Brown, Taylor

As someone who strives to have a fulfilling life, there are many concepts & values I pursue. I believe showing KINDNESS to all people can make a huge difference on the lives of others. Completing tasks is much more efficient & effective when done in COLLABORATION with others. The knowledge gained through working alongside individuals not only produces great work, but strengthens TRUST, which is a vital element in design. ENCOURAGING peers leads to a better morale, something that benefits all people. Attention to detail & INTENTIONAL design can impact spaces tremendously. Making informed decisions is something I highly value. A strong work ethic is something I strive to CONSISTENTLY pursue. It is important to take RESPONSIBILITY for the work & ideas that are produced, & this concept applies to both design work as well as everyday life. CREATIVITY is a vital aspect of life as a design student. I’m each design, I strive to find innovative & imaginative ways to problem-solve. I believe the design process is alive & fluid. Because of this, FLEXIBILITY is key. Sometimes, great ideas do not always work best in certain spaces, so being open to change is vital. GENEROSITY is a personal value that not only tends to benefit others, but also paves the way to a more complete & whole life.

Where do you want to work?

The Daily Coffeehouse: Sivaka & Partners

The Daily Coffeehouse by Sivaka & Partners was designed with community in mind. Within the Coffeehouse, there is a variety of seating options to allow customers to pick their desired level of privacy. There are two separate zones within the shop. The first zone features a large room with a service desk & abundant seating. The second zone promotes a more focused & intimate atmosphere. The lighting is darker & the seating involves a velvet couch & a table for two to sit comfortably. Daily Coffeehouse also hosts events weekly where individuals are able to hear inspirational speeches.

Happyworks Working Pod Studio: Abin Design Studio

Located in Kolkata, India, this project completed by Abin Design Studio seeks to inspire innovation in a post-pandemic world. The focus is placed on comfortable working places for employees. In India, not everyone’s home is able to be as quickly adapted to working conditions, so spaces such as these are a solution. The space allows employees to choose their own degree of freedom based on their working needs. Minimizing distractions & the ease of flexibility were important considerations during design. A person in this space would be encouraged to focus intensely on one task at a time, without an abundance of distractions. The scale of each workstation cubicle allows room for one individual at a time.

Where do you want to be treated?

Hilton Tallinn Park - Tallinn, Estonia

Hilton Tallinn Park was designed for luxury guest experiences. Serving a variety of amenities & features, Hilton Tallinn Park provides guests with a variety of conveniences. Overlooking Politsei Park, guests are provided with a strong connection to the surrounding environment, with breathtaking exterior views in every room. Task lighting is located in rooms to give guests flexibility with their levels of lighting. Accessibility is provided in a variety of suites to provide inclusive design practices. The design allows guests to feel comfortable in their suites & have the freedom to be served in a variety of amenity spaces such as the spa, bar, restaurants, & indoor pool.

EKH Children Hospital - IF (Integrated Field)

EKH Children Hospital by IF Architects intentionally strays from stark, geometric lines throughout the hospital. The design of EKH considers how the built environment is able to encourage interactions between adults & children. The arched forms that can be seen in a variety of spaces seek to promote a child-centered environment. Utilizing shapes that do not always make a perfect circle was one way to complete this task. Spaces throughout the hospital were designed to encourage children’s imagination through spatial planning. This concept can be clearly demonstrated in patient restrooms, where there are two different sink & mirror heights. This design feature allows both adult & child to feel comfortable in the space.

Where do you want to live?

Cactus Fashion Store - Boundary Space Design

The Cactus Fashion Store, designed by Boundary Space Design is located in Xi’an, China. The store was designed to promote romance through color & form. Utilizing colors such as pink & red throughout provided an atmosphere of delicacy & romance. The items for sale are emphasized in a variety of ways. For example, there are two large “Periscope” elements that filter light, blocks out visual noise/clutter, & invite the customer to look outside. These elements are an expression of light & the natural environment, which is vital as the Cactus Fashion Store seeks to encourage individuals to express themselves through enhancing their clothing & aesthetic.

Number 6 House: Black Rabbit Architecture + Interiors

Number 6 House is located in Aldgate, Australia. The strong lines seen throughout the home promote Scandinavian & mid-century modern design. Number 6 House was designed to heighten the experience of the dwellers through framed views to Adelaide Hills & open spaces. The building takes advantage of the site & seeks to provide context in its footprint. This is accomplished through steeped floor plates & an emphasis on the roof’s pitch. The house is divided into the parents wing & the separate teenager space by the kitchen, living, & laundry room. Number 6 House utilizes natural materials in contrast with strong, black accents throughout.

