Emerging Design, Inclusive Futures
Jill Bernhard at EMERGE 2026
On April 30th, creativity and innovation took center stage at the EMERGE 2026 Graduation Gala & Networking Event, hosted at The Galt Collective. Running from 7:00–9:00 PM, this dynamic evening showcased the culmination of student work from the Bachelor of Interior Design program at Conestoga College—featuring final capstone exhibitions alongside program award announcements.
Designed as a celebration of technical precision and organic transformation, EMERGE brought together students, faculty, and community to recognize the next generation of designers and the ideas shaping more thoughtful, human-centred environments.
Among the attendees is our Operations Coordinator, Jill Bernhard, who was there in support of graduating student Selah Robaillard—whose capstone project reflects a powerful intersection of design, therapy, and lived experience.
A Capstone Rooted in Neurodiversity
Selah Robaillard’s capstone project explores the design of a hypothetical autism learning and therapy centre grounded in the belief that learning emerges through rhythm, sensory regulation, and emotional safety.
The project envisions a space where environments adapt to the individual—not the other way around. Through flexible, modular layouts and curvilinear forms, the design supports a wide range of sensory needs, energy levels, and learning styles.
Key features of the concept include:
- Sensory zoning that allows users to move between low- and high-stimulation environments
- Predictable, intuitive wayfinding that supports independence
- Integrated therapy and learning spaces to strengthen continuity of care
- Acoustic and lighting strategies that prioritize regulation, focus, and well-being
Inspired in part by principles of music therapy, the design treats space itself as a kind of rhythm—guiding movement, interaction, and moments of pause.
Jill’s Advisory Role
Jill Bernhard contributed to this project in an advisory, client-informed capacity, offering insight drawn from her work supporting children and families at bitKIDS. Her feedback helped ensure the design remained grounded in real-world application—particularly in creating spaces that feel welcoming, adaptable, and far removed from clinical or institutional environments.
Project notes reflect this influence, including considerations around maintaining a warm, non-hospital atmosphere and supporting practical day-to-day functionality.
Jill’s role highlights the importance of collaboration between designers and practitioners—bringing lived experience into the design process to create spaces that truly support those who use them.
Recognizing Design Leadership
This project was further strengthened through the guidance of an external industry professional:
Design Consultant: Victoria Berwick (Trznadel) | LinkedIn
Company: CAKE Interior Design
Professional Affiliation: Member of Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario
As a Registered Interior Designer, Vicki brought valuable industry perspective to the project—supporting the refinement of technical details and ensuring alignment with current professional standards and best practices.
Looking Ahead
Events like EMERGE are more than a celebration—they are a glimpse into the future of design. Selah’s work demonstrates how inclusive, sensory-informed environments can foster independence, engagement, and belonging for neurodiverse individuals.
We’re proud to see Jill contributing her perspective in a way that supports emerging designers, and we’re inspired by the thoughtful, human-centered work coming out of the Class of 2026.
Congratulations to Selah and the entire graduating class—we can’t wait to see how your ideas shape the spaces of tomorrow.
