Having grown up in Cape Town and Singapore, I have been exposed to diferent cultures from a young age. My international background unables me to adapt rapidly in many environments.
I obtained my Interior Architecture degree at HEAD –Genève, where I was able to explore different fields of the profession such as scenography and interior design.
In my first work experience in the field of luxury retail, I was able to learn project management while putting into practice my design skills.
During my internship at Piaget I had the opportunity to assist each project manager in the deployment of Boutiques in the below countries:
USA, Canada, Switzerland, UK, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Saudi Arabia and Emirates.
A few months into the experience, I was able to take charge of wholesale projects and points of sale, in the multi-brand TimeVallée, internationally.
By the end of my time at Piaget, I was intrusted with the responsability of managing the deployment of a travel retail Boutique in Hong Kong.
Images of opened TimeVallée points of sale in Tokyo - Japan, BangaloreIndia, Bandra - India.
While assisting a Project manager for a complex Boutique in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, I made a proposal for their 2 shop fronts with the opportunity to personalize the façades.
The street entrance façade is more sober and less transparent at the request of the landlord.
To play with this demand, both façades would be covered with the milanaise mesh which is a decorative element found in Piaget creations. This allowed to produce the desired opacity.
As we had the freedom to personalize the mall entrance, the idea was to apply the same reasoning as above with a Visual Merchandising design. This design of a radiant pattern of blue and gold specs, can found on gift tote bags and china.
Image of a gift tote bag with a radianting pattern of blue and gold dots, designed by the Visual Merchandising department.
Draft render of the mall entrance with the radiant pattern of blue and gold dots inside the milanaise mesh.
This project was the first point of sale I was in charge of. It was also the pilot for Piaget’s new wholesale architectural concept. This space is of 10 square meters in the multi-brand Bucherer, Covent Garden, London.
The challenge of this project was to adapt the acrhitectural elements designed for the Boutiques into wholsale, taking into acount the budget, the limited space and the timing.
During the design phase, I proposed a variety of solutions, to value engineer an accessorisation element.
It was also an opportunity for me to coordinate the production of the furniture and attend the installation on site, learning skills on project management.
Renders of the three final solutions for the accessorisation shelving.
Maintenance Fresh up
This temporary store in Taipei 101, Taiwan, was designed to replace the Boutique which was being renovated. The budget the budget was limited and the timeline short.
To optimize the costs, the furniture of the previous Boutique was re-used. This allowed for more creativity in the development of the “frame”.
In order to customize the space, the proposal was to translate the waves of the “Savoir Faire” panel, a signature artwork designed by AC Matière.
The pattern was simplified and used to create the zoning of the space, with private and more open spaces depending on the operational needs.
Image of the Wave “Savoir Faire” artwork, a pattern designed by AC Matière.
Sketches of the the design process of the Taipei 101 temporary store.
Formalizing them via sketches and a call for tender
Launching and running the tender
Analysing the offers
Negotiating
With great pleasure, I had the opportunity to lead to completion the developpment and purchase of Piaget’s new architectural chart.
The aim was to define the obejctives and identify the deliverables. With this goal in mind I conducted an internal survey to collect information from the stakeholders who will be using the chart.
This helped to launch the tender and identify the most suitable drafters who could produce the desired document. Along with the writen specifications, each participant to the trender received a draft chart that I sketched.
In this endeavour, I had the chance to work closely with the procurement department to understand the suibtilities of negociation and respect the appropriate company purchasing guidelines.
Awarding the tender
Sketches of some of the furniture elements of Piaget’s new architectural concept.
Public space
Branches of shadow Temple: meditation platform
Project of a Folie in the Bois de la Bâtie in Geneva, using resource tools such as work that connects, permaculture, reuse, and eco-construction, directed by Florine Welscher and Alice Dunoyer of Chantier Ouvert, assisted by Paule Perron.
Folies question our link with Nature and materialize it with heart, sustainability, respect and commitment, without providing univocal answers. Above all, they raise questions.
Monochrome axonometry of the project in its context.
At the edge of the wood, of the Bois de la Bâtie, is found the branches of shadow Temple.
Between invisible energies, the layout of the woods, the morphology of the trees and the archetype of the Palladian Doric column, the Folie is anchored at the border of the shadow, on an invisible, harmonic and sacred point.
On the path to reconciliation, the Folie is an invitation to take ones time. Through a peristyle that builds the void, to the heart of the temple, a place of meditation is discovered.
The meeting of the columns, all unique and built thanks to the branches in the shadows, invite to meditate in full light on the relation that we maintain with Nature.
Plan.
Extracts of the video showing the construction of the prototype 1/1.
Extracts of the video showing the construction of the prototype 1/1.
stainless steel cap
modules of the raw earth column
steel skeleton of the column
made piece that raises the column from the ground
The construction of the column revisits the adobe method to form the modules of the shaft.
