The Florida International University School of Architecture is proud to celebrate Interior Architecture student Destiny Moore, who recently represented FIU at NeoCon 2026 in Chicago after being selected as one of just 50 students from colleges and universities across the country to participate in the exclusive NeoCon x Fulton Market Design Days and the IIDA National Student Design Competition.
Sponsored by MillerKnoll, Behr Paint Company, Momentum Textiles & Wallcoverings, and the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association, the two-day experience immersed students in the latest innovations shaping the future of interior design while challenging them to think creatively under pressure.
For Moore, the opportunity was both inspiring and transformative.
“It was the best privilege to be a part of something that was bigger than I thought,” she said.
The experience began with Design Days, where participants explored Chicago’s renowned Fulton Market Design District and toured the showrooms of MillerKnoll and Design Within Reach. Students were introduced to emerging trends in furniture, materials, color palettes, and workplace design while gaining firsthand exposure to the industry’s leading manufacturers and designers.
On the second day, the students put their creativity to the test during the IIDA National Student Design Charette. Divided into 10 interdisciplinary teams, participants received a design prompt that morning and had just 4.5 hours to develop a complete concept for an 8,700-square-foot workplace that encouraged collaboration and client engagement. Each team was responsible for creating a space plan, floor plan, material palette, concept statement, and hand-drawn sketches.
Moore’s team drew inspiration from the concept of a prism.
“Our group concept was inspired by a prism, to come into a workplace as an individual but leaving for the day as if you’ve gained a colorful community,” she explained.
Unlike many design competitions, the Charette prohibited the use of technology. Teams relied solely on hand sketching and photographs they had taken during Design Days, encouraging participants to think quickly, collaborate effectively, and communicate ideas through traditional design methods.
Beyond the competition itself, Moore said the opportunity to connect with fellow design students from across the country was one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.
“Being able to participate in this event and meet so many amazing young designers from different parts of the world was great,” she said. “It was nice to see everyone in the room all love the same thing.”
Moore’s participation at NeoCon 2026 reflects the School of Architecture’s commitment to preparing students for leadership in the design profession through experiential learning, industry engagement, and national opportunities.
