SOPHIE SPALDING COELLO
Hi! I’m Sophie, an architect and interior designer from Paraguay currently based in Milan with over 5 years of experience in the design field.
I recently graduated with Cum Laude Honors from the Istituto Europeo di Design’s Interior Design Master program, where I developed a specialized focus on commercial and hospitality projects and enriched my perspective on the pivotal role design plays in brand storytelling and strategy.
My portfolio includes projects ranging from residential to retail spaces, that reflect my ability to create immersive environments that align with the client’s identity. I’m passionate about integrated and human-centered design, and committed to creating innovative designs that enhance user experiences while staying true to each brand’s unique story.
2 villa josefina commercial + cultural architecture 1
4 M+M apartment residential
3 alta pietra residential
5 casa gondra commercial concept
6 shades of cool + rōzu digital moodboards seji senses wellness concept
7 palazzo san marco hospitality concept
8 materia domotics showroom project
9 beyond the frame window showroom project
10 core premium hospitality project
credits Villa Josefina
year type
client roles
2021-2022
commercial and cultural
National University of Asuncion, School of Architecture Thesis
architect of adaptive reuse proposal of heritage site
Joaquin Pampliega Caballero, co-author
Prof. MsC. Jose Maria Calvo, tutor
Villa Josefina, the adaptive reuse of a 1900’s villa in the heart of Asuncion.
This project, developed as my architecture degree thesis, centers on the adaptive reuse of Villa Josefina, a 20th century neoclassical style residence with a cultural heritage status in the center of Asunción Paraguay, as finance headquarters with a cultural program.
Detailed plans, sections and facades, both architectural and constructive, 3d models and renderings were developed in order to provide an ideal proposal of intervention and reuse. In-depth research
on the villa and its environment was carried out through site surveys, historical and social investigations, and constructive and pathological diagnoses.
The main idea of this proposal is to give a new and functional use for the villa, giving it a place in the contemporary world.
It was achieved by developing a project for the restoration of original features, the insertion of a minimally invasive architecture on the site, and emphasizing the villa’s role as part of Asunción’s cultural and architectural history.
PARAGUAY
VILLA JOSEFINA
BOVEDA CAJAS
sophie spalding coello work selected works
sophie spalding coello
2 year type client roles credits Ykua Sati
2022-2023 residential private client
interior designer and project manager -
M+M apartment
the driving idea behind this project and reform was the client’s need to add warmth to their brand new apartment, and make it feel like home. engineered hardwood was laid throughout the entirety of the apartment, which immediately gave the space a warmer and homier feel. stark white baseboards were chosen to contrast the oak toned floor and blend in with the walls.
the existing kitchen cabinets were painted in a dark, denim colour- the client’s preference- which gave the space a moodier and less contemporary feel. the star of the open space, in which the kitchen, living and dining room coexist, is a bespoke, natural wood bookshelf.
it was designed with the client’s needs of open shelving to display their collection of objects and books, and place a television, as well as closed storage space below. what accompanies this piece is a solid wood kitchen island, custom made to the client’s need for a multi-purpose surface to cook, gather, and work. additional pieces such as floating shelves were added in the kitchen for open storage.
a series of lamps and pendants in matte graphite add an industrial touch to the space. in all rooms of this apartment, linen voile floor to ceiling curtains were made to add privacy and to shield from the south american sun.
bedrooms
In the main bedroom, wood was brought in through two mismatched bedside tables and shelving.
In the secondary bedroom, a multifunctional layout was needed to be both a guest bedroom and a home office, leading to a floating desk design and shelving.
spalding coello
sophie spalding coello
sophie spalding coello
year type client roles credits
2021-2022 residential private client interior designer and project manager -
Alta Pietra
The clients were looking for an airy, modern interior to balance the architecture of their summer home. When designing the social and dining areas, I took into consideration the palette of the view and surroundings which were emphasised by the tall windows and horizontal architecture facing the lake in this Paraguayan summer town, San Bernardino.
Elements such as a graphite coloured mdf and dark granite countertops in the kitchen blended into the already modern and minimalist space, whilst warm woods, rattan, natural hued linens and stone were implemented into the design to add warmth and a lived in, easy going feel.
