Working in the NDT (National Design Team) on technical drawings, programming, space planning, on-site redlining, and design development renderings for U.S. Bank and United Health Group clients.
Resident Assistant (RA) - ISU Department of Residence
January 2023 - Present
During academic semesters, up to 20 hours of work including working hall desk and mail room, being the direct contact for residents, and putting on events to benefit the residents and the house.
Piano Internship - 2gether Productions, Woodbury, MN
May 2023 - July 2023
Full-time substitute piano instructor, mentor, and assistant.
Child Welfare Research and Training Program, Ames, IA
September 2022 - May 2024
Voice actor for training programs used for the organization.
Starbucks Barista - Target, Woodbury, MN
May 2022 - April 2023
Gained customer service skills as a Starbucks barista and Target employee.
Pool Monitor - First Service Residential, Woodbury, MN
May 2021 - August 2023
Gained strong assertive skills needed to regulate the community pool.
Private Piano Instructor, Woodbury, MN
February 2019 - August 2021
Teacher to 12 beginner piano students in the self-created Rachel Luchsinger Piano Studio under 2gether Productions to MMTA standards; put on multiple recitals and community service events for the students.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND HONORS
AUID (Association of University Interior Designers) Undergraduate Scholarship Recipient 2023
ISU Community Service; Program of Study; Wyrick; Student Achievement; and Anderson Janice A&D Scholarship Recipient 2023
Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen 2019 (Miss America Org.)
About Rachel
My name is Rachel Luchsinger, and I am a fourth-year student in the interior design program at Iowa State University. Growing up in a family of designers, I have always had a strong passion for design and interior spaces.
Besides interior design, I have a background in visual art and piano performance, as I am pursuing a minor in music. In terms of goals, I dream of using my interior design degree to better communities with technical, behind-the-scenes work of commerical design and increase third-space designs to bring communities together through hospitalitybased interior design.
Currently, I am focusing on learning and growing my knowledge in the field and am searching for a position to continue my professional work, and eventually be able to pursue higher education in a conceptual design and business field.
A hard and devoted designer, I have strong strengths in communication, follow-through, and passion that will make me a positive addition to have on a team at a design firm.
The 925 Hotel 1
Concept Statement:
The 925 hotel will create an authentic and unique workation experience by utilizing place identity in recognition of the historic riches of Aspen, Colorado. All design elements will reflect back toward timeless beauty, locally inspired materials, and the addition of monumental features to invoke awe and inspire the users. Utilizing Aspen’s history of silver mining, the design aims to dig deeper into the “Aspen Ideal” and provide a way for users to connect with their mind, body, and soul.
Project Goal:
Remote workers are looking for ways to break through the isolation of working from home and increase their social network. Hotels in Aspen are lacking all the ideal amenity options for a successful workation. Everyone has different work styles and preferences for how and where they work - not a one-sizefits-all sort of deal.
PROJECT NAME: The 925 Hotel - Workation Hotel Project (Hospitality)
DESCRIPTION: Hotel remodel of the “North of Nell” Hotel in Aspen, CO
TERM: Fall semester of 2024 - senior year at ISU
GROUP: Four interior design students developed research, concept development, and schematic floor plan work, then each focused to develop the design of one feature space and one hotel room type.
RENDERING
SOFTWARE
Client - ACE Hotels:
We partnered with the ACE Hotel brand for our remodel: Events - public art, lobby parties, weddings, restaurants
International - globally minded & locally focused
Local Culture - historical reverence with contemporary features
Business travelers, remote workers, and luxury destination goers. Ages 30-50 (about) with spaces balanced into work, rest, and play for 24/7 amenities.
The Site - Aspen, CO:
Prominent mining town, revitalized through skiing, anchored around the “Aspen Ideal”
Concept Model:
All four group members created a conceptual model to help drive our concept in the physical during the schematic design phase. Above is my concept model.
Place Identity Evidence-Based Design Matrix
History is tied to one’s identity.
Space that is “deeply experienced, perceived, and appreciated”
Monumentality creates a spiritual quality.
