INTERIOR DESIGN PORTFOLIO
HENRY VERA
Appalachian State University
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design- May 2026
About Me
I am a Junior attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. I have a passion for creativity, unique experiences, and collaboration. I have always taken creative, “out of the box” approaches when it comes to problem-solving and I love to share memorable experiences with people. I have spent most of my life working in Retail/Customer Service and have developed a deep passion for consumer experience as well as visual merchandising. I also grew up loving to cook and bake for my family, which fed that passion for sharing experiences with people. I am eager to learn from professionals as I advance in this field and will greatly appreciate anyone willing to take a chance on me.
Why Design?
I chose Interior Design because it combines my passion for creativity and problem-solving with my desire to create meaningful and memorable experiences for others. Design plays a crucial role in shaping the built environment by influencing how people interact with spaces and how those spaces make them feel. For me, Interior Design is an opportunity to craft unique, immersive environments that inspire connection, creativity, and joy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOSPITALITY WORKPLACE RESIDENTIAL
Mirage Grand Hotel & Rivers Edge
Restaurant
SOCIAL KIOSK
Helios
Burton Snowboards
Sonoran Oasis Family
Helios Mirage Grand Hotel + Rivers
Edge Bar and Restaurant
Fall 2024 | Cultural Hospitality Studio
Hotel Concept:
Liminal Horizon
Liminal Horizon draws from the meaning of “liminal,” which refers to a threshold or transitional space, perfectly aligning with the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph Akhet, symbolizing the sun rising between two mountains or pyramids. This represents the meeting of earth and sky and the crossing between worlds. The design explores these liminal spaces through abstract, angular geometry and reflected light, evoking a sense of passage and ascension. Reflective water elements subtly reference the Nile River, blending fluidity with structure, while the concept fuses ancient symbolism with modern, immersive experiences.
Softwares Used
AutoCAD | Revit | Twinmotion | Photoshop
PRE-DESIGN SKETCHES AND DIAGRAMS
RECEPTION DESK CONCEPTUAL SKETCH
LOBBY
Geomtry in Plan
The courtyard and pool area feature angular landscaping and geometric layouts, inspired by ancient Egyptian symmetry. Honoring Egypt’s tradition of communal spaces, structured pathways and planters blend modern aesthetics with timeless architectural heritage.
Cultural Highlight
The indoor pool layout reflects the symmetry of traditional Egyptian hammams, with clear circulation guiding guests through lounging, pool, and wellness zones. A central rectangular pool anchors the space, surrounded by geometric layouts and aligned sightlines for balance and relaxation.
LOBBY
Entering the Helios Mirage Grand Hotel, guests are welcomed by a seamless fusion of modernity and cultural heritage. The angular reception desk and immersive glass beams with light flowing through, inspired by the Akhet and Great Pyramids, serve as striking focal points. This immersive lobby experience combines bold geometry, dynamic lighting, and rich symbolism to create a vibrant space that bridges Egypt’s ancient legacy with contemporary luxury.
Immersive Lighting
Biophilic Design
- Natural Materials: Warm stone finishes and earthy tones throughout the lobby evoke the natural landscapes of Egypt, fostering a connection to the surrounding environment.
- Organic Patterns: Ceiling and wall textures feature patterns inspired by desert sands and flowing natural forms, creating a sense of harmony and grounding
- Dynamic Lighting: Layered illumination mimics the interplay of light and shadow in natural settings, enhancing the sense of life and movement within the space.
Glass tubes lit up with neon colors and the use of cove lighting on the layered wall panels give the space dimension and an immersive experience
Haworth Utretch Chair
Knoll Prism Chair
Arper Loop Modular Sofa
Arper Saul Table
Minotti Solid Steel Table
Minotti Bender Table
Sonneman Stix Chandelier
Vibia Array
BEDROOM
The guestroom blends natural tones with geometric elegance. A custom headboard wall with layered triangles draws the eye, enhanced by cove lighting for depth and warmth. Rich browns, soft creams, and textured fabrics create a grounded feel, while wood, stone, and metal accents reflect Egypt’s heritage. The triangular design extends into the ceiling, enhancing spaciousness. Balancing modern comfort with subtle cultural nods, the room offers a peaceful retreat.
SINGLE KING GUESTROOM
SINGLE KING GUESTROOM
Geometric Headboard Forms: Layered triangles mimic natural peaks or desert formations, creating a subtle connection to Egypt’s landscapes.
