SPRING 2023 TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Hi there! I'm Erin, a passionate and curious interior designer. I graduated Summa Cum Laude in May 2023 from Texas State University. My goal as a designer is to create transformational spaces driven by concepts and evidencebased design that meet user needs and exceed client expectations. I am passionate about the power design has to improve human welfare and quality of life. I am known by my peers for my self-starting attitude, desire to learn, communication skills, Revit knowledge, hand sketching, and thorough concept development.
101 Seaport Blvd. Suite 600, Boston, MA 02210
The Steelcase NEXT Student Competition objective was to design a new Research and Development Hub for "NEXT", a global consumer robotics company. NEXT's values emphasized inclusivity, diversity, wellness, and flexibility within a hybrid workplace. In addition to their 12,000 SF office, I was also tasked with creating NEXT's logo and branding. Space planning reflects evidence-based design goals tailored to client needs: creating an office space that recruits top talent and brings employees back into the office while allowing for future modifications. All furniture selections reflect in-depth research of Steelcase's offerings to best suit the client.
NEXT's new R+D hub is located in the heart of Boston's Innovation District. The approximately 12,000 SF portion of the 6th floor boasts Boston Harbor's striking views.
The design of NEXT's new R+D Hub sought to answer the question: how can design increase NEXT's creativity to model the future workplace?
NEXT's Research + Development Hub is inspired by two brain networks that together form creative thought: the Default Mode Network (DN) and the Executive Control Network (ECN)
Default Mode Network (DN)
The DN is characterized by pulling together individual experiences to form new ideas
Activated by: daydreaming and stimulation
Translated through: imaginative, engaging collaboration and transitory areas
Executive Control Network (ECN)
The ECN is characterized by logic and cognitive control
Activated by: focused attention
Translated through: "heads down" work and individual areas
Default Mode Network (DN) + Freethinking Area Translation
Executive Control Network (ECN) + Focus Area Translation
The merging of the DN and ECN brain networks reflects the merging of the traditional workplace and the home environment to cultivate peak creativity, productivity, and employee retention at NEXT. These two brain networks are translated into two distinctive spatial zones: Focus Areas, representing the ECN, and Freethinking Areaas, representing the DN. By blending these two spatial zones, NEXT employees are given the optimal environment to think creatively and continue NEXT's forward-thinking mission.
Logo
Focused Logic
(Executive Control Network)
Freethinking and Spontaneity
(Default Mode Network)
Reverse Logo Alternate Logo Color Theory
Conveys expertise, trust and dependability
Conveys creativity, confidence and enthusiasm
The reception welcomes and engages employees and visitors through natural materials, warm tones, resimercial furniture, and branding. Custom reception desk Engineered marble Tambour wood panel Eskayel rug
The Work Cafe offers a variety of work postures, merging collaboration and individual work. Biophilic elements and curvlinear form create a restorative hub.
Open, orbiting circulation connects all users regardless of how they choose to use the space
Mobility Versatility
Personal choice + control
User-adjustable OLED wrapped screen simulates nature environments
Rejuvenation
As one of the first spaces employees will interact with on the way to their workstations, freethinking portals will encourage engagement, community, and belonging.
Morning Evening Mid-day
Orange light warmly greets employees each morning and transitions them into creative thought.
White light provides a mental reset for employees as they step away from focused work for lunch.
Blue light helps employees unwind from a busy day and ease the mental transition out of the office.
Standing, eye-level furniture encourages spontaneous encounters
Team recognition wall establishes community + pride
OLED digital markerboard to share ideas responding to daily prompts
BeveLED 2.2 Infinite Color 4.5" Downlight
Workstation areas provide control and comfort through adjustable workstations and nearby seating alternatives to their desks.
The work lounge is equipped for multiple work and social activities, using resimerical
Polyurethane
Studio IV
1054 S Interstate 25, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Castle Rock Behavioral Health provides inclusive, holistic behavioral healthcare to children and adolescents ages 10-19 experiencing anxiety, depression, severe neurodivergence and other behavioral health disorders, in the Colorado community and beyond. This was a team project: concept, site, parti, and floor plan were completed on my own. Other work shown was completed as a team.
Prospect + Refuge Wayfinding
Unifying green spaces
Individual forms
Interconnected circulation
Site EastPlumCreek
Colorado is one of the most ecologically diverse states in the country; to thrive, each ecosystem depends on the support of the others in an intricate balance, tied together by interconnecting elements. Their identities are simultaneously distinct and harmonious. The behavioral health issues these children and adolescents are experiencing are complex, relying on specialized support systems from their healthcare professionals and caregivers. Each department will be represented by a specific Colorado ecosystem. Users will be able to form a sense of identity and belonging to their department's ecosystem through orienting color coding, signage, and department specific murals.
Wetland Inpatient - General & Adolescents
Wetland Inpatient zone - Children
Grassland Medical Clinic + Admin
Wetlands
Alpine Outpatient
Grasslands
Alpine
The reception creates a warm, welcoming transition to the inside environment. Seating choice encourages socialization, while recessed seating nooks create privacy and visibility. Finishes reflect the stone and wood found in the Montane Shrubland. Polished sandstone VCT
The dining hall creates a peacefully stimulating environment through a biophilic, abstracted tree canopy, and a mural that reflects a Montane Shrubland. Research shows muted oranges and pinks create an optimal mealtime environment for neurodivergent users.
The inpatient entry desk creates a soothing experience through design elements inspired by the Wetland ecosystem. The space aims to comfort, and orient new and current inpatients. Age-restricted wings are clearly marked with signage. Laminate Quartz countertop
The dayrooms within the inpatient living areas support multiple activity modes, providing inpatients a sense of choice and control.