Spaces are more than just spatial planning.
CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAMS:
Key Features:
Space Programming:
FIRST FLOOR SPACE PROGRAM PLAN
SECOND FLOOR SPACE PROGRAM PLAN
THIRD FLOOR SPACE PROGRAM PLAN
FOURTH FLOOR SPACE PROGRAM PLAN
Legend:
RENDERED FLOOR PLAN
RENDERED RCP
Guest Room Type: Standard Double Queen
THIRD FLOOR REFERENCE
MATERIAL BOARD
RENDERED FLOOR PLAN
RENDERED RCP
1
BEDROOM AND WORK AREA RENDERING
BATHROOM RENDERING 2
Parks Library 2
Concept Statement:
The third floor of Parks Library is designed with unifying spaces providing a productive and motivating environment that fosters collaboration and individual study alike. The use of naturalistic forms and materials provides respite for users. Through smooth transitioning between areas, this space achieves interconnectivity for users.
Project Goal:
The goal of this space is to bring versatility into the design of the space, cater to the needs of the current student population, and diversify the space for users of varying learning and studying styles. The third floor of Parks Library is occupied by college students and is used to study, eat, collaborate, and/or relax. This project has a variety of arrangement options for seating that can cater to the amount of people utilizing the furniture. There is an emphasis on the noise rating of furniture and partitions as well as improved way finding for individuals. There are partitions in place and modular arrangements to accommodate needs of individuals needing privacy.
Group Projects
PROJECT NAME: Synergia: Parks Library Third Floor Renovation
DESCRIPTION: Remodel of the ISU Park’s Library (Higher Education)
TERM: Spring semester of 2024 - Junior year at ISU
GROUP: Four interior design students (IVE Collective) developed research, concept development, and schematic floor plan work, then each focused to develop the design of one zone of the third floor.
RENDERING OF
The Design Group (IVE Collective):
We created our own brand: IVE Collective to work on this group project together. Our brand mission and concept for this specific design divided into four conceptual words: versatility, respite, interconnectivity, and unity, and we each chose a word to base our designs off of; the word for my individual design was versatility.
VERSATILITY: Variety of furniture, textures, materials, and fixtures are used throughout all spaces to diversify each zone.
RESPITE: Material palette has neutral tones and natural elements to sooth the user.
UNITY: Overlapping of zones with similar materials brings connection between spaces.
INTERCONNECTIVITY:
Connection between zones is defined by flowing circulation.
SPATIAL NEEDS:
North Zone:
- Individual Pods: seating with high backs; quiet and isolated
- Computer Lab: computers and desks; adaquate lighting
- Open Group: variety of large group seating; open space; collaborative layout
- Open Individual: seating to acomidate indivitudal study; task lighting; open invironment
- Group Study: closed rooms; intimate, focused feel
- Interactive:bookcases; foresters group activities; playful feel
- Open Group: variety of large group seating; open space; collaborative layout
IVE Collective:
We divided our group of four into two zones on the floor plan and had two people on each zone create their own design based off our collective concept and spatial needs.
Mission :
Striving to create versatile designs, catering to individual needs, and producing inclusive environments.
Group Projects
Site Observations : We conducted a site study on the users of the space for what they use the space for. Afternoon study findings below:
“I like to take a break between my classes at the library but there is a lack of quiet lounge spaces.”
“I tried to find a space for my group of six to work on our project, but all I could find were tables of 2 or 4 open.”
1
PARTI DIAGRAM
Bubble Diagram :
The third floor is divided into two sectons, but across the floor, our group divided the space into the bubble categories shown.
Personal Zone: The South End
Above: Schematic Spatial Programming Development (Bubble/Block Diagrams)
RENDERED CEILING PLAN (NTS)
LOUNGE RENDERING (NTS) 1
COLLABORATIVE SPACE RENDERING (NTS)
Friley Lounge 3
Concept Statement:
The concept behind this design is the way one heals through elements of stimulation, connectivity, and reflection. In order to address the mental health and well-being of college students, the space will advocate for exploration, expression, and inclusivity. Students will learn and grow as an individual as well as within the community.
