“ meraki ” is the main driving principle of my work; it means to do things with soul , creativity , and love ---- to put yourself into your work belongs to carlee mcguire
A NOTE FROM THE CURATOR:
Hi, I’m Carlee! I’m an American designer and project manager specializing in luxury interiors, and I’m delighted you’re here.
When it comes to design, I have a keen eye for detail, a soul that loves color, a passion for conceptualization, and an affinity for carefully crafted experiences. Unexpected combinations are my favorite, so I always look for ways to bring juxtaposition into my projects.
I hope my selected works make you smile and feel curious to see more. Cheers to bold design, curated moments, and all the beautiful things that make life special.
email me call me follow me carlee.mcguire99@gmail.com +39 3762059564 @carlee_mcguire | @ studio_jux
CAFÉ VERDE project_001
café verde
Café Verde is a conceptual café inserted in the current footprint of the Maxxi Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid, in the Flamino neighborhood of Rome, Italy.
I proposed a drastic change to the space by placing a neon green, see-through, elevated bar and restaurant space in the middle of the existing café. The insertion towers above the bookstore and café space where there is ample space to read, work, and chat amongst friends.
Massimo Bottura, a world-renowned Italian chef and philanthropist, was the inspiration behind the café. The color palette and circulation sequence was derived from his bright-colored dishes and exciting plating techniques.
Stadio
structural iterations
1 1⁄2 cups long espresso
upper-level bar & restaurant material board
landed in lakeview, arkansas
The task of designing a community center in rural South Arkansas, while sounding mundane to many, was probably my favorite project I took part in throughout my entire design school career. My design proposal was intended to evoke a sense of fun and excitement, which in all honesty, is lacking in this part of the state.
A visit to the town included a deep site analysis as well as a meeting with local community leaders. This opened my eyes and heart to what this town not only wanted, but needed. A very particular spatial program was put in place to accomodate these needs, and satisfies both children’s requests as well as adults.
lemonade stand gallery
lemonade stand + gallery section
Rooted in nature, the project colorway was derived from the colors of the Southern Arkansas landscape; this series of hand-drawn landscapes I made after visting
library + public workspace
I used the
shape of the town of Lakeview to create custom motifs that were used as wallcoverings for the project [see the rendering on left].
library section
Lakeview allowed me to determine the official color palette
THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, BILL GATES
Bill + Melinda Gates Foundation
Tehran, Iran Offices
The main task for this office interior was to create a functional space that enabled efficiency and collaboration, while also promoting mental and physical well-being through design. All the workspaces have both privacy and natural light, further bettering the workspace for all employees.
Overall, the inspiration for the colors, forms, and spatial layout was derived from a study of the local topography, which was analyzed through photography, model-making, and interpretation of “topography as art.”
detail of stairs with planter accomidation underneath to align with code standards
public meeting space
These spaces were conceptualized with the intenion of being collaborative and refreshing places for employees to come to work each day. The open floor plan, brightened jewel tones, and ample natural light consider the mental wellbeing of employees and put the employee at the forefront of the design concept.
public meeting space
private offices + sub-department workspces
primary global department workspaces
ECO-FASHION FOR ITALY
eco-fashion for italy
Designed for the Italian fashion house of Ermanno Scervino, this multi-use, re-purposed, abandoned paper mill was transformed into a sustainable eco-fashion production center for the brand. The goal of this project was to mesh the luxury nature of Scervino’s brand with sustainable materials and construction. The building provides a space for the brand to stay true to its Tuscan heritage in leather-making and textile production.
first floor plan
second floor plan
sustained style
For the sustainability portion of the eco-fashion production center, the entire original shell of the paper mill was kept intact.
Very minimal interventions were made in the space using mainly glass and metal structures to designate specific spaces, rather than adding walls and other structural elements.
The goal was to make the most efficient, environmentally-friendly insertions into the existing space that still satisfied the needs of the brand. The program included garment display spaces, a catwalk for exclusive shows, private offices, and the prototype, creation, and design station on the ground floor.
section & perspective of the design workspace, garment display space, and The Skywalk
concept sketches
THE SOUND OF COLOR
the sound of color
“Synergistic of Color” is an interactive, contemporary art exhibit weaving together Italian culture, specifically the facet s of music and art. This exhibit studies the tie between music notes and the hues of color they represent in correspondence to color frequency and wavelength.
structural detail of totem construction
The exhibit specifically higlights Rome through the spatial organization; the totems, each of which play the note that is associated with its specific color, are shaped like the different neighborhoods of Rome’s city center. The journey the viewers travel between the totems follows the same path as the Tiber River.
paolo
veronese green - “C” siena orange - “A” celeste blue - “C#”
schiaparelli pink - “F”
venetian red - “A#”
napoli yellow - “B
the hologram room
While the space provides a bold juxtaposition between the old and the new, the overall design highlights the existing space through colored lighting effects, holographic phenomenon,and interactive music.
The Hologram Room promotes freedom of use; whether viewers want to move around and dance in the hologram or sit in the custom-made, ergonomic seating, the way they interact in the space is up to them.
exhibit axon diagram
custom hologram of Rome’s Arch of Constantine
I WORKED HARD ON THAT selected professional projects
** All photos on the subsequent six pages are not mine, they are courtesy of
Casey Sarkin Interior Design and Photographer Rett Peek.
For my Honors Thesis, I explored the meaning, implications, and philosophy of genius loci.
During my travels, I intuitively experienced each place I visited in a different way. Repetitive elements like shutters, streetlamps, and walls washed with color are distinct to Rome. I felt more of a difference in richness and experiential quality when in Rome than in any other city I’ve ever been.
The change in architectural and cultural components from city to city encourages a different way of seeing and feeling the effect of “place.” Despite the metaphysical qualities of this concept and its reputation for being beyond description, this is also where the beauty of genius loci lies.
model making
Ths is a selection of process + study models utilized during the iterative design process. I prioritized using unconventional materials, laser etching, and other methodologies to make my study model process more exciting, more coherent with my personal ethos, and more conceptual, rather than entirely literal.
that’s sketchy...
I love to sketch, and I make it part of my design process as well as my “normal life” - it is a practice I implement in and out of the studio because it brings me joy and shapes how I see the world. This is a compilation of some of my favorite sketches from my time in design school.
the end ... for now ;)
email me call me follow me carlee.mcguire99@gmail.com +39 3762059564 @carlee_mcguire | @ studio_jux
