Director and Associate Professor of Interior Architecture at The University of Kansas
nisha.fernando@ku.edu
XAVIER GAVIN
Senior Project Leader at Klover Architects
Xavier.Gavin@klover.net
EXPERIENCE
KLOVER ARCHITECTS
Lenexa, KS
Interior Design Intern
Fall 2023
Responsible for the development of site plans, elevation drawings, demolition floor plans and reflected ceiling plans.
Acquired in-depth knowledge of site restrictions and standards, ensuring code compliance by researching and documenting relevant municipal codes for various projects nationwide.
SARA FOLCH INTERIOR DESIGN
Barcelona, Spain
Interior Design Intern
Summer 2023
Conducted site visits, took measurements and created existing floor plans for multiple residential projects.
Created conceptual ideas, presented recommendations for renovations and finalized drawings for submission to architects.
INTERNATIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN ASSOCIATION (IIDA)
Public Relations Board Member 2021 - Present 2023 - 2024
Managed the coordination of outreach, social, fundraising, and career development events from class representatives.
Coordinated and secured speakers and received funding for events through building relationships with industry professionals, donors and community members.
Third Year Representative Board Member 2022 - 2023
Organized group events and trips to architecture and design firms.
Effectively changed polices at the university level to represent and advocate for students.
Served as a liaison between 3rd year class and IIDA chapter board.
GUIDING LIGHT CANCER CENTER
ARCHITECTURE GRADUATE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: RICK EMBERS SPRING 2025
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project, Guiding Light Cancer Center, is a comprehensive and holistic approach to cancer treatment in Olathe, Kansas. This facility features a cancer clinic, breast and imaging centers, treatment spaces, educational resources and an Integrative Healing Center. The project explores research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies, which are increasingly integrated into clinical and wellness settings to help manage symptoms related to cancer treatment.
The concept, guided by light, is based on the local context, how light transitions across the prairie scape. The central atrium captures light and disperses it throughout the building to guide users to and from the central atrium. The transition of light also reflects the cancer journey marked milestones and self-advocacy throughout treatment.
I completed this project with a partner to create a beautiful design grounded in the local context and a strong emphasis on users.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
SETBACK REQUIREMENTS
SITE BOUNDARY: DIMENSIONS:
MINIMUM FRONT YARD: 20 FT
SIDE YARDS: 30 FT
REAR YARD: 30 FT
PARKING/PAVING SETBACK: FROM STREET RIGHT OF WAY: 40 FT FROM PROPERTY LINE: 10FT
TOTAL PARKING: 300 spaces
TOTAL ADA PARKING: 31 spaces
PARKING LOT COVERAGE AND LANDSCAPING
REQUIRED PREVIOUS AREA: 36,151.83 SF - 10% of site
ACTUAL PREVIOUS AREA: 123,870.94 SF - 52.14% of site
FRONT ENTRY
INFUSION SUITE
AND ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
INFILTRATION BASIN - WALKING PATH
INFILTRATION STRATEGIES
USING NATIONAL STORMWATER CALCULATOR INFILTRATION:
SURFACE SLOPE: 5% RAIN
ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES
DEVELOPED USING COVETOOL MODELING
Cisterns below ground collect and store rain water to be used a potable water throughout the building.
Enhances insulation/reduces heat absorption, manages stormwater and provides connections to nature.
PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY
Harnesses solar energy to help power the building and reduce traditional power grid dependence.
DAYLIGHTING
Utilizes natural sunlight the illuminate interior spaces, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
The atrium and glazed areas use a double-skin facade with an insulating air layer to improve ventilation and reduce heat transfer.
Designed to reduce solar glare and heat gain, enhances thermal comfort and provides privacy.
THE CONNECTIONS AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ARCHITECTURE GRADUATE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: DILSHAN
OSSEN
FALL 2024
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Over 2,000 people in Kansas City face homelessness and lack a safe, secure environment to call home. The Connections is a 90,000 SF mixed-use affordable housing project that aims to provide shelter, resources, and support for the homeless and surrounding community.
Part of a larger master plan addressing underprivileged communities, this project tackles challenges like high construction and utility costs by utilizing prefabricated modular construction, reducing build time by half and cutting costs by up to 40%. Sustainable practices, such as harvesting natural energy, further reduce utility expenses for residents.