Project Goal:
To remodel the lounge space in Friley Residence Hall known as the “Dungeons” into a space for gathering, studying, eating, and meeting. Based on the needs of students and a survey done of what the space is currently being used for by current residents, the space will include service zones, relaxation zones, study spaces, stimulating active spaces, and conference spaces to suit their needs.
Group Projects 25
PROJECT NAME: The Way One Heals - Student Dormitory Lounge Remodel
DESCRIPTION: Remodel of Friley Hall’s Lounge (Higher Education)
TERM: Fall semester of 2023 - Junior year at ISU
GROUP: Three interior design students developed research, concept development, and schematic floor plan work, then each focused to develop the design of twothree featured areas in the lounge.
The Design Group: We divided our group of three into focused zones in the floor plan. I focused on the main social spaces including the dining area, fro-yo shop, and community seating. For these spaces, we developed individual space planning and parti diagrams (shown below) as well as final renderings.
SPATIAL BUBBLE DIAGRAM
SPATIAL
REFERENCE FLOOR PLAN (NTS)
All design documents and renderings for this project can be found on my website: rachelluchsinger.com
Design Team’s “Conceptual Tree”
COMMUNITY SEATING RENDERING (NTS)
Google Survey results from current residents of the building
Project Research:
A study at a university shows the proportion of students who screened positive for anxiety and depression disorders and who didn’t receive any therapy services ranged from 37-84% depending on their disorder. Ultimately, this multivarious space would help aid the mental health crisis amongst new college students through different activity selections for processes of healing.
FRO-YO SERVICE RENDERED SECTION (NTS)
DINING AREA RENDERING (NTS)
The Music House 4
Concept Statement:
This design will provide an off-grid, affordable home right in the center of Music Row in Nashville. The space will be designed for young, aspiring musicians to fit all their musician needs without the stress of homeowning added on. The 270 square ft home will provide all the amenities and features needed to not only thrive living there but be able to bring company and business over to enjoy the unique, musicbased tiny home.
Project Goal:
To provide a space for not only simple living, but to accommodate storage needs of instruments and musical instruments, provide space for live performances right outside the house, and blend into the neighborhood by adding a car port through the use of sequential diagramming of the structure of the home.
PROJECT NAME: Micro-Home Project for Advanced Visualization Course
DESCRIPTION: 270 Sq Ft Tiny Home for a young couple
TERM: Fall semester of 2024 - Senior year at ISU
PARAMETERS: Semester project to apply our advanced visualization skills learned throughout this course. Concept and site developed individually; house must remain under 270 Sq Ft and be built for a young couple.
INTERIOR RENDERING (LIVING SPACE)
EXTERIOR RENDERING 1
INTERIOR RENDERING
Group Projects
The Grand Pavilion 5
Concept Statement:
The concept of this design is community through live music. This space is an experience for students to walk through and either reflect individually, or gather as a group to celebrate live music and its importance in our modern-day world.
Project Goal:
To create a pavilion design outside the Student Innovation Center, with a goal of bringing people together through music collaboration and performance in an acoustically pleasing and centering design. The structure and materials will reflect that of a grand piano.
Conceptual Projects 35
PROJECT NAME: The Grand Pavilion - Conceptual Pavilion Project
DESCRIPTION: Creation of an on-site pavilion on ISU Campus
TERM: Fall semester of 2023 - Junior year at ISU
PARAMETERS: Four weeks spent up to the schematic design phase to design a full pavilion installation for the ISU campus.
RENDERING OF THE 3D MODEL ON SITE FEATURED ABOVE
3D PRINTED MODEL SCALE:
3D PRINTED SECTION MODEL
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT SKETCHES
Piano Study:
Inspired from Charles Brooks: “Architecture In Music” photos of piano interiors to architectural scale... a personal piano study was conducted on a Music Hall grand piano, exploring scale, architectural forms, and structure, which will directly translate into study models and concept development.
