Interior Architectural Design Portfolio

mElissa yuan INTERIOR INNOVATION

hEALING VILLE OCT Harbour, No. 2008 Binhai Avenue, Shahe Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, China 14,029 SQF

Project Description In 2019, more than 50% of Chinese office workers suffer from anxiety, which 8% considered as high risk. Other than other family and competition factors leading to this phenomenal issue, a lot of people are not finding themselves as "good enough" in the daily workplace, especially those who are based in the fast-paced metropolitan cities. Infusing the Japanese teaism that represents tranquility and harmony, the mission is to provide a therapeutic wellness oasis that helps people revitalize their creativity and self-acceptance.

Client Introduction Tsujiri and Suiran Hotel Kyoto are both pioneers in the Japanese tea industry for over 120 years old. Determined to continue innovating and sustaining the tradition, they enrich the physical and mental wellbeing of every individual through every precious encounter.

In the new location in China, they hope to blend a relaxing haven and the modern conveniences of the vibrant city for their guests.

User Profile This relaxing day retreat targets young white collars between age 20-39 in China’s first-tier cities, especially those within Shenzhen's "one-hour living zone". The local guests or travelers should feel free to visit on the weekends to rewind after work.

癒しの街

healing ville

an urban wellness oasis that provides cozy daily retreat.

1

4

connection

restoration

the tide

To bring together through layers of dual harmony.

To release rejuvenation, accepting the enrichment.

Tides are caused by gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

They originate in the oceans and progress toward the coastlines where they appear as the regular rise and fall of the sea surface.

2

immersion To encourage, progress, and metabolize generations

The tide nurtures a safe, cozy, and diverse community by a cycle of connection - immersion - movement - restoration. Through layers of programmatic and spatial enrichment, the incoming guests should confidently interact, relax, and feel inspired.

3

movement To cultivate a continuity through the use of pace.

长江后浪推前浪，青出于蓝胜于蓝

1

Entry

Antechamber

UNIT 1 Ground Floor - Inspire Second Floor - Create

Help desk

UNIT 2 Ground Floor - Sense Second Floor - Rest

Tea lounge

mental health crisis in fast-developing cities of China

More Loneliness Less Interaction

More than 50% of Chinese office workers suffer from anxiety, within which 8% considered as HIGH RISK.

USER GROUP

“I feel like we are being controlled by something we should be controlling.”

Less Happiness

“This office life is exhausting... when can I ever get out of this competitive place?”

Cognitive Triangle

“I’ve lost the motivation to make a more decent living because no matter how hard I try, I can never buy a house of my own.”

14.16%

8.85% 14.16%

Ages

11.50%

17.70%

19.47% 14.16%

“I’m losing my hair like crazy, which makes me pretty agitated the entire year.”

Young white collars in China’s first-tier cities

China’s young white-collar generation is between age 20-39.

20-22 23-25 26-28 29-31 32-34 35-37 38-39

Why is today's young Chinese generation in workplace the most vulnerable to stress and anxiety?

Explore

3

92.00% surveyees self-development as a crucial factor to succeed.

Most popular choices: 1. Socialize 2. Travel 3. Study

1

Socialize

Spa

Shopping

2

Crowded environment

High workload/fast pace

Emotional/family burdens Nature Rest

Young white-collars tend to spend more time due to unfamilarity and a lack of experiences, thus receiving more time-consuming work that escalates the following:

A discovered overlap between the top self development and stress-relieving activities: Surveyees' most desirable activities in an escape

Self-standards

Approval

Socialize

Competition

86.80% surveyees are the most stressed about their skills and capabilities in a workplace environment.

Literature reviews show most people choose to talk, seek advice, and participate to relieve stress from their daily work.

100%

100%

70.50% 69.40%

0%

Nature

Top survey results: 1. Sleep 2. Socialize 3. Nature

An affordable, relieving escape in China

Urban village is a traditional, developing area of a metropolitan city remained from hundreds of years ago.

Selected design theories

63.00%

Self-standards Competition

“Face” in the traditional Chinese society is considered dignity that is overvalued against personal emotional distress.

