Ella Penney - Interior Architecture & Design Portfolio 2025
PORTFOLIO.
Interior Architecture & Design
Ella Penney
“IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GO FORWARD WHILE LOOKING BACK.”
-LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHE
My name is Ella Penney and I am currently a fourth-year Interior Architecture and Design honors student at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Within this portfolio, you will find projects completed throughout my journey at the Fay Jones School. My love for design, history, art, and the built environment has grown exponentially since starting school and I look forward to beginning my career. I am eager to learn all there is about improving the world through design, not only during the duration of my education, but in the professional world.
Helping and supporting the instructor by assisting with attendance, grading assignments, and managing classroom activities. Providing additional guidance to students during lectures and study sessions, ensuring a thorough understanding of key concepts and historical contexts.
SHM Architects Interior Design Technician Internship -- May 2024 - August 2024
Interning for a bespoke residential architecture and design firm in Dallas, Texas. I was tasked with working on my own project as well as attending client meetings, working in CAD and Revit, crafting interior elevations, sketching, selecting materials and finishes, and more.
DigitalMediaTeachingAssistant--Fall2023
Supporting the teacher and students in a Revit-based class previously taken during Fall 2022. Responsibilities for this role include leading classes, answering questions, grading assignments, taking attendance, and being available for office hours.
UniversityPerspectivesMentor--Fall2023
Leading and aiding a group of freshman students within the Architecture school. Met with students once a week and presented lectures to assist them in adjusting to college and design school.
Attending meetings with colleagues regularly to discuss interior architecture and design within the school and networking throughout the Northwest Arkansas design community.
Altar’dStateBrandAmbassador--2020-2022
Working as a seasonal employee for a boutique in Frisco, Texas. This job consisted of maintaining a clean workplace, mailing online orders, completing customer transactions, and upholding the brand’s identity. Gaining experience in sales, retail design, and cultivating client-employee rapport.
StarbucksBarista--2018-2019
Helping and catering to customers to create a pleasant dining experience. Maintaining professionalism in fast-paced environments, learning and applying in short time frames, and practicing attention to detail.
Peace at Home Women’s Shelter Volunteer, Salvation Army Volunteer, Farmington Fall Festival Volunteer, Panhellenic School Supplies Drive, Volley against Domestic Violence, Glass Slipper Drive
This is Jacky. She is a NWA native who loves spending her weekends on Emma Ave. Whether that means reading in Springdale Sip Club on a breezy Saturday or indulging in a wine night with her girl friends to catch up. She loves the nostalgic feelings that Emma Ave. brings and enjoys the fresh air that she can get while sitting in the comfort of the S.S.C.
This is Garrett. He recently graduated from the University of Arkansas and accepted a postgrad job at Tyson. On his breaks, Garrett likes to walk over to the Springdale Sip Club to get a midday pick me up. In addition to this, Garrett is a live music buff who enjoys going to the S.S.C. with his buddies on the weekends to support the local artists over a beer.
is Jo. Jo knows everything there is to know about wine. She dreams of owning her own vineyard and can be found on her couch watching documentaries about wine. She loves trying local Arkansas wines and know that Springdale Sip can provide. However, she is not a fan of crowds, so she prefers to reserve the private dining room for intimate wine tasting with her closest friends.
As I reflect on my summer internship with SHM Architects, I knew I had so much to learn in a workplace setting. SHM Architects Interiors Team gave me opportunities to sit in client meetings, visit sites, work on real world projects, and so much more. In addition to this, I was given my own project located in Franklin, TN. My client was a colleague, who mentored me through my internship process and acted as if she was an actual client. We met once a week to discuss the design development, make changes, and build her dream home. My role, as the designer, was to select and specify all plumbing fixtures, floor materials, wall materials, slabs, ceiling treatments, decorative lighting, trim, moulding, doors, cabinetry, cabinet hardware, and furniture for the kitchen, great room, library, back hall, and powder. This portfolio showcases what I presented to the firm at the conclusion of my internship.
THEKITCHENDESIGNDETAILS
CLIENTPROFILE:
Avery is a fashion designer building her dream home with her husband. They have two kids together, who are grown and out of the house. Avery loves unique and creative pieces, especially decorative lighting. Her and her husband want a moody bar and powder, views to the outside, a fireplace with casual seating, no kitchen island seating, and a place to entertain.
INSPIRATION IMAGES:
SLAB: CALACATTA MACCHIA VECCHIA MARBLE CABINETRY STYLE AND HARDWARE:
KITCHEN ISLAND INTERIOR ELEVATIONS: PLUMBING:
CEILING DETAIL: WHITE OAK STAINED BEAMS FLOORING: WHITE OAK HARDWOOD THROUGHOUT
KITCHEN INTERIOR ELEVATION:
East @ Vent Hood Wall:
CABINETRY STYLE AND HARDWARE: LADDER RAILING:
LADDER RAILING CONNECTION:
KITCHEN
THEGREATROOMDESIGNDETAILS
DINING INSPIRATION:
CUSTOM DINING CHAIR
DINING ROOM COLLAGE:
RENDERINGS:
Bench Finishes:
CEILING DETAIL: WHITE OAK BEAMS FLOORING: WHITE OAK HARDWOOD
The concept behind this design was “aggregation”, or “a whole form by combining several elements.” The idea is that good architecture and design are formed by combining several elements. In addition, an improved human experience is formed by combining several elements. This idea drove many of the design decisions throughout the project. The ceiling element as seen in the reception and around the staircase is the biggest, most literal depiction of the concept. The sculptural element consisting of wood and integrated lighting used repetition to make a beautiful, visually pleasing form. During the space planning, the concept was kept in mind as the left portion of the space is used for working and creating. When met with the right portion, the company’s work finally comes to fruition and is shown to clients. This plan not only separates the public from the private but allows for an effective workplace. The colors used in the NEXT office reflect the culture of Dallas. As the building is adjacent to one of Dallas’ largest sports centers, American Airlines, the blues used throughout the office reflect the colors of the Dallas Cowboys as well as the Dallas Mavericks. All of these elements and so much more is evident within the next few pages. BRANDING:
CONCEPT
WORKSTATIONS
ACOUSTIC SOLUTIONS:
Light Grey Acoustic Panels
PLANS
Thinking about what the client’s goals were, I knew there had to be an innovative solution to bring employees back into the
In this
employees should feel like they are
This is achieved through
Making the workplace feel inviting by carving out the
create a memorable experience for employees coming into the
