Interior Architecture and Design Portfolio
Maria Popescu
Boundary House (2024)
Colour House (2021)
Paxton House (2024)
Covent Garden (2023)
High Street Kensington (2022)
Drury Lane (2024)
Kentish Town (2023)
Soho Square (2022)
Interior Speculations
1,950 sqft - 2021 - Nottingham Trent University (year 3)
Jerry Green Dog Rescue and Hands on Pottery unite in an educational space at Wollaton Park - providing natural inspiration for ceramics, and offering the experience of living with a dog before adopting it.
Informing decisions, the structure’s grid gives rhythm to the scheme. The effect a pottery wheel leaves on clay inspires layers and repetition in design.
Technical Studies
2021 - Nottingham Trent University
The project takes inspiration from the local area, creating a destination space in the heart of Kentish Town, at the junction of Camden Town and Highgate. As such, the proposal brings through a sense of calm specific to Highgate, coupled with the vibrancy of Camden.
Kentish Town stands strong within its own identity as a place of the people, a community based area with a strong urban identity and musical history. Deeply human, diverse and welcoming, layered both architecturally as well as socially, Kentish Town is an inspiring area, ideal for developing the identity of the new creative and collaborative office.
We have looked at the three floors as layout proposals tailored to different types of tenants, to create a diverse and appropriate offering of work settings catered to different styles of work. We achieved this by researching companies currently residing in the area and which are about to move out of their current premises and separating them into typologies.
The main part of the project, the second floor ready to work, is a spacious collaborative hub. The muted natural palette and fresh touches of colour combine with layers of materiality to provide an ideal space for concentration and community.
We were approached about refreshing this reception space in Soho Square to make the building more enticing for potential tenants.
This proposal included two contrasting options which take similar architectural approaches. The different colour and material palettes work to create two unique atmospheres: one ties in with the musical history of the area, using colours and finishes specific to recording studios, whilst the other leans into the timeless nature of the square, creating a lasting design through the use of timber and a more neutral colour pallete.
The proposal takes into account existing spatial elements and introduces new arches to form a connection to the external architecture, creating a unitary language for the new reception. This also confers an impression of softness and dynamism.
The banquette seating is an invitation to linger while observing life in the square. An informal meeting area at the back provides options for work and collaboration. The unique reception desk attracts the attention of passers by, providing a point of focus and curiosity within the square.
Visual of banquette seating
Visual of collaboration area
Visual of in-space experience looking towards the square
Visual of collaboration area
Visual of reception
Visual of reception
Visual of in-space experience looking towards the square
Drury Lane
12,500 sqft - concept proposal - 2024 - Peldon Rose
This project is in the heart of theatreland, on the same famous street as Theatre Royal, the restaurant Sarastro, and a number of other local restaurants and bars, as well as schools and residential blocks of flats.
My approach to designing the two spaces is deeply rooted in the immediate area. To connect with surrounding businesses and buildings, I proposed the use of locally sourced furniture pieces in the welcome areas and the introduction of a playful and familial atmosphere throughout, making the transition from the street to the office more seamless.
The main element of design inspiration is the theatre - both as a building with specific types of interiors, as well as a stage set. As such, a scenographic approach to developing this project ia taken, seeing the different spaces as contributing elements of a show - from the entrance lobby to the set design hidden behind the curtain.
Much like spatial design, scenography is a practice concerned with crafting atmospheres and producing a sense of place. Sarastro restaurant is a space that does this in a striking theatrical way. Its name is inspired by a character in Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’. This starting point in the research steered me toward a deeper historical study of local theatre productions and their sets, leading to the first inspiration images for the project.
Foyer visual
Lobby visual
Library visual
Circle visual
This project in central London consisted of the separation of a large single floor into two office units. When designing, we focused on reusing as much as possible of the existing partitions and glass on site in order to minimise environmental impact and costs.
The design for this floor has its base in a calm and limited colour palette which creates a quiet backdrop for the office, promoting a sense of wellbeing for people working in the space.
The ceiling and floor are designed to create zones for different activities within the floorplate, and to highlight the main gathering point. An integral part of the design is the ceiling approach. When inspecting the site, we found areas of coffered ceiling hidden above the suspended tiles grid, and decided to expose and highlight this architectural element, transforming it into a defining aspect of our scheme. Additionally, much of the ceiling grid has been retained, updating lights to LEDs and spraying centralised tile sections to highlight the journey.
The principle behind the layout was to group meeting rooms and centralise collaboration areas, creating hubs with easy access from all workstations. The stretches of space next to the window are freed up to be used for desking, taking advantage of the natural light where it is most needed.
Teapoint visual
High Street Kensington
3,760 sqft - built - 2022 - Peldon Rose
The design for this High Street Kensington office draws inspiration from the local area and its history. Kensington High Street is an iconic London shopping district, home to famous department stores. It has a rich art deco history, evident in the architecture of such as the Barkers Building.
