Interior Design Portfolio - Giselle Villeda

GISELLE VILLEDA

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design University of North Texas | Spring 2023

Hello, my name is Giselle Villeda, a collaborative, research-oriented senior interior design student who is passionate about creating purposeful and functional design solutions. I am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program of Interior Design at the University of North Texas, graduating in Spring 2023.

A large part of my identity is I am a first-generation student and second-generation American. Throughout my personal and academic life, I have experienced many adversities that have shaped me into the person and designer I am today. In recent years, there has been a wave of initiative and advocacy that draws attention to critical issues of diversity and representation in the design field. Looking towards us as architects and designers to use our skill set to engage in advocacy and activism. As designers, I believe we can shape and determine the world around us. Design is a tool that can improve someone’s quality of life, and the sustainability of our planet, and have a life-changing positive impact on our local communities.

Currently, I am collaborating with fellow peers from the UNT College of Engineering in the U.S. Department of Energy 2023 Solar Decathlon. Where we are designing education facilities for displaced communities in refugee camps. I am also interning at Corgan Headquarters in Dallas, Texas, within the Interior studio. I have received invaluable hands-on experience designing workplace interiors. Specifically learning how the workplace environment is undergoing a huge shift. Addressing not only the functionality of space but spaces that encourage productivity and a culture of wellness.

I am passionate about designing spaces that demonstrate beauty and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. To create environments that engage and inspire people who use them. To develop accessible spaces for everyone while connecting our landscape and the world around us. That is what excites me the most about design. It is such a powerful tool that can make all the difference in the human experience and our world.

CONTENTS

01. UBER - Work Place Wellness Commercial Office Project B.S. Fall Term, University of North Texas

02. Atlo Mixed Use 2022 IDEC Student Competition B.S. Fall Term, University of North Texas

03. A Ray Of Sunlight ADA Residential Project B.S. Fall Term, University Of North Texas

01

UBER WORK PLACE WELLNESS

Commercial Office Project | Fall 2022 | Dallas, TX | 24,362 sq. ft

In recent years, there has been a wave of initiative and advocacy that draws attention to critical issues of sustainability and wellness in the design field. Looking towards us as architects and designers to use our skill sets to engage in designing creative solutions to tackle these concepts. Since March 2020, people have become hyper aware of their environment. People’s sense of wellness and safety has been jeopardized. A study by the EPA discovered that concentrations of pollutants are typically higher in indoor spaces. The average person spends 90% of their time indoors, meaning we should design to support the way we now live, work, and play.

For my corporate client, Uber, I decided to apply WELL metrics and criteria to their workplace environment. WELL, resonates with companies that are innovative and wish to retain and recruit the best talent, while improving their productivity and customer satisfaction. Enhancing the human experience in ways the pandemic prevented companies from previously achieving. As a result, WELL is creating a shift in design by placing people at the center and creating intentional spaces that promote a culture of wellness for everyone.

Interior perspective of IT bar and collaboration space

At Uber, movement is at the forefront of what they do. Uber Technologies matches consumers looking for rides, or their next hot meal. When researching this company, I narrowed down four guiding principles that encompass who they are as a company, Go-getters, Innovation, Sustainability, and Brand. To translate their company values into the physical space, the workplace will provide a collaborative environment with open gathering areas, and several focus areas to promote productivity. While also staying true to their company’s sustainability goals and incorporating WELL standards, increasing employee satisfaction.

CIRCULATION PATH

Primary

Secondary

WORKPLACE ENERGY AND CULTURE

At its most basic function, the workplace is more than office chairs and desks. The heart of every company is its people. The built environment can have a profound effect not only on the functionality of space but spaces that encourage productivity and a culture of wellness. Hybridity has brought new efficiencies and flexibilities, but it also complicates office culture. A way that was tackled in this design was by implementing purposeful zoning using WELL criteria.

As a brand, they believe movement ignites opportunity, it is at the forefront of what they do. Translating movement in the physical space the reception branding walls combine visual energy with dynamic shapes and forms guiding the eyes down the hall.

GRAB AND GO

The WELL Nourishment concept requires the ability of fruits and vegetables and nutritional transparency. Encouraging the food environments, where the healthiest choice is the easiest choice.

COLLABORATION SPACE

The WELL Light concept promotes exposure to light and aims to create lighting environments that promote visual, mental, and biological health. Light is the main driver of the visual and circadian systems which has a positive effect on users’ mental well-being and productivity levels.

MATERNITY ROOM

The WELL Community concept aims to support access to essential healthcare, build a culture of health that accommodates diverse population needs and establish an inclusive, engaged occupant community. This dedicated maternity room offers supportive amenities and resources to help mothers initiate and sustain breastfeeding.

Interior Elevation of Grab and Go | NTS

Interior perpspective of Maternity Room

Interior perspective of IT bar and collaboration space

02 ATLO

Mixed Use | Fall 2021 | Oklahoma City, OK | Group Project | 1,072 sq. ft

Recognition: 2022 IDEC Student Competition Honorable Mention

Atlo translates to “weaving” in the Navajo language. Similar to yarn interlacing to create woven works of art, Atlo is dedicated to connect Navajo traditions, history, land, and unity within the community and the environment. Atlo is a mixed-use environment designed for two Navajo small business owners. They honor their ancestry with the textiles they create and use the sale of those textiles to share the history of their people. Bringing awareness to indigenous peoples of the Americas.

