Grace Meyer Interior Design Portfolio by Grace Meyer

Grace Meyer INTERIOR DESIGN PORTFOLIO

Table of Contents This portfolio showcases a selection of accomplished interior design projects from my academic career at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Through each project, my goal was to thoughtfully design spaces that enhance the user experience in meaningful and innovative ways. I firmly believe that design has the incredible ability to promote inclusivity and unity among people. My objective is to create spaces that offer captivating and profound experiences, inspiring all individuals who encounter them. Adopting an innovative and experiential approach, I strive to challenge conventional assumptions and push the boundaries of design. My designs seek to reimagine traditional typologies and enhance ordinary interactions through thoughtful interventions. Whether it is revolutionizing the way children learn or transforming a mundane service into a social event, I aim to enrich people’s lives through experience-driven design. My goal is to craft meaningful environments that leave a lasting impact. When a space successfully brings people together and facilitates unique experiences, it creates an environment where true inspiration and understanding can flourish.

SISU ALKU EDUCATION DESIGN HOLMDEL, NJ

LAUNDERETTE HOSPITALITY DESIGN SAVANNAH, GA

LA CINÉMATHÈQUE CORPORATE DESIGN MIAMI, FL

CASSAVA RESTAURANT DESIGN MANAUS, BRAZIL

SISU ALKU PROJECT: LOCATION: SQ. FT.: YEAR: PROFESSOR: SCHOOL:

EDUCATION DESIGN NEW JERSEY 19,000 SQ. FT. 2022 CATIE PIZZICHEMI SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

SOFTWARE USED AutoCAD, Sketchup, Enscape, Photoshop PROJECT DESCRIPTION As an Interior Designer it is integral to understand design with meaning and research based design. It is one thing to create beautiful spaces, but another to imagine designs with significance. Each student at the beginning of the year was tasked with sourcing their own building and to construct a research topic as the foundation for our final thesis. Sisu Alku is my senior thesis. Over twenty weeks this topic was researched and designed with the intention of innovation. The current education system is not catered towards children with learning disabilities and often sets these children up for failure. I wanted to create a safe space for these children to boost their confidence from a young age. Sisu Alku is an inclusive environment that promotes the success of children with learning disabilities.

SISU ALKU

AN EDUCATIONAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

sisu

(Noun) (Finnish) The extraordinary and indomitable spirit to never quit and go beyond all limitations especially in the face of extreme adversity.

T h e Probl e m 1 IN 5 STUDENTS ARE EFFECTED BY A LEARNING DISABILITY

Inclusive Enironment

Individualized Education

M i ssi o n

Sisu Alku is designed to cultivate the empathetic understanding of learning disabilities that present themselves in elementary school aged children. Focusing on the emotional effects of the learning environment as well as encouraging and educating parents on learning disabilities. Early diagnosis is a fundamental contributor to success and the proper environment is an imperative key to achieving a rewarding outcome. An environment that encompasses an inclusive positive experience for all with a laser focus on the well being of the child with the learning disability.

C l i ent / Us e r s CLIENT: National Center for Learning Disabilities USERS: Kinder-garden - Third Grade Students, Educators and Counselors

Innovative Programing

Con cep t

U N Y I E L D I N G BEGINNINGS One of the most important aspects of life is education, much like a tap root, a strong foundation is required. Roots have the unique ability to branch out and spread themselves in the most optimal way to promote growth. Requiring both light and dark, an unyielding sense of energy is imperative for success. Nature holds a quiet confidence that weaves itself throughout every aspect of our being. Absorbing all the elements necessary for regeneration, roots both bind and promote an ever evolving environment.

101 CRAWFORD ROAD, HOLMDEL, NEW JERSEY

sisu ALKU

Site A n a lysis 8

1. RECEPTION 2. LIBRARY 3. CAFE

4. ART AREA

5. COUNSELING

12 6

6. TESTING

11 4 6 7

7 12

3 1

FLOOR PLAN Bellworks is referred to as a “metroburb”, a one-of-a-kind destination for business and culture, including a diverse ecosystem of technology, traditional offices, retail, dining, and hospitality. The building is over 2 million square feet, but for my design I only utilize a tenant space that is nearly 20,000 square feet. Designed by Eero Saarinen, a Finnish-American architect. Construction began in 1959 and ended in 1962 and was one of Saarinen’s final Projects. Throughout my design process I constantly reminded myself of Saarinen’s design principles and used those to influence the design decisions I conceptualized through this project.