Alta Pietra
OBRA KG_ALTA PIETRA DORMITORIOS
sophie spalding coello
bedrooms and bathrooms
In the bedrooms, a warm linen textured mdf was chosen for the built-ins, paired with mirrored doors to maximise light and the view. Headboards in soft, velvet-like fabric in neutral tones and warm, natural
wooden nightstands make for a laid back and calm space. The bathroom built-ins and cabinetry in a concrete inspired mdf played into the minimalist and sober architecture of the house.
sophie spalding coello work
sophie spalding coello
Paseo Casa Gondra
year type client roles credits
february 2023 commercial concept moodboards
IED
paseo casa gondra
concept development, moodboard and design. -
this concept project was developed for a university concept competition, with the task of creating a design reflecting transformation. I had participated in the survey of this heritage site in the heart of asuncion paraguay, and therefore felt it an adaptive reuse proposal was the best fit to give a beauty like this historic house new life.
the project is imagined as a “paseo” in which multiple functions could be carried out and create a sort of hub for community and collective exchange. a cafe, a boutique, an exhibition salon, and a green and open courtyard garden were brought to life through schematic floorplans and collages.
seji senses
year type client roles credits
Seji Senses march 2024 wellness concept moodboards IED Master Design Language Class concept development, moodboard and design. -
Seji Senses is a concept for a wellness center and spa, located in the historic city of Kyoto, Japan. Inspired by the Ryokan, traditional Japanese Inns which date back to the 8th century A.D., this concept reflects the feeling of arriving at an oasis after a long day of travel.
The interiors offer a calm and minimal environment where one can hear the restorative sounds of water and be invited
to quiet the mind and go within. A palette of natural materials in neutral tones was achieved through the combination of dark and weather-worn wood, tatami-like raw fiber rugs, and unpolished stone. A selection of low and horizontal furniture and warm, low lights was chosen that both reflected traditional Japanese interiors.
sophie spalding coello work
sophie spalding coello
Palazzo San Marco
year type
client roles credits
october 2024
hospitality concept moodboards
IED
For the Design Language class at IED, we were tasked on developing a concept for a hospitality project. Being a lover of heritage architecture, I chose to locate my project within an existing palazzo located in the heart of Grottaglie, Puglia.
concept development, moodboard and design.
Using images of floorplans and the site, I was able to redraw the plans and adapt them in a conceptual and creative way to house a boutique hotel. My main goal was to make the existing palatial architecture of the place stand out, by allowing the walls and floors to take back their seaworn and aged look and contrast the interiors with contemporary lighting and furnishing. I stuck with a monochromatic palette for each room , sticking to dusty, worn tones and textures reflecting the city’s strong ceramic industry and history.
Palazzo San Marco
The floorplan was adapted to house an independent restaurant on the ground floor, and a more informal breakfast room for guests and a pool and pool area were added in the existing courtyard. For the lobby, I envisioned a laid-back and informal space for a more boutique and one-on-one experience.
The upstairs floor houses a handful of suites, all with a monochromatic palette and unique style. In the Rose Bathroom, a singular round bathtub was chosen to reflect an image of an ancient Pompeii bathroom- the layout gives for an almost ceremonial and ancient feel and the rosy tones reflect the ceramic ties of the place.
sophie spalding coello work
sophie spalding coello
shades of cool + rōzu
year type client roles credits
february 2024 visual moodboard
IED Master Design Language Class concept development and graphic design -
these two simple collages were developed for a design class as part of the interior design master curriculum at the istituto europeo di design. the concept behind each moodboard was starting from an image and building a world around them. for shades of cool I selected an image which I took of the entryway of a house in the historic center of asuncion, paraguay, my hometown. the powder blue door wearing signs of patina evoked a coastal
and weathered feel to the moodboard, and I selected images and textures which reflected just that. for rōzu, an antique hand sewn blouse that belonged to my great-grandmother was my starting point, inspiring me to craft a feminine yet powdery and nostalgic moodboard. images of unconventional flowers and textures of worn linen and rosso verona marble were layered.
shades of cool + rōzu
sophie spalding coello work
selected works
sophie spalding coello
sophie spalding coello work
sophie spalding coello
year type client roles credits MATERIA march 2024 domotics showroom Ekinex x IED trend research and strategy development, concept development, and interior design. Thordis Agath, Giulia Antonelli, Taddeo Toffanin.
