“TO DESIGN IS TO LEAD. TO LEAD IS TO DESIGN. TO LEAD THROUGH DESIGN IS TO INSPIRE.”
-BRUCE MAU
CREATIVE OPPORTUNIST. VISUAL STORY-TELLER. THREE-DIMENSIONAL PROBLEM SOLVER ENTREPRENEURIAL DESIGNER.
As a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BFA in Interior Architecture and a minor in Design Management; I have always had a strong passion for all things art and design, as well as a true appreciation for the unique stories that a space can tell.
Through thoughtful space planning and creative problem solving, I strive to create emotionally impact-full designs. Designs that not only make you stop and think, but designs that encourage exploration and curiosity.
GREENHOUSE 01
Retail Design
Student work from Columbia College Chicago
TRADITIONS
Exhibition Design
02
Student work from Columbia College Chicago
ALDI 03
Corporate Design
Professional work from KDI
COUNTRY CLUB 04
Hospitality Design
Professional work from KDI
RIDING CLUB 05
Hospitality Design
Professional work from KDI
Let’s root for each other & watch each other GROW.
GREENHOUSE
Small Business Incubator + Market
Located on Chicago’s historical State Street, Greenhouse is a re-imagination of retail by promoting and supporting our city’s own entrepreneurs, creatives, artisans and makers through small business support and growth.
Each year Greenhouse opens its doors to a select number of Chicago-based small businesses; allowing them to be a part of the large and supportive community of Chicago.
Greenhouse provides the necessary resources and support needed for the next generation of entrepreneurs to flourish Small business owners part of the incubator program are given the opportunity to test the feasibility of their businesses by having a physical retail space. In addition to retail exposure, business owners receive access to a second floor business support space where they can work, learn and grow into the successful entrepreneurs of whom shape our downtown environment.
Building Section - Conceptual
Building Section
First Floor- Retail Market (NTS)
Second Floor- Business Incubator (NTS)
Full Building Exploded Axon The glass elevator serves as a core connection illustrating a visual transparency between market + incubator.
Business Incubator Co-working View
Up the glass elevator, small-business owners have a dedicated work space where they can collaborate, work and receive mentorship from other small-business owners or professionals within the downtown.
Retail View & Entrance to Business Incubator
A glass elevator inspired by the greenhouse design acts as a visual connection between the two floors as it serves as a union between two distinct spaces. The solid glass structure helps in creating transparency between the retail customers and small business owners.
The overall design serves as a blank canvas allowing for the talents, stories and products to freely speak for themselves. The simple palette serves as a gallery-like space that weaves together a community of Chicagobased small businesses spanning the city’s neighborhoods across different foods, goods and art.
Exterior View- State Street
The exterior creates a unique retail experience as it allows for small business owners to connect directly to sidewalk traffic through the greenhouse pop-ups which line the bustling State Street.
Exterior Building
Elevation- State Street
Exterior View - State Street
HONORING + CHALLENGING TRADITIONS
“The carpet is a structure - the structure community or culture. But, like any reached its peak, it should be destroyed, the ashes of the havoc, you can build something What’s your tradition?
structure of society, system, having destroyed, and then on something new.”
- Faig Ahmed
TRADITIONS
Exhibition Design
Azerbaijan contemporary visual artist, Faig Ahmed is best known for his work with oriental rugs. Ahmed creates new visual boundaries by deconstructing cultural traditions and stereotypes through his work with rugs.
Inspired by the heritage of Ahmed’s work, Traditions is an exhibition that highlights the damaged + broken traditions while providing context for the preservation & re-construction of traditions in your life.
This project was completed in partnership with Ningziang Zhang where we collaborated together from concept to completion. My key focus was on conceptual design with a strong emphasis on interactive design
Exhibition Key Plan (NTS)
Gallery Space / Broken Traditons
Interactive Display / Reconstructing Traditons
VS. Broken Re-Built
Exhibition Axon View
The user’s journey starts along the building’s perimeter where 8 pieces of Ahmed’s work are on display; each piece appearing to be damaged or distorted in their own ways.