The social family stigma about mental illness prevent from seeking support.

15.88% 0%

Sleep

Socialize

13.62% Nature

36% more guests spend time in biophilic hotel lobbies

75% gpeople have decreased stress in 45-min clay interaction

2 x more positive guest reviews at urban biophilic hotels

UP

UP

UNIT 1

UP

UP

lively

interactive

Floor 1 programs

Floor 2 programs

1 Antechamber

8 Tea Lounge

palette

2 Help Desk

9 Tea Terrace

sand white jade linen greeneries

3 Creativity Hub 4

10 Restrooms

4 Restrooms

3

5 Kitchen

5

11 Artists' Studio

10

6 Zen Garden

8

12 Artists' Blacony 13 Janitor's Room

9

7 Staff Breakroom

1

11

impressive 6

2 14

content

12

13

7 2' 4'

8'

20'

Floor 1 (4,379 SQF)

2' 4'

8'

20'

Floor 2 (3,438 SQF)

14 Mechanical Room

UP

UNIT 2

UP

inviting

chic

7

Floor 1 programs

Floor 2 programs

1 Janitor Storage

9 Single Suite M

2 Massage Room

10 Double Suite

3 Mechanical Room

11 Suite Balcony S

4 Single Suite S

12 Suite Balcony M

5 Double Suite ADA 5

6 Outdoor Lounge

5

7 Tea Dock

7

4

8 Staff Breakroom

4

6 2 7

3

1

11

10

8'

20'

Floor 1 (3,345 SQF)

walnut ash polished stone porcelain

12

10

9

9

9

9

simplistic

calming

8 2' 4'

palette

Floor 2 (2,867 SQF)

Immediately from the first step in, the guests are surrounded by a monolithic soft sculptures. They aim to help the guests wind down and smoothly adjust to the peaceful, immersive, and cozy indoor sceneries.

1

connection The social gathering spaces are the central focus surrounded by each high vs. low spatial pair.

The pattern high vs. low represents the intensity of programs like the ying vs. yang.

2

immersion The spaces are being brought and essentially evolved together to emerge a holistic home atmosphere.

Wayfinding: wavy spread

Tea lounge, a connective space between the tea terrace and artists' studio surrounds the floating staircase. The freeformed area with integrated biophilic elements dovetail the guests' indoor and outdoor experiences.

Artists' Studio - Pattern The main feature on the second floor of unit 1 is a ceramic studio that allows all kinds of creativity interchange, inspiration, and socialization.

Comparing to the spontaneous formation on the first floor, the second floor is relatively organized to provide a safe, regulated space for the guests to create in comfort.

3

movement Through 3 basic types of wave breakers: spilling, plunging, and surging, the spaces interconnect.

zen garden By the sand trail led in from the main entrance, this is the main area to serve meals for both visitors and stay-in guests. Since it is the biggest outdoor area for activities and conversations, the zen garden is set to be multipurpose and acoustic-flexible depending on the type of incoming guests.

outdoor lounge Specifically designed for the stay-in guests, this part of unit 2 is a similar outdoor conversation space extended from the tea docks. The main difference is its unique semi-private style with the customized wooden slates. They serve as an aesthetic and friendly shield between the tea docks and the sun.

Formally docks for boating, the tea rooms open on all four sides of wall for access to the water view.

Ideation of sensory

tea dock 4

restoration Natural lighting completes the extended level of escape in the day retreat, whether that is in the guest rooms or the special private tea docks.

The one-sided window glass helps the guests sitting inside the tea dock stay visually separated from the outdoors but still enjoy the green/water views.

Down-to-earth tea experience consisted of traditional Japanese tatami flooring, organic oak wall materials, and natural sylight that serves the daytime facility.

help desk

3

UP DN

movement The natural vestige from the waves not only visualizes an immersive environment but also connects the guests' pathways between indoor and outdoor.

