Autumn McFarland - Undergraduate Interior Design Portfolio

Howdy!

I am Autumn McFarland, a senior at the University of North Texas, specializing in Interior Design. My creative journey began at a young age through sculpting, where I discovered the joy of transforming visions into tangible creations.

This innate ability to envision and replicate has seamlessly guided me toward a fulfilling path in interior design, allowing me to merge my passion for creativity with the functional and unique aspects of designing spaces.

Signet Jewelers

Corporate Office SIGNETJEWELERS

Fall 2023

Programs Used: Revit, Enscape, Photoshop, Illustrator, Excel

Signet Jewelers is becoming one of the largest retailers of luxury jewelry. They are looking to relocate their company to the historic district in downtown Dallas. Blending productivity and collaboration, this project will cultivate a human-centered environment within an open office plan.

Digital Concept Sketches Diagramming

UsingIllustrator

Asegmentedconferenceroomforvarioustrainings, meeting,andpresentations

Breezewayforabreakarea,oralargecorridorfor differentfunctions.

Program

Department Zones Floor Plan

Departments:

Private Offices

Break Area

Conference/ Training

Reception

Vendor Conference Room

Legal

Finance / Strategy

Digital Marketing/ eCommerce

Design/ Research

Information Technology

Store Operations/ Design Services

HighlightedAreas:

Casework Display

Sociofugal

Sociopetal

Break-out spaces

The Larimar Lounge

The concept for this space was to have a flexible work cafe. Signet encourages to break out from your main desking area and find a comfortable area to do your work.

Material Palette

Furniture Palette

Diamond Avenue

The concept for this space was to have an adaptable corridor for before/ after meeting gatherings. This is a hosting space for trophies, history, and catered events.

Material Pallete Flexible Furniture

The Vault

The concept for this space was to have a flexible conference room. Signet hosts trainings, presentations, and meetings that have activities incorporated.

Collapsible Walls

Flexible Furniture

Group Members:

Aubin De Raedemaeker (Belgium), Natalia Cichonska (Belgium), Angela Borghi (Italy), Alessandro Cuttica (Italy), Margherita Donghi (Italy), Chlo Zaccarini (Scottland)

Programs Used: Revit, Lumion, InDesign, Photoshop

Each year, the Group for International Design Education network organizes an international workshop week located in an EU city. This in-person workshop was held in Mechelen, Belgium. The purpose of this project was to create a point of interest space on a roadway that has been converted into a walk-only street.

Top left photo: TheInteriorDesign& ArchitechtureBuildingLocatedinMechelen, Belgium.

Top right photo: (lefttoright)AutumnMcFarland, HepiWachter,BillMorgan,MollieTaylor,Cassidy Petito,LeticiaRamirez,RodolfoMartinez, RebecaCalzadaHerrera

Bottom left photo: (lefttoright)Natalia Cichonska(Belgium),AutumnMcFarland(USA), AngelaBorghi(Italy),AubinDeRaedemaeker (Belgium)

Horizontally opening

Stained Glass sliders

Funnel-like Stained Glass Roof

The Site

THOMAS MORE

ANTWERPEN VZW

BLOOM

THOMAS MORE

CAMPUS DE VEST

1.Entrance

2.WalkingPath

3.BikePath

4.WaterCollection

5.IntegratedPlants Legend

BASISSCHOOL

HOF VAN NASSAU

Filter uses natural materials, such as soil, sand, and coal

Functionality

Thestructureslopesinwardstohelp navigatethewatertoonepoint.Thisglazed structuresitsuponabrickfoundationthat holdsstorageforrainwater.

Wewantedtohighlightthenatural elementsofMechelenwhenitrains.Belgium averagesaround200daysoutoftheyear thatisrainswithwind.

Spring 2023

Group Member: Mollie Taylor, Rebecca Calzada Herrera, Rodolfo Martinez

Programs Used: Revit, Enscape, InDesign, Photoshop, Canva

We aim to adapt and modernize traditional Mesoamerican building materials and silhouettes. Feature planting and natural materials to create a sense of prospect and refuge in an interior space.

Design Process

Visioning

History of the Alebrije Figurines

Alebrijes, carved from native Mexican copal wood, hold cultural significance. Beyond art, copal has diverse uses —it treats scorpion bites, relieves cold symptoms, headaches, and acne. The tree's resin serves medicinal purposes, while its fruit and foliage yield linaloe oil for lotions and soaps. Additionally, the resin is burned in churches, emitting a pleasant fruity, earthy fragrance during religious services.