Conceptual Projects 37
Study Models:
Model 1: Explores organic shapes and structure.
Model 2: Explores negative space and architecture development.
Model 3: Explores interior of piano forms and proportion.
Second study model: used aluminum foil, popsicle sticks, string, and masking tape to develop forms, concept, layout, and circulation further.
Site Analysis:
Location: Field outside of the Student Innovation Center
Terrain: Slight bumpy terrain; easy to flatten out
Size: easily fits the overall sizes of model: about 40’x80’
Goals Based on Location:
- Shade from the sun
- Source of entertainment, rest, and relaxation
- Attention grabber
INTERIOR MODEL PERSPECTIVES
The Aalto Museum 6
Concept Statement:
The concept behind the design is symmetry, centralization, and simplicity. The spaces are meant to be individualized and bring the feeling of peace with an intriguing sense to explore more and go deeper into the center of the space. They bring energy and attention to that central point with the curved lines of the walls pointing to the center, the symmetry of each space and overall place, and the simplicity of each space. Walls have curved features reflecting the curved lines used in the gallery artwork. Colors are muted to bring a sense of peace in an otherwise lively and moving space.
Project Goal:
Museum Design Project Based on Famous Designers Aino and Alvar Aalto; Materials
Used: Micron pen, alcohol markers, foam core for modeling, tracing paper. This project covered hand-drafting and rendering skils, along with working through the design process.
Conceptual Projects
PROJECT NAME: The Aalto Museum - 36 Cubic Feet Museum Project
DESCRIPTION: Design a museum for a historic furniture designer
TERM: Fall semester of 2022 - Sophmore year at ISU
PARAMETERS: First full project in the program almost entirely done by hand to design a museum for the given designer and feature their work.
RENDERING OF THE ENTRANCE/LOBBY FEATURED ABOVE
SOFTWARE: Hand Drafting/Rendering (Micron Pens, Copic Markers), Model Making (Foam Core, Clear Acrylic), Microsoft Lens Scanning, Photoshop
Model:
1/4” Scaled model out of foam core shows the overall structure and spatial planning of the design, with the staircase and glass elevator being a statement.
FOAM CORE MODEL
SCALE: 1/4” = 1’ - 0”
PARTI
INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE RENDERING BY HAND (NTS)
ELEVATION 1 NTS
SECTION 1 NTS
Hand Renderings: Kitchens and Living Room
Material Studies and Design Development:
These renderings were initially hand drafted with micron pen, and then add texture and color through copic markers. Material studies were also done by hand, with some featured above.
-
Artwork
PEN STILL LIFE (18” X 24”)
MICRON
Freshman Year Visual
Pen, Graphite, Copic
COPIC MARKER PERSPECTIVE
GRAPHITE STILL LIFE (18” X 24”)
MICRON “30-20-10” (10” X 10”)
PENCIL STILL LIFE (18” X 24”)
COLORED PENCIL LANDSCAPE
ArtDrawing and Watercolor
CHARCOAL LANDSCAPE (18” X 24”)
CHARCOAL LANDSCAPE (18” X 24”)
GRAPHITE PERSPECTIVE (18” X
St. Paul College Visual
Renderings at RSP Internship - Tenant improvement of fortune 50 banking company
RSP Architects Internship:
The summer of 2024 between my junior and senior year was spent (10 weeks) with the architecture firm, RSP, on their NDT (National Design Team) which included interior designers, architects, and customer/client relations specialists. On this team, I was able to touch almost every phase of the design process with workplace centered designs, including national banks and healthcare offices. Along with the renderings, I did on-site floor plan updates, document set ups, material selections/ordering, and more.
Renderings:
These renderings showcase two different bank locations (identity/ branding removed for protection) in the construction document phase before build. I was able to take furniture/ material specifications from construction documents and the revit floor plan to put together these realistic-focused renderings for the client
Software Used: AutoCad and Revit for floor plans, modeling, and material application; Enscape and Photoshop for rendering development
