Portfolio by Alexa Buckland

alexa buckland portfolio

welcome! My name is Alexa Buckland and I am an Interior Design student at Virginia Tech. I fell in love with interior design when I knew that I could be creative and collaborative in my everyday work. I enjoy creating spaces that are sustainable, healthy and effective in increasing overall occupant health and wellness. In my time at Virginia Tech, I was fortunate to work on a variety of project types and to be exposed to different methods that contribute to designing healthier spaces. I am most inspired when collaborating with different people and finding my creative expression through impactful design. When I am not designing, I enjoy running, cooking, and traveling to find places that inspire me. I appreciate you taking the time to view some of my work.

Alexa Buckland alexacb00@vt.edu Virginia Tech

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Caldera Spa

5sense

NEXT Cosmetics Company

Holistic Spa and Residential Unit

Homeless Shelter and Basic Needs Day Center

Steelcase NEXT Competition

caldera Caldera Holistic Spa and Residence Individual Research and Design Fourth Year, Five Weeks Caldera holistic spa and retreat is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in the neighborhood of Kaimuki, Honolulu. Caldera is named after Diamond Head crater, a dormant volcano and natural landmark that overlooks the capital city. On the island of Oahu, a rare flower called the Ohi’a Lehua flower grows from the volcanic ash and soil. The roots divide the metamorphic rock to colonize previous lava flow and grow into a blooming plant. This plant is important to Hawaiian culture as ‘where lava flows, these flowers grow’. Caldera spa emphasizes the afterlife of volcanic activity through a direct path that leads to the pool and massage rooms which are areas for growth and healing. The spa has a natural palette complimented by the richness of basalt volcanic rock. The natural palette is calming to patients with multiple sclerosis while the conceptual design strides to represent growth and flourishment after a calamity. In the residence space, universal design principles are executed to create a space that is comfortable for all who enter. Throughout the building, basalt and wood from the Ohi’a Lehua flower, is used for structural and decorative purposes.

National Bienenstock Competition 2021: One of Five Finalists Selected to Represent Virginia Tech

Reception

Site

Kaimuki Honolu lu, HI

Diamond Head Crater

Concept Imagery

Pool

10 14 04

13 12

17 11

05 02

Floor Plan NTS

Entry + Lobby

Rest Area

Entry + Dining Room

Half Bathroom

Bookkeeper’s Office

Pool

Kitchen

Guest Bedroom + Den

Women’s Restroom

Massage Room A

Living Room

Master Bedroom

Men’s Restroom

Massage Room B

Laundry Unit

Master Bathroom

Yoga + Exercise Space

Private Consultation Room

The parti is informed by the growth of the Ohi’a Lehua flower as it buries its roots in the ashes of the volcano and blooms into a beautiful flower. A passageway from the entry way mimics the roots, guiding the visitor through the spa. At the top of the building, the massage rooms and pool act as the flowers for these spaces are areas for growth and wellness.

Light Massage Room

Dark Massage Room

Materials

Zoning Diagram

Interface Studio Set LVT

Standard Concrete Floor

Sherwin Williams Paint

Cambria Woodcroft Surface

Locally Sourced Basalt

MDC Wallcovering

Entry Point

Egress Path

Healing and Wellness Areas

Residence

Exterior Elevation

Kitchen

MATERIALS These locally sourced, natural materials are products of the aftermath of a volcanic eruption in Hawaii. Basalt is formed from the cooling of volcanic magma into solid rock. The wood from the Ohi’a Lehua flower is rich in color and texture and showcases the beauty of a rare plant that grows out of the ashes.

Half Bath

m/revit

UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED KITCHEN

Kitchen Elevation 1/4" Wide = 1'-0"Entry Space

Low Food Prep Countertop

Large Kickspace Under Counter

Open Shelving/ Storage

ADA Accessible Stovetop and Sink

Microwave and Oven Low to Ground

Alexa Buckland Caldera Spa

No.

Description

Date

Kitchen Elevatio Project number Date Drawn by Checked by

Project Numb 9/17/21 Author Checker

Living Room

5sense Homeless Shelter + Basic Needs Day Center Team Collaboration with Erin Mulligan Third Year, Seven Weeks 5sense homeless shelter, located in Roanoke, Virginia is more than a place to stay the night. It is a sanctuary thoughtfully designed to improve the lives of the homeless community. By implementing research on the social issue of homelessness, the space was designed with the purpose to serve the homeless community and advocate for progressive change. Ultimately, the shelter is a safe space that promotes wellness and inner peace for all. In order to better understand the homeless community and cultivate a space that is safe and comfortable, the Roanoke shelter is designed around the five senses. 5sense is a peaceful place that fosters a community by first recognizing the importance of the individual self and one’s independence. This includes sensory experiences that make the occupant feel comfortable and cared for. The two level space is connected by a central staircase that represents the soul of the body that control’s the five senses.

