Graduate Interior Design + Architecture Portfolio

PORTFOLIO

Interior Architecture & Spatial Design

Isobel Regan

About me...

I’m a graduate in interior architecture and spatial design. I am currently based in Bedfordshire and looking to take on a new role focused on improving quality of life through design.

Why are you passionate about spatial design?

I love that in this career all the hard work on paper transforms into a physical space, as a designer you get to watch the success of your design be experienced by others. I first considered the architectural industry when I was a young teenager, watching old and outdated buildings being demolished, I never understood why history would be wiped instead of preserved. Therefore, I enjoy researching ideas from across the world. No building is a waste the problems that lie there just aren’t solved yet. I believe through design we can bring about change through modification and repurposing.

How is your work unique to you?

I would define my work as community focused, inspiring, and colour ful. I’m not afraid to use colour as it’s a major tool when transforming spaces, improving user experience.

What do you get up to in your spare time?

In my spare time I’m out on the road, camping and finding peace in the undepreciated countryside. I use my visits around the country and globe to curate designs which represent a collage of styles and our relationships with space. My personal passion beyond design involves reading upon the topics of psychology, philosophy, and true crime. I believe that society is ever changing and to develop a personal, detailed design it is crucial to investigate user experiences.

How has your working background helped you today?

With a background of part-time jobs in the retail and hospitality industry I have developed my interpersonal skills connecting with customers. Working in these environments has also improved my awareness of space. One of my top priorities when beginning a project is the functionality of a practical design, as I have experienced first-hand how this can affect user wellbeing.

2023 University of Northampton Degree Show

Final Major Project - Rethink Experience

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Jenga Library Northampton Central Library Second Year Project

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Engine Shed Creative Start-Up Hub First Year Project

Thrive Delapre Abbey Stables Second Year Project

ReThink Experience Final Major Project Best In Show for Social/ Environmental Impact at New Designers 2023

The Jenga Library

Redesign of Northampton Central Library

Second Year Design Project

Brief:To re-think and imagine existing facilities and spaces in the Northampton Central Library. Purposed build in 1910 and funded by Andrew Carnegie. It was the first library in the country to have a children’s department. With a Grade II listing, no changes can be made to exterior, original staircase, or windows. The public library is designed for all members of the community to equally access facilities.

Proposal: Through remodelling the bookcases of the library, the concept for the redesign of the library came from the playful structure of a Jenga tower. Researching proportion and functionality of this holistic approach, inspiration was also taken from the English for Fun, Rica Studios, 2017 and the Final Wooden House, Sou Fujimoto Architects, 2008. Using Plywood for all blocks gives the library a seamless design, connecting all departments and floors. To increase the natural light through the building, coloured laminated glass injects colour and warmth through the neutral spaces. As the library was purposed built to give children a free space with access to books. The detail area of this proposal maximises the learning experience beyond the pages of a book. The income of Northampton town centre shows a lower-than-average household income. This means more children are less likely to easily access technology and a quiet space, where they can expand and develop their interests and skills outside of school. Therefore, the detailed area will improve children, families, and school groups quality of life.

Space Planning

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`Plywood Poured Concrete

English for Fun, Rica Studios, 2017

(Own Sketches)

(Own Image)

reading den

Perspective 1- Childrens reading den

Perspective 2- Central library

New placement of lift

Interactive educational wall

Central library, the discovery of books

New toilets for children and parents.

Childrens

Buggy Storage

Parents corner

Short Section B

Community Cafe Perspective

Young Adults, Fiction & Study Perspective

The Engine Shed

Postgraduate creative buisness hub

First Year Design Project

Brief: Start-Up Creative Designer Maker Busi¬ness Hub. The University of Northampton has been looking at ways to develop its postgraduate design/designer-maker start-up busi¬ness zone. Initial research has shown that artists/ designers & designer-makers find it challenging to create a business area graduating. They need common facilities (specialist workshops, a space in which to work, display, shop sales), but most need community interaction with other designers and designermak¬ers. The postgraduate students would have free or reduced rental costs to develop this young designer, designermaker Innovative. In turn, this symbolic relationship connects young Northampton Citizens with both design opportunities and studying design/ design making at the University.

Proposal: This design offers the mezzanine workshops provide users space to develop their work where they might not have the space of facilities to do from home. Then at the front of the shed a flexible exhibition and presentation area, able to host both small and large-scale events, giving users a physical space to network within the creative industry. At the rear end of the shed there are meeting rooms and a café to develop and discuss connections further. The flow through the shed represents the journey of each post-graduate from entering, to developing and leaving when they no longer need the support of the space.