Located at Main Street and 34th Street, near abandoned sites with limited amenities, The Connections will enhance access to nearby social assistance resources and promote community development.
MOVEMENT AND TRAFFIC
The Street Car is free to ride and takes users from The River Market, through Downtown Kansas City, The Plaza and UMKC.
RIDE KC BUS STOP frequency: 10-15 min
RIDE KC STREETCAR
CONSTRAINTS:
KEY:
VEHICULAR TRAFFIC STREET CAR TRACKS
SIDE WALKS
PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT
BUILDINGS AND LAND USE
Necessary social assistance programs are located within walking distance.
EXISTING RESOURCES:
CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS Personal and career development nonprofit organization. THE VILLAGE KC Youth development organization.
MISSING RESOURCES:
LANDSCAPE AND ECOLOGY
This strip of Main Street is made less desirable due to expansive paved areas contributing to the urban heat effect.
KEY:
PAVED AREAS UNDER UTILIZED AREAS
CONSTRAINTS:
LARGE PAVED AREAS
LIMITED SHADE / TREE COVER pedestrian usage is uncomfortable.
OPPORTUNITIES:
ACCESS TO PARKS
Lush green spaces within parks located North and East of the site.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Natural resources used to lower costs and increase energy efficiency.
OPPORTUNITIES:
SOLAR
SOLAR HEATING utilize
RAIN HARVESTING reduce water usage. According to The National Weather Service.
PEER PROJECT PROPOSAL SITE
MAIN STREET
CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTAL CARE
THE CONNECTIONS
Affordable Housing: People Experiencing Homelessness SINGLE MOTHERS
CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTAL CARE
ELDERLY HOUSING HOMELESS
HISTORIC ABC BUILDING Adaptive Reuse
SHARED PARKING DEVELOPMENTS
CONCEPT DIAGRAMS:
NATURAL RESOURCES ACCESS
The massing creates a funnel that invites users through the site and connects to resources in the surrounding community.
VISIBILITY
Balconies and public gathering areas facing a central courtyard foster connections between users at all levels of the building.
Connecting to the natural resources provides sustainable and affordable living for the users.
FLOOR PLANS
MODULAR UNIT DESIGN:
40-50% faster construction time.
20-40% construction cost savings.
Standard facade install: 6 months
Modular facade install: 10 days
BEDROOM FLEX UNIT
1 BEDROOM UNIT 1 BEDROOM ADA UNIT
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DUBAI, UAE
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE UNDER GRADUATE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: NISHA FERNANDO SPRING 2024
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In this project I programmed and developed the interior layout for an international airport in Dubai. The 60, 000 SF provide a variety of spaces to meet an interesting array of user experiences and provide unique amenities to travelers.
PERSIAN GULF
ARABIAN DESERT
DUBAI
DESIGN CONCEPT
INTERLUDE
An airport is an overstimulating and stressful point between destinations, but it doesn’t have to be.
My design creates a place to pause between destinations to relax, refresh and rejuvenate.
DESIGN GOALS
Create efficient and intuitive wayfinding solutions.
Provide users with spaces to relax and escape the stresses of travel.
Create spaces to energize, rejuvenate and refresh.
Develop an interesting enjoyable environment that feels like a destination.
USER GROUPS
SITE CONTEXT
BUSINESS TRAVELER
Dubai is a hub for global trade and innovation attracting business people from around the world.
EXPECTATIONS:
Efficiency
Work Spaces
Quiet
CONNECTING FLIGHTS
Dubai is strategically located between Europe, Asia, and Africa. This central position makes it an ideal point for flights connecting these regions.
EXPECTATIONS:
Stress Free Navigation
Activities to pass time
Food + Comfortable Lounge Spaces
LUXURY
MEDITATION ROOM
PRAYER ROOM
SLEEP PODS
CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA
WORKOUT AREA
PICKLEBALL COURT
GAMING ROOM
WELLNESS TRAVELER
Dubai is known for beautiful beaches, desert escapes, and world class spas and resorts. This attracts people looking for a relaxing vacation escape.
