Interior Design Portfolio | Kate Allen

K A T E I N T E R I O R

A L L E N D E S I G N

PORTFOLIO

O'MORE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 2 4

ABOUT

THE

DESIGNER KATE ALLEN

I am graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the O’More College of Architecture & Design at Belmont University in May 2024. My passion for design began early when I participated in my parents’ meetings with architects for renovating several of their homes. I loved sketching out floor plans, understanding at an early age the relationship of space due to my love of art, puzzles, and building as a child.

Throughout my education at Belmont, I have been interested mostly in how interior spaces can bring internal well-being to those who inhabit the space. I seek to tell stories of people & places by finding unique pieces that serve as a catalyst for my relational designs, thinking thoughtfully through the form, function, & aesthetics of the space.

For six months, I studied abroad & traveled in Italy and southern Europe, expanding my appreciation for various methods and styles of architecture as well as ways of living.

This portfolio is a collection of my work from my four years in design school. I have worked on individual and group projects in residential, hospitality, healthcare, and other commercial fields in design. I enjoy layering various mediums to communicate my designs having experience using several programs & methods including hand-drafting, sketching, handrendering, Procreate, Adobe Photoshop & InDesign, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Enscape.

KATE7ALLEN@GMAIL.COM (737)240-0745

Kindly , Kate KATE ALLEN

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PERSONAL

DESIGN

PHILOSOPHY

T O me, E X C E P T I O N A L D E S I G N C R E A T E S T H E C O N N E C T I O N BETWEEN AESTHETIC BEAUTY AND OPTIMAL FUNCTION FOR WELL-BEING, WHILE THOUGHTFULLY TELLING THE STORY OF PEOPLE AND PLACE.

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THIS PORTFOLIO CARRIES THE LEAVES OF MY WORK, VISUALLY COMMUNICATING MY STORY.

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FOLIO

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“EVERY GREAT DESIGN BEGINS WITH AN EVEN BETTER STORY.” - LORINDA MAMO

KATE ALLEN

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS SOCIAL DESIGN: WOMEN’S REHABILITATION CENTER .......06 INTERNATIONAL DESIGN: FLORENCE APARTMENT & RESTAURANT ...10 UNIVERSAL DESIGN: HOSPITAL CHAPEL .................................14 INCLUSIVE DESIGN: ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY................16 HEALTHCARE DESIGN: PEDIATRIC O.T. PLAY CENTER ................20 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN: RESTAURANT & HOME .............................22 RESIDENTIAL DESIGN: WELLNESS RESIDENCE............................26 HISTORIC DESIGN ................................................................28 HAND-DRAWN DESIGN ................................................................29 MODEL DESIGN ................................................................32 EVENT DESIGN ................................................................33

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SOCIAL

DESIGN

PROJECT: WOMEN’S REHABILITATION CENTER CONCEPT NAME: THRESHOLD FALL 2022 This project was a renovation of The Nextdoor rehabilitaion center for women in Nashville. It was a group project so we chose overall color schemes and a concept together, but designed rooms individually. I designed 3 areas - the dining room, patio, & clothes closet. This project challenged me to create residential feeling spaces in a very commercial setting.

My group chose the concept of threshold.

Threshold can be defined as "a point of entry or beginning"and also as "the magnitude or intensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, phenomenon, result, or condition to occur or be manifested." We thought this told the story of what the Nextdoor does for women recovering from addiction. It is both a new beginning, and a place that will necessitate intensity to produce change and new habits for the residents.

KATE ALLEN

MATERIALS CONCEPT LAYOUT

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DINING ROOM Since the women live in this building for up to one year, making sure they have a comfortable space to eat their meals every day was very important. I designed the dining room to have several different options of seating to accommodate all needs. I designed modular hexagonal tables to support connection between residents and booth seating for the ability to sit alone or in smaller groups for refuge.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT SKETCHES

DINING ROOM REFLECTED CEILING PLAN

DINING ROOM FLOOR PLAN

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OUTDOOR PATIO: CULTIVATE For the patio, the goal was to transform the area into a space that residents could safely socialize, exercise, meditate, and connect to nature. I was challenged to create a wall that served as a barrier from the street, but didn’t feel like a prison. My solution was a layered earth wall with custom board-formed concrete planters and seating which created dimension and interest within the space. I also changed the doors to glass garage doors so the interior dining space could open onto the patio. Drawings were done using Sketchup & Procreate.

SMOKING PATIO AREA PESPECTIVE

PATIO FLOORPLAN

CONCEPT SKETCH

PROCESS WORK

FOUNTAIN SKETCH

RAMMED EARTH WALLS

BOARD-FORMED CONCRETE

PATIO PERSPECTIVE

NORTH PATIO WALL ELEVATION

KATE ALLEN

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CLOTHES CLOSET: METAMORPHOSIS

MACROSCOPIC PHOTOGRAPH OF BUTTERFLY WINGS PALLETTE KNIFE PAINTING TEXTURE

CONCEPT SKETCHES

In the last room of this project, the clothes closet, my vision was to turn a storage room into a meaningful experience for the women at the Nextdoor. I chose the concept of metamorphosis which is defined as "a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one." I created a room where the women would walk through the stages of metamorphosis, choosing a new outfit, but also learning to grow into the beautiful people they were created to be.

