PAVE Global Announces Winner of 2025 PAVE x Whole Foods Market Student Design Challenge

Louisiana State University Student Designs Top Concept for Community Café Space

PAVE Global, in partnership with Whole Foods Market, is proud to announce the winner of the 2025 PAVE Global x Whole Foods Market Student Design Challenge. After careful consideration, Lorena Martinez Manzano from Louisiana State University's Interior Design program has been selected as the winner for her exceptional café/seating area concept.

Martinez Manzano, a member of the Class of 2025, impressed the judges with her thoughtful design that reimagines the future of community gathering spaces while embodying Whole Foods Market's core values and aesthetic principles.

"Reviewing the student submissions for the Whole Foods Market café design challenge was exciting! We selected Lorena Martinez Manzano as the winner for her creativity, cohesive concept, and executable presentation," said Christine Sturch, Principal Project Manager Design, Process & Change Management – WWRGD Design, Whole Foods Market. "Her thoughtful design seamlessly blended Whole Foods Market branding and style guides with fresh energy, aligning with our goal of creating comfortable, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing spaces for customers to enjoy. We can truly envision this space coming to life for our customers."

As the winner of this prestigious competition, Martinez Manzano will have her design concept prominently featured in the PAVE Global booth (#530) at the upcoming Shop! MarketPlace event in Charlotte, North Carolina, from April 8-10, 2025. Additionally, she will receive a trip to attend the event, including flight, hotel accommodations, and per diem.

To View Lorena's Project, Click the Slider Arrows Above.

During Shop! MarketPlace, Martinez Manzano will have the unique opportunity to participate in educational sessions, network with industry professionals, and see her winning design concept showcased to industry leaders. She will also be attending the PAVE Social @ Shop! MarketPlace, providing additional opportunities to connect with industry leaders and fellow designers. Attendees are encouraged to visit the PAVE Experiential Zone to experience the winning design firsthand and meet the talented student designer who will be present to share insights into her creative process and vision.

The Student Design Challenge invited college-level students to concept a café/seating area that connects with the community, utilizes Whole Foods Market's core values, and creates an aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly space. Participants were encouraged to design spaces where people would want to linger, featuring Instagram-worthy moments and comfortable environments.

A special thank you to Grand Rapids Chair Company for providing the furniture selected by Lorena to display in the PAVE booth.

For more information about PAVE Global and the 2025 PAVE Global x Whole Foods Market Student Design Challenge, please visit www.paveglobal.org.

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About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980, Austin-based Whole Foods Market is the world's leading natural and organic foods retailer and the first certified organic national grocer in the United States. Part of Amazon's Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market serves customers in more than 530 stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

To learn more about Whole Foods Market, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com

About Grand Rapids Chair Company

Grand Rapids Chair Company creates beautiful, durable, and sustainable furniture, made in the USA. Their products offer exceptional options for both residential and commercial settings. Come and check it out for yourself!

To learn more, visit https://grandrapidschair.com/

About PAVE Global

Founded in 1992 as The Planning and Visual Education Partnership, PAVE Global is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, with all proceeds benefitting PAVE's educational programs. The organization enables young talent to build successful careers designing and creating consumer environments. Our vision is to cultivate relationships with students, educators, and the design industry through financial assistance, top-industry thinking, inspiration, and mentorship.

For more information, please visit www.paveglobal.org.