Ashley Forwood - Virginia Tech Interior Design Portfolio
Virginia Tech Interior Design Portfolio
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Ashley Forwood
Hello!
I’m a second-year Interior Design student at Virginia Tech with a passion for creating spaces that feel meaningful and personal. My design inspiration often comes from the world around me, including places I’ve been and personal memories that I am fond of. I love exploring how those connections can translate into thoughtful, intentional design for everyone. This portfolio is a glimpse into how I think, create, and grow as a designer.
aforwood27@vt.edu
linkedin.com/in/ashley-forwood
Project 1: One World, Many Journeys: Designing for Human Connection
For this project, I designed Fluaria, an airline lounge located in Atlantic City International Airport, within a roughly 2,500 sq ft area including the mezzanine level. The concept merges the tranquility of Pamukkale’s travertine springs with the vibrant, high-energy culture of the Jersey Shore. I was especially inspired by the organic forms and soft, curving edges of the travertine pools, which reminded me of ocean waves—creating a natural connection between the two locations. That sense of flow and movement became a driving force behind my design decisions, leading me to incorporate wellness-focused elements like a yoga space to keep guests relaxed and energized between flights.
Video Walk-through
AUTOCAD - SKETCHUP - TWINMOTION - PHOTOSHOP
Concept
The overall design aims to create a sensory journey that shifts between calm and stimulation, reflecting both the meditative quality of natural springs and the boldness of Atlantic City’s coastal culture. Spatially, the lounge is divided between a divided main level and an upper mezzanine, where the yoga studio and salt room are placed as a more private area. A mix of tactile materials and a palette of vivid blues are inspired water and mineral elements, while neon accents are from the high-energy of the Jersey Shore. The salt room concept draws direct inspiration from the calcium carbonate deposits of the hot springs, reinterpreted as a modern wellness feature. Parti
Lounge
Dining
Yoga/Salt
Elevator
Reception
Mezzanine
1. Reception
2. Lounge Seating
3. Workstations
4. Dining
5. Bar
6. Gender Neutral Bathroom
7. Yoga Studio
8. Salt Room
Mezzanine
Materials and Twinmotion Renders
Glass Bubble Chandelier By The Light Factory
Boudin Coffee Table
By Sabourin Costes
Sphaerae Pendant Light
By Dechem
Axonometric
Back Section
Window Section
Right Section NTS NTS NTS
Project 2: Designing a Branded Experience: Exhibition Booth Design
Surf
FORM - DRIFT - BALANCE - RESILIENCE - FLOW
For this project, I was tasked with developing branding and an exhibition booth for my brand TGR Surf. TGR is designed for surfers of all experience levels and features an AI-powered smart surf leash that provides real-time feedback, SOS beacons, and geo-fencing technology to enhance confidence, safety, and performance in the water. My brand draws inspiration from vintage surf culture as well as the tiger shark. I chose a rectangular island booth configuration (18x25 ft), which gave me the space to create an interesting curving form and allowed investors to approach the booth from any side. The booth also includes a VR experience, offering potential investors an interactive way to engage with the product and its technology.
Video Walk-through
Concept:
The concept for both the brand and booth was inspired by the Tiger Shark, known for its bold patterns and unique swimming style. I focused on the carangiform swimming pattern, which involves an undulating, yo-yo-like motion limited to the lower two-thirds of the shark’s body, as well as the tiger shark’s dynamic vertical range of movement. These patterns influenced the parti diagram and overall booth design, guiding the flow and creating distinct zones within the compact space. The combination of horizontal and vertical undulations helped me translate the shark’s dynamic movement into a physical experience, echoing the brand’s connection to the ocean and performance.
For this project, I designed a coffee shop located in Bar Harbor, Maine, drawing inspiration from the town’s deep-rooted lobster fishing history and coastal charm. The design incorporates nautical influences, reflecting both the working waterfront and the bright Victorian-style architecture that defines the town. I focused on creating a welcoming space that captures the spirit of Bar Harbor’s maritime culture while offering a fresh, lively atmosphere for locals and visitors to the area.
Video Walk-through
AUTOCAD - SKETCHUP - TWINMOTION - PHOTOSHOP
Concept
A central inspiration for the design was the Friendship Sloop, a sailboat historically used for lobster fishing in the Bar Harbor area. While no longer in use today, its distinctive sail configuration and craftsmanship became a key influence in shaping my parti and ceiling design. I integrated the sailboat’s form through curves and sectional divides in the ceiling and floor. This blend of historic and coastal elements anchors the design in Bar Harbor’s culture while giving it a modern feel.
Friendship Sloop Diagram Parti
Spacial Planning Sketches
Materials and Twinmotion Renders
Project 4: The Space In-Between Spaces: Creating A Biomimicry Spatial Experience
PHOSPHORESCENT - DELICATE - UNDULATING
For this project, we were tasked with designing a 20-foot functional wall for a space of our choice. I chose to place my wall in a hotel, positioned between the reception area and the lobby to create both a visual statement and a spacial divider. The design is inspired by the northern sea nettle jellyfish, a sea creature known for the vibrant coloring on its bell and trailing stingers. My wall takes on an organic form that mimics the jellyfish’s undulating movement and semi-translucency, with soft curves and layered materials. Incorporating translucent sections makes the wall look visually lighter and also allows for some light to filter through. LED lighting on the ceiling further emphasizes the delicate and flowing nature of the sea creature as well as its phosphorescent glow.
