“designing spaces that create emotions and fulfills the needs of the users and surrounding context”
TYPE: PUBLIC VISION - STITCH DESIGN SHOP YEAR: 2024
TYPE: PUBLIC VISION - STITCH DESIGN SHOP YEAR: 2024
TYPE: COMMERCIAL YEAR: STUDIO 411 (2023)
TYPE: COMMERCIAL YEAR: STUDIO 301 (2022)
During our eight-week summer internship at STITCH Design Shop, we were tasked with developing a vision for Hester Park, focusing on revitalizing the underutilized tennis court area. Our goal was to transform this space into a vibrant, multigenerational recreational hub that promotes community engagement and offers diverse play opportunities.
Throughout the project, I collaborated closely with my peer Ivanna Adames; our STITCH mentors, Devon and Will; and Elizabeth and Carla from the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department. The proposed park design includes new tennis and pickleball courts, a community garden, a hammock grove, playful berms, a green roof on the existing building that houses restrooms and office space, picnic areas beneath the new roof, a food truck zone, and walking paths.
At the end of our internship, we had the opportunity to present our vision to the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Council. This project was an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to fully engage with the design process and explore every opportunity to achieve a meaningful outcome for the community.
Textile boom contributed significantly to the city’s economic growth and development
The existing site has 11 tennis courts that are worn down and in need of repaving
The existing building on-site is structurally sound but requires a new roof
The abundance of open green space creates opportunities for flexible areas and the integration of play elements.
Parking will remain as is. Notable features include the three distinct sections—courts, field, and parking—as well as a natural sense of symmetry throughout the site.
creating a space where people from all walks of life can come together, feel connected, and grow. while physical activity is an important part of individual health, doing activities together forges social and emotional connections that people and communities need to thrive-the same way that fragile threads become strong fabric when woven together.
During our eight-week summer internship at STITCH Design Shop, we had the opportunity to work on the Lake Brandt Marina project. This project shared similar goals with our work on Hester Park, focusing on developing a more organized layout and transforming the marina into a fun, accessible recreational space.
As with Hester Park, I collaborated closely with my peer Ivanna Adames, our STITCH mentors, Devon and Will, and Elizabeth and Carla from the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department. We also had the chance to speak with most of the staff on-site, and the main concerns they highlighted included accessibility issues, the inefficient location of the current check-in area, disorganized parking, and a lack of space for visitors to enjoy the lake’s beauty and views.
Our proposed design aimed to address these concerns by introducing a new check-in area with integrated storage and a boat workshop, as well as a new beach area, promenade, updated parking layout, performance space, and improved accessibility features.
We also had the opportunity to present this project at the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Council meeting. It was an exciting experience working on this project and collaborating closely to ensure our design was both feasible and impactful.
Lake was an important part of early settlement and a crucial resource for the Native Americans.
The lake continued to be a vital resource as more people moved to Greensboro
Lake Brandt marked a significant shift in ensuring a sustainable water supply for the expanding city.
The site offers great views, but the existing small boat launch needs to be renovated.
Current storage solution on-site accommodates kayaks. An additional fenced area is needed for storing more kayaks and boats.
The gravel parking area divided: check-in and overflow—without designated parking spots. It also lacks accessibility features.
There is a great opportunity to connect the edge where land and water meet
WHERE LAND MEETS WATER, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRANSFORMATION
lake brandt was born from a necessity for water, ushering in an era of modernization for the city of greensboro. as time passed, the lake evolved into a hub of activities and opportunities for the people of greensboro. the future of lake brandt embodies the essence of transformation, embracing the beauty of nature and its boundless potential.
BOATWORKSHOP
This project involves designing a permanent 6,000-squarefoot showroom for Shaw Contract on the tenth floor of Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, in preparation for NeoCon 2024. The goal is to create a dynamic, branded space that merges Shaw Contract’s focus on inclusivity and sustainability with an engaging experience for designers. The showroom layout prioritizes intuitive wayfinding, distinctive product displays, and vignettes that promote guest interaction and comfort, while also reflecting the brand’s commitment to high-quality, durable materials.
Scope and Key Spaces:
Entry and Reception
Product Vignettes
Designer Area
Hospitality and Recharge Zone
Meeting Space
Support Spaces
This showroom is crafted to make a memorable, brandaligned impact on NeoCon attendees while ensuring a practical, comfortable space for ongoing use.
SUSTAINABILITY AND STYLE: A SHAW CONTRACT IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
over the years, shaw contract has become a leader in sustainable product production, emphasizing quality and performance. our journey delves into shaw’s history of sustainable product development and traces the evolution of fashion by the decade, focusing on the contemporary and future state of the world. the design goal is to provide users with an immersive fashion runway experience, showcasing shaw’s collections alongside the prevailing styles of each decade.
For this project, we were tasked with designing an art foundation headquarters, performance space, and boutique for the Alexander McQueen fashion brand in New York City, at the corner of 10th Ave. and 19th St. The building should reflect McQueen’s innovative spirit while integrating with the urban context and the nearby High Line.
The program includes three main spaces: the foundation’s headquarters, a performance space, and a boutique. The design must convey luxury and creativity, capturing McQueen’s approach to fashion and performance. The project involves designing both the exterior and interior, focusing on circulation, materiality, and context.
The site is 65’ by 100’ with 3-4 floors above grade (40’50’) and 1 floor below grade (14’), with the possibility of vertical design solutions. The goal is to explore themes of luxury, performance, and McQueen’s brand through thoughtful design.
10th Avenue and 19th Street is in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, west of Midtown and near the Hudson River waterfront
The High Line, near 10th Ave & 19th St, is an elevated park with gardens, art, and city views
The city’s iconic skyline and stunning architecture
Renowned for its vibrant streets and dynamic lifestyle
Visionary British fashion designer known for his daring creativity, theatrical runway shows, and revolutionary impact on modern fashion
Renowned for pushing the boundaries of fashion, McQueen’s designs embody a unique blend of romanticism and macabre
Unconventional Aesthetics, Narrative-Led Collections, Integration of Technology and Art , Challenging Gender and Beauty Norms
perimeter of flagship site
opposing forces such as life and death, bracket our life experiences. within these experiences, we are unique individuals, but much more common in qualities. the house of alexander mcqueen mirrors this phenomenon through a series of causes and effects, which determine where you stand within the opposing forces of opposites
MCQUEEN
(336) 675-8075
isaibarrera128@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaidelabarrera/