Mary Armintrout - Interior Architecture Portfolio

Personal Statement

Mary Armintrout | MFA Interior Architecture, George Washington University

Interior Architecture is the ultimate human-centered design. Its output is not an object we hold in our hands, but the space in which we exist. Interior design enables the built environment to serve its tenants, balancing aesthetic with function and individual needs with broader context.

During my course of study, I have taken full advantage of studio projects that have few constraints in terms of budget and client demands—understanding that it is a short-lived reality in this career. That said, I am genuinely motivated by problem solving in the face of parameters and people’s unique needs. My previous career and passion for innovative, research-driven human-centered design speaks to this interest. In my portfolio, you’ll notice projects with inclusive, intuitive, and user-responsive choices for all end-users: from custodial staff, front of house employees, and customers.

Interior Architecture is a career change for me, but there are apparent common threads from previous experience. As an undergraduate studying policy and social justice, I became aware of how spaces are built to welcome or exclude people: from instances of hostile architecture on city benches to historically private buildings repurposed for public use. Like policy, interior design requires us to think about the intersection of global and individual demands such as sustainability, equity, workflow, and accessibility.

My previous career was focused on human-centered design for government programs. A core function of the job was to listen: conducting ethnographic interviews, synthesizing outputs, identifying themes, and recommending solutions. The result is an open-minded approach to learning and collaboration. The human experience offers so many clues to problem-solving; clues that we often leave behind when operating on autopilot. As I approach graduation and a career in Interior Architecture, I feel a renewed sense of purpose to maintain this client-centered approach and respond creatively.

Interior Architecture has been a series of problem-solving projects. It is renewing existing spaces that no longer serve their intended purpose, it is finding solutions in a field of competing priorities, and it is a dialogue between the left and right brain. As a natural strategist, I constantly work to strike a balance between the creative, professional, and technical aspects of this profession.

I look forward to working on projects that empower individuals, families, and organizations to thrive in well-designed, functional, and harmonious environments — acknowledging that the concepts of functionality and space will continue to evolve as our human needs change.

Mary Armintrout

Resume

(206) 818-8490 armintroutmary@gmail.com linkedin.com/marmintrout Washington, DC

Professional Experience

Mar. 2023Present

Jun. 2022 -

Aug. 2022

MKDA Washington, DC

Design Intern

Actively supports construction document development in Revit and FF+E specifications for workplace clients.

Landis Architects | Builders

Intern, Project Design & Interior Design

Aug. 2018 -

Jul. 2021

Washington, DC

Maintained a portfolio of 6+ projects, leading on selections and supporting project management for full scope residential renovations in the DC area. Specified millwork, submitted purchase orders, and rendered projects.

Deloitte Consulting

Consultant, Customer Service & Applied Design, US Government & Public Services

Rosslyn, VA

Security Sector: Rendered checkpoints to guide marketing campaign placement for 25+ airports. Designed a workshop to align client culture at a leading US Government innovation office with 20+ personnel. Produced briefing materials for 600+ stakeholders and 5+ international governments on client innovation metholodogy.

Civilian Sector: Managed a 90+ stakeholder focus group for a US government agency, and designed communications material which was distributed to 32M individuals.

Health Sector: Conducted and organized interviews with 60+ consituents and used human centered design methods and multimedia tools to integrate customer input in the agency’s week-long strategy workshop.

Portfolio Contents

STATEMENT

RESUME

Jun. 2018 -

Aug. 2018

Save the Children

Intern, Gender Policy & Advocacy

Jun. 2017 -

Feb. 2018

Washington, DC

Supported production of global gender equity-oriented events, including the UN General Assembly, and used policy writing to advocate for inclusive language in key legislation and executive briefings.

Office of the Mayor Nashville, TN

Intern, Youth Policy & Education

Supported the city’s youth empoyment initiative, which provided 9K+ jobs to teens in its second year. Mentored Mayor’s Youth Council to design RFPs for sustainability initiatives, ultimately implemented through a $100K grant.

Education

Aug. 2021 -

May 2023

Aug. 2014 -

May 2018

Technical Skills

George Washington University Washington, DC

MFA, Interior Architecture

Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN BA, Public Policy Studies

Minor in Women's & Gender Studies

Dean’s List

Revit

Enscape

Schedules + Masterformat

SketchUp Pro

Chief Architect

Adobe Illustrator

STUDIO PROJECTS

Capstone: Hospitality Workplace

Healthcare + Hospitality Hotel

CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS

Bathroom Package Sample Work

ADDITIONAL WORK

Analytique Sketch Scaled Model

Jan. 2017 -

May 2017 Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona Semester program, spanish immersion.

