CV Portfolio

ERICA TAKAWIRA INTERIOR DESIGN PORTFOLIO

ABOUT ME This portfolio displays some of the projects I have completed over my three years at the University of South Wales on the BA Interior Design course. I have enjoyed all my projects and look forward to creating a career in interior design. My interest in interior design and the built environment has grown immensely.

I am keen to learn and experience commercial and residential design projects and improve my creative concept developement. I hope to continue learning and building my skills, to become the best designer I can be.

CONTENTS

01. THE GAIETY HALL 02. RSA STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION 03. MILSOM PLACE 04. THE ROYAL MINT 05. THALES & NDEC

Final Major Project: The Gaiety Hall For my FMP I strategised a creative reuse for an old cinema in Cardiff called The Gaiety Cinema.

I was inspired by the sites rich history and wanted to create a space for the community to come together to learn and support each other. The proposal was to create a place for small local food start ups to come and test there product and grow there customer following. At the same time the project included a cooking workshop where people can learn how to cook nutritious food inspired by what they experienced in the local area.

This space also doubles up as a community kitchen that can be hired by charirtys to provide free education and supplies to those most in need. The other spaces within the design provide oppotunity for collobrative working and study spaces.

Tasks Completed: Proposal Fesablity Study Concept Review Draft FF&E Specification Draft Review Supporting Developement Document Final Presentation

CONCEPT SKETCHES

REUSE PROPOSAL

THE NEW

GAIETY HALL THE CONCEPT COMMUNITY • HOSPITALITY • CONSERVATION My aspirations for this brief are to reinstate the Gaiety to its former status within the community. The proposal is to create a mixed-use project combining food and community. This will be done by separating the building into two main functions, the ground floor level food/events hall, and the upper level for organised activity: office space, collaborative space, cookery school. The space will promote a sense of pride within the community as it will provide a place for members to share their experiences and come together. The Gaiety will become a standout destination site on City Road and provide a space for local entrepreneurs to sell their goods and converse with consumers. It will also provide space for a variety of educational and collaborative initiatives such as those championed by Food Cardiff.

THE LOCATION 195-197 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JB

THIRD FLOOR 1:100

28

27

26

25

Site History

The building was constrcuted in 1912 as a theatre and skating rink under the name ‘The Gaiety’ and is one of the oldest remainging cinema’s in Cardiff. The building was commisioned by The Gaiety Electric Theatre & Rint Company LTD and designed by architect H.P. Sanders.

Key Developement Dates

SECOND FLOOR 1:100

•1912 - The building was constructed •1932 - Site expanded from 800 to 1500 capacity theatre •1961- Cinema business failed - building converted to a bingo hall •1998 - The building was closed and no longer in use •2001- Building is converted into a bowling alley •2006 - The building closed and left to degrade •2012 - Building occupied by squatters and anarchist group ‘The Gremlins’.

• 2018 - New student accomodation proposed for site

16

18 24 17

Site Analysis

19

20

21

15

23

FIRST FLOOR 1:100

14

13

11

FlOOR PLAN KEY KEY DESIGN MOVES • Create and inside/outside connection between indoor and outdoor space on the ground floor.

• Improve natural lighting by reinstating original windows.

• Enhance existing original features.

• Reconfigure entrances downstairs.

• Improve connection between floors within the building by taking inspiration from theatre balconies.

• Create accessible feature throughout the design.

1.Original Entrance 2.Retail unit 1 3.Retail unit 2 4.New Entrance 5.Island drink bar 6.Seating zone 7.Food hall seating zone 8.Indoor/outdoor market zone 9.Permenant food units 10.Restrooms 11.Kiosk sign in AA 12.Rentable workspace 13.Security office 11.Restroom 15.Rentable workspace 17.Lockers and waiting zone 18.Kitchen Workshop 19.Co-working space 20.Rentable Space 21.Rentable Space 23.Breakout space 24.Restrooms 25.Workspace 26.Presentation/chill out space 28.Co-working space/meeting

12

GROUND FLOOR 1:100

3

1

5

7 6

2

8

4

9

10

RSA Sudent Design Competition Breif 6: Home Sweet Home For this breif I chose to investigate the issue of accessible housing in the UK. I read several reports detailing the experiences of different people in their homes. I explored a wide variety of issues so that I could narrow my focus. My key considerations were aging population, accessibility, and adaptability.

My proposed idea is to create a home with walls that are specially designed to allow for the easy installation of support rails around the home. The walls can also allow for other customisations such as decoration, sensory panels, adjusting the height of shelves and sides. The walls provide simple adaptions to the home in an effective way. The wall design can be incorporated into new builds, particularly prefabricated builds. There is also the opportunity for the design to be retrofitted into pre-existing builds.

Inspiration

Initial Sketches

AdaptaWall

Adaptable customisation in the home that can be done by anyone.

Milsom Place Location: Milsom Place, Bath.

For this brief I completed a feasibility study to decide the design concept. My three ideas where: Alternative holistic healing spa, Start-up business hub, Social entertainment space. I decided on the social entertainment space.

Link to feasibility study: https://issuu.com/ericajtaka/ docs/feasibility_doc My concept was to create a social entertainment space inspired by the popular trend of escape rooms and interactive games. The disused space would be reinvented into a fun destination suitable for a wide range of ages, drawing visitors into Milsom Place improving footfall to the complex. The escape rooms would be themed around the city of Bath. For inspiration I considered Baths rich history, architecture, and inventions. The space also encouraged collaboration between the two local universities as a site for there game design and other creative courses to test projects and concepts.

CONCEPT VISUALS

FIRST FLOOR

GROUND FLOOR

BESPOKE CURIOSITY WALL GAME ROOM

MOODBOARD

The Royal Mint Be Part of The Next Chapter.

Location: London For this projected I came up with a creative concept for a pop-up exhibition and retail stand for The Royal Mint to use and engage with the public. For the concept I took inspiration from stories and storytelling. I decided to base the design of my stand on a book, creating a popup stand that can open and close. I also worked on a sub-branding concept to accompany my designed element. The phase I decide on was ‘Be part of the next chapter’, to encourage observers to think about how they might contribute to the next phase in The Royal Mints journey.

SECTIONS

PHOTOSHOP VISUAL

SUB-BRANDING CONCEPT

Thales and NDEC Project Location: Ebbw Vale

This brief was to develop a design concept for an educational environment solution suitable for the intended space in the new NDEC building. This concept should be flexible and respond to the varying uses highlighted by the client. I took inspiration from the town of Ebbw Vale to start my conceptual thinking.

ERICA TAKAWIRA PORTFOLIO 2021