whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, technical skill, and innovation in interior architecture and design. Submissions are evaluated by a jury composed of prominent figures in the fields of interior architecture, architecture, and design media.鈥疶his is the second consecutive year a UT student has received the scholarship.

“The Donghia Foundation’s ongoing support of the UT School of Interior Architecture highlights the exceptional quality of our student body and the dedication of our faculty,” said Liz Teston, interim director and professor of interior architecture. “Angelo Donghia’s design philosophy championed a holistic approach to interiors, and awarding Rena this significant prize reflects her creativity and her own holistic design approach.”

While the scholarship recognizes one project, Drakakis’s interest in design began years earlier.

Growing up in Maryland with two parents who are architects, she was surrounded by conversations about buildings and design. Still, she found her own path through art and competitive swimming before discovering interior architecture, where creativity, problem-solving, and purpose came together.

As she prepares for her senior year, Drakakis is already looking ahead. This fall, Rena will begin applying to graduate programs to pursue a Master of Architecture, with the long term goal of eventually starting her own practice.

Wherever that path leads, she hopes to keep learning from every place she visits and every person she meets along the way.

“One of the most important responsibilities about being a designer is understanding the people you’re designing for,” she said. “I am so grateful to the Angelo Donghia Foundation.”

鈥淭hank you to my professors these past years and thank you to my department for the nomination.鈥