How is the authority of gov. and religion expressed in space?

WeGrow School - Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) WeGrow School is a Montessori school located in New York, USA. The project allows children to play freely through playful forms & communal spaces. The school emphasizes interactive learning, which was reflected in the design solution. The perspective of a child was considered through furniture design, with smaller chairs & tables provided for students of the school. Biophilic elements can be seen in collaboration with green colors to emphasize the natural environment. This creates a sense of wellness throughout the school that provides numerous benefits for students. Providing flexible lighting allows the user to control the space depending on their needs.

The Chamber Church / Büro Ziyu Zhuang

The Chamber Church embraces the historicism associated with religion while incorporating a sense of modernity with the hope of a bright future. The traditional Basilica layout was modified to reflect a modern sequence. Interaction is promoted throughout The Chamber Church through the fluid forms & the emphasis on the surrounding natural environment. Caves were a source of inspiration for this church, as they historically served as places of shelter from the outside world. Creating cave-like spaces served to instill a sense of peace amongst the congregation.

What is the composition of the process of travel through a transportation facility in your memory?

Where is your memorable cultural place?

Florianópolis International Airport - Biselli Katchborian Arquitetos

Florianópolis International Airport is located in Florianópolis, Brazil. There is a total of 10 boarding bridges throughout the airport. The building was designed to create a “T” Shaped layout. Natural light is incorporated throughout the interior to allow travelers access to daylight. The use of glazing also allows passengers to watch as other planes take-off & land. The waiting area is filled with comfortable seating that allows travelers to rest before their flights.

OHL Cultural Space for the Arts: AB+AC Architects

OHL Cultural Space for the Arts is located in Lisbon, Portugal. The center was designed as a place of healing & comfort. Positive thinking, wholistic learning, & calmness are each elements the center strives to provoke. The center strives to embody a sense of home, allowing space for visitors to rest, practice yoga, learn, & lounge. Dynamic threshold designs are ways the center separates space within the open floor plan. The space is flexible, with easily movable configurations. Furnishings are flexible and seek to promote the human scale as well as emphasize comfort & wellness. Screens & curtains allow further flexibility within the space. This allows freedom for spaces to transform depending on the needs of the clients. Balance & minimalism are implemented through the center’s color palette.

Which space do you think best embodies equity, inclusion, and social justice?

Multifamiliar Cupa Apartment

Located in Mexico, this social housing complex was designed by Escobedo Soliz Architects. Housing over 1,000 units, the apartment complex was inspired by the design of Le Corbusier’s Radiant City. The complex is home to five different apartment types, each one different according to the resident’s needs. Avoiding structural columns and walls, the interior space within the apartments allow for increased flexibility. The refurbishment of this apartment included the addition of storage space as well as privacy to allow both children and parents to feel comfortable in the space. Utilizing wood tones, terrazzo, and stucco allow for the space to feel bright and natural.

What is your plan after this semester? -> This summer, I will be moving to Denver, CO for an internship with DLR Group. I am very excited about this experience to learn more about the design field as well as meet more professionals in the field. After the summer, I will return to Fay Jones to complete my last year of design school.

In the field of interior design (or in your major), what does it mean to learn about Human Factors for Design? -> Learning about human factors, in my opinion, involves considering how individuals from all different walks of life interact with the built environment. Taking into account how a space makes a small child feel as well as an adult feel are important aspects of design. Inclusivity is an important concept revolving human factors that should be constantly considered.

During your learning inside and outside the classroom, did you encounter any difficulties? -> A challenge I encountered involved finding case studies that had adequate information involving human factors and explanations regarding the designer’s decisions.

What did you learn by examining the interaction between behavioral and environmental factors? -> I learned that behavior can be influenced by the environment. If a space is designed to make someone feel happy, then generally the individual in the space will feel happy. Behavioral and environmental factors go hand-in-hand and should be strongly considered in each & every design project.

What would you like to tell your instructor? -> Thank you for teaching us this semester!

I chose to alter the original isometric of WeGrow School and combine elements found within Cactus Fashion Store. Both projects employ dynamic design principles and elements that promote healthier human interactions within each space. Fluidity and interesting forms can be seen in both projects that foster various interactions. For the revised isometric view, adding more living elements such as plants and vines bring life into the space. The flexibility of the space can be further increased through providing movable furniture such as ottomans, similar to the ones employed in the Cactus Fashion Store. Implementing some of these new elements not only promotes a greater sense of wellness within the space, but also allows for greater comfort for all people. A more heightened sense of function is also gained in this revised isometric view through the addition of various design elements.