This artistic and architectural current is taken and updated to create a contemporary high-end, yet comfortable and intimate interior. The focus on craftsmanship is translated into timber effect floor and furniture finishes and bespoke joinery pieces. Specific period lighting and rich colours are utilised to create a rich and unique atmosphere.
The wall panels reference the age of the building, while the main colour palette takes inspiration from its brick exterior and the green gardens of the nearby Kensington Palace.
Holding area visual
Project photography
Project photography of meeting room
This project consisted of a ready to work scheme and a show office area which was fitted out in two different styles, split in the middle of the unit. Additional to these designs, we provided test fits for a single potential occupant taking the show suite.
Working on two different schemes with three different look and feels and blending the changes successfully was a fun challenge to overcome.
For the design of this ready to work unit is place specific, underlining and centering the architectural and material qualities of the building.
The brick elements present on the ground floor of building are mirrored throughout this space, creating a cohesive client journey from entrance into the building to sitting at the desk. This terracotta tonality is taken and applied to other structural elements, forming an authentic connection between existing and new. To keep a balance, the remainder of the colour palette is limited to off-whites, oak and terracotta effect finishes, creating a natural atmosphere of subdued elegance. Rugs and see-through curtains add an element of comfort and calm.
The design is rich in bespoke elements, which strengthen the connection to the unique building it is situated in. They are specifically focused on elements of welcome, direction, and on fostering collaboration.
Visual of ready-to-work reception
Visual
Visual
Visual of ready-to-work
Working with a building in reconstruction, the main challenge was coordinating the layout with the architects’ proposed mechanical layout, in order to retain as much as possible of the newly installed kit. From a marketing point of view, agents were looking for unique floors so I had to consider what point of difference I can bring to each one, while retaining a unified identity.
L0A CEILING LIGHT 0 EXISTING LINEAR
L0B CEILING LIGHT 0 REMOVED EXISTING LINEAR
L1 CEILING LIGHT 1 SYNERGY CREATIV POLARIS N2 LED LINEAR TUBE 2265 mm length
L2 FLOOR LIGHT 2 HOLLOWAYS OF LUDLOW ENDO FLOOR LIGHT CHROME
L3 WALL LIGHT 3 HOLLOWAYS OF LUDLOW ENNA LONG WALL LIGHT NICKEL
L4 CEILING LIGHT 4 INNERMOST FIBRE DOME SILK LAMPSHADE
L5 CEILING LIGHT 5 HOLLOWAYS OF LUDOW PANDUL TIP TOP MEDIUM ALUMINIUM L6 CEILING LIGHT 6 INNERMOST FIBRE GLOBE MEDIUM SILK LAMPSHADE
Colour House
The design direction for this project was based on the youthful grunge character of Colour House and its location in Dalston, with influences from the neighbouring area of Shoreditch.
Located a stone’s throw from Dalston Junction, this third floor space benefits from being naturally lit through the presence of glazing located on three sides, offering inspiring views over the north London skyline. It is perfect for a growing start up.
The proposal focuses on appealing to a young target demographic, whilst taking into consideration the increasing need for collaboration and the importance of choice and flexibility within the workspace.
Appreciating the character of the building, we have drawn inspiration from it, noticing the materials used throughout, drawing focus to the exposed ceilings and taking full advantage of the light quality in the space.
Pops of colour are incorporated as a nod to the name of the building, and a mural is proposed to further invigorate the space.
The flow of the workspace has been created around a centralised hub, encouraging collaboration. Different types of work settings are included throughout to appeal to different individual work styles.
Open plan visual
Boundary House
3,680 sqft - in development - 2024 - Peldon Rose
The building and surrounding area present some features of interest which can be used as inspiration and applied to the design to create a unitary journey from street level all the way throughout the floor plate.
There are a variety of finishes throughout which inspire the new scheme: brushed stainless steel, copper panels, reflective surfaces. The building is surrounded by others with glazed white bricks.
Other notable elements unrelated to the materiality are the low ceiling heights, concrete slab floor, and slanted walls.
The floorplate is organized around a central inner courtyard lightwell.
About
the Charterhouse conservation area
• Charterhouse Square forms part of the former site of the cemetery of the Carthusian monastery. The monastery was formed of “buildings located around a large cloistered garden and orchard, surrounded by a closed passage”
• By the middle of the 19th century, “the area was an insanitary muddle of overcrowded C18 and early C19 housing interspersed with breweries, a distillery, and small-scale specialist industries, particularly metal manufacturing”.
Materiality
• Metal: stainlesscopper,steel/ aluminium, mirrored surfaces
• Glass bricks or metal crittal elevations
• Glazed white tiling
• • Streamline Moderne with soft art deco elements
• Sleek, innovative
1930s interior design
• Colours: subdued & understated, yet fresh - bright white walls, sparse touches of colour
• Whereas the 1920s were bold, extravagant, and vibrant, the 1930s were more subdued and understated. A style known as Streamline Moderne was created which was heavily influenced by the progression of the transportation and manufacturing industry.