Jun. 2016 -

Aug. 2016

University of Cape Town Cape Town Summer program on social justice issues.

Awards

May 2023

May 2023

Apr. 2023

Apr. 2022

Studio Award, selected by GW MFA Studio Faculty Studio Leadership Award, selected by MFA peers

ASID Student Portfolio Competition, top 9 finalist

Interior Architecture Share Fund Startup Award

Adobe InDesign/InCopy

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Power BI

Hospitality:

The Hub

2023 May

Studio V - Capstone

The Hub is located on DC’s Metropolitan Branch Trail and operates as a third place for cycling commuters along the former B&O railroad.

This adaptive reuse project transforms a nowabandoned Schlitz bottling factory into an asset for the cycling community and the neighborhood.

The colorful, mechanical, and streamlined forms of the bicycle reactivate the industrial space, bringing its beautiful architecture back to life for a new purpose and a new set of users.

M. Armintrout Portfolio

DC’s bike trail network includes the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT)

Central bar + dining space, which seamlessly transitions from day to night

Hospitality

Reactivation

Inspired by the reactivation of the railroad into an energetic walking and cycling path (the MBT) - this building comes back to life through a study and revival of original architectural details and materiality in conjunction with new gestures that catalyze movement and energy.

Original and complementary materials form the base palette, and selectionslike the amber glass - call back to the building’s original tenant.

1924 plans and elevations sourced from the National Archives are used to recreate the original detailing on Revit.

Architectural collage incorporating key influences.

A “grid” is created by the original window bays, which angle toward the MBT. Fixed elements attenuate the grid, and furniture fits seamlessly in-between.

L2

L1

Patio Dining

Brewery Cellar

Primary Bar + Indoor Dining

BOH Kitchen + Service

Bike Entry + Co-op

Brewhouse

Secondary Bar + Indoor Dining BOH Storage + D/W

Terrace + Green Roof

Entry directly from the MBT with a ramp for bicycles; original sketch: Rooftop terrace with games and several seating types. STUDIO V | Capstone: Hospitality

THE BAR THE TERRACE THE CO-OP

Reorientation

toward a new user group.

One of the largest architectural moves in this project was to push the building envelope back inside the original structure; effectively reorienting the entrance and creating space for cyclists to dismount and park their bicycles inside the building.

Bike-inspired mechanisms, such as the garage and pivot doors, modernize the historically-influenced glass facade.

Bicycle-like cogs and chains support this garage door opening with embedded pivot doors for cooler days.

Parametric family with garage and pivot door functions.

The new facade enables outdoor and climatized parking for bicycles in the co-op space.

The second level’s recessed floor reveals the entire North facade and exposes the building’s steel beam system - similar to the exposed mechanisms of a bicycle.

At the center of The Hub is the staircase, bar, and adjoining brewery. The building’s new identity is framed at this point, bursting with bright, geometric square tiles with colors inspired by bike jerseys.

Workplace: Outlook

2022 November Studio IV

The client, NEXT, is a consumer robotics company focused on assistive robotic technology. This Boston office is the R&D hub, designed to draw in talent, foster collaboration, and meet diverse workforce needs.

Outlook reflects the innovative spirit of the company and views toward the waterfront are featured throughout the 6th floor office. Long sightlines and natural materials support this concept.

Outlook

Cafe toward SW face

emphasized in communal spaces, which occur where axes cross the office.

Outlook - Lounge

Early-stage diagrams explore space + form in the office

Bubble diagram addresses workflow and adjacencies

Workstations

Wellness + Phone x2 Lounge

Team Area Project Room

Team Area

Workstations

Each pair of work teams share office resources. This pattern occurs twice in the office, converging at the work cafe.

LEARNING PERSONAL COLLABORATION SOCIAL

In this project, design decisions:

DRAW ON THE FULL RANGE OF HUMAN DIVERSITY REDUCE FRICTION

EMBED ACCESS INTO DESIGN

The design of NEXT office is founded on inclusive and accessible principles because it reflects the company ethos, catalyzes innovative design, and engages an authentically diverse and productive workforce.