7. READING 8. WRITING 9. MATH 10. STORAGE 11. EMPLOYEE 12. RESTROOMS

SISU ALKU

Ent ra n c e / R e c e p ti o n

When designing the layout of Sisu I was heavily influenced by my concept of Unyielding Beginnings. Education is one of the most important aspects of life and I wanted to design a space that encompasses the basic principles while challenging those ideas with innovative solutions.

The plan is centralized around the main art space, which acts as the taproot. Art is the vigorous foundation of sisu, it’s what connects the subjects while fostering inclusivity. The classrooms branch off from this main space and nurture growth and success.

RECEPTION

CLASS ROOM

DESK PROTOTYPE This custom designed desk was intended to promote inclusivity within the classrooms. The original form is a circle which is then divided into eight individual desks that can be reconfigured into different arrangements depending on the needs of the classroom.

BUILT-IN PROTOTYPE In every classroom there is a custom built-in. This was created to add storage for the teaching tools of the specific classrooms as well as a seating area and a place for the students to interact. Each prototype is not only functional but they also add interest to the space. Inspired from the concept of unyielding beginnings these pieces add beauty and function to each classroom.

SISU ALKU

Cla ssroom Prototypes

LAUNDERETTE PROJECT: LOCATION: SQ. FT.: YEAR: PROFESSOR: SCHOOL:

HOSPITALITY SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 14,000 SQ. FT. 2021 CHI-THIEN NGUYEN SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

SOFTWARE USED AutoCAD, Sketchup, Photoshop PROJECT DESCRIPTION For this project I was tasked with defining my personal definition of luxury and using that as a design driver for a luxury dry cleaning experience. Launderette is exclusively for the interesting and interested, offering a diverse circle of leaders, innovators, and creators impeccable garment care. Launderette challenges the traditional garment care service’s by elevating the drudgery to a social gathering. Inspired by classical art, Launderette layers luxurious alluring experiences with an exclusive club and above all, top quality garment care. Launderette is where the Savannah business professionals mix with the innovative and creative. A place where chance encounters can lead to meaningful connections.

LAUNDERETTE

C o ncep t

TRANSFORMATIVE TIMELESSNESS

SIGNIFICANCE, EXTRAVAGANCE, OPULENCE One only needs to experience a beautiful art piece to understand the transformative qualities that it holds. Instantaneously transported through time you can find yourself enveloped in the era in which the piece was made. Turning a corner can whisk an individual through centuries of an abundance of luxury. Luxury is synonymous with timelessness, a grand opulence that effortlessly blends the rare with an experience. Art transcends generations readily moving through the mundane to the exceptional. Launderette’s design goal is to encapsulate all these ideas, creating alluring experiential luxury services, by generating illusions through art to illuminate a sense of timelessness.

Site A nal y s i s

2222 BULL STREET SAVANNAH, GA STARLAND YARD DISTRICT

COMMERCIAL

RESIDENTIAL

LAUNDERETTE

Floor Plans

FIRST FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR 1.

ART INSTALLATION

2. SECRET PASSAGE 3. CONCIERGE 4. CLOTHING STORAGE 5. TRANSITIONAL HALLWAY 6. BAR/LOUNGE 7. REST ROOMS 8. KITCHEN

SECOND FLOOR 9.

BANQUETTE

10. WAITING/LOUNGE 11.

ATELIER

12. TAILOR/REPAIR 13. REPAIR CONSULT 14. 2ND FLOOR BAR 15. CLOTHING STORAGE 16. LAUNDRY SERVICES

SECOND FLOOR

ART INSTALLATION When creating the floor plan I played into the idea of exclusivity. The art insulation at the front of the building was to create a sense of illusion and exclusivity. The average person walking by will see the sixties inspired laundry mat and have no idea the opulence that is within. Only a select few know the rare experience that lies behind the secret door. Dropping a quarter in the select washing machine opens the door to Savannah’s finest garment care and into the wonderful world of Launderette.

LAUNDERETTE

First Floor

BAR / LOUNGE After passing the secret entrance you are greeted in the concierge where you can consult with experts and assess the care needed for your garments. The transitional hallway acts as the portal between garment care and social gatherings. Playing into illusions, after every arch the hallway gets smaller leading you to the main bar and lounge. Once the double doors open you are instantly taken back in time experiencing all that Launderette has to offer.

