A M I A A B D A L L A

Hello, I’m Samia! I am an Interior Design Graduate from Iowa State University. I have a passion for design, art, and sustainability, and expressing said passions in the built environment. The following works showcase my dedication and love for the field of interior design, as well as my growth and development during my time studying Interior Design at Iowa State University.

VILLA APAP BOLOGNA

Historical Preservation

SIERRA HEIGHTS

Continuing Care Retirement Community

MICROFLEX

Microhome Residential Design

FLOW

Higher Education

NEXT COSMETICS

Workplace Design

Villa Apap Bologna

Historical Preservation Revit, Enscape, Photoshop

Villa Apap Bologna is the Official Residence of the US Ambassador in Malta. The residence holds a rich history regarding classical Maltese architecture while featuring classical and original American furniture within the interior. As an important building in regard to American-Maltese relations, this project aimed to rehabilitate the villa’s interior while also designing a pool house and greenhouse that would accommodate diplomatic functions in the back garden area.

This project was completed as part of a 2023 studio that collaborated with the United States Department of State, the Villa Apap Bologna in Valletta, Malta, and national and international preservation experts to research and analyze the official residence of the Ambassador of the United States. This project was completed alongside my two teammates, Amy Nguyen and Andrea Burbano Hernandez. Together, we drew inspiration from modern neoclassical design, creating spaces that are light and elegant, with close attention to detail shown in wall moldings and custom furniture while paying homage to the historical heritage of Malta. All work presented is completed by myself unless stated as collaboration with my teammates.

Overall Proposed Plan

LEGEND

1 Ambassador’s Residence

2 Pool House

3 Pool

4 Fire Pit

5 Greenhouse

THE AMBASSADOR’S RESIDENCE

The residence’s interior follows a modern neoclassical design approach, using light and airy tones, finishes, and furniture to create a sleek and elegant interior. The pop of sage ties to the greenery found in Malta. The design intent of the interior was to create a space that highlighted small details to intrigue the user, which is evident in the wall moldings and curvilinear features within the furniture.

The pool house is designed to serve as a space where the Ambassador may host diplomat guests or spend time with family. While designing the space, it was important to consider the Ambassador herself and understand that the Ambassador may change every few years, and Villa Apap Bologna will be home to many ambassadors to come. With this in mind, the pool house was designed to focus on user experience by creating areas to mingle, relax, and swim so that the pool house may be enjoyed by many for years to come.

The Greenhouse

The greenhouse is designed for the Ambassador to host diplomatic guests and enjoy Malta’s greenery in their own backyard. The greenhouse offers a walking path around the interior structure, with options for seating and dining inside the interior, and the back garden offers the ability to walk through the garden or relax in the sunken fire pit. With a focus on user experience, the overall plan of the greenhouse and backyard is designed to offer multiple experiences for the users.

Sierra Heights

Continuing Care Retirement Community

Revit, Enscape, Photoshop, Illustrator

Sierra Heights is a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Des Moines, Iowa. Sierra Heights resides in a re-purposed shopping mall in the Highland Park neighborhood of Des Moines. Park Fair Mall was once a highly popular shopping mall in the north-central section of Des Moines. However, Park Fair Mall is no longer reaching its full potential as a shopping mall. Inspired by the recent trend of turning shopping malls into senior housing, this project proposes to give Park Fair Mall a new way of life by redesigning it into a continuing care retirement community for residents across the Des Moines area.

This project was completed alongside my two teammates, Teionna Hanna and Kayla Sell. Together, we took the existing structure of Park Fair Mall and altered it to best fit the needs of our clients by adding two extra levels for living space. All work presented is completed by myself unless stated as collaboration with my teammates.

CONCEPT & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

The concept of Sierra Heights derives from the inspiration of National Parks. As we consider our client, seniors grew up around the popularization of national parks during their adolescent years. Some clients have visited many national parks during their lifetime, while others have dreams of visiting. Our design draws inspiration from national parks by selecting natural materials, colors coordinating with national parks, artwork selection, and space planning.

Top of Mountain = Assisted Living

The assisted living zone correlates to the highest level of a mountain - this is where people require the most assistance in their hike.

Second Level of Mountain = Independent Living

The independent zone correlates to the second level of a mountain - this mountain is a bit higher than the first one, but people still remain independent in their hike.

First Level of Mountain = Interactive Spaces

The first level relates to the first level of a mountain - when people first start on their hike or journey, they require little to no assistance and they interact with one another as this is typically the busiest level of a mountain.

Bottom of Mountain = Recreational Spaces

This is the level where residents require the least assistance - similar to how people require the least assistance at the bottom of a mountain.