FLOOR PLAN

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INTERNATIONAL

DESIGN

PROJECT: APARTMENT IN FLORENCE, ITALY CONCEPT NAME: GATHERING SPRING 2023

SEMESTER ABROAD During my semester abroad, I took classes in urban sketching, Italian Renaissance architecture, & an interior design studio where we studied design techniques, historical buildings, furniture & lighting showrooms. Through this experiential cross-cultural learning of Italian lifestyle & design techniques I gained an appreciation for the meaningful, classic, & streamlined principles of Italian design.

LOCATION

CLIENT PROFILE The client is someone who enjoys art, traveling, music, and having friends and family over to entertain. I designed the apartment with open space for gathering to allow users to communicate and live in the space comfortably. The apartment centers the place of gathering as a priority, by having large living and dining spaces. With the use of dark wooden floors & white plaster walls, each apartment is simple yet sophisticated with a contemporary design. Each space offers an elevated space with the use of plaster steps, archways, organic shaped fixtures and furniture, and soft textures.

The apartments strive for hosting to feel non formal & relaxing. The love for travel is tied in through art and the use of light blue and pink colors, that add comfort to the space.

DINING ROOM PERSPECTIVE

INSPIRATION IMAGES

KATE ALLEN

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AXON VIEW

KITCHEN ELEVATION

BATHROOM PERSPECTIVE

FLOOR PLAN

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PROJECT: THAI RESTAURANT IN ITALY CONCEPT NAME: SLOWING DOWN SPRING 2023

HAI CHAH LONG FLOOR PLAN

DINING AREA PERSPECTIVE

INSPIRATION IMAGES

KATE ALLEN

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The concept “Hai Chah Long” means “to slow down” in Thai which reflects the relaxed intimate atmosphere of this restaurant serving fresh Thai cuisine in Florence, Italy. Inspired by the Italian phrase "la dolce far nienta" meaning the sweetness of doing nothing, this blending of cultures between the Italian and Thai lifestyles is reflected in our design using natural wooden materials, rich colors, and dimmed lighting.

BATHROOM PERSPECTIVES

COURTYARD PERSPECTIVE

LIGHTING FIXTURES

BAR ELEVATION

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UNIVERSAL

DESIGN

PROJECT: HOSPITAL CHAPEL CONCEPT NAME: REVERENT FALL 2022

THIS HOSPITAL CHAPEL WAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE ALL RELIGIONS, FOCUSING ESPECIALLY ON CHRISTIANITY, ISLAM & JUDAISM.

KATE ALLEN

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P L A N

2,350 SQ. FT.

Since this chapel is in a hospital, visitors, patients, and staff will need places to reflect and pray with privacy when processing difficult news.

I designed the large fountain in the center as an acoustic way to maintain white noise to allow for privacy in expressing emotion.

The fountain also provides a hand-washing station which is part of worship rituals in both Judaism and Islam. The space is designed with inclusive features for all abilities of mobility.

Floor Prayer & Meditation

Communion Table

Accessible Hand-Washing Station.

Private Prayer Room

Entry

Altar with Candles

Private Prayer Room

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INCLUSIVE

DESIGN

PROJECT: ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY CONCEPT: BLOSSOM SPRING 2022

KATE ALLEN

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ENTRY, LOBBY, & MARKET The lobby allows for families and friends to visit residents and have several different seating options. The large planter and skylight in the center of the room breaks up the space and connects residents to nature which can be calming. the open layout allow the lobby to flow into the dance floor and bar area.

The market & cafe provides residents with a casual dining option with healthy nourishing food options. All counters and shelves are accessible to users with differing abilities.

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SPA, POOL, & WELLNESS CENTER

This wing of the assisted living center is dedicated to the residents’ health & wellness.

Custom designed pedicure seats with accessible ramps. Hair salon for residents to take care of their appointments within a safe setting so the residents can maintain a sense of self-worth and dignity.

All renderings done using SketchUp and Enscape. Floor plans and elevations done in AutoCAD.

The spa & pool concept was inspired by Roman bathhouses where the pool can be therapeutic for the residents. In addition to a mechanical chair lift, the pool has a zero-entry ramp so residents can easily enter the pool.

KATE ALLEN

Waiting room for residents between appointments with textured glass walls for views of the pool.

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APARTMENTS

Wheelchair accessible vanity & shower with bench and hand-held plumbing fixture.

Sample floor plan of a single apartment with finish bubbles. Built in storage throughout the apartment.