TRANSITIONAL HALLWAY

LAUNDERETTE

Seco n d Fl o o r - B ar /Lounge

BANQUETTE SEATING Just past the bar is the grand staircase leading you to a quieter, more intimate space. The first floor is dedicated to the social aspect of Launderette, whereas the second floor is where the garment care services take place. Under the illusionist work of MC Escher is banquette seating that looks down into the first floor bar connecting the two spaces. Seating areas outside the consultation areas as well as a small specialty bar.

SECOND FLOOR BAR

ATELIER

LAUNDERETTE

Sec on d Floor - Atelier

ATELIER - CUSTOM FABRIC BUILT IN Launderette is dedicated to providing top quality garment care, bestowing members a luxurious experience with top designers and creatives. The atelier is a space where you meet individually to consult on garments, whether you need an item hemmed or want to design a custom piece. Fabrics imported from the finest places all over the world set the backdrop on the back wall built in. As soon as you enter you know you are in good hands.

LA CINÉMATHÈQUE PROJECT: LOCATION: SQ. FT.: YEAR: PROFESSOR: SCHOOL:

CORPORATE DESIGN MIAMI, FLORIDA 10,000 SQ. FT. 2021 ERNEST ABUIN SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

SOFTWARE USED AutoCAD, Sketchup, Photoshop

PROJECT DESCRIPTION La Cinémathèque Français is a French non-profit organization that holds the largest archive of film related objects in the world. They are also dedicated to the preservation and restoration of old films. Tasked with designing a new headquarters space located in Miami Florida, I was inspired by the origin of the company. The layering of materials and textures creates a sophisticated backdrop influenced by the past but ready for the future. How individuals work, their needs and wants in the working environment was the basis of this project. Productivity in the working environment is very important to understand as a designer and this project challenged myself on the appreciation of commercial design specifically in corporate office spaces.

LA CINÉMATHÈQUE

Cl i e n t

Who Are They? - Established in 1936 - Holds the largest archives of film documents in the world. - The collection of films was acquired at the beginning of World War II, only to have it nearly wiped out by the German authorities - The film collection was smuggled out of occupied France to protect them until the end of the war.

UNCONVENTIONAL BEAUTY Although ruin sounds foreboding and final, there can be beauty found in decay. The process of film decay, in particular, gives rise to fascinating and transformative shapes, fluid and organic lines, and a muted yet captivating color pallete. These characteristics of film decay contribute to the beauty found in the process. They offer a glimpse into the passage of time and the fragility of materials, reminding us of the transient nature of existence and inviting contemplation and appreciation for the imperfections and complexities of the world around us.

Sit e Ana l y s i s

2100 BISCAYNE BOULEVARD MIAMI, FLORIDA 33137

LA CINÉMATHÈQUE

Floor Pla n s

CONF. RM

ENTRANCE

ARCHIVE / STORAGE

LOUNGE RESTORATION LAB

RECEPTION

CUSTOM SEATING

SECURITY

ELEV.

LOBBY FLOOR PLAN

4TH FLOOR PLAN

CONF. RM.

LOUNGE OPEN OFFICE

COLLAB.

CUSTOM SEATING

ELEV.

5TH FLOOR PLAN

COLLAB.

ELEV.

6TH FLOOR PLAN

ELEV.

ARCHIVE / STORAGE

LA CINÉMATHÈQUE

Lo b b y a n d 6t h Fl o o r

The lobby is designed to grab your attention and set the tone for the rest of the building. The materials used in the lobby and throughout the whole design are inspired by the concept of unconventional beauty, imitating the metamorphic shapes you would find on old film.

The 6th floor was designed for the executives of the company. The executive offices line the floor to ceiling windows capturing the great views of Miami.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

LOBBY

6TH FLOOR RECEPTION

CUSTOM SEATING

LA CINÉMATHÈQUE

5th Floor - Open Of f ic e

The 5th floor is where the main working space is for employees. There are several different seating options and different working configurations. Collaboration was a big focus in my design and I wanted to create areas where people can collaborate as well as go off and work individually.

