Undergraduate Portfolio
University of Tennesse, Knoxville
College of Architecture + Design
SSydney Kate Horstman
About Me
I’m Sydney Kate Horstman, a third-year Interior Architecture student at the University of Tennessee, where I have cultivated a strong foundation in space planning and conceptual interior design. My academic journey has involved abstracting contexts and concepts to create thoughtful, innovative designs that respond to the unique needs of each space.
Throughout my studies, I’ve gained proficiency in a range of design software which have been instrumental in bringing my ideas to life. I approach design with the belief that spaces should be distinctive and adaptable, avoiding generic, cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, I strive to craft environments that not only meet the functional needs of the users but also foster creativity and connection.
Through my academic work and internship experiences, I’ve had the privilege of designing a variety of commercial, residential, and public spaces. These experiences have fueled my interest and passion for various branches of design, and I’m eager to continue exploring these areas as I advance in my career.
Beyond design, I find inspiration in traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with loved ones. These experiences enrich my creativity and drive me to keep learning and evolving as a designer.
As I step into the professional world, I’m excited to collaborate with fellow designers and industry professionals to create meaningful, impactful spaces that make a difference in the lives of those who experience them.
01
ECOart
Project Period
Spring 2025
Location
Case Study House #16 9945 Beverly Grove Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Project Type
Public Space Design
Project Brief
Case Study House #16, originally designed by Rodney Walker in 1946, utilized innovative and cost-effective materials that emerged from World War II technologies. Inspired by this precedent, the current project re-imagines House #16 to honor its original form, function, and materiality.
The materials in the original design were selected for their affordability, made possible through mass production. While this approach offered significant economic and design benefits, it also introduced the challenge of large-scale waste. Building on this duality, the new iteration of CSH #16 serves as a small-scale recycling facility and community education center, with programming informed by the recycling processor process —demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into meaningful, artistic creations.
SOUTH EXTERIOR ELEVATION
Once the linear process of recycling plants was established, it was reinterpreted as a circular economy model that informed the spatial organization and programming of the reimagined Case Study House #16. Recycling served not only as the conceptual foundation for the program but also influenced the selection of architectural materials. The material palette draws inspiration from the original home’s construction, reimagined through the use of recycled and repurposed elements to align with the project’s sustainable vision.
23
456
GALLERY/ VERTICAL ART DISPLAYS
GALLERY/ HORIZONTAL ART DISPLAYS
EDUCATION
02
The Formalities of Space
Project Period
Summer 2024
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Project Type
Hospitality and Residential
Project Brief
This space is designed to celebrate the harmonious love of welcoming guests in both Japan and East Tennessee by pulling inspiration from the concepts of Shin, Gyo, and So and creating guidance for guests through the skewing of perspectives. Elements throughout the space will gently guide guests towards new discoveries and moments of appreciation for the crafts of East Tennessee and Japan. These guiding principles aim to cultivate a deep sense of humility and serenity, reflecting the serene and welcoming nature of both cultures.
Media Used:
Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop, Vray
SHIN - FORMAL GYO - SEMI-FORMAL SO - INFORMAL
INFORMAL SPACE
PARTI DIAGRAM
SPATIAL COMPOSITION
Shin, Gyo, So is a concept and aesthetic in Japanese culture that originated with the formalities of calligraphy, but then became very important to the art of gardening. The stepping stones were based on shin, gyo, or so and classified by the formality of the space the path was leading you towards. Shin is the most formal and is classified by very precise stones. Gyo is semi formal and classified by stones that may be cut to fit, but still very natural. So is the most informal and classified by the natural and rigid forms of stones.
DIAGRAM
MEANING, TEXTURE, AND PATTERN DIAGRAM
SECTION A - SOUTH FACING
GALLERY PERSPECTIVE - FACING EAST
SECTION B - EAST FACING
CAFE PERSPECTIVE - FACING SOUTH
STUDIO
PERSPECTIVE - FACING EAST
SCALE 1:30 BUILT-IN BED FRAME DETAIL
CUSTOM BARSTOOL DETAIL
03
Steel of Seven
Project Period
Spring 2024
Location
Knoxville, Tennessee
Project Type
Public Space
Project Brief
Steel of Seven’s site is located in Sequoyah Hills Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. This piece of land was once inhabited by the Chrerokee Tribes. With my project I seek to celebrate the tribes by designing memorial pavilions, paying tribute to the importance of the number seven and fire within the tribe. They believed if their fire died, so did their tribe, so they kept an eternal fire going even when traveling to Oklahoma from Tennessee during the Trail of Tears. Another important aspect to the tribe was the number seven. Everything was counted in sevens, specifically their number of tribes and their seven-sided council house that held a fire in the center. SITE PLAN
Media Used: Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop
The Small Group Pavilion
The Small Group Pavilion was create an intimate space for 3 people to enjoy the eternal center, replicating the fires council house. It is made up angled and pulled together inviting space.
