Partner: FSU Food for Thought Pantry  

Project: Sustainable Design 

Student: Natalie Stiles 

In Spring 2023, Natalie Stiles, a fourth-year undergraduate in the Interior Architecture and Design program at Florida State University (FSU), worked on a Sustainability Fellows project with the Food for Thought Pantry, a vital resource for students facing food insecurity. As a Sustainability Fellow, Natalie's mission was to lay the groundwork for a potential campaign to relocate and expand the pantry's physical space. By conducting research on sustainable design principles, creating initial designs, and estimating costs, Natalie aimed to enhance the pantry's functionality, capacity, and sustainability. 

Operated by the Department of Student Support and Transitions at FSU, the Food for Thought Pantry provides essential support to currently enrolled students experiencing food insecurity. Recognizing the need to improve and enlarge the pantry's physical space, a Sustainability Fellow was enlisted to collate research, identify suitable sites, and create initial design concepts while prioritizing sustainability. 

Natalie's passion lies in sustainable design for commercial fields, and she recently became a LEED Green Associate in December 2022. Believing that sustainability is fundamental to the built environment, Natalie is committed to creating a positive future for the environment, economy, and society. With internships at Commercial Design Services and Find Home Market, as well as serving as Secretary for the Interior Design Student Organization (IDSO), Natalie has honed her technical and creative skills in the field. The opportunity to contribute to the FSU Food for Thought Pantry aligns perfectly with her interests, allowing her to apply her expertise while making a meaningful difference. 

Natalie's proposal aimed to expand the pantry's space and capacity while adhering to principles of social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Through extensive research, pre-design planning, and schematic design development, Natalie created a comprehensive design package. This package included an overall floor plan, perspective views, and material selections that would create a functional space while considering the emotional needs of the pantry's users. Key elements of the design included designated areas for staff and students, enhanced storage with additional refrigeration, clear wayfinding for students, space for resources and community events, and environmentally sustainable material selections. The final design plan allowed for growth and included a multipurpose community room. 

The project's significance lies in improving the physical space and capacity of the Food for Thought Pantry to better meet the unmet needs of students and provide increased access to supplemental food resources. Natalie's proposal and design package served as a crucial precursor to future fundraising efforts. In April, Natalie presented her designs to key stakeholders, including the Student Support and Transitions department head, the FSU Foundation Director of Development for DSA, the Associate Vice President over the Health & Wellness portfolio, and the Vice President of Student Affairs. The reception to her vision was overwhelmingly positive, with stakeholders expressing excitement for the proposal's potential impact. 

Haley Gentile, the case manager, said, "Natalie crafted an exquisite proposal that we are striving to apply. These parties were immediately enthusiastic about her vision." 

Natalie Stiles' collaboration with the FSU Food for Thought Pantry exemplifies the power of sustainable design in addressing social issues and fostering student support. By envisioning and creating a space that prioritizes functionality, user experience, and sustainability, Natalie's design proposal paves the way for the pantry's growth and longevity. Her dedication to integrating sustainability into the built environment highlights the profound impact that students can have in promoting positive change within their university community. 

As the FSU Food for Thought Pantry moves forward with Natalie's designs, it opens doors to a more inclusive and sustainable future, ensuring that students facing food insecurity receive the support they need to thrive. 

To learn more about the Sustainability Fellows program, visit sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/sustainability-fellows.