Downtown Sustainable Loft

The downtown sustainable loft was my second studio project. This consisted of taking advantage of space to meet the client's needs while incorporating sustainable attributes to the space, including 15 sustainable selections.

Client Bio

Carmen and Sofia are Puerto Rican Americans. Carmen is 32, Sofia is 34. They own a plant shop together in downtown Chicago. They love caring for plants and have many in their home. They also both love bold colors and tropical patterns. They have two chihuahuas named Pepe and Chico. They love playing board games with friends and would like a game room for activities.

Project summary

• This is a sustainable loft located in downtown Chicago
• Almost all of the furnishings and materials chosen for this space are sustainable.
• The design concept includes taking advantage of the space to make room for plants while making the space look beautiful with bold colors, patterns, and a tropical feel.
• Honoring Puerto Rican heritage, a love for plants, and the city of Chicago are important to make this loft feel like a true home for Carmen and Sofia.
• Carmen and Sofia wanted a space where they could play board games and entertain guests. The entire loft was dedicated to this purpose.

Palm Springs Accessible Home

The Palm Springs Accessible Home was my first studio project. This project consisted of designing a one-story home with accessible features to meet the needs of a certain client.

Client Bio

Kim and Patricia - Kim is a single woman in her 50’s and is the daughter of Patricia, age 80. She takes care of her retired mother who has severe vision loss (but not blindness) due to glaucoma. They would like their home to reflect the Palm Springs history of the Hollywood Regency style. The home will be designed using the principles of universal design.

Research

• The home is built on a slab and is one floor
• Use principles of universal design throughout the home. Make sure that rooms are wheelchair accessible and make sure the home is traversable for someone with glaucoma.
• Tactile objects and cues that lean into touching and feeling things are good for someone with glaucoma.
• The Hollywood Regency style includes characteristics of bold colors, symmetrical patterns and motifs, and curvilinear architecture.
• Adding white and grey to blue and orange color schemes will bring freshness and clarity to the feel of the design.
• Proper lighting (including lots of task lighting) is a big deal for glaucoma patients.
• Another term for Hollywood Regency is Regency Moderne
• Interiors for Hollywood Regency homes should focus on luxury and comfort.

Project summary

1. This is a one-story accessible home located in Palm Springs, CA
2. This home is packed with accessible features to help with glaucoma
3. The design concept is to design a home that is grounded and helps Patricia live as easily as possible.
4. Making sure this is a space that is safe and comfortable for both Kim and Patricia is a priority.
5. A reading nook has been integrated into the home as a way for Patricia to keep both her brain and her eyes active as she gets older.

Cabana

My introduction to Revit. This was a little project where I learned the basics of the program and was then given the freedom to design a cabana on my own.