The Victorian Engine Shed was built in the early 1870s for the Midland Railway to service trains on the Bedford to Northampton line.

Existing Exterior Existing Interior

Hexagon Backlit Ply Sheets

Frosted Glass

Existing Brick Flooring

Blackened Steel

Terazzo #c9752b

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White Brick Interior Walls

Toilet block

Flexible exhibition + presentation area

Front entrance extension

Cafe Flexible solo working Seating + Mezzanine staircase

Elevated buisness pods

Revolving Door

Toilet Block Café `Corridor

Flexible partition wall WIndow wall Lift + entrance hall Studio 1 Studio 2

Ground Floor

Mezzanine Floor

Multifunctional Exhibition & Presentation Area

Thrive

Repurposing Delapre Abbey stable block into a wellness centre.

Second Year Design Project

Brief: Delapré abbey preservation trust (DAPT) has requested the 19th century stable block to be transformed into a wellbeing hub. Part of its phase two of restoration to the 550-acre historic site, the wellbeing hub should be a mix used space, flexible to generate income and open to a wide user group. By redesigning the stables DAPT want the new design to promote and generate new visitors to Delapré and engage with its other existing facilities. The clients suggested some of the facilities that could be incorporated within the new design, these are a; clinical space, retail space, office accommodation, welcoming artists space, community space and/or residential space.

Proposal: The Thrive centre offers a space for adults to explore new activities and facilities to develop their mental health. through reflecting the surrounding nature with shades of green, the centre has been designed as a neutral space blending the existing architecture with new design solutions. Each area of the proposed design has been created with the intent to be lettable spaces providing multiple incomes for Delapré abbey preservation trust. The proposal also has a bespoke Juice bar the centre offers a flexibility to wider secondary clients, providing another alternative commercial space, which was asked for in the brief.

Creative

Active Connective

Existing Exterior

Existing Slate Roof

Green Roof

Existing Antique Red Brick

Exterior Mirrored Cladding

Scaffold Timber

Black stained timber

Zen Garden Courtyard

Charcoaled Timber

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Juice Bar Detail Construction

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• Coloured Bottles

• Alluminium Veneer

• Foliage Decor Wall

Long Evening Section

Courtyard Perspective

Courtyard Perspective

ReThink Experience

To bring about change.

Final Major Project - Best In Show For Social/Environmental Impact at New Designers + Creative Conscience 2023

Brief: The final major project contains of two assignments, both contributing 50% to the final module grade. The first assignment AS1 is a Feasibility Study. PJ1 is the second assignment, the concept proposal, progresses to a fully realised architectural interior and spatial design proposal. The Rethink Experience is located in the currently existing Coventry Central Library, built in 1958 originally as the Locarno Ballroom. The space allocated for the design proposal is situated on the second floor above retail areas. The Grade II listed mosaics (Fred Millet) facade feature is a colourful addition to the precinct area. When Coventry was heavily bombed during the 2nd World War and the city centre completely re-built in the 1950’s. The changing face of the high street and additions to the original buildings have not complimented or enhanced the design intent of the urban concept.

Proposal: The definition ReThink means to reassess, the need to bring about change. The ReThink experience aims to provide an inspirational and innovative space to inspire visitors to live a more sustainable lifestyle! Each exhibition aspires to educate different ways on how to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. Creating a better understanding that sustainability can be achieved in different ways, through community, the economy and responsibility for the planet. The ReThink Experience demonstrates new experimental ways communities and businesses can restore and rebuild our natural habitat. The design concept consists of two interventions, relocating the entrance and introducing more natural daylight. The relocation of the main entrance is key to increase footfall from in the Precinct area. It defines the destination point more centrally in the building. The second intervention introduces a biophilic bioclimatic space, drawing in natural light and showcasing a micro example of indoor farming in a greenhouse like display.

Proposed Elevation

Existing Elevation

Existing Interiors

Original entrance 1950’s

Cork staircase tread

Perforated Alluminium

Construction Waste

Fabric Waste Single-use Plastic Waste Recycled Metals (Tin)

Recycled Cardboard Wood Chip Terrazzo Flooring

MDF Accoustic Wall Pannelling with felt backing

Blend of recycled glass

Smile Plastics (Furniture)

Textured Plaster (Walls)

Perkins + Wills Shanghai Natural History Museum

Mecanoo Tainan Public Library

Programme Plan

Bio-Laboratory Exhibition

Green Village Exhibition