• It celebrates the new manufacturing processes and materials that went on to propel the transportation industry.
• It utilised industrial materials such as concrete, steel and glass and emphasised clean lines. Furniture would often feature low-lying horizontal structures, with strong lines and rounded corners, much like a ship. Neutral colour palettes like creams, ivory and light pastels became more popular for home interior furnishings and wall paint.
• One thing that did follow on from the twenties was mirrors and metallics. Steel was still widely used in furniture.
Information from past brochures:
1930s building next to Smithfield Market
1930s
Illustration of the design process through site survey, research & moodboard
Women in Tandem
890 sqft - 2020 - Nottingham Trent University (year 3)
Women in Tandem is a community interest company run by women, for women. Its main aim is to empower women to ride and maintain their own bicycles. This design aims to support Women in Tandem achieve their goals by aligning itself with the company values.
The openness of the design mirrors that of Women in Tandem, encouraging women to step inside, to start cycling (together). The large windows which showcase the activities taking place inside illustrate the transparency of the association and encourage passersby to engage with it.
A calm atmosphere has been created by using a muted colour palette and integrating interventions to allow plenty of controlled light into the space.
A healthy and sustainable lifestyle is promoted through the inclusion of biophilic elements and recycled materials within the design. A connection with the existing Sneinton Market community is realised through the use of some of the same materials as the other units as well as opening the space towards the market plaza and carrying external elements through into the interior of the building. The rhytm of the building is preserved by accentuating the datum line that runs across it.
The space is flexible, meeting the needs of a diverse community. The main design intention is to make visitors feel welcome, included, comfortable.
The four different plans illustrated describe four different scenarios related to building use and showcase the adaptability of the design to the modus operandi of the space.
Electrochromic glass is used to control the flow of light into the building. The stone in the courtyard is brought through to accentuate the connection with the rest of the market. The brick is kept on the early existing structure whilst the extension is built from concrete and clad with timber slats on the exterior, continuing the datum line, and timber panels in the interior. Three biophilic walls bring nature to the central area of the market.
Places of Purpose
contest - YourStudio - 2021 collaboration with a fellow Nottingham Trent University student
HOW IT WORKS
QR codes in each room lead to different pages on the Headspace app, allowing visitors to have a guided experience, hearing stories of people suffering from Social Anxiety while they are experiencing similar sensations within the installation.
The brief for this project was to create a meaningful collaboration between a brand and a cause, manifested spatially to achieve a positive outcome. My project partner and chose to focus on Social Anxiety and Headspace.
After having only interacted with a limited number of people for the past year, adapting to being out in the world on a daily basis again can become
daunting, overwhelming, and downright triggering.
The aim of our design is to raise awareness on the feelings of a socially anxious person, and encourage gentle interactions between humans. This is achieved through creating an experiential installation, a journey through space which replicates the emotional journey of a person with social anxiety experiencing an uncomfortable situation.
Drawing from the nature of Headspace, we created an experience which is at once physical and digital, allowing visitors to listen to individuals’ experience with social anxiety. visuals of the different spaces and in-app experience design drawings: created by me using SketchUp, Vray and Photoshop material palette
STEP 1. BEFORE THE EXPERIENCE
STEP 2. ANTICIPATION
STEP 2. (PROLONGED) ANTICIPATION
STEP 3. ALIENATION
STEP 4. PANIC STEP 5. REFLECTION
3,370 sqft - 2019 - Nottingham Trent University (year 2)
have chosen to include this older project in my portfolio to showcase my ideation when it comes to designing a retail space.
Nom Nom chocolate is a Welsh chocolate brand run by young people for young people. Its owner and employees are having fun and being creative through making chocolate. Their playfulness is reflected in the brand name and experimental flavours.
They take inspiration from nature, people, myths – attempting to create something that takes clients back to feeling like a child.
It was very important to express the brand values in the store design and create an experiential journey. This was achieved through creating a different identity for each of the spaces. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a chocolate tunnel, Wonka’s chocolate factory style. This has a variety of colourful doors which lead to different areas.
Natural materials are used in the workshop to create a grounded atmosphere. Large windows overlook Nottingham City Centre, to help participants immerse themselves in the same creative process as the company’s founders.
The playground area is an illustration of the brand’s playfulness, complete with Alice in Wonderland inspired oversized elements to make the user feel like a child in a different sense - by creating an out of scale space.w
Playground visual
Workshop visual
Chocolate tunnel entrance area visual
observational and conceptual hand-drawings and models
materials: visual created using graphite, coloured pencils and markers on paper
Exploratory light and shadow model: created using foam board
Study
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MARIA POPESCU