The Large Group Pavilion
The Large Group Pavilion was create an intimate space for people. Like the Small Group eternal flame is in the center, fires of the 7-sided council up of 14 modules making guests to enjoy.
Isometric
Isometric
Pavilion
was designed to for a group of 2 or eternal flame in the of the 7-sided up of 7 modules together to evoke an
Pavilion
was designed to for a group of 7-14 Group Pavilions an center, replicating the house. It is made a large area for
Isometric
The Individual Pavilion was allow individuals to enjoy the calming environment with seat away from others. It is modules that separate one another.
The Bathroom
The Bathroom is comprised bathrooms and a storage room, by modules that create a beautiful separator. The lower modules faucets placed on them for
designed to the site in a a comfortable made up of 7 one module from
comprised of three room, surrounded beautiful modules also have for hand washing.
ELEVATION A - FACING EAST
ELEVATION A - FACING NORTH
04
Yoshimura Hub
Project Period
Fall 2023
Location
Knoxville, Tennessee
Project Type
Higher Education | Furniture Design
Project Brief
This project was heavily inspired by the yoshimura folding pattern. I learned this technique last year and wanted to incorporate the intricate pattern in my individual space. When this pattern is folded onto a piece of paper it easily distorts itself into a curved shape, and I envisioned my space to be a curved desk a chair could easily access. This interest in the curvature the pattern created led me into pursuing it for my project. The structure is intended to bring a sense of calmness to the user as well as deliver a hub to easily view and work on a computer. I decided the best material to use to replicate the folding pattern was through cardboard since it's a pliable material and has very similar properties to paper. The joinery and stability of this structure was by far the most challenging part of this project because there needed to be the perfect amount of flexibility to fold but not too much where the structure would not be able to stand on its own.
Media Used:
04 Construction Process
Individual Diamond Partially Sliced to Create Triangle
Materials
Wood
2. Cardboard
3. Foamboard
4. Tape
5. Glue
6. Paper
Other Factors
Color
The colors used are very neutral tones to create a calming space. The before the white was added it felt very dark in the hub, so created a pattern with white paper to bring light into the space without using a different light source than the sun or lighting space the hub is in.
Sound
Due to the shape and materials of the hub it creates good for the user. The cellulose products can be utilized to absorb The circular shape of the hub actually reflects the sound, but materials help to absorb it, creating an interesting sound booth.
Light
There are no light fixtures in the actual hub. All the light is from lighting around the hub creating a great space to look computer screen. The space is light enough to see inside enough to have the perfect view of a computer screen with
Shape
Yoshimura Inspiration
Shape space. so I space lighting in the acoustics absorb sound. but the booth. recieved look at a but dark with no glare.
Clear TapeBuilders Paper with AdhesiveIndustrial Grade TapeDecorative Paper
Finishing Touches
The Yoshimura hub was created for Hodges Library on the University of Tennessee’s campus. The hubs are designed to be scaled up and down to create various seating types for the users. On the left side of floor plan the hubs are laid out to create a group environment. Whereas the right side is designed for a more individualized experience.
FLOOR PLAN
The Astonishing Butter y Garden
Project Period
Spring 2023
Location
Knoxville, Tennessee
Project Type
Public Space
Project Brief
Feeling surprised, wonder, and amazement are the combined emotions when you are experiencing astonishment. This building should not only bring out those emotions when looking at it, but also when walking through it. The structure of astonishment was created to be a beautiful, enclosed butterfly garden for visitors to enjoy all year round.
Media Used:
Rhino, Illustrator, Photoshop, Midjourney, Dall-E
When viewing the butterfly garden from the outside there are blissful trees and plants that attract butterflies, so you are automatically immersed into astonishment when walking on the site. The building is placed on stilts to look as though it is floating. Then you trail up ramps, feeling like you're flying side to side, onto the patio portion of the structure, where there is a gorgeous view. As you walk into the butterfly garden you will be hit with amazement and wonder by the beauty of the creatures flying all around and the blissful flowers surrounding. There are three ponds of water for the butterflies to enjoy. There is a second floor of the butterfly garden, so you can have a full immersive experience. In the garden there are windows all along the perimeter and a glass roof to receive sunshine glaring through.