For the first of three projects for the IED master in interior design in collaboration with real world brands in the Italian market, our class was welcomed by Ekinex, a luxury domotics company that merges decades of technical know-how in the home automation world and the essence of Made in Italy design.
Taking a deep dive into the world of Ekinex, as a team we captured the reality of the brand today in order to deliver solutions to existing problems and enhance opportunities which arosemainly a potential to enhance the existing user journey within the space and foster an emotional connection with the brand.
MATERIA Ekinex x IED
We proposed a showroom experience called MATERIA: a showroom which puts the user at the center, and transports them into Ekinex’s domotics world. The aim of this intervention was to deeply impact the user and capture the material quality which Ekinex brings to the technological world- the essence of Ekinex; the marriage of design and technology.
MATERIA was taken into account through the choice of material which reflected the sensorial qualities we wanted to highlight, as well as additions to the existing space such as a dynamic sculpture made of Ekinex materials, a flexible experience room, interactive wall panels and displays, and a collaborative table to imagine Ekinex in the user’s space.
One key area was the experience room which reflected the power of Ekinex domotics. Through different products they offer, the user experiences the emotional impact a domotics space can have on them.
sophie spalding coello
works sophie spalding coello
year type client roles credits Beyond the Frame june 2024 windows showroom Impronta x IED research and strategy development, concept development, graphic design and rendering, and interior design. Ada Navas, Saniya Nahar, and Monica Brugnoli.
Beyong The Frame Impronta x IED
For this master project we were challenged by the a unique brand within the Italian window industry, Impronta, to propose exhibition displays of varying sizes in order to meet their current goal of exporting the excelence of Made in Italy abroad and moving into the International market.
Our team carefully crafted Beyond the Frame- a unique proposal for this unique brand. It not only proposes solutions for
1m2, 4m2, and 16m2 layouts, but also provides infinite possibilities for any space, place, or culture thanks to its innovative constructive open system- which is scalable, modular, and personalizable.
This system also reflects the poetic soul of connectivity of Impronta, being able to cater to any client, project, culture, or scenario through their universal values of design, light, safety, wellbeing, and soundproof qualities.
Materials were thoughtfully selected to reflect the art-industrial language of Impronta which sets them apart in an ever minimalist and often bland market. Through wood, aluminium, and finishes in Impronta Navy and Burgundy the Impronta brand is captured and recognizable in any format or scale. Juxtaposing these materials with large format interactive screens to engage the user in an o-to-o strategy, this proposal also caters to the phygital need for users to discover brands in both realms. These state-ofthe-art installations host features which reflect the innovative spirit of Impronta
by keeping up with augmented and immersive reality technology key in any retail experience of today.
The value of Impronta- a personalizable design language which goes beyond today’s conventional stand or exhibition into the endless possibilities to craft layers of experience for users no matter the scenario.
This language is applicable to any scale or location, from brand activation installations to large spaces for a rich Impronta Experience- making it truly a tool for exporting the Impronta brand
Beyond.
ImpontaPoint
The smallest installation, the 1m2 “box”, was designed to spark a first impression with users while maintining a small footprint- essentially, for the user to be able to have a first touch, get to know the brand, and go beyond. It’s compact, playful, informative, and is ideal for
scenarios such as commercial streets, stations or airports, or shopping centers. The dual sided screen invites the user to play and find out more, and get to know the range of possibilities that Impronta can offer to their project.
sophie spalding coello
ImpontaSpace
The largest and most complete installation, the 16m2 “box”, was designed to not only immerse the user inside the world of Impronta but to also be a small showroom in an easily transportable, assemblable way. The space invites the user to be immersed, experience, and go beyond into the possibilities of Impronta frames.