Cove Lighting: The interplay of light and shadow enhances depth, replicating the natural contrast found in sunlight. Headboard Wall Preliminary Sketch
SINGLE KING GUESTROOM
BATHROOM
Guest Room Plan- NTS
CAFE
Stepping into the coffee shop, you’re surrounded by warm terracotta tones and rich oranges. Layered ceiling panels add depth, while a hieroglyphic path guides you through the space. A carved feature wall behind the seating area, softly lit, honors Egypt’s artistic legacy. Natural wood, leather, and stone finishes create a grounded, sophisticated feel. More than a café, it’s a cultural retreat, blending history with modern comfort.
Coffee Culture Appeal: A coffee shop aligns with Cairo’s vibrant café culture, offering a social and inviting space for locals and tourists alike while enhancing the hotel’s amenities.
Convenience for Business
Travelers: A coworkingfriendly coffee shop provides a casual yet functional environment for remote workers and business travelers, offering workspaces alongside refreshments.
Rivers Edge Bar and Restaurant
Restaurant Concept: Fall 2024 | Cultural Hospitality Studio
Confluence
“Confluence” draws from the Nile River’s role as the meeting point between nature and civilization. Reflecting its fluid and life-giving nature, the design merges flowing forms with structured architecture to create a dining experience that celebrates the intersection of water, earth, and human creation. Just as the Nile brings together Egypt’s land and people, the restaurant becomes a space where fluidity and structure meet, offering guests an experience of serene convergence.
Restaurant Logo:
BAR AND RESTAURANT
Entering the restaurant, you are immersed in the Nile’s beauty. Reflective ceiling panels shimmer like rippling water, while textured river rock above the bar evokes a natural shoreline.
Deep blue hues, neutral tones, and metallic accents mirror the river’s depth and movement. Soft lighting dances across surfaces, creating shifting patterns. Curved furniture reflects the river’s gentle currents, while booth designs embody the fluidity of water, reinforcing the overall concept.Every detail connects guests to the timeless allure of Egypt’s iconic river, transforming dining into an immersive experience.
CONCEPTUAL SKETCHES
Conceptual SPOTLIGHT
The Design of the bar IS the focal point of the restaurant, as its the name of the space, Rivers Edge
The use of river rock flowing into the rippled effect ceiling mimics the Nile river bank and ties into the concept factors of earth meeting water, hence the rigid and sharp forms meeting the flowy and organic
Burton Snowboards Marketing Office
Spring 2024 | Workplace + Building Codes Studio
Project Profile
Burton Snowboards is a privately-owned, well known and loved snowboard manufacturing company; As a company, their purpose is to Minimize harm to the environment, Positively impact the lives they touch, and have as much Fun as possible.
Client Profile
Burton Snowboards is a privately-owned, well known and loved snowboard manufacturing company; As a company, their purpose is to Minimize harm to the environment, Positively impact the lives they touch, and have as much Fun as possible.
Concept: Camber
The slightly Convex or Arched shape of a road or other horizontal surface.
Inspired by one of Burton’s snowboard profiles, the camber bend board has an upward curve between the feet. The overall forms and characteristics of a camber board and the environment its used in has inspired this concept
LARGE COLLAB ROOM
SPACE PLANNING DEVELOPMENT
N.I.C
EGRESS AND ADA PLAN - NTS
N.I.C
SUNKEN CONVERSATION PIT
Although not actually sunken, the use of elevated seating on the outside and inside gives the illusion of a sunken pit. This fun pit fosters social interaction, breaks down hierarchies, and enhances team cohesion.This informal setting cultivates a positive work environment, encouraging collaboration and camaraderie among colleagues.
SONNEMAN: Malibu Discs LED Pendant
The concept of camber and the lip at the ends of a snowboards are heavily highlighted in the form of this pendant.
LIGHT PENDANT 2
MATERIALS + FINISHES
2 BURTONS PURPOSE
“[...] and have as much Fun as possible.”
Fun interior design in Burton Snowboards’ workplace can infuse the office with the same energy and excitement found on the slopes.
GAME ROOM
CAFE AND COLLAB AREA
This informal area is adjacent to other lounge areas as a place for quick brainstorming or just employees who aren’t always in the office, a simply way of hoteling in the workplace.
1 BURTONS
MISSION
Burton has a strong mission and live by it to the highest capacity. Thats why the inclusion of those key phrases that strive the company forward are suitable in the workplace.
BURTONS MERCHANDISING
Used as an architectual highlight of the shopping experience, The Burton Flagship store in Vail,CO uses a design of wood curling up from the ground as it ties into the flow of the sport.