DN

UP

guest rooms The four types of suites are single suites S, single suites M, double suites, and double suites ADA, each arranged to accommodate solo and couple travelers. This consideration was suggested by the preliminary studies and survey results in travel style or preferences.

Dissipative waves extensively laid-out

Intermediate waves regular, dynamic

Reflective waves ideal, smooth, consistent

The connection between two individual spaces is mixed-used.

Shared balcony for suites on both sides of the building unit 2.

4

restoration While the high spaces tend to locate towards the center, the low spaces are forewashed for more privacy and outdoor access.

Single Suite

Double Suite

Like how the orbital waves travel across the ocean's surface, the guest rooms descend a linear, symbiotic oceanic progression.

KATE spadE BOUTiQUE 4835 River City Drive Suite 105 Jacksonville, FL 32246

5,341 SQF

Project Description The dramatic time during adolescence may be confusing and vexing.

In Atlantic's survey with more than 1,300 girls from the ages of 15-25, more than 60% of girls periodically experience low self-esteem due to the insecureness and uncertainty of the changes in their bodies. The mission is to help adolescent girls boldly express their inner beauty and fearlessness with vibrant colors and pronounced shapes, inspiring them to confidently be themselves.

Client Introduction Always stood for optimistic femininity, Kate Spade defines females' unique, joyous style, making personal statements with a chic, modern, and sophisticated attitude.

User Profile The boutique targets educated females between 19-39 years old mostly living in metropolitan urban cities. At Kate Spade, the shopping experience symbolizes a coming-of-age ritual.

GROW Teenage girls transitioning adolescence to adulthood is both magnificent and yet painstaking - they break through a process similar to metamorphosis, where a caterpillar takes two weeks to transform into a butterfly. During the transformation, there may be feelings that are different or uncomfortable from before, so support and customization become the key to this project. While meeting the needs for the brand and users, the designed spaces caringly guide the growing young female with a seamless, unique experience.

Mezzanine - Consultation + Staff Area Butterfly - Custom Furniture System Ground Floor - Display + Service

Tesla, St. Johns Town Center 4835 River City Drive Suite 105 Jacksonville, FL 32246

Building

Existing Building Analysis Site Lake Residence Institution Public Services

Form, Volume, Massing

Vehicular Pathway Entry Point Parking Lot Bus Stop Greenery 2' 4'

8'

12'

20'

Ground Floor

Site Considerations Plenty of parking lots inside and nearby the shopping complexes Convenient location next to the highway and numerous transportation stations

South Elevation

Sustainable surroundings with lakes, parks, and forests

Structural Columns

Friendly neighborhood and an expansive University campus community

West Elevation

Load Bearing Walls

Main Entry

Street View Access

Rhythm

Fire Exit

The site of both the shopping complex and building conveys a radial spread layout, which inspired an innovated extension of such pattern in the interior.

The butterfly furniture system imitates mirrored patterns with two directional spread wings, realizing a coherent circulation joined by bilateral symmetry.

Adjacency Diagrams

Reflected Ceiling Plans

Breakroom Fitting Room Help Desk

Reception Fitting Room

Display

2' 4'

8'

12'

Ground Floor

20'

Mezzanine

Storage

Floorplans

Lounge Jewlery Kiosk

Elevator/ Staircase

Storage

Consultation

Lobby

Kiosk

Lounge

Breakroom

Elevator

ay

Help Desk

lay

Disp

Fitting Rooms Staircase

Jewlery Navel

Storage

Consult

Breakroom

Displ

Lobby

Mezzanine (1,221 SQF)

Lobby

Elevator

ADA Restroom

Restroom

Bubble Diagrams Office

Consultation

Office ADA Elevator

Direct Correlation Indirect Correlation Visual Connection Main Entry/Exit

Consult

Office

Consultation

Help Desk

Breakroom

Service Area

Reception

ADA Fitting Rooms

Restroom

ay

Displ

Reception

ADA Elevator

Display

Disp

lay 2'

4'

8'

12'

20'

Ground Floor (4,120 SQF)

Display Area

façade An engaging, creative shopping experience often starts from the queue outside. The boutique reinvents its façade to a two-story curtain wall, on both the south and west side, facing towards and inviting the visitors inside.

