Amanda Mericle - Virginia Tech Fall 2020 Interior Design Portfolio

AMANDA MERICLE Interior Design 2020 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

agmericle00@vt.edu 757.598.3306 www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-mericle

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01

Verge Veteran Community Living Center

02

A+D Library

03

Care Net Regional Office

Architecture and Design Library

Washington DC Regional Office

04

Hand Sketches

Marker and Sketch Work

01

Verge

Newport News, Virginia Junior Year Partner Project 3 weeks Revit, Enscape, Photoshop

Floor Plan NTS

Newport News, VIrginia was chosen as the site location due to the large number of veterans residing there. It is a city mainly accessed by bridges.

The culture of Newport News is greatly influenced by the shipyard where many military ships are built. This brings an industrial feel and culture to the city.

CONCEPT

The concept of a bridge influenced design elements of the space. The main entrance on the north side of the building contains a clear circulation path, drawn from the angular structure of the bridges to enable comfort and clarity for the user to experience the intent of the space. The east wing contains the more private areas. On the west wing, the more collaborative, connecting areas are encapsulated by the feature piece composed of copper that further guides the user to these more active areas, eventually leading toward the courtyard. To create more convergence, specifically between the residents, there is a secondary path around the units with overhanging facades, establishing an interior street.

The space draws inspiration from the surrounding connectors around the site that make it unique. By focusing on the two main bridges and the boardwalk, these converging factors are symbols of unity and progress. Ultimately, the aim is to produce a socially sustainable residence that connects to the community.

The interior facade and street was inspired by the pockets of a bridge. These pockets create a space where residents and passerbys can connect. The overhang created by an extended second floor gives a “front porch� to each of the individual units that can be customized with different types of seating. The interior walkway becomes a path of socialization that is used to connect all the residents of the veteran community living center.

Section NTS

Feature Piece

Angled, copper columns extend through the space in order to highlight the primary interior street as well as emphasize the high ceilings. These columns pay homage to the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel, in addition to the industrial heritage of the city. The portion of the feature piece that is located in the courtyard is constructed of wood to tie it to the natural elements of the site. Overall, each location of the piece reminds users of a pergola in order to further establish a feeling of community.

02

A+D Library

Blacksburg, Virginia Sophomore Year 5 weeks SketchUp, Photoshop

Floor Plan NTS

CONCEPT

The library acts as a space where the students of Virginia Tech can come to gain knowledge. This concept is acheived by looking at the transition from traditional methods of finding information to more advanced methods as we have made technological advances as a society. As I looked at this transition, the form of a line was constant. Traditionally, knowledge was passed down through handwriting which is made up of connecting lines.

Now we use technology which can be simplified to lines of code. I took the abstracted idea of a line and made that a driving force of my design. The zones of the library are based off a strong diagonal line running through the axis of the space. As you move into the wings of the library, the zones become less diagonal to preserve the function of the library but they still follow the axis of the central zone.

FEATURE PIECE

The feature piece deals with the concept of ascension. The mobile shelves are encased on either side by two panels of glass that play the role of showcasing the shelves.

They are further enhanced by a design on the front panel of glass that leads the eye upwards. The design utilizes lines of light to make the glass panels glow.

Section NTS

03

CareNet Regional Office Washington D.C. Junior Year 5 weeks Revit, Enscape, Photoshop

6

Floor Plan NTS

Floor Plan 1/8” = 1’-0” CONCEPT

1. Reception

7. Copy/Storage

2. Bar Seating

8. Counseling Rooms

The regional office of CareNet in DC meets the needs of the people it serves by 3 . W o r k Sand t a tlaid i o nback s 9 . MAecentral e t i n gzone S punites a c e all the areas of fostering a collaborative environment. the office and provides a space where employees can recharge and bounce ideas off of . Czone o l l aisbinspired orativ Wway o r k a daisy’s 1 0 . Bpetals r e a kcurl r oinwards o m and outwards one another.4This byethe depending on the amount of sunlight the flower is receiving. When employees get stuck on . I Table C l otos e t 1 1 . of Fle x i space b l e Ctol aget s s peer room an idea, they5 are migrate towards the center the feedback and then spread back out with their new ideas.

6. Restrooms

The central zone of the regional office creates a collaborative space where employees can feed off of each other’s ideas and suggestions. CareNet is a company that is very laid back and thrives off of coworkers collaborating on projects together. Everyone is focused on the company’s mission and this unites all the employees together. The open office plan fosters this atmosphere to further unite everyone using the space.

Section NTS

The materials and color palette were chosen to create a calming and relaxing environment. The grey and teal colors are pulled from CareNet’s logo and yellow was chosen as an accent color. The teal and yellow provide a pop of color in the more active zones like the collaborative space and kitchen area whereas the grey gives a more calming effect where focused work is important like at the individual work stations.

04

Hand Sketches

Pencil and Ink Sketching Sophomore Year

Modified Contour A method of sketching that forces the artist to draw the actual form of the object that they see instead of what they think the form should be.

Altered State A compilation of sketches that explore spaces being viewed from unusual angles.

Abstract Space An exploration of how space interacts with itself and scale figures.

Interior Perspectives A compilation of sketches of interior spaces around the campus of Virginia Tech.

Thank You agmericle00@vt.edu 757.598.3306 www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-mericle