Phuong Mai Interior Design Portfolio 2021 by Phuong Mai

INTERIOR DESIGNER. LISTENER. STORYTELLER.

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY COURSE: IAD 450 | SPRING 2021 Portfolio Preparation INSTRUCTOR: Leonarda Tamayo DESIGNER CONTACT: Phuong Mai P 510.369.9290 E anhphuong2612@gmail.com PHOTOGRAPHY: Phuong Mai, Pinterest, Google Images, Bing FONTS: Garamond: Regular, Italic, Bold, Italic Bold Spartan: Regular, Bold iCiel Internacional: Regular, Bold COPYRIGHT © PHUONG MAI 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage or retrieval system, without express permission from Phuong Mai the designer.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for taking your precious time to look at this portfolio and get to know me a little more. I am honored to share with you my design journey and the many hidden stories behind it. Coming from Vietnam – a country with a 4000-year-old culture yet is still facing many problems and make enormous efforts to grow every day, I grew up with colorful tales of tireless people and a culture that can never be forgotten. They are the tales that sometimes full of hope, while other times filled with a great deal of sorrow. I have always been immensely passionate about storytelling and using visual elements to deliver untold messages. Such beautiful narratives, as I believe, should be expressed more effective and widely diffused, that is also the reason I decided to become an interior designer. By combining creative thinking, aesthetic taste, and problem-solving, I want to create spaces that convey the most interesting stories – those that are born to connect, unite, and inspire. With an eclectic and multi-layered approach to design, I strive to forge strong connections with and between people. Each design will lead people through a journey that starts with visual elements and ends with emotions: excitement, nostalgia, and perhaps, a little bit of curiosity. I appreciate the process of exploring, not only with concepts and ideas but also with the stories and emotions that they deliver. As a designer, the mission that I’ve set for myself is to use art and design as a language to communicate with people while adorning cultural values – of a brand, a community, or a generation. Through my works, I want to focus on the definition of “we” rather than “me”. By enhancing shared values and ideals of a community, I aim to draw a connection among people as well as ignite a sense of belonging and pride within them. With a culture-centered mindset, I believe that it is always important to consider the bigger picture of every problem and solve it wisely in a way that innovations and traditional values can co-exist and thrive. As for the moment, I am grateful for being a part of such a creative community and having the chance to learn new things every day. I value failures and see them as the best opportunity for growth. My goal is to endlessly improve my skill set and problem-solving ability as a designer. Through my past internships and freelance opportunities, where I have the chance to truly connect, listen, and fulfill the wishes of my clients, my vision for design has been clearer than ever before – to deliver meaningful stories that inspire, to foster the connection between innovative changes and cultural values, as well as to give back to society as much as possible.

Best,

Phuong Mai.

contents

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

PROJECT BACKGROUND Jikan Galleria is a small-scale Senior Center located in Osaka, Japan. Rather than defining themselves as an ordinary facility for elder people, Jikan Galleria sough to deliver more meaningful values to their community: spreading happiness, nurturing kindness, and honoring the culture of Japan. Named after the word “jikan” meaning “time” in Japanese, Jikan Galleria strongly values the present and strives to create the best experiences for their residents at every moment. Through a variety of inspiring activities, high-end facilities, as well as a team of wholehearted staffs, they focus on building a close-knit community where people can connect with each other, enjoy memorable times, and experiences different aspects of the Japanese culture through activities, art, culinary, and good designs.

SITE HISTORY As early as the 5th century, Osaka was considered the economical heart of Japan as many trades activities between Japan with other Asia countries took place at the port of Naniwa, Osaka. Thanks to such interactions, the city has received a lot of great products and learnt many techniques from other places, which helped it to develop faster and faster through time. It was also in this era that Buddhism started to spread throughout the country. Many large temple was built and some of them still exist until nowadays such as the Shitennoji Temple or Isshinji Temple. One iconic building of this city is the Osaka Castle – the pride of Osaka. The castle was built in the 16th century in order to express the power of Japanese’s samurai. With no doubt, Osaka holds a very rich and colorful heritage that has contributed in many aspects to the development of Japan.

