ABOUT ME This portfolio showcases my strongest and favorite projects that I’ve done thus far as I’ve attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Architecture, CIDA accredited Interior Design program. I am a third-year Interior Design student who will graduate in the Spring of 2023. I love the design field, both in terms of how limitless it is, and how design can positively impact peoples’ lives. I believe in putting peoples’ experiences at the forefront of all design, and designing spaces that can evolve according to the user’s needs as they change over time. For me, at the core, design is an opportunity to help others. However, the functional side of design is not the only thing that intrigues me - the aesthetic side is equally beguiling. When function and aesthetic are tied together in a beautiful rhythm, it can have profound affects on people, their experiences in the space, and how long they remember how they felt when they were present there. I am looking forward to the future, and to making the world a better place through design. I lived in Omaha during my childhood, where I was mostly homeschooled until I moved down to Lincoln for college. When I’m not designing or at work, I love to spend time with family and friends, volunteering at a therapeutic riding barn in Gretna, and traveling. Contact: (402) 332 - 1507 gomelcaroline@gmail.com @caroline.g_designs
“Design is not just a visual thing. It’s a thought process. It’s a skill. Ultimately, design is a tool to enhance our humanity. It’s a frame for life.” - Ilse Crawford
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ROOTS
URBAN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER
THE JOURNEY BACK INTERACTIVE BIOPHILIC EXHIBITION
LIVE THE STORY
HOBBYIST RETREAT
THE GOLDEN DAWN COVID CONTAINER DOMESTIC ABUSE CLINIC
OTHER PROJECTS
SMALLER PROJECTS, PHOTOSHOP WORK
01. 02. 03. 04. 05.
01. ROOTS STUDIO/SEMESTER: Studio III, Fall 2021 PROFESSOR: Kendra Ordia DESIGN QUESTION: How do you design interior nature-influenced spatial experiences considering diversity, culture, and identity while promoting education, growth, and equitable access to healthy foods? LOCATION: Austin, TX PROGRAM(S): Urban Agriculture Educational Community Center DESIGN INTENTION: The design intention for this project is to create a robust space of inclusivity, community, culture, sustainability, creativity, responsibility, health, and learning. This is the perfect space for an after school program or summer learning program for elementary-aged kids. While the project will incorporate all of these ideas in various ways, it will predominantly focus on:
Non-Profit Logo
i n c l u s i v i t y - kids will come, feel welcomed and a strong sense of community. c u l t u r e - embracing and pride of one’s culture. l e a r n i n g - learning about other cultures. h e a l t h - understanding participant’s health, the health of the earth, and practices to improve, both for the present and future. This will be achieved through different programmatic areas that focus on each of these things. Specifically, this will happen through a mixture of indoor and outdoor learning programs about healthy food practices, culture, sustainability and cooking demonstrations, as well as learning how to grow and prepare cultural-specific food.
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Site Map
SECTION A UP
INTERIOR PLANTING AREA
OUTDOOR PLANTING AREA
UP
UTILITY ROOM
UP
INTERIOR PLANTING STORAGE
KITCHEN CLASSROOM
CLASSROOM
KEY:
CLASSROOM
ENTRANCES: PRIMARY ENTRANCE SECONDARY ENTRANCE SHARED ENTRANCE
KEY:
PRIMARY CIRCULATION
WOOD CEILING
SEATING AREA
SECONDARY CIRCULATION
SKYLIGHTS
OVERHEAD ELEMENTS
SLOPED GLAZING GYPSUM CEILING LARGE OVERHEAD LIGHTING RECESSED CAN LIGHTING MEDIUM OVERHEAD LIGHTING SMALL WALL SCONCES OVERHEAD ACOUSTICAL + LIGHTING FEATURE
UP
UP
DN
MEETING ROOM
MEETING ROOM
MEETING ROOM
OFFICE
OFFICE
RECEPTION + LOBBY
COPY + SUPPLY ROOM OPEN WORKSPACE
COLLABORATION SPACE STORAGE ROOM
Floor Plan
N
SECTION B
BREAK ROOM + COLLABORATION SPACE
Reflected Ceiling Plan 2
Material Board
Break Room + Collaboration Space
Open Workspace + Collaboration Booths 3
Exterior Planting Area
Reception + Lobby
Greenhouse
Section A
Courtyard
(Additional) Seating Area 4