These trees are mainly grown in Michoacán, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.

Site

The site we chose is the growing area of North Lake located in Coppell, Texas. This lake is also home to three headquarters, such as, Signet Jewelers, Nokia, and BNSF Logistics.

Design Process

Concept Design

The concept for Alebrijes is to create a comfortable and inviting environment. To do this, we use the prospect and refuge theory, integrate nature within the space, use warm colors, and incorporate natural and accent lighting as well as soundmaskingthroughouttherestaurant.

Alebrijes will:

Feature planting and natural materials to create a sense of prospect and refuge in an interior space, as well as sound masking panels and structures. Plants can provide a connection to nature and a sense of prospect, while materials such as wood and stone can create a sense of refugeandprotection.

Create a natural ambiance that evokes positive emotions and reduces stress and foodwasteinrestaurantspaces.

Incorporate colorful accents to create an inviting and welcoming environment and increase appeal. Highlight natural and dim lighting options to change ambiance and attractiveness levels throughout the differenttimesofservice.

Programming

Zoning/ Circulation

Prospect and Refuge

Comfort

This is implemented by providing auditory and visual privacy for the diners using partitions and acoustical partitions and ceiling finishes. This is created by creating a natural ambiance using planting and having seating in view of the outside garden.

Welcoming

An inviting environment is created by incorporating pops of color throughout the restaurant.

Prospect and Refuge

Fabric drapery and other acoustical ceiling treatments throughout the restaurant provide sound masking privacy for the diners.

Comfort

Lighting around the main circulation paths helps with wayfinding and with comfortability when navigating the space.

Welcoming

Feature lighting is present throughout the entire restaurant to invite guests in and create an inviting ambiance.

SHIFTING PERMANENCE

Group Member: Rebecca Calzada Herrera

Programs Used: Revit, Enscape, InDesign, Photoshop, Canva

The prompt for this competition was to make a refugee camp that would be able to be put together in less than 24 hours. The time limit for this competition was one week from start to presentation.

Narrative

Nearly 8 million Ukrainians have left their homes in search of shelter due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 (Yayboke, 2022). Since the battle of Kyiv began, nearly 2 million people have fled from the country’s capital (Tondo, 2022). Natallia is only one of the people who was forced to leave her home after experiencing a nearby bombing. Natallia, along with her mother and mother-inlaw, chose to flee by train, which took four days from their city of Kyiv to reach the border of Poland. The family then traveled an additional three hours by bus to the town of Rzeszow. Natalia’s husband was forced to stay behind to serve in Ukraine’s military during the war. Natallia’s mother, like many others seeking refuge from the war, had to stop her chemotherapy treatment in Ukraine. She is waiting to obtain an EU visa to travel to England to continue her medical care.

ConceptStatement

Journey Map

The journey made by Natallia and family had been made by train and assistance of bus to travel from Kyiv to Rzeszow. This journey took about 14 hours by train and an additional hour from the border to their final desitation.

Site Plan

This site is located just east of the city Rzeszow. It is easily accessible by public transportation. The area is large enough to house around 15,000 refugees with over 675,000 m^2 of space.

More than a temporary housing solution to the continual displacement of people all over the world, this shelter aims to be a grounding transitional space for the dweller. The shelter highlights include a private bathroom and shower, to prevent the spread of disease, as well as large windows that fill the space with natural light which can increase serotonin production and aid with depression that can follow displacement.

Dirty Zone Clean Zone

The space is divided into “clean” and “dirty” zones. The restroom contains a composting toilet with external access to easily remove waste without the risk of contamination on the inside of the home.

Material Research

Envelope

Cleanliness and sanitation were also important factors for the space as the spread of disease are prevalent in refugee camps. The plastic wall finish is used to help the space remain clean, while plastic floor material in the restroom is waterproof and easily cleaned and disinfected.

Rzeszow receives about 10 inches of snow over 5 months out of the year. The height and pitched roof of the shelter allows for the weight of the snow to easily slide off the concrete plane.

Our building envelope consists of Cortex Concrete. Although still under development, this concrete can be shipped before its set and assembled in within a day. Exploded

The inclusion of large windows and a skylight allow for sunlight to help with mental health as well as cognitive function (Kent, 2009). Separate exterior and interior panels allow for modular assembly of the space to accommodate families of different sizes.