On each floor when the elevator opens you see the custom seating. This allows people a place to work or go off and take a break. COLLABORATION AREA

CONFERENCE ROOM

C A S S AVA PROJECT: LOCATION: SQ. FT.: YEAR: PROFESSOR: SCHOOL:

STUDIO IV, COLLABORATIVE DESIGN MANHAUS, BRAZIL 5,000 SQ. FT. 2021 CATHERINE PIZZICHEMI SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

SOFTWARE USED AutoCAD, Sketchup, Photoshop PROJECT DESCRIPTION This project was a team collaboration with two fellow interior design students. We worked on all aspects of the project together, but my main contributions were conceptual narratives, schematic development, 3D modeling, exterior rendering, and post production rendering. Team Members: Sofia Estrada, Diamond Fernandez, and Grace Meyer Cassava is A pop-up restaurant Designed for the Brazilian Chef, Alex Atala. Its mission is to reimagine the way we experience food. The immersive design will challenge the traditional dining experience, combining the rich culture of Brazil with Atala’s innovative cuisine. With the belief of utilizing the varied ingredients that are found in the Amazon Rain Forest, Atala is an advocate for not wasting food and using everything to its fullest potential.

CASSAVA

C l i ent

ALEX ATALA A Brazilian chef who is firmly linked to his roots and forward-thinking, and above all, passionate about Brazil, nature, gastronomy, and life. Driven by challenges and a great sense of indignation, Atala manages, with extreme delicacy and technique, to turn his creative energy into an unforgettable experience.

“FOOD IS THE CROSSROADS BETWEEN CULTURE AND NATURE”

Cassava

Cassava is a nutty-flavored, starchy root vegetable or tuber. Native to South America, it’s a major source of calories and carbs for people in developing countries. Also known as yuca, Atala believed it to be the most meaningful ingredient.

Users

LOCALS

Adventure

Fueling a sense of wonder and excitement that allows the guest to question the unknown and learn something new during the experience.

Curiosity

Prioritizing a sense of adventure for the guest with an interactive user experience by incorporating aspects of nature into the restaurant environment.

Authenticity

Ensuring that the brand, concept, and overall design stays true to Alex Atala’s visions regarding food sustainability, guest experience, and circle of life message.

CONNOISSEURS

TOURISTS

THE PROMISE OF LIFE A diaspora of seeds flows with the promise of life. Like a circle it has no beginning and it has no end, growth moves in a fluid forward motion enriching each new experience with the assurance of vitality. The dining experience strives to embody this natural cycle empowering each meal to bloom abundant with a variety of flavor. A richness of taste connected to the heart of the rain-forest that contributes to an expansion of body and soul.

OPEN SEATING CONSERVATORY

INTERACTIVE DINING

LIVE MUSIC

KITCHEN ENTRANCE

CASSAVA

Site A n a lysis

MANAUS, BRAZIL Arrive by Boat

ARRIVE BY BOAT

The only way to reach Cassava is to journey down the tranquil waters of the Amazon. The experience of Cassava begins with a short boat ride to a secluded section of the Amazon Rain Forest.

Amazon Trail

2 AMAZON TRAIL

Cassava’s surrounding area is unparalleled in scale, and complexity. Each part of the Amazon plays a vital role to its success. The trail is intended to immerse individuals with nature and to connect them with the ingredients in which their meal will be made of.

Dining Experience

The dining experience strives to embody the natural cycle empowering each meal to bloom abundantly with a variety of flavor. The forest canopied restaurant, magically transports you to a foreign land connecting each individual to nature and culture. DINING EXPERIENCE

CASSAVA

Co nserv a t o r y

INTERACTIVE DINING / CONSERVATORY ELEVATION Concept Ideation

DOME

CONSERVATORY

CONSERVATORY EXTERIOR

CONSERVATORY

LIVE MUSIC

CASSAVA

Din in g Experien c e

The building is composed of four prefabricated domes, each dome reflecting Atala’s belief that a seed grows and blooms into a beautiful flower and that flower has the seeds to start life again creating a circle. Placed within the rain forest, this restaurant is surrounded by the ingredients which Atala uses in his meals.

Cassava is heavily influenced on Brazilian culture, whether you are a native or a tourist you will be welcomed. Brazilian music plays all night and sets the backdrop for Atala’s interactive dining experience.

INTERACTIVE DINING

EXTERIOR TRAIL