The second installation, the 4m2 “box”, was crafted as a step into the brand and world of Impronta. The user is now able to feel and interact, and go beyond. It’s more dynamic, sensorial, and interactive and is designed for exhibition spaces such as for pop ups and distributor showrooms.
The ImprontaSpace is designed in a L shape, and creates an exterior pocket for events or presentations on one of the large dual sided screens. At the heart is the experience center, with a multifunctional table holding real material and product samples, and two VR experience stations. Large windows are able to be installed in a functioning way, so the user can experience and use the Impronta range.
A full sized window on one side and a large dual sided screen are housed in this small but impactful space, and give way for an experience aided by a brand representative to aid in the commercial experience. VR headsets and a sampl station aid allow for a rounded touch and look into Impronta.
CORE: Centered in Nature, Rooted in Community
year type client roles credits
CORE FMTG x IED
october 2024
premium hospitality
FMTG x IED
research and strategy development, graphic design, concept development and interior design.
Ileana Abbate, Thordis Agath, Giulia Antonelli, Taddeo Toffanin.
For the Master in Interior Design Thesis at IED, we were challenged by FMTG (Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group & Michaeler and Partners) to create microhabitats to be incorporated in an existing “glamping” site but also applicable to any location or hospitality brand- a challenge we can proudly say was successfully approached and responded to, as CORE was chosen out of the proposals as the first-place project of this class.
In order to create such a relevant and strategic bouquet of solutions, our group of five professionals took a deep-dive into the needs and trends of today, identified a target market and crafted personas, and incorporated these to an innovative system of technical and analogue modules. In total, we produced three microhabitats in the restaurant, lobby, and pavilions that brought these solutions to the site in diverse ways.
Located on an advantageous lot on top of a hill in Salò, Garda, the habitats responded to the place by incorporating the local sense of place and traditions to the areas. Inspired by the campfire, a common “flame” or walkway tied the different areas on the natural site together. The flame was also the main driver behind the layout of the habitats and installations, as well as the choice of materials of corten, natural wood, matte coloured metal, and textile.
Central to this project is a wayfinding system which blends analogue and technological applications to one cohesive
platform, responding to today’s needs for such a solution. O-to-O (online to offline) responses were key in meeting the three objectives of the brief of this project, which was to sell, inform, and engage. The unified system which blends seamlessly into the modular elements of seating and surfaces meets these objectives in a natural way and enhances any existing project. Together, they create a library of options for customizable touchpoints which can be integrated into any existing or new glamping site to enhance the guest experience.
Today, glamping itself has drifted away from its original purpose, often becoming a detached experience that lacks genuine interaction with nature or people. Core redefines this trend, taking glamping back to its roots—focusing on creating real, unfiltered connections.
The project draws inspiration from the timeless gathering power of the campfire, using fire as both a literal and metaphorical tool to bring people together. The warmth, adaptability, and casual gathering around the fire become central elements of the design, fostering a meaningful environment for guests to reconnect to themselves.
Inspired by the natural stacking of firewood, these modules can be combined in various ways to create dynamic interaction spaces. Guests are encouraged to engage with the spaces however they choose, mirroring the dynamism of fire itself.
The welcome area was enhanced by the Ignition Point. This central space enhances the check-in experience and bridges the user to the brand and placean ease into Salò
The central layout wraps around a suspended light piece which evokes the campfire, the Taste Salò feature offers the guest a taste of what’s to come, and the
shared platform to personalize one’s stay and get a chance to be informed and book ahead.
The modular elements come together to form embracing, flame-inspired shapes, fostering spaces where people can naturally gather and connect.
sophie spalding coello
Multisensorial experiences were also key in the Falò, the centerpiece of the pavillion or tent area. Crafted to bring community, play, and wonder to the site thanks to a common bonfire, a spot for performances, and an open fire kitchen.
For the restaurant, the habitat crafted aimed to tie in the rich agricultural heritage of the place into any gastronomic experience.
The Root to Table microhabitat invited the guest to sense more than just taste in their journey to the restaurant, and to get hands on in their plate.
sophie spalding coello