Upon viewing the brokenness of the rugs and traditions, users then enter the interactive display room. It is here where users are challenged to re-establish or create their own traditions through a series of thought provoking activities.
Life Size Loom Iterations
With a focus on traditions and an emphasis on creating your own, the central exhibition space serves as a reflection space for users to gather their own thoughts while they work towards rebuilding their own traditions
An oversized sculptural loom hugs the exhibition’s core which not only represents the creation of carpets, but traditions as well.
A pegboard wall display gives users a chance to reflect on their experience by writing down their own traditions that they want to create or preserve and hanging it up for display.
Central Interactive Displays
Central Interactive Display - Section
Section View East-West
ALDI
Corporate Headquarters
Project Type: Corporate Design
Project Size: 1 Million+ SF
Location: Batavia, IL
Status: In Progress
Role: Interior Designer
Being America’s fastest growing grocery store chain, it’s no surprise that Aldi is outgrowing their corporate headquarters. A full re-model and expansion is planned for the 15 floor campus which will include programming to encourage employees back to the office through amenities and community driven spaces
As the Interior Designer, my responsibilities for this project have included finish + furniture specification and construction documentation + administration, all while working closely and collaborating with the client and consultants.
FURNITURE SPECIFICATIONS:
Tag: Manufacturer: Series: Model #:
CH-22 VIA Seating Proform 161-25C-51A-20S-18BB-16HP-94A-COM
Height Adjustable Meeting Table w/ Monitor Mount + (1) Dual Hinged Power Grommet Consisting of (3) Power, (1) USB-A, USB-C + (1) HDMI
Laminate Top: Frosty White w/ Knife Edge
Laminate Media Cabinet: Neo Walnut
Monitor Mount: Black
Bar Height Meeting Table w/ Monitor Mount + (1) Dual Hinged Power Grommet Consisting of (3) Power, (1) USB-A, (1) USB-C + (1) HDMI
Laminate Top: Neo Walnut w/ Black 90 Degree
Edge
Metal Legs: Black
Monitor Mount: Black
Fixed Height Meeting Table w/ (2) Hinged Power Grommets Consisting of (4) Power, (1) USB-A, (1) USB-C + (1) HDMI
Laminate Top: Pinnacle Walnut w/ Beveled
Edge
Metal Inset: Black
Dual Level Upholstered Bench
Upholstery: Brentano, Freehand, Blueprint (COM)
Powder Coat Steel Base: Black
The open offices feature height-adjustable workstations designed for a hoteling concept. The simple, flexible design allows employees to adapt their workspace as needed, with dividers providing privacy while still encouraging collaboration.
Thoughtfully designed meeting and breakout spaces feature pantries, mother’s rooms and restrooms, showcasing a curated selection of furniture and finishes. Demountable glass walls provide effective space delineation, enhancing functionality while maintaining an open feel to the floor plate.
Sophisticated materials draw inspiration from the blue in the client’s branding, creating a simple and timeless aesthetic. Triangle tiles and fluted textures mimic the movement of the Aldi logo, which are seamlessly integrated throughout the space.
Typical Mother’s Room
Typical Meeting Room
Typical Restroom
Typical Pantry
STC. COUNTRY CLUB
Project Type: Hospitality
Project Size: 11,000 SF
Location: St. Charles, IL
Status: In Progress
Role: Lead Designer
Just in time for the club’s 100th anniversary, the newly re-modeled first floor will breathe new life into the club, while preserving and honoring the club’s deep history and traditions
The first floor re-design will consist of three dining rooms, a ballroom that will serve as the backdrop for various events and weddings, as well as the common spaces. New additions will include a bar and glass wine wall.