In this project, our team addressed the live work model in a sustainable way that also allows for migration as needed by the inhabitants. The live work shipping container consists of three shipping containers that serve as a dwelling and business location. While also addressing small space solutions, structural stability of the containers, ‎transitions between the residential and commercial spaces, as well as antimicrobial measures, social distancing, and health-focused spaces.

Interior perspective of cashier and sales floor

CLIENT RESEARCH

Navajo woven fabrics are produced on looms. Weaving typically requires at least one set of warp yarns that are kept taut on a loom and a means for the filling yarns to interlace with the warp yarns as they move horizontally from one side to the other. Plain weave, also known as a tabby weave, results from the most basic (over one yarn and under one yarn) interlacing of warp and filling yarns.

A plain weave is commonly used in Navajo textiles to create their woven art. We were inspired by the curvilinear image of the plain weave to design our logo for ATLO (which translates to weaving in the Navajo language). This idea also reflects the nature of ATLO, as it interlaces their Navajo culture not only within the community but is celebrated through the linear connection of the exterior and interior spaces.

LOCATION RATIONALE

The site is located in Oklahoma City‘s Art District. The city has a diverse population with 13% of the total population beingindigenous. The site has an existing ADA-Accessible transit system. The bus rapid transit stop is ¼ miles from Atlo. This allows ease of access to the community to learn more about Navajo history and textiles. Aside from connecting the community by a means of public transportation. There is surrounding connectivity through the Art district community. This includes restaurants, small businesses, and many museums. Recently the city of Oklahoma opened up the First Americans Museum. This is where visitors experience the collective histories of 39 dis tinctive First American Nations in Oklahoma today. First Americans Museum shares the cultural diversity, history, and contributions of the First Americans.

FLEXIBLE SPACE

This colorful sliding glass wall creates privacy in the residential space. The design reflects that of one of Melissa Cody’s art works with a dynamic pattern and colorful stained glass. When opened, you are granted with a large ‘flex’ space that allows you, your friends and family to be able to spread out and gather in a comfortable way.

The clients have social gathers weekly that include 4-10 guests and typically include dining. To accommodate up to twelve people eating together. The bench seating gives room for twelve guests to sit comfortably and interact with each other in a friendly matter. Everyone can enjoy the view from the flex space, into the front garden and enjoy one another’s company.

Interior perspective highlighting slidding glass focal wall

Interior perspective highlighting flexible space

The Navajo Nation along with other indigenous groups has been disproportionately affected during Covid-19. With Native Americans being 3.5 times more likely to contract Covid-19. This is why the commercial space emphasizes physical distancing without compromising social connection. ATLO connects the Navajo culture to the community with safety measures in place. The location of the looms in the center of the floor help separate the space in order to encourage social distancing.

The open glass storefront provides customers with the option to view the textiles from the courtyard in case the inside reaches capacity. The courtyard and garden provide another space where ATLO guests and the community can gather at a distance. Antimicrobial materials are being used more often in design to help control the spread of the coronavirus. All materials in this project posses antimicrobial properties.

03 A RAY OF SUNLIGHT

ADA Residential Project | Fall 2021 | Polson, MT | 238 sq. ft

In recent times there has been a growing interest in society in bringing the outdoors in. This comes as no surprise as the recent pandemic quarantine has left many craving the outdoors. The idea of human health and well being directly impacted by nature or the lack of access to it. In this project, I focused on contextualizing the human experience and behavior in the environ ment, the space we call home. The provided client program required a renovation of an existing kitchen space to be designed ADA accessible.

With a focus on human-centered design, I incorporated Universal Design and Biophilic Design principles that have been proven to contribute to human health, safety, and welfare. Taking into consideration the neighboring Montana scenery to reinforce the concept of using greenery to promote health and wellness within sight of the heart of the home, the kitchen.

Interior perspective of residential kitchen

BIOPHILIC DESIGN APPLICATION

Biophilic design has been found to reduce stress, improve cognitive function and creativity, improve our well-being, and expedite healing. According to author William Browning in his contribution to the published work 14 patterns of Biophilic Design. Biophilia is humankind’s innate biological connection to nature.

I named this project a ray of sunlight because I was intrigued by the immense impact of light as a natural element on human wellness. It conveys an expression of time and movement, matched with breathtaking views it evokes feelings of drama with a sense of calm and serenity. Lighting design has long been used to set the mood for a space, with different lighting conditions triggering different psychological responses. Research has shown that productivity is higher in well-daylighted environments (Figueiro,2018).

Existing kitchen

Reno kitchen

SPACE PLANNING

The original kitchen was located in the center of the house and lacked access to natural light. In my design, I reoriented the kitchen to what was previously the master bedroom. This allowed me to open the space up to the Montana views and provide the appropriate space to create a safe and accessible environment.

UNIVERSAL DESIGN APPLICATION

01. The circulation path measures up to 48” 02. Bottom pull out drawers prevent any unnecessary strain on the user 03. Accessible kitchen appliances 04. The sink base cabinet is removable and adaptable for future wheelchair use 05. Induction stove on the kitchen island 06. Side by side refrigerator

MATERIAL

Material selection was also a driving contributor to this design. Materials that have an innate connection to natural elements have the power to reflect the local ecology or geology of the site. A study found that incorporating a high ratio of wood in an interior space can lead to a more subjective “comfortable feeling” with a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (Tsunetsugu, Miyazaki & Sato, 2007).

GISELLE

VILLEDA

giseville2@gmail.com | 682.553.7193 www.linkedin.com/in/giselle-villeda/