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

NEIGHBORHOOD MAP

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

CONCEPT

Osaka is a very special city: its culture is a beautiful mixture of traditional, retro, and modern. This is because the people of Osaka always try their best to protect the city’s precious past while continuously developing and adding more colors to that canvas. Inspired by the concept of time-lapse photography, I want to depicts the cultural revolution of Osaka from its early years to modern days as if each era is a photograph in a time-lapse series. When being put together, different components representing different time periods will tell the liveliest stories of the past, remind us to appreciate the present, and look forward to an even brighter future. In order to deliver this concept, I will be incorporating elements from Japanese art, architecture, and culture in multiple eras, blending, and expressing them in a completely new direction. Organic shapes will be used to abstractly illustrate the movement of time, while a combination of detailed textures, geometry, and colors helps to create the impression of quiet luxury. With this aesthetic approach, combined with thoughtful planning to resolve the needs of a senior living facility, I strive to create an environment where people can feel comfortable as well as strongly connected to their city, culture, and nation.

ABOVE: Moodboard to illustrate concept statement

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

DESIGN APPROACH Welcoming, intimate, and proud will be the feelings that people encounter when they enter the Tennoji Senior Living. Based on the concept of time-lapse to depict a summary of Japanese and Osaka’s cultural evolution through different eras, the design will combine different elements of the past and present to create a one-of-a-kind space. The intention is to tell the story as if this building has been there for centuries, lived through the major transitions of Japan’s culture, carried the changes with it as time passed by, and finally end up being an artistic mix of traditional, retro, and modern aesthetics. This idea is largely inspired by the innovative architectural proposals to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral in France after the tragic fire in 2019. Old and new can be gracefully combined into one design to reflect how things have developed over years, as well as to remind people of how proud they are of their rich heritage. Iconic Japanese objects such as the paper fan, origami, or koinobori lanterns will be incorporated in a creative and innovative approach. Meanwhile, traditional and modern architectural elements will be gracefully mixed with the subtle application of Japanese artistic philosophies like wabi-sabi, minimalism, and Zen design. The statement would not be too bold but instead, elegant yet impactful. By bringing these components into the design, a sense of shared identity and values will be enhanced for the elderly who live here. Besides telling the story, the design also focuses on functionality and meeting people’s expectations. Materials and colors will also be carefully selected to convey a welcoming and cozy mood throughout the space. They will also be wisely used for easy pathfinding and defining spaces. By considering the lifestyle of Japanese elderly in every step of the design process, it is the priority to make sure people will have the most enjoyable experience and think of this facility as not merely a senior center but also their cozy, intimate home.

ABOVE: Traditional Japanese design elements as an inspiration

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

ABBREVIATIONS

Mech. Tele. Jan. Clo.

Mechanical Closet Telecom Closet Janitor Closet Decorative Feature Skylight Above

BLOCK DIAGRAM

LEGEND 1. Lobby 2. Staff ’s Office 3. Elevator 4. Tea Room 5. Reading Area 6. Book Shelves & Display 7. Exercise Room 8. Community Room 9. Restaurant Dining 10. Sushi Bar 11. Restaurant Kitchen 12. Decorative Feature 13. Janitor’s Closet 14. Nurse’s Office 15. Mechanical Closet 16. Telecom Closet 17. Men’s Restroom 18. Women’s Restroom FLOOR PLAN

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

ABOVE: Preliminary material board for project (not including accent materials/colors for each room)

ABOVE: Preliminary FF&E selections for project

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

THE LOBBY.

ABOVE: Preliminary sketch, inspirations, and elevation for reception desk

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

ABOVE: Preliminary sketch, inspirations, and elevation for reception desk

LOBBY DESIGN The design concept for the Lobby was developed based on the iconic Japanese aesthetics that everyone can instantly picture – a minimal, relaxing, and cozy space. By representing traditional elements from the Japanese culture and architecture with a modern twist, this space was intended to create a new, yet familiar feeling for people, making them feel curious about the space but still be able to find a connection with it. A first impression that provokes a sense of familiarity and intimacy tends to make people feel more attracted to and safe, especially for the elderly – the main users of this facility. The reception desk is one of the innovative highlights of this lobby area. Inspired by the folding textures from traditional Japanese paper fans and lanterns, the custom-made table subtly portrays these elements to bring a hint of traditional beauty to the space. The seating area also followed the same aesthetic but was enhanced with a pair of contrasting color – saturated mustard yellow and blue – and furniture with curved silhouettes. As for the focal wall, the decorative detail was a representation of the Kazari Shoji (A circle-shaped window in Japanese architecture) with Shippo patterns, which is a symbol of harmony and peace. Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

ABOVE: Rendering of coffee table LEFT: Rendering of lobby seating

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

COMMUNITY ROOM.