This unique journey's main attraction on the longitude is the central spiral staircase. Visitors visualize the full range of service - how the customers elevate from shopping to consulting.

Material Palette

Main Brand Colors

The guests walk into this store to experience a luxurious wonderland, so the visual and textural components are crucial. With the elegant, smooth copper and brass as the base, the famous teal adds in a bold and energetic sensation. The pink and teal combination is then touched up by Kate Spade's signature mini-heart patterns that create another intriguing layer for the eyes to experience a "wow" moment.

Teal Wallcovering

Pink Glow Copper Patina

Gold Brass

Acrylic

Carrara Marble

Vinyl Wallcovering

Printed Wallcovering

Calacatta Marble Rosa Portugués Marble

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The single entry on the west side of the building was innovated into two south entries. The entries create more freedom for the customers, as well as providing bigger escapism to the long, narrow building, especially during the sensitive global pandemic.

Numerous custom furniture throughout the boutique include patterned mirrors, builtin wall shelves, and the core butterfly display shelves. They promote awareness and selfexpression, as well as celebrate individual differences during the customers' retail exploration.

The golden, organic shelves serve as as a internal functional storage and an external décor.

The tray ceiling seamlessly transforms, contours, and highlights.

The subtle toe kick LED lighting balances out the golden brass and pink tone.

Monolithic pendants make a great task light for checkouts.

reception

staff areas Three separate areas for the staff on the first floor cover both service and storage facilities.

This layout imitates the rhythmic, symmetrical structure of a pair of spread butterfly wings by distributing the fixed service stations throughout the long building. The customers can always shop in an uninterrupted flow and yet near available staff assistance whenever. Not only does the service reach a spatial balance but also supports a maximized, free exploration space.

Storage

Reception

Breakroom

Help Desk

Breakroom

Corner Reception + Mezzanine Storage

Fitting Room Help Desk + Breakrooms

The verticality, connecting both staff areas, provides convenience, efficiency, and privacy through a corner staircase.

Across from the three ADA-accessible changerooms is a fitting room help desk. Behind this organizational space are two individual breakrooms that each includes a table and chair, a sink, a mini locker, and a fridge.

immersive experience The customer's experience is featured as a magical journey as the shopping path guides from either side of the store entries to meet in the core. The mixed marble floor hints unwrapped gifts for every unique girl.

Wayfinding - Color, Form The main components of this wonderland are spontaneous shapes and dramatic curvature throughout both the ground and the sky. The guests should feel free while roaming in their very own types of journey.

Butterfly Furniture System

Left Wing

Butterfly Core Fitting Rooms

North Section Spread Wings Symmetry

Wayfinding - Pattern, Height The curved wayfinding system in the gift-unwrapping flooring echoes the custommade display shelves through pattern, ceiling form, and ambient lighting.

Customers browsing items within the Butterfly can look up to the mezzanine lounge, allowing interesting spatial interactions through height differences. Overall, the immersive experience layers a magical scenery like one in Alice's Wonderland.

Right Wing

15'

9' 7"

7' 6' 7"

East Section Wings Layered Height

The lounge is also an excellent Instagram spot with its quoted, elegant copper wall and selfie mirrors.

The curved pattern mirror walls aid the customers' shopping journey as a fun, an interesting element.

The left entry faces the jewlery lounge from the glass doors, which promotes a brand statement.

The selected furniture and customized kiosk tailor the brand's philosophy via a soft, smooth, and bold profile.

jewlery navel Customized Kiosk

Copper Patina Trim

Glass Display Case

Copper Patina Trim

Acrylic Block

Brass Block

Acrylic Block

Brass Trim

The golden quotes by the founder, Katherine Noel Brosnahan, inspire and motivate the young girls to pursue their dreams.

A light-luxe yet cozy spot with cushions to enjoy afternoon tea while in queue.

Open lights guide the path and maximize the work aisle.