02. THE JOURNEY BACK STUDIO/SEMESTER: Studio III, Fall 2021 PROFESSOR: Kendra Ordia DESIGN OUTCOMES: To create a biophilic, interactive immersive spatial ecology that was inspired by a location that held personal value to the designer. LOCATION: Lincoln, NE PROGRAM(S): Interactive Biophilic Exhibit DESIGN INTENTION: In this project, the aim was to create a space that was reminiscent of my own childhood, but also inspired visitors to reflect on their own childhood (or to “journey back” down memory lane). The place that was chosen was my childhood backyard, and this setting ultimately influenced the final colors, textures, and materiality. In the exhibit, different parts of the space ask visitors to reflect on different things associated with their childhood, and each area asks the visitor to reminisce on them in various written ways. The first room to greet visitors sets the tone that the focus of the exhibit is childhood, as it’s more of a kid’s playroom. Here, kids can play on the fort on the left, doodle on the wall (and parents can too), or jump on the life size water toy on the right. The main room is more serious, but still child-like/whimsical, proving that these two seemingly opposite dichotomies can exist and thrive in the same space. The goal is that as they walk around, they will be able to write their thoughts and leave them in the installation through the interactive portion, which asks them different questions. After this, or during, they can converse with each other about their childhoods and what they’ve learned since. The intention behind this last part is to foster conversation and inspire reflection about childhood, personal growth, and what we can teach others from our own unique experiences. Ultimately, this project oscillated between being a deeply personal project, zooming out of my own life, and encouraging visitors to think about theirs.
5
Eidetic Image
KEY:
SECTION A
Circulation entering exiting hidden elements water
Floor Plan
SECTION B
N
6
Entire Secondary Area
Entrance to Secondary Area 7
Closer Look at the Interactive Area
WHITE BRICK
HANGING VINES
BROWN PAINTED GLASS WOOD HANGING ORBS
WATER
SPRUCE TREES
SMOOTH TIERED SEATING
BEIGE ROCK
BRICK PAVERS
CEDAR WOOD
GRASS
Material + Sensory Diagram
First Room + Children’s Playroom KEY: SOCIAL ENTERTAINMENT DISCOVERY
Section A
Section B
ASPIRATION
Vine + Orb Detail
Spatial Typologies Diagram 8
03. LIVE THE STORY STUDIO/SEMESTER: Studio II, Fall 2020 PROFESSOR: Mark Hinchman DESIGN OUTCOMES: To create a hobbyist retreat that is specifically designed so that they can work (and relax) away from home. LOCATION: Lincoln, NE PROGRAM(S): Hobbyist Retreat DESIGN INTENTION: This hobbyist space is designed for a nature photographer/portrait photographer on the side. The inspiration for this person is someone named Ami Vitale, who is a renowned photojournalist for National Geographic. She has photographed everything from famines, to war, to animals in their natural habitats. She really believes in getting her hands dirty, and living fully in the moment in order to get the best shot. For example, she’s worn panda suits in Asia and lived in huts in Africa. As a result she believes in “living the story,” which is where the title of the project stems from. Materials were chosen to reflect a blend of modern and African aesthetics. Africa was chosen as the main additional aesthetic due to the fact that while she takes photos everywhere, Africa is the most common place she frequently visits. The studio is designed to be a place where she can both relax and be productive. As such, part of it is a creative studio where she can work on whatever she wants, from editing photos to working on material for side projects associated with Ripple Effect Images, an organization that she co-founded. In this part of the project, she can also host a few colleagues and generate ideas, or make food for those late night deadlines. She can also take a relaxing bath in her private bathroom. The other half is a portrait photography studio. In the studio there is a waiting area, the main portrait area, bathroom/changing room, and storage. Ultimately, in this hobbyist retreat, it was really important to clearly delineate private and public spaces, hence the separate entrances. However, both areas needed to be functional and accessible to Ami, therefore, here she can relax, create, and work, away from any distractions.
