CONCEPT & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

from Samia Abdalla Interior Design Portfolio 2023

A M I A A B D A L L A

Interactive Zone = Top of Ocean

The second floor correlates to the ocean’s top; this is where the most movement occurs - people are snorkeling, swimming, and interacting with one another and the fish. Similarly, the second level is the interactive level - where the cafe and lounge are located.

Learning Zone = Middle of Ocean

The first level correlates to the middle of the ocean - this is where there is more movement and interaction among fish and aquatic creatures, and also where fish spend most of their time learning and experiencing things in the ocean; the first level is the learning zone - where classrooms are located.

Work Zone = Bottom of Ocean

The ground level is correlated to the bottom of the ocean - this is the quietest part of the ocean, where fish and aquatic creatures are in their own zone and independent - similar to how the ground level is the work zone, with more quiet, focus spaces and offices.

The Ocean Connects Us All

Considering that our users of the space are international students from all over the world, our goal is to create a sense of belonging for the users in their new environment. Thinking of the ocean and how expansive it is as it connects different continents worldwide, our space strives to emulate the expansiveness of the ocean by connecting the users to each other through the intermixing of cultures, as well as connecting the users to the building and Iowa State as a whole, so they feel as though they belong and have a home away from home. The different levels also shall correlate to the different levels of the ocean.