SUBCONCEPT - MATSURI (FESTIVALS) Festivals has always been a major part of Japanese culture. By bringing the bright and lively elements of Japanese festivals into the community room, the design intention is to generate endless happiness and inspirations. The space will not only deliver a joyful feeling but also a great appreciation to the culture of Japan.

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

ABOVE: Sketch of accent wall for community room

ABOVE: Mochi - Japanese dessert

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

ABOVE: Daruma Dolls: symbol of perseverance and luck

LEGEND 1. Single Shoji Sliding Door 2. Double Shoji Sliding Door 3. Projector Screen (automatic, ceiling mounted) 4. Grand Piano 5. Storage Closet 6. Painting Easel 7. Stools Accent Wall Other walls to be covered with Tatami Stone Surface - Salvatori

ABOVE: Floor Plan of Community Room

ABOVE: Elevation of Community Room’s Accent Wall

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

ABOVE: Meaning of colors used for Community Room

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

RESTAURANT.

The restaurant of Jikan Galleria continues the story told in the Community Room but with a more intimate and cozy vibe. Elements from Japanese culture such as the cranes or koinobori lanterns are subtly represented in the design to show appreciation to the culture.

ABOVE, LEFT: Koinobori Lanterns as inspiration for restaurant’s design

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

13 Wood Street

Neighborhood: Jordan Park/Laurel Heights Zoning Type: RH - 2

PROJECT BACKGROUND This project is a renovation of the first floor of a three-story building located on 13 Wood Street, San Francisco. The owner of the house is Celine, a 29 years old Fashion Editor of a magazine. As a fashion enthusiast, she loves to play with colors and patterns in a way that is eye-catching but still elegant. Celine also loves to cook and she usually has 2-3 friends over during the weekends. Seeing her house as an intimate space for gatherings with her group of close friends, she wants an open space that can maximize interactions and multiply the joy when there are guests coming over.

ABOVE, RIGHT: Front facade of building

Phuong Mai | Joie De Vivre

CONCEPT

There is a saying in French, “Joie de Vivre”, which means “the exuberant enjoyment of life”. In our life, we have worked endlessly and been through many hardship in order to pursue one thing, happiness. This design is inspired by this saying and strives to create a bright, young, and cheerful space. The design will gracefully combine warm and cool colors with a touch of bold accent colors in each room to create an interesting character. Furniture will be selected from contemporary style with an emphasis on sculptural furniture pieces. With such a bright and delightful interior space, the person who lives here will be able to feel the flow of positive energy and motivation every day.

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

Phuong Mai | Joie De Vivre

By combining the living room with the dining area and open kitchen, I was able to take advantage of natural light from the east side. This open space will give the home an intimate feeling, which is perfect for small gatherings or greeting guests. The bathroom and laundry room will be combined for convenient usage, as well as to hide the bathroom for aesthetic and privacy purposes. The bedroom also has a large sliding door leading to the backyard and a great amount of natural light

ABOVE: Schematic Design - Block Diagram

LEGEND

1. Entry Foyer 2. Kitchen 3. Dining Area 4. Living Room 5. Bedroom 6. Laundry Room 7. Bathroom 8. Backyard

4 8

ABOVE: Rendered Floor Plan

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

LIVING ROOM

ABOVE: Preliminary sketch of living room

Inspired by the positive energy and happiness from the concept of “Joie de Vivre”, I explore with mixing multiple colors and patterns to achieve a young, attractive, yet still elegant aesthetic for the living room. Having it directly opens up to the kitchen has created an opportunity for me to turn this into a playful corner where the owner can enjoy her free time alone or have friends over for a small and intimate gathering. The colors that I picked emit a sense of positivity and youth, which immediately reminds us of the sunny days by the peach, a cheerful picnic with our friends, or a happy outing with our family. I selected the iconic sofa by Vladimir Kagan upholstered in bright leather to create a cozy and delightful feeling. Mixing it with a coffee table from Anthropology with an interesting pattern and a pair of grey armchairs from B&B Italia, I strive for an eclectic look that is multi-layered and feels well-curated.