The staircase and contemporary chandelier make a grand, shiny entry via pink copper and bold teal.

Along with natural light, simplistic light connects waiting area and private offcies.

flexible workspace In the center of the mezzanine is the manager's office, which has the biggest and most transparent view overlooking the first floor, especially the staff breakroom. This room can also be utilized as a mini meeting space, as well as another private consultation space.

1:1 fashion consultation The first floor's customized selections all come from the ADA-accessible mezzanine's unique consultation service. The guests should feel free to book an appointment or walk in to consult the fashion experts during their unforgettable shopping experience.

Celebrating everyone's differences, this unique service achieves the brand's specialty of personification for the adolescent girls who are either looking for a change or simply explore brand new styles.

REGROUP OFFICE 641 Indian Street, Savannah GA 31401

9,949 SQF

Project Description 70% of the American workforce sits on the job daily, causing ergonomicrelated injuries that cost up to $12 million per year. Moreover, about 70,000 workdays were lost due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders, without counting work efficiency. Consequently, the mission is to create a healthy, comfortable, and productive work environment that provides variability to break up the monotony of the day.

Client Introduction With its on-demand, scheduled services and direct-to-consumer divisions, InSight + Regroup leads scalable telepsychiatry programs across the care continuum in the US. Its shared philosophy is to provide the best quality, continuity, and integrated behavioral healthcare services to patients.

A high level of team coordination and collaboration becomes the key.

User Profile Regroup + Insight has 500-1000 employees, within which 50 employees will be sent to Savannah's new office location. During the recent global pandemic, one-third (approximately 10) of the office workers became virtual employees. However, they have expressed a strong will to still connect to and engage with the rest of the workplace environment.

COINCIDING PERIPHERALS Being known as the fundamental blood to every computer's systematic circulation, peripherals are devices that connect to provide communication through input and output. The small integrants correspond in position and meet with other essential components to function as a complex whole. The hybrid workspaces join and superimpose each other to integrate and maximize the employees' virtual assistance into their patients' workflow and systems.

Mezzanine - Pantry + Lounge Ground Floor - Private + Shared Spaces The Kernel - Multi-collaborative Center

Ghost Coast Distillery

Major Challenges

641 Indian Street, Savannah GA 31401

Lack of access to natural light Non-changeable structure

Barrel Aging

Storage Mezzanine

Production Center

Existing Building Analysis

Form, Volume, Massing

Not in Contract

Institution Residence Hospitality Restaurants

Vehicular Pathway Downtown Area Parking Lot Bus Stop

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North Elevation

Near downtown, historic district, and river street; proximal to lively nightlife Compact suburban environment with amenities within walking distance

Limited restaurants and bars nearby

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Main Entry

Natural Light Access

5' Deep Pit

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Site Considerations

The initial exploration vertically extended the programs to maximize spaces, with private offices surrounding the big open workspaces.

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Lack of nearby restaurants

Fire Exit

Modified decisions pushed the spatial intensity from West to East, giving the most privacy to the latter part of the building.

To solve the three main challenges mentioned above, experiments focused on sculpting a wellness-aware workplace atmosphere via featuring a core facility.

User Journey Exploration

Core Feature Development

Upper Reflected Ceiling Plan

Enter office building

To tailor to the client needs, a selection of wellness-focused lighting fixtures and customized ceiling fixtures are integrated into the reflected ceiling plans.

Check mailroom Settle in assigned area Meet in groups to discuss daily goals and follow up

Especially with the mezzanine dedicated to a lounge-style pantry and workspace, the lighting accents a diverse, mobile, and comfortable workplace atmosphere.

Return to office Break in restroom Collaborate in meeting rooms Break in pantry

The original concept led in a playful take on the building's unique architectural feature, the pit. The employees would be seated in an open, reverberated style on different levels descending into the pit. The top level sits an open pantry.

Return to office Meet in groups for end-day report

7

Floorplans

4

Leave office building

After integrating considerations for safety measures and productivity maximization, the workflow is more dynamic and flexible in order to support all workers with different needs.

