For the first time the School of Interior Design will display one of every students’ projects at its year end show — more than 400 projects.

Each spring, over the past 60 years, the School of Interior Design has opened its doors to the public, displaying the students’ projects for all to see.

But this year, the committee in charge of planning the show has made a few changes.

In previous years, the focus was on showcasing fourth-year student projects. Jana Macalik, faculty advisor and associate professor, said that this approach gave the impression of a graduating show, which played a part in deterring student volunteers. This year, the goal was to make the show more inclusive to all students in every year.

“I noticed last year that there was a lack of ‘school spirit’ when it came to volunteering for the show. This could be because you don’t really feel motivated to help if your projects didn’t get chosen for the show, or you didn’t feel invested in the show itself,” said Mel Sanderson, volunteer coordinator.

The traditional grading policy has been modified to ensure more participation from all students,

For years, interior design students were required to attend design events within and outside of school that go toward their overall participation mark, this requirement is known as a passport. Now, year-end-show volunteer hours will be reflected in the student’s passport. So far, this news has received great response from students which is evident in the filled volunteer sign-up sheets that hang outside the school’s studio.

“Raw” is this year’s showcase theme. The committee’s mandate was to expose the school opposed to covering it up. To showcase rawness, the committee looked for reusable material that could be incorporated.

“We’re always hustling and looking out for materials that can be used for the show,” Sanderson said. The committee was able to salvage a tree that had been knocked over by hurricane Sandy’s gusts and was moments away from being thrown into a chipper by city workers. It will now be used to make tables for the show. “The idea is to take something that’s had its life, and give it a second life,” said Lucinda McGroarty, chair of committee.

The committee is composed of six executive members, five of whom are fourth-year students and all of whom were on the committee last year. They are guided by a faculty advisor and receive help from student volunteers. Due to the amount of work and responsibility required to be on the committee, the executive members receive academic credit for their work — as substitute for a course.

Plywood that was used in the show will be donated after to Habitat for Humanity to be used for building homes and giving the material another life.

The setup and overall transformation of the building will include nearly 65 installations that is  being designed and constructed by students.

One of the larger installations is the coat-check room, which is being constructed by a two-person team. Fourth-year student Marti Hawkins, uses fabric to cover vehicles at her parents’ business. She’s constructing a cloud-like sheet to hang from the ceiling, which will drape throughout the space.

“The idea is to transform the feeling of the space and kind of veil it so when you exit the room, the show is being unveiled and the rawness will be exposed,” Hawkins said.

Every floor and space of the three-storey building (except the basement — which will be used for storage) will be utilized, said Megan Trumble, site director. “The most important part of the site has a lot to do with how people take in the atmosphere of the building.”

“We trust each other. You want to put in a lot of work because you know everyone else is working hard,” said Naomi Tallin, committee media director.

The opening gala is on April 25 at 6:30p.m. The night will include food, drinks — mostly provided by sponsors including ESKA, Steam Whistle and Amsterdam Breweries — a DJ, and over 2,000 attendees.