Wood Flooring MFR: Hakwood DES: European Oak

Area Rug MFR: Jonathan Adler DES: Blue Patterned Rug

Wallpaper 1 MFR: Schumacher DES: Marcel - Color 01

Wallpaper 2 MFR: Cole & Son DES: Nuvollette

Phuong Mai | Joie De Vivre

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

KITCHEN

Cabinet Paint

Countertops

Wooden Shelves

Backsplash Tile

Phuong Mai | Joie De Vivre

ABOVE: Rendering of kitchen

I envision this kitchen being the place where Celine can really enjoy cooking her own meals, having small chats with her friends, or spending quality time with her family when they come over. The kitchen should reflect not only her needs – a functional layout and stylish aesthetics that can fit perfectly into a small space like in this project - but also her lifestyle. The light blue color for the cabinet is a great expression of youth, calmness, and style, as I want the kitchen to have a relaxing vibe that can complement the bold aesthetic of the living room. The wooden shelves give Celine the opportunity to be creative with showcasing her dinnerware collections or other kitchen décor objects. The open shelves with a warm color wood material also helps the space to feel more inviting and warm.

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

BEDROOM

Phuong Mai | Joie De Vivre

Phuong Mai | Jikan Galleria

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

DESIGN APPROACH

Elysium is a subscription-based system that will be available in multiple cities in the world, providing AUDI’s members with the most comfortable experience: a home away from home. We designed this whole system with a combination of architecture and mobility, which forms a seamless experience for the users from the starting point to the end of their journey. A self-driven car will pick them up from the airport and take them directly to Elysium – a high-end facility in which people can enjoy the best service, live in the best space, and feel just as comfortable as home. The most special part of the project is the ability of the car to connect to the Elysium building and take people directly to their suite, avoiding wait time and unnecessary check-in procedures. The car has a detachable pod that is connected to the inner elevator system of the building. By developing this system, we will be able to provide the users with the most seamless and exclusive experience. This idea initially came from AUDI’s vision for the future. They imagine that technology would even develop at a faster pace and their brand would no longer be focusing only on cars but the whole experience of their users instead. With this vision in mind, our team also believes that in the year of 2045, the boundaries between different industries will be blurred and largely adjusted in order to solve problems and push forward more innovative ideas. We focus on combining architecture and mobility since they are two of the major components that make up our daily life and contribute to our lifestyles. We envision that with a system that cars are connected to each suite, each AUDI member will be granted a totally new experience that is personal and exclusive to them. This will also help us to solve the parking problem of San Francisco. 45

Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

Delivered to each floor

Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

Flexible configuration for each pod

ABOVE: Rendering of Elysium Suite - Opening living and dining space

Pod delivered to suite

Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

MOBILITY

ABOVE: Renderings showing connecting between the car/pod and the living space

The pod is connected to the suite and becomes a part of the living area. Which provides the highest level of comfortability to the users and saves them a lot of time for each travel. Through this project, our team was able to push beyond the boundaries, utilizing the strengths of different industries, and combining them into a holistic system for the future.

Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

MAIN LOBBY

ABOVE: Rendering of lobby’s reception desk

Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

SEAMLESS

LUXURY

EXCLUSIVE

For the aesthetics of AUDI Elysium, our team strived for a minimal and timeless look that goes hand in hand with the brand image of AUDI and their target clientele. Based on their past campaigns and products, our team came up with three main keywords that we would focus on during the design process, which are: seamless, luxury, and exclusive. This does not only apply to the aesthetics but also to the overall experience of the users as well.

Wood Surface - Reception Desk

Stone Surface - Reception Desk

Textured Paint on Walls Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

ABOVE: Rendering of lobby’s seating area

AUDI has always had a clear vision about their target audience – modern, elegant, and have extraordinarily good taste. The lobby of AUDI Elysium strives to express the iconic and timeless architecture of California by implementing Mid-Century Modern style from a minimal perspective, then finishing it with a hint of quiet luxury. As the place where members of the AUDI community would come in for business trips, the design of the space prioritizes creating an environment that feels comfortable and homey to just anyone. Even in the year of 2045, such a functional and simple design can still be considered as timeless and create the highest level of comfort for people. Not only does the lobby greet its visitor in the warmest manner, it also tell a beautiful story of California’s history.

Phuong Mai | AUDI Elysium

34 Graham Street

Neighborhood: Presidio Zoning Type: RH - 1, P

ABOVE: Project Site Map - Satellite View

PROJECT BACKGROUND This project focuses on designing a new West Coast headquarters for the National Geographic Society, a global non-profit organization committed to exploring and protecting planet. The project will be located at an existing building in the historic Presidio district of San Francisco, California. As are other buildings in the Presidio District, the historic architectural style of the building is Mission Revival. The building has a cement plaster exterior with a red clay tile roof. The building’s structure is steel post and beam with composite deck flooring supported by lightweight steel joists. The building has two stories over a basement story. The total interior building area is 6600 square-feet per floor. The building has a modern, fully automatic sprinkler system.