EXPECTATIONS:
Wellness Spaces
Comfort + Relaxation
Stress Free Navigation
CULTURAL TRAVELER
Dubai has a rich and varied cultural landscape, attracting people from all around the world to experience all Dubai has to offer.
DELTA - RAINCAN SHOWER HEAD SINGLE SETTING - CHROME
DELTA - ADA GRAB BAR 41842 - CHROME
DELTA - ADA TILT-UP SHOWER SEAT 5SE-ADA-6 - CHROME
ARMSTRONG WOODWORKS GRILLEFORTÉ SOLID WALL PANELS
632_4_L4_S02_GWN
CUSTOM FIREPLACE + SEATING
CAMBRIA - BRITTANICCA GOLD WARM QUARTZ SLAB
STAINLESS STEEL SINGLE TIER SPEED RAIL PREPLINE - PSR-32
SINGLE COMPARTMENT BAR SINK, RIGHT DRAINBOARD L&J BAR1014-1R 24”
LUXURY HOTEL ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE UNDER GRADUATE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: MOHAMMAD DASTMALCHI SPRING 2023
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project, part of a vertical studio, paired thirdyear students with fourth-year peers to design individual floors of the W Hotel in a chosen destination. I focused on the third floor, creating semi-private spaces with rent-able social areas and public zones, bridging the fully public floors below and private guest suites above. In the final phase, I conducted user experience and wayfinding tests using virtual reality.
THIRD FLOOR ELEVATOR LOBBY
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW
DESIGN GOALS
Create an inclusive environment that encourages community engagement.
Balance the colorful urban landscape with the neutral oasis through contemporary art.
Create a retreat for self exploration and expression through an emphasis of art throughout.
Honor Zurich’s climate initiative and social expectations for sustainability.
DESIGN CONCEPT
In order to stay on track with Zurich’s sustainability efforts, this hotel will be programmed to be carbon neutral and double the amount of green spaces accessible to the public.
This hotel redefines contemporary design through forward thinking design strategies and modern art in juxtaposition to the neighborhood's deep industrial history.
USER ANALYSIS
Luca (64) and Rosa (61)
Luca and Rosa are an older couple from Zurich staying in the hotel for their 30th wedding anniversary. The couple enjoys wine, chocolate and cheese tastings and will likely spend a lot of time utilizing the hotel amenities.
Julia (26)
Julia is visiting with some friends from college. Julia and her friends are extremely adventurous and plan to go shopping, food and art galleries around the city. In the evenings they will enjoy the nightlife in Zurich.
VIRTUAL REALITY TESTING
WAY FINDING
FEEDBACK: INCREASE
SIGNAGE QUANTITY
USER SATISFACTION
FEEDBACK: SHELVES ABOVE THE BAR ARE DIFFICULT TO REACH
TEST RESULTS
USER ONE’S ROUTE USER TWO’S ROUTE INTENDED ROUTE
SURVEY RESULTS
WHAT TYPE OF SEATING ARE YOU DRAW TO?
PLEASANT BEAUTIFUL STIMULATING WARM/INVITING TASTEFUL MOODY
SEATING ARRANGEMENT COMFORT
OVERALL BAR DESIGN SATISFACTION IS IT COMFORTABLE TO ORDER AT THE BAR TOP? IS THE BAR AESTHETICALLY INTERESTING?
IS THE SPACE BEHIND THE COUNTER COMFORTABLE?
01 ART GALLERY
FURNITURE DESIGN BUILD
PRELIMINARY DESIGN SKETCHES MIND MAP REFINED DESIGN SKETCH
After finalizing the design, I created a cut sheet using illustrator and finalized the dimensions. I wanted the legs to be just under 2 inches, so I combined two legs cut from 3/4” plywood to be 1.5” total.
Standard bench depth is typically between 13”-18”. I calculated how many 1.5” rectangles would fit across the various bench widths and decided on a 16.5” depth with 6 legs on each side.
2 legs on each side would span to the middles, meeting the opposite sides legs. These legs would be glued together and secured to the outside edges.
8 of the legs would be slightly shorter and would fit inside the slits made on the top face. These were designed to be held in place by the edges of the gaps.
