ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Elena! I was born and raised in upstate New York and moved to Orlando, Florida in 2015. Ever since I was little, I have always been intrigued by anything that was designoriented. Through school and personal projects, I have explored graphic design, fashion design, and interior design. Through these explorations, I have developed a detail-oriented and empathetic design style. I chose to study interior design because I am very interested in the psychological choices behind a design and how those choices can affect the user experience.
I am currently attending the University of Florida studying Interior Design with a minor in Sustainability. I feel that it is important to create unique designs while also focusing on how the designs impact the heath of the users and the environment. The interior design program at UF has allowed me to create a strong design foundation through extensive work in architectural studio courses. This foundation allows my current designs to be more developed as I focus on the interior and architectural composition.
My portfolio consists of my interior design projects from my studio courses at the University of Florida. I have also included a portion of my work from previous architectural studios to demonstrate the foundation of my education. I feel that these projects accurately depict the design and technical skills I have gained during my time at UF.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
My designs are rooted in a passion for fun and unique aesthetics, evident in my use of bold colors and distinctive forms. I believe human-centered design means creating spaces that are not just visually appealing but also inviting, with a focus on ensuring people feel comfortable inhabiting the designed environments.
Shaped by my education, I prioritize harmony and consistency, drawing inspiration from branding techniques to construct cohesive worlds within each design. Uniqueness and boldness are central to my approach, expressed through eclectic designs and fearless use of color. This portfolio showcases my process of creating spaces that people are eager to interact with--spaces that are colorful, user-centered, inviting, eclectic, and cohesive.
352-348-8493
elcc025@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/elena-caldwell18
Group Members: Elena Caldwell, Olivia Grinage, Michaela Miller, Emily McCauslin, Xiyi Hu
Client: SMEG
Location: 1545 Peachtree St NE #280, Atlanta, GA 30309
Programs: Revit, Enscape, Photoshop
My contributions: Space planning, material and lighting exploration, rendering (toaster staircase, second floor lounge, cooking studio, history walkthrough, kitchen and laundry appliance displays, second floor POS, bathrooms, ceilings).
Smeg, an iconic brand renowned for its innovative and stylish home appliances, has left an indelible mark in the realm of kitchen design with its unique blend of retro and modern aesthetics. Inspired by Smeg's bold exploration of the past and future, our vision for this flagship store design was to create an immersive and interactive space that reflects the brand's timeless appeal. Drawing from Smeg's vibrant color palette, we opted for a neutral and warm backdrop, utilizing rich woods to enhance the overall ambiance and let the signature hues of Smeg's products shine. This intentional use of materials not only complements Smeg's commitment to quality, but also aligns with their longstanding dedication to sustainability. In crafting an environment that echoes Smeg's values, we aimed to provide customers with a memorable and engaging experience, celebrating the brand's heritage while embracing its forward-thinking spirit.
FIRST FLOOR
Toaster Staircase
Aesthetic Lines
Color blocking conveys the SMEG branding with built-in storage for additional products if needed
Mixing materials provides depth to the space and there is an ADA accessible POS station
Aesthetic Lines
Themed model kitchens allow guests to visualize each SMEG aesthetic product line in a curated display
Free flowing forms allow guests to roam and explore with no set path throughout
SECOND FLOOR
Second Floor Entry
The Café shares a window with the outdoor patio, a tranquil space that allows customers to experience SMEG products in a different environment.
The Cafe acts as an interactive display and food service area to allow customers to experience the quality of SMEG products
Ceiling conditions, lighting, and signage aid in guiding guests towards the second floor point of sale.
Cafe
Laundry Appliance Display
Kitchen Appliance Display
Second Floor Point of Sale
Second Floor Lounge
History Walkthrough Cooking Studio
This space also has flexible, movable walls which allows for more private special events
The Cooking Studio allows guests to interact with the products while creating a memorable SMEG experience
The design of this office space draws inspiration from the vitality of urban life and the tranquility of natural parks, weaving together the hues of historic brick buildings and contemporary reflective skyscrapers. This synthesis fosters an atmosphere that promotes collaboration and offers spaces for rejuvenation, ensuring a seamless blend of productivity and relaxation. The interior will blend contemporary, eco-friendly materials and technologies with modern hues and lighting, fusing the best aspects of a bustling city and a serene park.
Mezzanine Entry
Huddle Room
Medium Oak Flooring
Textured Cream Carpet
Mezzanine Entry
CHOICEWITHIN THESPACE
LEARNING
WELLNESS
This office will facilitate designers in creating important professional relationships.
This space will offer diverse layouts and environments to accommodate varying work styles, allowing designers to choose the setting that best suits their individual preferences and needs.