The adobe modules are connected by a stainless steel skeleton to ensure the stability. This part of the column is implanted in the ground through a custom made piece to raise it, thus protecting the most fragile part.
Then, the steel bar integrates a Krinner screw, screwed into the ground. To protect the second most sensitive part, a stainless steel cap finishes the column.
Axonometry and section of a column.
stainless
custom
Krinner screw
Photos of the 1/1 prototype in raw earth with steel squellette and steel cap.
Organic Cohabitation: a conscious and living domesticity
Scenography project to present the stands of the HES-SO in Geneva for the Cité des Métiers under the theme Thinking about the city of tomorrow, directed by Line Fontana, assisted by Paule Perron.
Based upon reflections on a possible “city of tomorrow”, which combines human and nature, in their own constructions, this project works on the weaving between the two, their possible interractions, the moments of mutual help, and those where they separate.
Collage of the VR and games stand as wells as the refreshment stand.
SCHÉMA TOPOGRAPHIQUE DE LA TERRE
SCHÉMA TOPOGRAPHIQUE DE LA TERRE
of the created topography
SCHÉMA TOPOGRAPHIQUE DE LA TERRE
SCHÉMA TOPOGRAPHIQUE DE LA TERRE
SCHÉMA DU CONSTRUIT (MURS ET TOITS)
of the built elements (walls and roofs)
Four conceptual principles that overlap and intertwine, together compose the exhibition space.
The first principle consists in working the topography little by little, creating different spaces, then integrating the requested areas.
SCHÉMA DU CONSTRUIT (MURS ET TOITS)
SCHÉMA DU CONSTRUIT (MURS ET TOITS)
SCHÉMA DU CONSTRUIT (MURS ET TOITS)
The second principle consists of planting vegetation, respecting its needs, which at times provides spaces of intimacy, landmarks and softness.
The third principle arranges walls and ceilings around this greenery without trying to rush it.
of the added vegetation
SCHÉMA DE LA VÉGÉTATION
SCHÉMA DE LA VÉGÉTATION
SCHÉMA DE LA VÉGÉTATION
SCHÉMA DE LA VÉGÉTATION
diagram of the built elements (furniture)
SCHÉMA DU CONSTRUIT (MOBILIER)
SCHÉMA DU CONSTRUIT (MOBILIER)
Finally, furniture integrates the mounds of earth, in dialogue with the curves of the vegetation.
SCHÉMA DU CONSTRUIT (MOBILIER)
SCHÉMA DU CONSTRUIT (MOBILIER)
Diagrams of the conceptual principles.
diagram
diagram
diagram
Photo of 1/33 scale model of the agora space and the dream wall.
Scenography project in the exhibition space of the Forum d’Architectures (f’ar) in Lausanne, directed by Youri Kravtchenko of Ykra, assisted by Manon Portera.
Within the framework of the exhibition Night & Architecture, the Moon Club event was opened to the public for one night of festive experience. The scenography of this club was conceived through the exploration of dancing rituals inside and outside clubs to create an indoor urban landscape. Like a deserted city brought to life at night, all due to these primordial devices: the lighting, music as well as (il)licit drugs.
The scenography is comprised of three architectural elements designed for this experience. The first is a dance floor made of metallic grating from which smoke escapes. The second is a full moon to project a light show. The last one is a building facade, held by scaffolding, that houses the DJ booth.
In this dark room, with the painted frame , the light devices consciously placed, as well as the mist, temporality ceases to exist.
Axonometry of the fa’r room fitted out with the Club’s equipment.
DJ booth mounted on scaffolding with a building facade
misting machine x2
neons x10
strobes x2
metallic grating dance floor 1000x300cm
metallic grating 100x100cm
wooden structure that raises the dance floor by 20cm and houses the lighting installations and other devices
Details of the architectural and lighting features of the Club.
Design project of a new typology of domestic interior, directed by Ana Luisa Soares of fala, assisted by Joséphine Devaud.
Taking as a starting point the dining room of Kazunari Sakamoto’s House in Shoshigaya and inspired by the scene of Monsieur Hulot’s house in Jacques Tati’s film Mon Onlce, Half Level Up is an accommodation for a family, composed of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a resting area.
Project axonometry.
The starting point was found through the study of House in Shoshigaya, and in particular, the dining room.
This dinning room has an informal and formal dining table, the latter connected to a tea ceremony area. The architectonic elements such as the ceiling, the floor and stairs, serve to the purpose of the space in dialogue with the minimal furniture.
Another important aspect of Sakamotos’ House in Shoshigaya, is the linear corridor connecting the two levels of the dwelling. Applying the same logic to my project, this helped guide the distribution of the different living spaces, creating an unusual path to reach the different levels and rooms.
