

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 design-oriented. 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 in my third year at the University of Florida studying Interior Design with a minor in Sustainability. I feel that it is extremely important to create unique designs while also focusing on how these designs impact it has on 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 and distinctive forms. I believe human-centered design means creating spaces that are not just visually appealing but also warmly inviting, with a focus on ensuring people feel inhabiting the designed environments. Shaped by my education, I prioritize cohesion 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 eagerly inhabit--spaces that are colorful, user-centered, inviting, eclectic, and cohesive.





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.






PROCESS WORK






MATERIALITY AND INSPIRATION


Biophilic Aspects


































WORKSPACE

STEELCASE OLOGY DESK ELECTRIC



STEELCASE

STEELCASAE HIGH DENSITY CABINET

STEELCASE CURRENCY ENHANCED

STEELCASE CURRENCY ENHANCED LOWER STORAGE
CHOICE WITHIN THE SPACE

LEARNING

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.














PRESENTATION ROOM

TRUCHET ACOUSTIC TILES

MATTIAZI SHE
SAID STOOL

STEELCASE FLEX WORKTABLE

STEELCASE ECLECTIC

STEELCASE MOBILE WHITEBOARD

COALESSE LAGUNITAS
OCCASIONAL TABLE

COALESSE MASSAUD

COALESSE LAGUNITAS LOUNGE SYSTEM



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





















Mixing materials provides depth to the space and there is an ADA accessible POS station


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




Oven display center provides storage for additional SMEG products underneath and easy comparison for customers



Custom tables with in-set screens allow customers to sit down with a SMEG representative and have a personalized POS experience










SECOND FLOOR






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 wayfinding






The red, green, and white colors are inspired by

The SMEG500 Beverage Refrigerator offers customers an engaging lounge experience, allowing them to interact with the product while enjoying complimentary beverages.










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














Click the link to view more:
SMEG Video Walkthrough




EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Programs: Revit, Enscape, Photoshop
The objective of this project was to create an executive office for The North Face which infuses the workspace with the spirit of adventure, resilience, and innovation. By incorporating natural wood textures, earthy colors, and suspended greenery, the interior fosters creativity, teamwork, and purpose. The result is a sophisticated yet adventurous executive office space that seamlessly blends the corporate world with the adventurous spirit of the great outdoors, fostering a dynamic and inspiring work atmosphere for executives and their teams.
There were two main spaces that were utilized for this project. The conference room was inspired by the essence of the North Face. The space outside of the conference room, the executive office, was created to enhance the sense of the brand through materials and finishes.


















CASTLE HILLS
Group Members: Elena Caldwell, Emily McCauslin, Isabella Larkan, Michaela Miller, Serena Burke


Client: Castle Hills Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility
Location: Lewisville Texas
Programs: Revit, Enscape, Photoshop
My contributions: Concept development, material research and selection, furniture selection, resident room rendering, floorplan rendering.

This project for an assisted living and memory care facility placed a strong emphasis on selecting materials that met stringent criteria to cater to users facing cognitive difficulties. Every material used had to pass rigorous testing to ensure it adhered to safety standards, durability, and ease of maintenance. Fabrics were chosen not only for their aesthetics but also for their resistance to stains and antimicrobial properties, ensuring a hygienic and comfortable living environment. Flooring materials were selected with slip-resistant properties to mitigate the risk of accidents. The focus on materials aimed to provide a secure and resilient space that ultimately contributes to the well-being and safety of the facility's residents.


My team’s design intent was to create a warm, comforting, and serene environment that evokes the beauty and tranquility of the natural world. To achieve this, we incorporated warm woods and a color palette inspired by nature, ensuring that every resident feels connected to the outdoors while enjoying the safety and comfort of their home.

MATERIAL CRITERIA

Dementia-Friendly Design
Low Visual Impact & Confusion

Acoustical Properties
Noise Reduction Coefficient Above 0.5
Hygiene and Cleanliness


Sustainability

Safety and Durability
Abrasion & Stain Resistant
Antimicrobial & Chemical Resistant
Recycled & Low Emitting
FLOORPLAN









Specifications
Vinyl Seating
Anzea
Gelato

Content: 100% vinyl with cotton knit back
Performance
Abrasion: 100,000 cycles (Martindale).
Finish: Superior soil and stain resistance
Sustainability
REACH compliant, free of phthalates, lead, and heavy metals
BPA Free

Ceiling Condition
USG True Wood Grille Light Cherry
Specifications
Content: Lay-in panel sizes of 2’x2’, and 2’x4’
Performance
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) up to 1.25
Sustainability
Certified as sustainably harvested
FSC-STD-40-003 V2-1; FSC-STD40-004 V3-0
Low VOC emissions

Wall Covering
Duratec
Omicron
Azure| MDV2023
Specifications
Content: Melamine-saturated decorative paper laminated to a phenolic-impregnated kraft paper core
Performance
Abrasion / Wear Resistance: Tested to standard NEMA/LD 3-2005 for wear resistance. Result of 1,000 cycles.
Chemical Resistance: Can be manufactured with enhanced chemical resistance.
Sustainability
Paper used in products from recycled or renewable resources

Surface Finishes
Nevamar
Mazagran
Specifications
Content: poly-cotton drill backing
Performance
Class A Fire Rating
Scratch and impact-resistant Hoffman Scratch > 2000gms (no image damage)
High cleanability: met or exceeded ASTM D1308 Resistant to Hospital Grade Disinfectants, bleach, soap, and water
Sustainability
Low VOC emissions

Resident Room Layout




ARCHITECTURAL WORK

















