Reidy, Summer

When I realized I had a passion in pursuing interior design, I knew it would take dedication and hard work to get me where I want to be. I have always been determined to live a life that I enjoy. I learned that I need to be confident in my work and always be exploring ways of improvement. I believe myself to be an organized individual and attentive to details. I value being reliable and friendly in terms of collaboration with my peers. Having a sense of goodwill and ingenuity in all aspects of my life is important to me.

Do you have any plans after this semester?

After this semester, I plan on visiting home for the holidays, while also updating my portfolio and applying for internships for this following summer.

What type of designer would you like to be?

I am still uncertain on what path of design I will choose, but I am interested in commercial or maybe set design. I hope to get an internship next summer that seeks these interests and further my experience.

Can you tell me about any problems you ran into in the studio or outside?

For this semester, I had difficulty working efficiently throughout studio hours. Every semester, I do find myself challenged by balancing my social life and other classes with the workload studio requires.

What kind of place would you like to design next?

I would like to design a large hotel in a city area, or a restaurant space.

What do you think makes a good workplace?

I think a good workplace balances productive work and social/hybrid spaces. A workplace should feel inviting, comfortable, and inspiring. One thing I learned from our recent studio office project was that having flexible spaces and hybrid seating/zones is efficient in a workplace.

Can you tell me what evidence-based design means to you?

Evidence-based design means building an environment or space with accurate research and understanding of why those design choices are beneficial and provide the best possible outcome.

Compared to previous semesters, the semester may be challenging in many ways, but you may be able to see your accomplishments. Reviewing your accomplishments, what did you learn from this studio?

I dived deeper into research and reasoning behind my design intentions. We also worked on construction documents for this studio project, and really grew to understand all aspects of the building. I also was able to develop a stronger concept and design ideas for this project, as it was longer thought out in a thorough process at the start of the semester.

Would you like to share anything with future students of this studio?

I know it seems hard to keep going when studio feels overwhelming or the workload is too heavy, but the payoff at the end of the project is worth it! Being able to present your finished product and showcase your hardwork and designs pays off. Even when I feel like my studio work is hard or overwhelming, I am still doing what I love and enjoying the process at the end of the day..

PROJECT STATEMENT:

NEXT is a design firm looking to open a new office in Dallas, Texas for their 46 employees. The office should offer a wide range of programs and interactive spaces. The ceilings reach 30 feet tall, allowing a mezzanine to intereact within the environment as well as a monumental staircase.

DESIGN CONCEPT STATEMENT:

The concept of unicity is implemented through an open concept throughout the office to support the idea of a united and collaborative workplace. The concept is also supported through the use of curvlinear designs, such as a spiral staircase, and the continuation of materials in each space for a cohesive and connected environment. The unique lighting element above each studio space showcases that interlinked and united concept visually. As shown through the reflected ceiling plans, and as you walk into each space, the lights seem to be linked together and connected as one.