COLLABORATION
FOCUS
WORKSPACE
STEELCASE OLOGY DESK ELECTRIC
PANELS CASCADE
STEELCASE OFFICE
CHAIR SERIES 2 AIRBACK
STEELCASAE HIGH DENSITY CABINET
STEELCASE CURRENCY ENHANCED LOWER STORAGE CREDENZA
STEELCASE CURRENCY ENHANCED LOWER STORAGE
REVAMP
Presentation Room
PRESENTATION ROOM
TRUCHET ACOUSTIC TILES
MATTIAZI SHE SAID STOOL
STEELCASE FLEX WORKTABLE
STEELCASE ECLECTIC ELEMENTS SHELF
COALESSE MASSAUD CONFERENCE SEATING
STEELCASE MOBILE WHITEBOARD
COALESSE LAGUNITAS OCCASIONAL TABLE
COALESSE LAGUNITAS LOUNGE SYSTEM
Group Members: Elena Caldwell, Megan Fritz, Rae Fernandez, Emily McCauslin, Jessica Koconrek
Client: Orlando Health Institute
Programs: Revit, Enscape, Photoshop
My contributions: Space planning, design communication, rendering (discharge lobby, conference room, consult room, prep & recovery bay, nurse station, nurse alcove, control station, patient restroom, storage).
The design of the second floor of the Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute was deeply inspired by the healing qualities of sound and nature. We envisioned a space where natural harmonies and rhythms played a central role, creating an environment that fosters wellness and rejuvenation. By integrating elements of nature, such as soft, calming tones and organic materials, we aimed to craft an atmosphere that promotes serenity and healing. Above all, we wanted to prioritize the well-being of the staff, ensuring they had a rejuvenating environment that would allow them to perform their vital work with energy and care. By focusing on the needs of the caregivers, we recognized that a harmonious, restorative space would enable them to provide the highest level of care to the patients they serve.
Procedure Room
LockerRoom
ConsultationRoom
Weight&Measure
VRLearningCenter
PREP&RECOVERY SUITE
Prep Bay
Nurse Station
Control Desk
Nurse Alcove
Discharge Lobby
The three staff lounges provides employees with different postures to ensure heightened choice and control within the space.
The respite room reinforces the concept of rejuvenation through nature, as there are built in speakers where employees can customize which natural ambient sounds they would prefer to relax to.
Respite Lounge
ARCHITECTURAL EXPLORATIONS
Design
Design 3 - Door, Window, Stair Final
Design 3 - Door, Window, Stair Narrative Collages
Design 2 - Lamp Sections
2 - Remote Sections
Design 2 - Headphone Sections
MULTISENSORYRESEARCH: LIGHTINGVIZPO
Group Members: Elena Caldwell, Reagan Campo, Skylar Carten, Rae Fernandez, Alexis Freed, Natalie Manrique, Sara Pelgar, Amelia Sloan, Zara Soudani, Manuela Vasconcelos
Supervisors: Professor Mary-Anne Kyriakou & M.A. Valerie Meyer
University: Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe
My contributions: Box analysis, music selection, participant recruitment, research conduction, methodology, research questions, implications, limitations, further action
During the summer of 2024, while participating in a design program in Germany, I conducted a research project aimed at expanding the understanding of Professor Mary-Anne Kyriakou's concept of Visual Tempo (VIZPO). The research focused on multisensory design, with a particular emphasis on the interplay of light and sound. This experiment also delved into how spaces can be designed to harmonize with music, enhancing the emotional and cognitive responses of individuals within these environments. The findings aim to offer new insights into how sensory stimuli can be utilized to create immersive, dynamic spaces that foster a deeper connection between the physical environment and the auditory experience.
Lightboxes that were analyzed
3 4 5 7 8 10 9 2
METHOD& RESULTS
Researchers paired two pieces of music to each lightbox based on the visual tempo. They then recited a script, calibrated the BeGaze SMI eye tracking software, and had participants view each lightbox until they finished. Afterward, participants completed a questionnaire for each lightbox.
Areas of interest are used to understand how regions of a visual field draw attention by comparing the data for each area separately.
Dynamics can be interpreted in light as the changing character of the lit environment in terms of interplay of lighting equipment, intensity distribution, articulation, balance, contrast, color and control.
Visual Comfort refers to the state of experiencing minimal eye strain and feeling relaxed while observing a visual scene, achieved through appropriate lighting, contrast, ergonomics, and other environmental factors.
Visual Interest is defined as a box that is captivating, stimulating, and appealing to look at.
LIGHTBOX#9
Average Viewing Durations
Music significantly increases viewing times
Music type and presence influenced viewing durations based on gender
In 70% of the boxes, participants in the no-music groups rated the color intensity the lowest, suggesting that the lack of music is linked to lower perceived color vibrancy.
Music increased interest and viewing duration in every box, with non-lyrical classical music drawing more attention for 5 out of 10 boxes, while popular music engaged participants more than classical music.
The brightest areas of the boxes attracted the most visual attention, with participants drawn to cooler colors (purple, green) in brighter boxes and warmer colors in darker ones.
More colorful boxes (e.g., 2, 4, 7, 9) drew greater interest, suggesting color encourages visual exploration.
Adding music kept people engaged, while no music promoted quicker movement through the space, with effects varying by music type and gender.
Participants fixated on the edges of forms, as influenced by their contours.
THANK YOU