Floor Plans

Wayfinding

The main reception space of Sierra Heights offers a monumental experience with views of nature and natural light. Given the large space of the building, wayfinding is essential. As residents or guests enter the building, they will find the reception desk with seating towards their left. On either side of the main desk, there are two large waterfall walls with greenery on either side. Within the waterfall walls, one wall bears the words “Welcome to Sierra Heights,” while the other wall details the whereabouts of zones and spaces.

The Library offers residents areas to read, mingle with others, or utilize technology. As seniors age, it’s essential to keep their brains stimulated. The Library offers shelves upon shelves of books to choose from, with different types of seating for residents to sit and read or socialize with other residents. As our concept connects to national parks and the exploration and adventure national parks have to offer, the presence of computers allows users to continue to explore the new world of technology they may not be used to while continuously stimulating their brains.

Independent Living Apartments

The independent living apartments allow residents to live in their own space within the community. While independent living residents can customize their own space, the layout of the apartments remains the same throughout. The layout offers users spaces to relax, cook, eat, sleep, read, and an area that allows them to put their shoes on near the door. Each apartment has access to a balcony; the balconies are all connected but remain separate from their neighbor to maintain privacy in their own space.

FRONT PORCH - BACK PORCH

The Independent Living Apartments offer residents a “front porch - back porch” experience. Each apartment is mirrored with its neighbors’ apartment, and outside the front door of the two apartments is seating that allows residents to sit outside their door to enjoy their neighbors or look out towards the atrium with the large trees and natural light. On the opposite side, residents enjoy a back porch experience by having their own private outdoor balcony to enjoy the weather and spend time with their guests.

Microflex

Microhome Residential Design

Revit, Enscape, Lumion, Photoshop, Illustrator

Microflex was completed as part of a design challenge to create an off-grid microhome with a maximum square footage of 270 square feet. The design of Microflex is focused on providing a sustainable and sufficient off-grid living experience for a young couple living in Giessbach, Switzerland. Given the small scale of the home, technology along with a hydraulic system is integrated to offer multiple and flexible arrangements of spaces for Microflex to reach its maximum potential for our clients.

This project was completed as a group project with Amy Nguyen and Nan Xiao. Together, we developed the concept, design development, and renderings. All work presented is completed by myself unless stated otherwise.

CONCEPT & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Located in Giessbach, Switzerland, Microflex draws inspiration from the minimal and sustainable Swiss style by using locally sourced materials and focusing on the beauty of simplicity. To curate for our active couple client, technological designs will be implemented within the home for a multi-use area. While the bathroom and kitchen shall remain as fixed elements in the home, a hydraulic system will be integrated within the lower first floor to raise the bed when needed. Microflex will maximize its wall for storage and controlled furniture. Earthy tones, raw materials, and large windows will create a luminous home that reflects the essence of Switzerland’s beauty for our client.

Roof

Solar Panels

Locally Sourced Stone

Locally Sourced Wood

Raised First Floor

First Floor

Bed on Platform

Hydraulic System

Year: 2022 | Type: Microhome Residential Design | Group Project

Dining Area

When the users desire to use the dining area function in Microflex, the hydraulic system will push the bed down, and the floor will close so that the dining table will fold out of the wall. The young couple can then bring out the stools from storage to sit and enjoy their meal. This layout offers flexibility to the users as they can easily store or retrieve the dining table at mealtime.

Year: 2022 | Type: Microhome Residential Design | Group Project

Bedroom Area

When it is time for bed, users fold the table into the wall and use the hydraulic system to push the bed to the main floor to prepare for sleeping or relaxation. Pillows can be stored in the storage closet in the Microflex microhome, and they can customize their bedding as they see fit each night, aiding in the most flexibility for the space.

Year: 2022 | Type: Microhome Residential Design | Group Project

Flex Area

When the users want to maximize their space and put both the bed and the dining table away, they are able to. They can put the bed underground via the hydraulic system and fold the table into the wall and use the space as a flex area. In this rendering, the active young couple is using the space for morning yoga.

Bed lies under the raised floor, on a platform on the ground level via a hydraulic system, the table folds into the wall, and the space is used for a flex area, in this case, yoga.

Flow

Higher Education

Revit, Enscape, Photoshop, Illustrator

Flow is designed with International Students and their needs in mind. This project aims to create an evolving learning environment for international students at Iowa State University. The space shall promote active learning, student wellbeing, blended learning, and team collaboration. The building envelope of the current Landscape Architecture Building used to house international students shall be preserved, while a new interior space will be created that addresses design considerations that will better the users’ needs while surpassing their experience at Iowa State University.

This project was done in collaboration with Amy Nguyen and Hanieh Baktash. Together, we developed the concept, design development, and FF&E selections. We then each focused on one floor to design. My work was on the second level, which is the design shown. All work presented is completed by myself unless stated as collaboration with my teammates.