Kitchen designed with rollunder sink, and under the counter drawers. Island on casters for the ability to be moved out of the way.

Customizable gallery wall in the bedroom & bookcases in the living room to allow residents to personalize their space during a time when they are transitioning to living away from their homes.

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HEALTHCARE

DESIGN

PROJECT: PEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CENTER Throughout my design CONCEPT NAME: HOME IN NATURE I used themes of home in both structures & furniture selection.

I balanced this with the vibrance & whimsy of nature through organic shapes and botanical designs. The goal is for the kids using this space to feel comfortable yet inspired for growth.

SPRING 2022

PROCESS WORK

OUTDOOR PLAY SPACE & GARDENS WAITING & OBSERVATION AREA

MUSIC & SPEECH

ART

FAMILY THERAPY

LARGE GYM GROUP THERAPY

STORAGE KIDS CORNER

OBSERVATION

SNACK BAR & OBSERVATION

NURSERY KITCHEN

WAITING AREA ENTRY BATHROOMS

SENSORY ROOM

KATE ALLEN

THERAPISTS’ SUITE

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Custom sink & mirror design to accommodate all abilities and users.

Designed to look as one cohesive unit, instead of a separated accessible sink for inclusivity.

Differing seating options for families to wait for long or short periods. Sound-absorbing booths serve as private space for work, while modular seating allows for conversation. Acoustic panels hanging from ceiling help to soften loud noise.

Art therapy room with height adjustable easels, wheelchair accessible sink, low shelves for kids to have control of using supplies, and upper cabinets for staff.

Observation windows for parents from the lobby, modular ottomans and a pitched ceiling to create a domestic feel.

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SUSTAINABLE

DESIGN

PROJECT: RESIDENCE & RESTAURANT CONCEPT NAME: KOINONIA FALL 2021

FRONT EXTERIOR ELEVATION

RESTAURANT DINING ROOM

KATE ALLEN

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FRONT EXTERIOR ELEVATION

GROUND FLOOR

PROCESS WORK

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2ND FLOOR LIVING SPACE

KATE ALLEN

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3RD FLOOR ROOF TOP

SECTION VIEW

SECTION VIEW

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RESIDENTIAL

DESIGN

PROJECT: FOUNDATION STUDIO HOME CONCEPT NAME: WELLNESS AT HOME SPRING 2021 & SPRING 2022

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

The concept for the design of this home was to utilize the views and natural sun path for the uses of each room. The circular rooms are designed to promote internal ponnection and also outward reflection.

PROCESS WORK

FRONT ELEVATION

EXTERIOR ELEVATION

KATE ALLEN

SITE ANALYSIS

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SECTION

Renderings done of my freshman year project one year after the original studio project using Revit & Photoshop.

SITE MAP

HAND-DRAWN PERSPECTIVE

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HISTORICAL

DESIGN

FALL 2021 & FALL 2023

Restoration of an existing historic storefront in Selma, Alabama using research from historic images and site visit.

Rendering done using AutoCAD, Photoshop, & Procreate.

Furniture design of a chair with inspiration drawn from the original Klismos chair and motifs from Classical Greek Corinthian & Ionic columns. Renderings done by hand using markers & colored pencils.

Fabric design for the Kravet Design Competition which won first place.

Drew inspiration from motifs from the Ionic frieze of the Erechtheum in Greece and the Minoan Vitruvian scroll as well as the botanicals which are represented in those motifs. My final design was done using AutoCAD & handrendering.

PROCESS SKETCHES

KATE ALLEN

FINAL DESIGN

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WORK

BY

HAND

WATERCOLOR & SKETCHES FALL 2021 & SPRING 2023

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WORK

BY

HAND

MARKER RENDERINGS

Furniture renderings done by hand using markers and color pencils in 2021.

Practice & process shown in the multiple renditions of each furniture piece.

KATE ALLEN

Design & hand rendering elevation of a bunk bed guest room. Work done under during my residential internship at Vernich Interiors in 2023.

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WORK

BY

HAND

DRAFTING FALL 2020 & SPRING 2021 All drawings done my Freshman year using traditional drafting methods with pencil or ink.

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MODELS WOOD FRAME CONSTRUCTION SPRING 2021 & 2022

This cabin was the final product of my building systems class. It is built at a 1/4" scale and demonstrates wood frame building systems.

This is my first model which I built my second semester I challenged myself with the circular walls which I constructed from card stock.

KATE ALLEN

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EVENT

DESIGN One of my favorite ways to utilize my creativity outside of work & school projects is in event & food design.

I design table settings for weddings & events that bring people together.

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THANK

YOU

FOR YOUR TIME & ATTENTION IN VIEWING MY PORTFOLIO. I HOPE MY DESIGNS HAVE INSPIRED YOU TO CONNECT WITH ME.

Kindly , Kate KATE7ALLEN@GMAIL.COM 737-240-0745