Throughout the design process, the designer, entrepreneur, and young Cleveland girl who needed this facility, within me were all fighting for their voices to be heard. Preparing for my first semester of teaching through Teach for America, I often thought of my future students: the systems designed to hinder their success, the opportunities that aren’t afforded to them, and their zealous desire to rise above their circumstances. Quickly, this capstone became more than an explorative study. It became my vision for change.

This capstone explores how the layering of impermanent structures and materials within a site aid in the progression and development of not only that space, but the continuation of the enrichment of the inhabitants as well. My center will allow lower-income adolescents within OTR to explore a variance of opportunities and experiences throughout the year and explore how flexibility and stability is a duality that requires submission and adaptation.

This capstone explores how the layering of impermanent structures and materials within a site aid in the progression and development of not only that space, but the continuation of the enrichment of the inhabitants as well.

To see the full scope of design work (research, physical models, parti diagrams, plans, renderings) pertaining to my capstone, check out my digital publication below! Set the “zoom” to “Page Fit” in order to display each spread as it would be read physically.

During the 2018 fall semester, my studio was challenged with creating a retail pop-up environment that would inhabit the Changi Jewel Airport in Singapore.  I chose to study the AmericanGirl brand, and design an interactive and engaging space for young girls. American Girl has been a source of strength, optimism, and delight for all girls. I also admired how values like compassion, tolerance, and love are championed

and encouraged within the brand. Customers bond with the American Girl brand because it strives to educate young girls on what they will face in their friendships, family, and school.  The brand also promotes inclusion and representation, allowing girls of different races and nationalities to recognize themselves through the appearances and stories of the American Girl dolls.

Creating a space that encouraged interaction, expression and the exploration of new experiences drove the development of this design: this space features a photo booth, virtual reality experience, and create your own American Girl station.  With a different American Girl featured each quarter, users are able to continue to explore different activities and experiences too.

Throughout my summer internship at Gensler, the interns were allowed to complete a service based project for a local nonprofit organization.  We were able to work closely with Community First! Village.  Community First! Village is a 27-acre master planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas.  After meeting with members of CF!V, we decided to focus our project around

building a tiny home for the ADA compliant members of the community.  The tiny home is a total of 191 sq feet and encompasses a bed, living area, kitchenette and closet.  All areas of the house maintain the standard 60″ clearance, allowing individuals with wheelchairs to maneuver within the space seamlessly.  The project was completed by four interns, including myself.  My contribution to the project are the renderings and assisting with the presentation.

Three aspects of the home drove the development of the design: tiny home requirements, ADA compliance, and passive strategies for light and air circulation.

After a mid-summer presentation, members of Community First! Village expressed interest in implementing our design into phase two of their construction renovations.  We then started creating technical drawings of the exterior and interior for their use.

This required us to build an inhabitable 8’x8’x8’ construction that relates to the pieces surrounding it while still maintaining it’s own identity.  Our folly was centralized, and therefore was designed as an open construction and a place of rest. The precedent for our design was a tree, as a tree “branches” out to the items surrounding it. The folly was constructed from MDF Plywood and Wood.

This group project consisted of nine individuals (Shannon Malone, Trista Davis, David Prentice, Trenton Walker, Faith Denny, Nolan Dalman, Eliza Ehlen, Matisse Grootmyers and Jordan Novak).

My role throughout this project was to document the process of development and construction and to produce a four minute film.

After meeting with members of Livewell, many expressed their desire for a space that allows them to shift exhibits and cross pollinate. This was achieved by creating maneuverable, changeable structures. Although the space initially appears to be stagnant, many aspects of the design are able

to be pushed and pulled to create new voids and spaces. Challenging Livewell’s ability to have a fluctuating yet functional workplace, this design incorporates elements of surprise by crafting innovating ways that spaces can be restructures and fluctuated.

The grid found in the entry gallery space drives the remainder of the design for Livewell.  This grid was the pattern of the beaming system in the gallery; this system allowed rotating panels to orchestrate display boards and drive the journey of the guest.   This grid was then reflected throughout the space and used as a guide for future walls, furniture placement and transforming elements.  The concept of this grid is also illustrated in my concept model above. 

Rendered longitudinal and transverse sections of the Livewell Collaborative space.  Cut lines are defined on the first plan.

Various tactics were implemented into the design in order to give Livewell a transformative but functional office space.  These tactics allow members to change the layout of their space while still preserving their brand. 

After meeting with members of Livewell, many expressed their desire for a space that allows them to shift exhibits and cross pollinate. This was achieved by creating maneuverable, changeable structures. Although the space initially appears to be stagnant, many aspects of the design are able

to be pushed and pulled to create new voids and spaces. Challenging Livewell’s ability to have a fluctuating yet functional workplace, this design incorporates elements of surprise by crafting innovating ways that spaces can be restructures and fluctuated.

The grid found in the entry gallery space drives the remainder of the design for Livewell.  This grid was the pattern of the beaming system in the gallery; this system allowed rotating panels to orchestrate display boards and drive the journey of the guest.   This grid was then reflected throughout the space and used as a guide for future walls, furniture placement and transforming elements.  The concept of this grid is also illustrated in my concept model above. 

Rendered longitudinal and transverse sections of the Livewell Collaborative space.  Cut lines are defined on the first plan.

Various tactics were implemented into the design in order to give Livewell a transformative but functional office space.  These tactics allow members to change the layout of their space while still preserving their brand.