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The Hobbyist: Ami Vitale, National Geographic photographer
PERSONAL BATHROOM STORAGE ROOM
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
KEY:
KITCHEN/LOUNGE AREA
HOBBYIST WORKSPACE
CIRCULATION MAIN PRIVATE ENTRANCE/EXIT MAIN PUBLIC ENTRANCE/EXIT
Floor Plan
WAITING AREA
STUDIO BATHROOM + CHANGING AREA
N
10
Eidetic Image 11
Section
Kitchen Side
Photography Studio Side
Work + Hobbyist Side
Material Board 12
04. THE GOLDEN DAWN STUDIO/SEMESTER: Studio II, Spring 2021 PROFESSOR: Dr. Sonya Turkman DESIGN OUTCOMES: To design a covid relief center that addresses either a social, political, or economic issue brought on or made worse by the pandemic out of a 40’ “high cube” shipping container. The idea is that the final design could be transportable and replicated to address the need around the country. LOCATION: Lincoln, NE ISSUE CHOSEN: Domestic violence against women PROGRAM(S): Domestic Abuse Clinic DESIGN INTENTION: For this project, we were given a shipping container as the site to use to design around a covid-related issue. The chosen issue was domestic abuse against women. This was exacerbated during the pandemic, with a 10-22% increase between the following cities: Portland, OR; New York City, NY; and San Antonio, TX. The name was intended to be symbolic of new beginnings, and as dawn has historically been associated with new eras/chapters etc. The sun is also symbolic, as there are seven rays, which symbolizes the seven times it takes a victim to leave their abuser for good. This project is intended to be a domestic abuse clinic where patients can come and get connected to whatever help they need — medical, legal, alternate housing, access to addition resources etc. It primarily focuses on addressing needs of women age 18-25 who are lower income and have less education. It also focuses on the needs of the domestic abuse nurses who work in the clinic as well. While this is the first place people can come for smaller health related issues with domestic abuse, anything that was too extensive would be sent to a nearby hospital (in which the clinic and the hospital would coordinate transportation for the patients). Additionally, it is intended to be a calming place, both visually and audibly where people can come to feel safe and welcome. The calming material palette lends well to this theme and patients can listen to the trickling sound of water as they wait in the reception area.
13
Clinic Logo + Slogan
KEY
GENERAL CIRCULATION EXPANDABLE WALLS NORMAL CONTAINER WALLS
KID’S AREA
RECEPTION
DOCTOR’S WORKSPACE
PATIENT ROOM
BATHROOM
Floor Plan with Walls Expanded
N
KEY: Expandable Walls Original Shipping Container
Floor Plan with Walls Contracted
N
14
Patient Room
KEY: RECEPTION AREA KIDS AREA PATIENT ROOM DOCTOR’S AREA
Section 15
Material Board
ENTERING: Nurse/Staff Circulation Patient/Vistor Circulation EXITING: Nurse/Staff Circulation Patient/Vistor Circulation
Specific Circulation Diagram
Doctor’s Workspace
KEY: Expandable Walls Original Shipping Container
Expandable + Original Wall Diagram
KEY: Expandable Walls Original Shipping Container
Reception
Expandable Walls Assembled Diagram 16
05. OTHER PROJECTS PHOTOSHOP EXERCISE - FALL 2021 VISUAL TEXTURE: Black exposed ceiling
VISUAL + TACTILE TEXTURE: White Panel Color: Dark Green Paint
VISUAL TEXTURE: masonry splintered concrete wallpaper
COLOR: Medium Green Paint
COLOR: Light Green Paint
Overview of Entire Room
VISUAL TEXTURE: white and grey countertops
VISUAL + TACTILE TEXTURE: Wood Bench VISUAL + TACTILE TEXTURE: White Panels TEXTURE: Wood Tabletop
VISUAL + TACTILE TEXTURE: Terrazzo Flooring
Exploded Axon + Material/Texture Diagram
Side Area with Work Tables + Inset Seating 17
Bar + Additional Seating
SIDE PROJECT - REIMAGINING RUSTIC - SPRING 2021
Outside Render
Main Living Area
Detail Look at Suspended Spiral Staircase
Upstairs Sleeping Area
Main Floor Bathroom 18
OUTSIDE RENDERS FROM GROUP PROJECT - “GATHER AROUND” - SPRING 2021
Entire Building
Northwest Side 19
Southeast Side
PHOTOSHOP RENDERS - FALL 2020
SIDE PROJECT - ILLUSTRATOR RENDERS - SPRING 2022
Desert Theme Perspective
Perspective
Desert Axonometric
Axonometric 20