ADAPT TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS + ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO ADAPT

CONSIDER EMOTIONAL CONTEXT

Embedded tactile features

Tactile flooring allows better navigation for sight-impaired users

Permanence and sightlines

Long sightlines help wayfinding; material changes signal functional shift

Lighting and acoustic control

Provides flexibility and sensory accommodations

Flexible wellness space

Full-service parenthood rooms + respite spaces are found in both axes

Posture options

Within team areas individuals can sit, stand, lounge, perch, or pace; whatever best suits their focus

A braille legend correlates to shapes found on the plan.

Tactile Floor Plan. A prototype was developed for the project to reinforce the intention to design inclusively, and also validates the legibility of the project for multiple users.

Healthcare + Hospitality: Kaleidoscope

2022 December Studio IV

Collaborative Project - The Children’s Inn at NIH is a place where kids undergoing clinical trials and their families can stay for the duration of the trial.

An upcoming expansion to the building includes a new tower, and courtyard space. Our team of 4 proposed the concept of a kaleidoscope for these spaces: the ever-changing, colorful geometry provokes wonder for children and adults alike. The intent is to create an experience for guests that captures the uniqueness, whimsy, and hopeful spirit of the Children’s Inn.

The tower features a playful space on the first floor and a serene space on the second floor for caregivers.

Developing the kaleidoscope structure using CMYK color interactions.

View up in tower - Kaleidoscope

The courtyard “backyard” space features the kaleidoscope motif and semi-private areas for families to gather and play.

N Upcoming renovation Project scope

Sunlight was a key consideration to ensure that the kaleidoscope effect was created by the colorful glass throughout the day.

Secret garden space

Play area with hexagonal trellis in background

We began the concept and design process by conducting a team exercise noting what is special about the Inn and the spirit we aim to capture through the design of these additional spaces.

Our design choices intend to complement the existing space and the mission of the Children’s Inn.

Understanding how guests interact with the space was central to its design. Children and their caregivers can see the tower and outdoor space from the NIH clinic and it is the first thing they interact with when they arrive.

Just like each unique child and caregiver that walks through the door, this space delivers a unique, personal experience that changes each day.

View of the Children’s Inn from the NIH Clinic

The lower level of the kaleidoscope tower greets guests.

The upper level of the kaleidoscope tower provides respite

Hotel: Retreat

2022 July

Studio III

Hotel Thalia, formerly Teatro Thalia, is located on the outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal. This studio project was finalized while visiting Lisbon, drawing inspiration from Portuguese textiles and culture.

Hotel Thalia is designed to create moments of retreat. This is found explicitly in its multiple bars and cafes; and subconsciously by creating frames through which visitors and guests can reflect and reset.

Building section - facing East

Lisbon site model and topography; chipboard.

COFFEE WINE COCKTAIL APERITIF

Hotel Thalia has four operational bars and cafes which climb up the hotel. Guest begin the day with coffee in the courtyard, and end the night with Portuguese aperitif on the top floor.

Parti Diagram: to Retreat

The core of the building is an atrium which stretches all 5 stories. It facilitates circulation, gathering, and moments of retreat throughout the hotel and bars. Its irregular shape is defined by the theater’s original geometry.

View from apertif bar (top floor)

The opportunity to travel to Lisbon, experience the city, and visit the site provided ample inspiration for locally inspired materiality and program.

Some Portuguese tile - photographed while on the trip - was incorporated into the final renderings.

The flooring at Pena Palace (pictured below) inspired the formation of the lobby tile in Hotel Thalia.

Tile pattern in lobby inspired by Pena Palace, Portugal Guest room

Material board

Sample Construction

Drawings

2023 April

Completed for a building systems + codes class; this bathroom package demonstrates capability in Revit and awareness of key requirements.

Other drawings for this class included a demo plan, partition, door and hardware packages, FF+E, and more.

Analytique: The Willard Hotel

2021 December Sketching

This analytique explores the unique architectural aspects of DC’s famed Willard Hotel—its oculus windows, the Mansard roof, and the narrow floor plan which centers on Peacock Alley—and its interior. The chandelier, the lobby’s Corinthian columns, and the detail in Peacock Alley are the details that once made it feel grand but can feel dated in 2021.

Chaise Lounge

by Peter Zumthor

2021 October Studio I

Scale: 1 1/2” = 1’-0”

Using reference photos and slope calculations, I recreated Zumthor’s Chaise Lounge to scale using laser cut birch. The chaise slats are supported by five embedded dowels. This project demanded analytic, aesthetic, and construction skills.