Caroline E. Orlowski Portfolio- Spring 2023

C E O

Interior Design Portfolio

Caroline Orlowski 2023

My name is Caroline Orlowski, and I have explored the curiosities of interior spaces over the last two and a half years. I’ve found an answer that goes past the desk that sits as a landmark of design and invention- serving individuals through felt and seen improvements to wellbeing. My belief is that a space- tabglible and implied, can evoke emotions and capture the intended experiences that make spaces deeply impactful on all layers of our being. I am pursuing my Bachelors of Science in ITDS at Virginia Tech. Now forging my own path between art and design, I feel a great purpose to design not only with full intention, but personality and draw from the experiences of my life and those around me.

MITER Coworking

315 Albemarle Street

Fall 2022, Revit, Enscape

A 16 week long study and creation of coworking space. Beginning with the question, “what makes a space one of collective productivity through individual success?”

A miter joint connects two angles by putting equal and opposite pressure on one antoher. Frames are a common example, defining and outlining the focal point, all while showcasing integrity.

In a multi-status coworking setting, it’s crucial that all occupants feel empowered, efficient, and inspired by others. The tech startup founder passes the windows of an entrepreneurs office accepting their first RFP, all while a part time college student finds a new space to be productive in their studies beside a new learner coming out of retirement to share their lifelong acquired skills. MITER Coworking does not promote an environment of hierarchy and maximum emolument, but rather a space that reflects on to occupants, allowing them to produce their best and most fulfilling work.

The Original Building at 315 Ablemare Ave SE, Roanoke, VA

Remaining modern in concept for worker productivity and collaboration, employees are able to take place in an opening into the outside world, removing themselves freely from work and pass through a space of real true connection and path.

Stair Detail Josef Albers’ Homage to the Square Kitchen View

Small Conference Room

Entrepreneur Office

Kitchen and Dining Space

Private Room for Prayer, Personal Needs

Restrooms

Elevator

Sitting Area

Seated Hot Desks

Entrepreneur Offices

Booth Seating Hot Desk

Entrepreneur Offices

SINGULART Tech Offices

Standing Hot Desks

Second Floor, NTS

Receptionist Lobby Community Classroom and Large Conference Room Small Conference Room Administrative Office Phone Booths Print Lab Elevator

Occupant

Storage Lockers First Floor, NTS

Like pieces of art, lighting is crucial to its performance. At Miter Coworking, no screens face direct light, however all occupants are exposed to more than adequate natural light. The surrounding views of Mill Mountain and the Roanoke River allow for a greater sense of connected environment. A variety of seating options allows occupants to choose which space fits their needs.

Hot Desk Area

Fusion Soup Kitchen

1026 SE 20th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97214

PreExisting Build Spring 2022, Sketchup, Photoshop, Enscape

The word Chemeketa comes from the Willamette Valley Native Americans, meaning ‘place of peace’ or ‘place of gathering’. Here, this meaning applies to all who enter the doors- receiving dignity, respect, and choice. A little more than an hour outside of the city of Portland, is Silver Falls State Park. Here, ten waterfalls provide unique scenes, only some are fortunate enough to visit. Chemeketa brings the breathtaking sites of Silver Falls to the streets of Southeast Portland- which dominates the city in homelessness and lacks quality food resources.

Dining View

Main

Chemeketa is located across the street from a community garden that offers many opportunities for residents to learn and grow. The first floor draws inspiration from a waterfall in which you can explore behind. The second floor follows the solidarity of the spaces between waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park. Implied division guides guests through the space, balancing between communal and personal spaces.

First Floor, NTS Second Floor, NTS

The Tilikum Bridge, spanning across the Willamette River, is known as the “People’s Bridge”. Public transportation, bikes, and pedestrians are only allowed to travel along the cable suspended bridge paths. The symmetric design drew inspiration for Chemeketa’s columns and chairs. Elements of the spatial and built design all drew from personal experience in the downtown and greater Portland area.

View

Mezzanine

ma’man

meaning safety, asylum, or safe haven

IDEC Competiton, 1 Week Fall 2022, Revit, Enscape

Team Members: Gabrielle DeCotiis Grace Steenstra, & Jenny Ballard

The goal of this space is to provide a haven to the refugees that will occupy it temporarily. The space planning was designed to reflect traditional Syrian housing in Damascus in order to provide the family with a sense of familiarity. The space has a centralized social area that draws inspiration from courtyards found in Syrian houses, identified by materiality. Feelings of safety and security were also prioritized by placing the sleeping areas away from external access points. All design decisions were made with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in mind.

Main Living Space View

The space planning consisted of thorough research and understanding of multiple cultures, like German, the location of the build, and Syrian, for those finding asylum in the dwelling, and finding the ties between family and culture.