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Poignant design award for aspiring young MA furniture student
Talented MA Furniture: Design & Technology student, Ashish Shakuniya, has been awarded the Kevin Parsloe Award for Outstanding Design Innovation in memory of Kevin Parsloe, a senior lecturer in furniture at Bucks New University who died 19 years ago.
The Award, worth £250, was presented by Kevin’s widow, Viv, at a special ceremony held at the University. Viv, from Towersey Drive in Thame, has two daughters and four grandchildren, and said of the award: “I could really relate to the Ashish’s work and was very impressed with the delivery of concept on full scale designs, through to final product. My husband would have approved of my choice of award winner.”
Ashish’s award-winning work was recently exhibited to the public at the MA Furniture: Design & Technology end of year Show. Entitled: “Space Saving Furniture: Small spaces and transient lifestyles”, Ashish’s work set out to discover the furniture needs of young people like himself, and what they choose to hold on to, as they move from home to home, often across continents and in and out of rented accommodation. Using CNC technology and basic panel construction, Ashish has created a range of versatile seats, which with their dual purpose surfaces, such as chairs that could also be used as a desk or storage space, are ideal for moving from home to home.
Prior to his passing, Kevin Parsloe worked at the institution for almost 30 years as a senior lecturer on the BA Furniture Design course. On 10 December 1992, he suffered a heart attack and died, aged just 54. Instead of sending flowers, mourners were invited to make donations in order to establish a trust fund at the University in Kevin’s memory, for the benefit of the furniture courses and its students. For the past 19 years, the interest from the trust fund has been awarded periodically to highly talented students, and this year’s winner, Ashish is no exception.
Ashish is an international student from India, now living in Healey Avenue, High Wycombe. He said to Viv Parsloe at the presentation: “I’m speechless! I’m extremely happy to receive this award, and thank you very much. I didn’t expect to win, but will use the money to help further my career going forward.”The Award, worth £250, was presented by Kevin’s widow, Viv, at a special ceremony held at the University. Viv, from Towersey Drive in Thame, has two daughters and four grandchildren, and said of the award: “I could really relate to the Ashish’s work and was very impressed with the delivery of concept on full scale designs, through to final product. My husband would have approved of my choice of award winner.”
Ashish’s award-winning work was recently exhibited to the public at the MA Furniture: Design & Technology end of year Show. Entitled: “Space Saving Furniture: Small spaces and transient lifestyles”, Ashish’s work set out to discover the furniture needs of young people like himself, and what they choose to hold on to, as they move from home to home, often across continents and in and out of rented accommodation. Using CNC technology and basic panel construction, Ashish has created a range of versatile seats, which with their dual purpose surfaces, such as chairs that could also be used as a desk or storage space, are ideal for moving from home to home.
Prior to his passing, Kevin Parsloe worked at the institution for almost 30 years as a senior lecturer on the BA Furniture Design course. On 10 December 1992, he suffered a heart attack and died, aged just 54. Instead of sending flowers, mourners were invited to make donations in order to establish a trust fund at the University in Kevin’s memory, for the benefit of the furniture courses and its students. For the past 19 years, the interest from the trust fund has been awarded periodically to highly talented students, and this year’s winner, Ashish is no exception.
Bucks New University is the home of the National School of Furniture (NSF), which is celebrating its first year anniversary. Launched a year ago, the NSF is a partnership between the University and Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, working together with businesses and associations to provide progressive furniture education from Level 1 (Certificate) through to Level 8 (PhD). It is the first time that the full range of learning levels have been offered together in this way, through an integrated centre for excellence.