Main Level View

Lobby + Reception

WELCOME TO 5SENSE Guests are invited into the building by the sweet aroma of coffee as a small cafe makes up the entry space and lobby. A reception desk serves as a check in and information center where guests can learn about the myriad of amentities offered throughout the shelter and day center. Guests are invited to sit and relax as multiple seating options are available in the entry space including egg swings that add a sense of childhood nostalgia. Coffee Bar Axonometric

First Level Plan NTS

1 Lobby+Reception

6 Lavatories

2 Coffee Bar

7 Storage

3 Exercise Room

8 Day Showers

4 Dining Area

9 Lockers + Seating

5 Warming Kitchen

10 Public Access Stair

Basement Level Plan NTS

1 Staff Area

6 Men’s Restroom

2 Women’s Sleeping Area

7 Men’s Sleeping Area

3 Women’s Restroom

8 Counseling Center

4 Employee Access Stair

9 Storage

5 Lounge

10 Laundry Services

Counseling Center

Access Stair+Water Feature

Water Wall Axonometric

STIMULATING THE SENSES 5sense was designed with the belief that a homeless shelter is more than just a place to stay the night, it is a sanctuary that provides peace to all, no matter their past struggles. A custom water wall feature in the central core of the space creates a sense of tranquility while stimulating the hearing and visual senses. The water feature also ties in biophilic design patterns to further strengthen the concept of tranquility and the sensory experiences.

LISTEN, LEARN, ADVOCATE

Water Wall Elevation

Counseling services offered provide a safe space for guests to overcome their struggles and learn essential life skills. Two counseling rooms serve as centers for therapy and healing, while staff can learn from the homeless community and adovocate for change.

Two Level Axonometric

NEXT NEXT Cosmetics Office Steelcase NEXT Competition Individual, Workplace Fourth Year, Seven Weeks Next’s New York City satellite office is a new installation of work inspired by Korean artist Do Ho Suh. Do Ho Suh’s artworks represent his idea of a home and uses ‘fabric architecture’ to create unique representations of domestic space. Inspired by his childhood home, he explores the concept of a home and the spaces within. Do Ho Suh uses fabric architecture where bright colors of fabric and string are strung together to create space. These bright colors inform the color concept of the space. References to Korean and Asian architecture are also present in the office. The NEXT office is a fusion of traditional Korean domestic architecture and Do Ho Suh’s modern approach to domesticity. The Next office is a workspace that encourages creativity and thinking outside the box, much like Do Ho Suh. The Korean architectural elements are a gesture to not only Do Ho Suh but the cosmetic companies founder, who migrated from Korea at a young age. The New York City installation is fun and colorful while integrating workspaces that work for all.

Lobby Elevation *NEXT is a fictional cosmetics company created for the 2021 Steelcase NEXT competition

Lobby and Reception

WHAT’S NEXT? The NEXT office is a creative, conceptually and spatially driven fusion of the two design focuses, art and architecture. Structural elements such as the screens and materials in the office are inspired by traditional Korean architecture. The color concept and focus on bright fabrics is inspired by Do Ho Suh’s art. Together these elements complete a bright and creative work space that aids in representing NEXT’s company culture.

Parti

Hanok Floor Plan

Concept Imagery

Stair and Enclave

16 10

3 2

15 2

10 -

10 13 11

12 Seventh Floor Plan NTS

7th Floor Wireframe 1/8" = 1'-0"

1 Reception + Lobby

5 Mother’s Room

2 Small Enclaves

9 Retail Mock Up

13 Resource Room

6 Product Storage

10 Conference Room

14 Resource Board

3 Workstations

7 Makerspace

11 Private Offices

15 Stair to 8th Floor

4 Wellness Room

8 Marketing Room

12 Meeting Room

16 Work Cafe

7 1 2

Eigth Floor Plan NTS

Makeup Art Studio

2 Small Enclave

3 Private Office

5 Photo + Video Studio

4 Resource Room

6 Wellness Room

3 4

7 Outdoor Terrace

Meeting Room

SPATIAL VARIETY The NEXT office provides a variety of workspaces to optimize occupant wellness and productivity. The workspaces vary from individual work, group work to meeting rooms. These spaces in the NEXT office ensure that employees are well cared for and are provided the proper spaces to be both productive and healthy while at work.

Workspace Zones for individual study and focus, may include some quiet collaboration with others Social Space Zones where NEXT employees can collaborate on different tasks or discuss outside work topics Meeting Space Zones where NEXT employees can collaborate and work in large or small groups Rejuvenation Space Zones for wellness and relaxation. NEXT employees can take breaks from work tasks and focus on mental health

Beauty Counter

Work Cafe

Material Health- Celliant Fabrics All upholstery in the Next office is Steelcase or Designtex celliant fabrics. Celliant fabrics are naturally safe materials that have 13 thermo-reactive materials embedded into them. Celliant is FDA approved and has even been approved as a medical device and wellness product. Within minutes of sitting down, an occupant can reap the benefits of these materials including lowered blood pressure.

Consulta Address Address Phone Fax e-mail

No.

Private Work Enclave

Pro E

Project Numb Date Drawn By Checked By

Work Enclave Elevation 1

Enclave Elevation 1/2" = 1'-0"

Scale

alexacb00@vt.edu 703.687.7254

thank you!