Cork Recycled Denim Plastic Wall/Flooring Cortex Concrete Steel

To prevent the shelter from getting too cold, recycled denim was chosen as the interior insulator and cork flooring covers the living and sleeping areas.

These materials can be treated with boric acid, making them fire-resistant and bugrepellant.

OtherWorks

Mediums used: Acrylic paint, Oil paint, Alcohol Markers, Watercolors, Plaster, Gold, Silver

Completed art pieces or projects outside of college, including art show winners.

Watercolor, Pencil, & Marker Oil painting on canvas. 1st Place Winner: Vagabond 1st

Winner: Colors of

Wind Commissioned Piece: Oil painting on canvas.

Watercolor, Pencil, & Marker

Watercolor, Pencil, & Marker Ink on paper with ink pens.

Programs Used: Revit, Enscape, InDesign, Photoshop

Mentor: Katie Branning, Sydney Mays

The purpose of this project was to break the mold of what is traditionally given as a school assignment. I was tasked with finding my own Mentor and Client to find the scope of the project. Through the research of Early Childhood Education, the decision was made to focus on PlayBased Design.

Design Process

Research

At birth, the average baby’s brain is about a quarter of the size of the average adult brain.

The brain doubles in size in the first year.

It keeps growing to about 80% of adult size by age 3

90%, nearly full grown, by age 5

A newborn baby has all the brain cells (neurons) they’ll have for the rest of their life.

Kolb’s Learning cycle

Active Experimentation Concrete Experience

Reflective Observation Abstract Conceptualization

Learning from experience Reflecting on experience

Play-Based Continuum

Playful Learning

Free play Guided Play Games

Child-led Child-led, adult scaffolded

Adult designed/ scaffolded Set rules for play

Direct instruction

Adult designed/controlled Set constraints for activity

Balance of child-adult involvement and constraints

Crossover of developmental characteristics

PhysicalDevelopment

Fine Motor Skills

Painting

Drawing Writing

Emotional Regulation

Critical Thinking

Language

Gross Motor Skills Balance Coordination

Autonomy Collaboration

Social Competency

Thought Memory

Curiosity

Cognitive Development

Design Process

Differences

Montessori ReggioEmilia

Educationfollowsastructured curriculumwithspecificmaterialsand activitiesdesignedtoguidechildren throughvariousdevelopmentalstages.

CurriculumStructure

Theteacherplaysamorepassiverole asafacilitatorandobserver, interveningonlywhennecessarytoguide thechild’slearning.

More emergent and project-based, with curriculum emerging from the interests and inquiries of the children.

Roleoftheteacher

Moreformalmethodsofassessment, includingstandardizedtestsand checklists,totrackchildren’ sprogress.

Assessment&Evaluation

Althoughtheparentsareabigpartof thelearningprocess,theyarenot prioritizedinthislearningenvironment

ParentInvolvement

Theteachertakesonamoreactiverole asaco-learnerandcollaborator, guidingandsupportingchildren’ s investigationsandprojects.

Greateremphasisondocumentationof children’slearningthroughphotographs, videos,andwrittenobservations, focusingontheprocessratherthanthe endproduct.

Placesastrongeremphasisonthe activeinvolvementofparentsinthe educationalprocess,encouragingthem toparticipateindecision-makingand contributetothelearningcommunity.

Similarities

Hands-onLearning: EnvironmentastheThirdTeacher:

Experiential learning that encourages children to explore, discover, and learn through concrete experiences

Providing carefully prepared spaces that encourage exploration, creativity, and independence.

Child-Centered: RespectfortheChildren

Emphasizes personalized learning and individualized instruction

Educators respect the children as their own capable individuals with regards to their strengths, interests, & abilities

Concept Design Process

Transforming Little Learners Early Childhood Education Center into an interactive environment helps embrace a conceptual design that integrates playful elements to stimulate cognitive and physical development. Supported by functional and adaptable spaces, our design fosters exploration and collaboration, while sensory elements engage young minds through tactile materials, vibrant colors, and interactive features.

Design Goals

Make Circulation paths clear for end users

Create interactive environments

Use biophilic techniques to drive health & wellness

Incorporate flexible furniture to blend with pedagogical approaches

Programming

Segmented sides of the halls for each age group could lead to less distractions

Separate restrooms will give the student and teacher more control of the environment

RR on interior walls gives more flexibility for additional plumbing needs to go in

Programming of a Classroom

Basic curriculum

Semi-grouped areas for flow of play/ imagination

Restroom near the messiest places