Catrina Wyrick Interior Design Portfolio
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philosophy
I truly believe design makes a difference in the way we understand, communicate, live and work in an environment. User centered design is essential to the success of a project. As a designer, I make it my duty to not only listen to the needs of people, but to understand them. It is my goal to create daily experiences by surpassing the needs of the occupants and excelling the productivity, livability, and likability of the place.
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education recreation healthcare
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thesis project middle school
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project statement
This thesis focused on middle schools and addressed the physical, emotional, and educational needs of students. The design challenge was to resolve issues related to sedentary lifestyles by creating opportunities within the school building that could encourage, evoke, and inspire self-reflection, energy expenditure, and learning while still maintaining the efficacy of the educational environment.
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concept
the fun theory
The thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better.
An LED floor installation creates patterns when walked, danced, or moved upon
Ball netting requires jumping up to touch the balls so that they will move and bounce around
Get in the Action interactive motion wall mimics movement with colored lighting
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process:
Mind mapping was done to show a physical trail of preliminary thoughts. The connections made helped with understanding the problem and beginning research.
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client : identified by different physical activity levels
First Level Floorplan
Second Level Floorplan
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sections
elevation
The playground was built in the middle of the central corridors. It evokes interest, through its transparent shell, and was designed to take occupants from one level to the next. It is home to ball netting, bars, climbing stones, digital workout games, simple exercise equipment with instructions, ladders, escape holes, and the bottom level contains lockers for the students, that are accessible from the outside. The playground has sections that are accessible to all students, regardless of ability, and exemplifies the principle that physical activity can also be fun.
close up
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ceiling treatments
The upper ceiling is constucted of custom acoustic beams in a bright orange hue. The brightly colored ceiling stimulates the mind as well as stimulating movement.
The lower corridor has a unique ceiling treatment that contains LED lighting and serves to reduce noise. The ceiling is constructed of multi-colored beams and leads the eye the entire lenth of the corridor. Its fun, candy-like shape is meant to add interest in order to draw people in.
The ceilings in the upper lobby mimicked the custom furniture and was dropped lower to help with concentration and studying.
The ceiling of the lower lobby is covered by a sound reducing acoustic system brightly colored in yellow. According to Mahnke (1996), both yellow and orange are psychomotor skill stimulators, which energize and encourage physical movement.
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youth center
for the arts
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project statement
In recent years there have been significant cutbacks to art programs in schools. Yet, studies show that art involvement in adolescents can “build strong friendships, provide comfort and self-fulfillment, increase the desire to set and achieve goals, teach a positive work ethic and grow appreciation for other things.� The Youth Center for the Arts provides young people with a positive outlet to develop and enhance their creativity.
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concept
deconstruction
Allowing art, and the creation of it, to be the basis for every design decision
bright colors; splashes; color/white spaces
lines; negative/positive space; modern lines; repetition; depth
stretched; taught; flexible yet sturdy; strength
exposed hardware: wires, bolts, staples; harsh shapes; hard materials; circular; squares
straight lines; raw materials (wood); rectangles; triangles
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The location of the art center was important because it needed to be easily accessible and maintain it’s relationship to the community surrounding it. Los Angeles took one of the largest hits in budget for art programs in schools; making it a prime location for such a center.
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A variety of spaces was necessary to appeal to the differences in creativity styles. Both group gathering and individual spaces were incorporated into the interior and exterior spaces to appeal to both introverts and extroverts alike.
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The flexibility in both storage and display were a must for the Youth Center for the Arts. The ability to feature different artists in the entry way maximizes the personality of the place, honors students, and provides a constant refreshing of the environment.
Side view of tension wire
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The ability to display multiple pieces of artwork was one of the challenges in creating a functional working studio environment. Tension wires created a semi-transparent divider between the two work areas and allowed for maximum flexibility and usage.
Artwork: canvas painting/paper drawing/masonite drawing board/ etc.
Clamps hold drawings and paintings to the tension wire
[Side View]
[Front View]
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oncology clinic
for outpatient care
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project statement
The Griffin Oncology Center treats cancer patients in all stages of their illnesses. Hope and help are at the core of the Center’s beliefs. The patients need to feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed. The staff is equally effected by their environment and their needs must be acknowledged in the design. It is crucial to provide health as a holistic concept, with both mental and physical attributes. The building requires a positive stimulus in its design.
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concept
nature to heal
Providing a positive, hopefilled environment inspired by nature.
Natural light: an abundance of windows and sky portals that provide sunlight, warmth, and cast shadows
Foliage: photography, organic shapes, and exterior views of plants and trees
Water: enhances relaxation through photography and sound
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Bubble Diagrams: The first is an exercise in understanding the relationships from one space to another. The second shows where sunlight and positive views can be, and should be, implemented.
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Preliminary sketching helped to visualize ideas. It was important to conceptualize how nature would impact the design of the facility. It was also necessary to make things comfortable and convenient for both the patients and staff.
Stained plywood Connected to wall support
Solid surface countertop
detail of
LED lights beneath counter Custom radius Eco-Resin
Multiple nursing stations, with a shared countertop, increases communication and dual productivity
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nurse’s station
Integration of countertop into wall, softens the sharp corner and makes the wall appear taller
Rounded countertop increases visible surroundings and is more accessible to patients
Dual counter height creates privacy for nurses and is a comfortable leaning height for patients
Linoleum flooring with wood pattern is less institutional and more comforting than stark white VCT
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Floorplan of Nurse’s Station Enclosed blood-drawing station increases privacy and comfort for patients
Multiple seating in offices encourage supportive participation
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top view
side view
perspective
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Lighting is essential to every design. This custom designed light fixture and ceiling detail play on organic forms and materials. Using a medium stained wood, stainless steel beams, and a semi-transparent eco-resin, in a fall leaf inspired, golden yellow, this light fixture makes the space warm, inviting, and serene.
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Catrina Wyrick
interior design portfolio wyrick.catrina@gmail.com
thank you