E-check mailroom

9

Collaborate/work in the kernel E-check out

Leave

8 ADA Restroom

4 Meeting/Workroom

9 Semi-Open Office 10 Open Office

The following revision focused on how the main peripherals work, as mini hardware surround and support the core of a functional motherboard. The pit would dedicate to the IT department with an overtopping breakroom mezzanine.

3 1

9

8

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Break in lounge

3 Printer Room

10

6 5

Reunite with teammates in open workspace Break in pantry

7 Service Facility

10

Meet/greet e-colleagues

E-meet/work in private workpods

2 Mail Room

Mezzanine (1,412 SQF)

Mobile check-in/report

Check temperature

6 Conference Room

5 Management Office

Before the pandemic hit, most employees and managers followed a typical linear daily routine.

Enter office building

1 Reception/Lobby

2

7

5

5

4

9 5

9 5

Ground Floor (8,537 SQF)

lobby The first feature of the workplace is its interaction hub at the front foyer.

With the most amount of sunlight access, the lobby is a free space for employees to catch up not only in person but also virtually through the real-time Zoom-integrated screens. This is the first attempt to define the hybrid workplace's connectivity and inclusion - work hard, play hard.

Ground Reception connecting to Mezzanine Pantry

2

1

Contemporary leather lounge opens up the conversations and hosts daily catchups.

2

Open entry area with a double-height ceiling helps with employees and visitors' transition into the building.

3

The vertical connection with the pantry area further adds a sense of community.

4

The sleek wooden slates seamlessly guide people into the workflow from the start.

5

The grey overall tone keeps the atmosphere neutral along with tads of matte black that chimes in professionalism.

6

Maple flooring and white oak ceiling features carry a subtle, warm hospitality, brightening up the space in response to a lack of acess to natural light and visual crowdedness.

3 4

1

5 6

Acoustic Tile

Bamboo

Ceramic Tile

Concrete Wallpaint

Maple

White Oak

Marble Tile

Luxury Vinyl Tile

pantry The core feature development assigned a wellness aspect onto the mezzanine for an exclusive and interactive breakroom experience.

The main idea focuses on opening up and adopting a multi-purpose pantry while not necessarily interrupting the workflow. Enhancing the hub-centric studio style on the ground floor, the pantry well blends kitchen, bar, and lounge elements all in one. Certain parts of the wall are tech-enabled for the employees to catch up in real-time even for those working from home. Selected finishes such as luxury vinyl tile and maple brighten up the neutral base tone, featuring a fun overhung kitchen ceiling and fostering a sense of community.

1

2

High-intensity collaborations tailor clients' mission that largely orient on building and maintaining consistent communication with their clients.

Walkway routes and other facilities surround and support The Kernel's hive function and workflow.

3

Additional features include acoustical partition walls and pendants between the co-workstations.

the kernel 3

2 1

conference room Like how the concept suggests a motherboard is consisted of small fitting parts for a wholesome function, the conference room in the central workplace promotes the energetic culture and a crystalized sense of purpose. The extra height further reveals a priority in achieving of such.

Kernel semi-private workpit

Kernel raised collaborative platform

1

White oak slates interlocking in different sizes symbolizes the company values, communication and collaboration.

2

While practicing safe distancing during the pandemic, the open offices are rearranged into trios to continue strengthen their studio-style culture.

3

Mirrors are used to maximize the office space.

4

Through a smooth and contemporary material palette, the central conference room on a raised platform serve as an embracing key element to the workplace community instead of a condescending feature.

open offices

1

3

4 2

general circulation To continue the client's intention and purpose, the customized wall decor connects and echos with the acoustical ceiling selections, as well as the flooring finishes. Overall, the scheme appears professional and not overally formal, which is ideal for motivated collaborations and constant creativity.

individual workpods Lined up against the same wall with open workspace downstairs, the mezzanine workpods are customized, private space for individual or small-scaled partner work.

Physically upleveling brings the employees a more refreshed feeling when trying to focus.

Safely distanced open workspace vs. private workpods

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