The finishes selected and access to outdoor views create a calming, biophilic user experience..
Staff can safely work and monitor inpatients behind a plexiglass barrier. The doors behind lead to a secure charting space, where staff can retreat in case of emergency . The mural creates a biophilic atmosphere where outdoor views are not present. Mural Quartz countertop
Tamper-resistant bathroom accessories
Anti-ligature wardrobe doors
Bulletin board + TV
Illuminated impact-resistant mirror
Anti-ligature doors
This courtyard creates a safe opportunity for inpatients and staff to physically connect with nature alongside community, or individually. An encased butterfly garden creates natural movement which is shown by research to deescalate and relax. High Pressure Laminate
The objective of this project was to remodel this historic 1870s house into a non-profit farm-to-table community kitchen and art gallery retail space for the downtown Austin area to address food insecurity. Customers may range from unhoused individuals to middle to upper-class households. Cultivating customer dignity was a driving goal in this design.
The concept is inspired by the shown three iconic pieces of public art in Austin, TX. Public art represents community, culture, personal expression, and the championing of greater causes. This aligns with this project’s goal of creating a space where users of all backgrounds feel supported and welcome. This design explored with how people interact with art by: passing through it, walking around it, or staying in place. Three defined spatial zones were the product of this exploration: BRIDGE, GATHER, and RESTORE zones will be translated through "architectural art" wall, ceiling, and lighting design, paired with bright, inviting colors and textures reflecting Austin's public art to create community and comfort for users of all backgrounds.
Preserve and re-use original flooring and fireplaces for historic value and sustainability Visually engaging wall, ceiling, and lighting design to create joy
Approachable and inclusive materiality
Experiencing art
Mural from the "Be Well" collection
Historic restrictions
Exterior facade and structural walls cannot be altered
Two separate buildings
Gather:
Restore: In place "Tau Ceti" mural
Playful and colorful custom reclaimed wood ceiling art by local Austin wood artist, Aaron Michalvoic, draws people to the bar, creating community and converstion among restaurant patrons .
Concrete-look quartz countertop
Bleach cleanable upholstery
Bisazza mosaic tile
TURF custom curved acoustic ceiling panels creates intimacy, privacy, and visual interest. The original limestone wall, wood flooring, and windows are retained for historic preservation of the site.
Bleach cleanable
upholstery
Mitchell Black wallcovering
Carrying the same custom wood ceiling art and color palette onto the third floor establishes a sense of place and belonging. The unified circular booth shape adds to patron unity.
Bleach cleanable upholstery
Booth back upholstery
A lowered ceiling height creates a sense of privacy within the open floorplate. Emphasis on cool tones continues the color-coding of the three spatial zones and conveys the intimacy of this area.
Bleach cleanable upholstery
The objective of this project was to design two separate homes for a multi-generational family in San Marcos, Texas using pre-fabricated weeHouse modules by Alchemy Architects. The program included a main house and an aging-in-place guest house. Challenges of the site included a 40' difference in elevation from one end of the site to the other. Concept development, site layout, and house exterior were completed with my team partner. Schematic Design through Design Development of the interior of each unit were then completed individually. I was assigned Unit 2, the aging-in-place home. In addition to Unit 2's development, I was also in charge of modeling the topography, site plan, and exterior renderings. All work shown is my own.
Multigenerational family of 6
Husband and wife with young boy (Unit 1)
19 y/o son attending local university (Unit 2)
Visually impaired grandparents in their 70s (Unit 2)
SITE
San Marcos, TX
2 joining lots
Drastic topographic changes
Concept development and design goals of this project were led by a precedent study of the Landform House in Russia by A61 Architects and YY design built in 2016.
Dialogue between architecture and landscape
Sloped site
Ernestomeada Kitchen
Interior space goals to emphasize the cascading air space
The design creates a rippling structure and flowing movement down the slope of the site, and across each unit. By doing so, the user is visually connected Unit 1 and Unit 2 at all times while also maintaining privacy; this was intended to emphasize the Cortes-Mantheys’ importance of family. Minimalistic, continuous use of sustainable materials and neutral color palette will be used to further translate connection and
SUSTAINABLE EXTERIOR MATERIALS
Engineered hardwood Fly ash concrete
Rammed earth
Insulated glass
First Floor
All frequently used spaces such as the primary bed and bath, kitchen, dining, laundry, and garage are centralized to aid the grandparents living here.
Highlights
Min. 4' walkway widths
Built-in pantry and closet millwork for easy access
Trailing along corridor walls
Hand-drafted Finish Plan
Hand-drafted Finish Plan
The second floor is designed for the 19 year old grandson attending a local university. Reserving this floor for his use maintains his independence without isolating him from family.
Double height view into first floor
Drum room offset from first floor for acoustic privacy
Personal balcony
Built-in closet drawers and shelves
Porcelain tile Fly ash concrete Engineered vinyl plank Flooring Grandson's bedroom Drum roomKitchen
Engineered hardwood ceiling
Quartz countertop + backsplash
Oak cabinets
Porcelain floor tile
High contrast between the flooring and millwork finishes aids the aging-eye. Utilizing waterfall countertop edges and removing cabinet pulls removes protrusions to avoid bumping hazards. Push-to-open drawer slides hardware relieves the aging hand of grasping.
Biophilic elements such as natural materials, daylighting, live moss, and natural colors create serene living room. Keeping a short distance between the living area and the dining room aids aging-in-place. Velvet sofa upholstery evokes a sense of nostalgia in the elder clients.
Engineered hardwood ceiling
Live moss wall
Engineered vinyl plank flooring
Velvet sofa upholstery
"Juliet"
"Cross-eyed good boy"
"Admiral"