Finish Plans
The palette introduces a modern take that honors the club’s rich heritage. Finishes were paired to compliment the existing dark wood architectural elements, with warm beiges and lush greens elevated by brass accents. Tailored herringbone patterns add a refined touch, creating a refined atmosphere that blends tradition with contemporary aesthetics; appealing to new members while retaining the loyalty of long-standing members.
8" CROWN MOLDING; ST-1
INSERT IN CABINET FRAME
INSERT IN CABINET FRAME UPPER CABINETS; WITH 4 ADJUSTABLE SHELVES
BACK OF SHELVES; GL-1
BACK OF SHELVES; GL-1
BACK BAR ELEVATION 1
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
TYP.
BACK BAR ELEVATION 1
BACK BAR ELEVATION 1
FRONT OF BAR ELEVATION 6
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
SCALE: 1/4" = 1'-0"
FRONT OF BAR ELEVATION 6
FRONT OF BAR ELEVATION 6
SIDE OF BAR ELEVATION 7
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
SIDE OF BAR ELEVATION 7
SIDE OF BAR ELEVATION 7
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
SIDE OF BAR ELEVATION 8
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
SIDE OF BAR ELEVATION 8
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
SCALE: 1/2" = 1'-0"
OPEN FOR EQUIPMENT; SEE FOOD AND BEVERAGE DRAWINGS QTZ-1
SIDE OF BAR ELEVATION 8 2 4
OPEN FOR EQUIPMENT; SEE FOOD AND BEVERAGE DRAWINGS
APPLIED MOULDING; ST-1
ST-1
RAIL; BRASS
APPLIED MOULDING; ST-1
LIGHT FIXTURES LOCATION TO BE CONFIRMED WITH DESIGNER ON SITE.
LIGHT FIXTURES LOCATION TO BE CONFIRMED WITH DESIGNER ON SITE.
DECORATIVE APPLIED MOULDING; PT-1
APPLIED MOULDING; PT-1
DECORATIVE APPLIED MOULDING
EXISTING FIRE BOX TO REMAIN
APPLIED MOULDING; PT-1
QTZ-3
EXISTING FIRE BOX TO REMAIN
EXISTING CHAIR RAIL;PT-1
HEARTH TO REMAIN; PT-1
QTZ-3
EXISTING HEARTH TO REMAIN; PT-1
LIGHT FIXTURES LOCATION TO BE CONFIRMED WITH DESIGNER ON SITE. 1" APPLIED MOULDING; PT-1
APPLIED MOULDING; PT-1
EXISTING FIRE BOX TO REMAIN
LIGHT FIXTURES TO BE CENTERED BETWEEN MIRRORS. HEIGHT TO BE CONFIRMED ON SITE WITH DESIGNER. NEW FIXTURES
QTZ-4
FLOOR TO CEILING TILE
LIGHT FIXTURES LOCATION TO BE CONFIRMED WITH DESIGNER ON SITE.
APPLIED MOULDING; PT-1
EXISTING FIRE BOX TO REMAIN WTL-1
QTZ-3
EXISTING HEARTH TO REMAIN; PT-1
EXISTING CHAIR RAIL;PT-1 WC-3
DUNHAM WOODS RIDING CLUB
Project Type: Hospitality
Project Size: 1,500 SF
Location: Wayne, IL
Status: Complete Role: Lead Designer
What was once an underutilized dining room at this local country club is now the most sought after room in this six room 1836 historic farmhouse. By strategically incorporating a bar into this room to serve as the heart of the club, it not only improved revenue, but employee effeciency & member attraction
All new finishes, furniture and a custom crafted bar create a bustling atmosphere for members to gather and celebrate. Finishes were carefully chosen to be historically accurate, ensuring a seamless blend to the club’s heritage. The design pays homage to the rich equestrian ties to the club and its surroundings; rich leather tones reminsicent of saddlery, a bar thats shape was inspired by the soft curves of a horseshoe and snaffle bits that line a custom designed banquette.
Concept
Rich walnut wood tones, soft horseshoe like curves paired, antique mirrored glass with warm brass fixtures create a warm and traditional bar design.