INFORMAL COLLAB AREA
WORKSTATIONS
SNOW SLOPE SWINGS
When acknowledging the client, the inclusion of fun aspects to a space is very crucial. The use of seatings with a snow slope lift fits this client highly. along with the installation of swings, the details of the concept travel through the ceiling with pipes curving and running off the back column and into the ceiling
FURNITURE SPEC BOOK PREVIEW
SNOWBOARD TABLE
ICONMODERN CUSTOM FURNITURE: Conference Table
Inspired by one of Burton’s own Camber Boards, this table is custom made to have the facade of the snowboard. The table top form is also arched in the sides and rounded in the end of the table
HENRY
Sonoran Oasis Loft
Fall 2023 | Residental + Universal Design Studio
2024 OTTOZENKE STUDENT DESIGN
COMPETITION WINNER (2ND PLACE)
Project Profile
This 3800 sq ft high rise loft was designed for a non-nuclear family of 4 in which a member is in a wheelchair. Universal Design and ADA guidelines were very crucial in the proccess of this design in order to meet the client needs.
Concept: SONORAN ORGANIC MODERNISM
Pheonix Arizona is set in the Sonoran Desert. Organic elements of the Sonoran Desert are present and are crucial as it ties into the aspects of biophilic design for the specific setting these clients are in. Tieing in the Organic Modernism through materials and colorways that have a natural presence and give off relaxing natural vibes
Softwares Used
AutoCAD | Sketchup | Twinmotion
FLOOR PLAN - NTS
WALL PAINT THROUGHOUT
POST, BEAMS, ACCENTS FLOORING THROUGHOUT
SCHEDULES + SPECIFICATIONS
DINING AREA
MFG: Kohler /Decree 33” top-/undermount double-bowl kitchen sink /Premium 18-gauge stainless steel /Size- 33”W x 22”D x 9”H
Resistant / Stainless Steel /Size- 35.75”W x 31.75”D x 70”H
MFG: Artifort /Aloa bar stool //Amdal 110 upholstery/copper finish //Size- 48”W x 59”D x 84”H
KEY DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATIONS
MFG: MODCABINETRY/Naturals Primo-Slab Doors style / Size- H 34.5” x W 18” x D 24”
MFG: MODCABINETRY Naturals Primo-Slab Doors style /Size- H 34.5
MFG: MODCABINETRY Naturals Primo-Slab Doors style /Size- H 34.5” x W 36
MFG: MODCABINETRY Naturals Primo-Slab Doors style / Size- H 34.5” x W 18” x D 24”
MFG: MODCABINETRY Naturals Primo-Slab Doors style / Size- H 34.5” x W 18” x D 24”
MFG: MODCABINETRY Naturals Primo-Glass ready Style / Size- H 39” x W 30” x D 12.5”
MFG: MODCABINETRY Naturals Primo-Glass ready Style / Size- H 15” x W 30” x D 12.5”
MFG: MODCABINETRY Naturals Primo-Slab Doors style / Size- H 34.5” x W 27” x D 24”
MAIN BEDROOM
DESIGN SPOTLIGHT
Porcelin stone thats used for flooring also used for custom Stone slab wall with A built in stone desk
BATHROOM
WALL PAINT
MFG: PORTOLA PAINTS //Shelter //Limewash
WALL TILE
MFG: Aquatica Bianco Glossy- Gleeze Series Size- 2” x 6”
FLOOR TILE
MFG: Jatana INT Petite Estrella Smooth// Size- 4”
01 MASTER BATH SOUTH ELEVATION
MALDEF Non-Profit Social Kiosk
Project Profile Spring 2023 | INT STUDIO 1
Create and graphically represent a concept for a kiosk for a non-profit organization which focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI] issues. the kiosk will symbolically represent and support a main aspect of the social cause or organization. the kiosk will be portable and can be used in a mall, or a festival, etc.
Client Profile
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California. MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) is a non profit civil rights organization for all latinos around the United States.
Design Approach
Creating an interactive and symbolic space which potrays the endless amount of paths and roads Latinos in the U.S have to take in search of a sense of the American Dream.
CONCEPT:
Desire Paths into the American Dream
This concept is focusing on all the different paths immigrants must take while coming to America in search of the endless possibilities in relation to the all “American Dream”. Key features of this concepts is the idea of desire paths and the outcomes of these different paths taken.
SKETCHUP MODEL
Conceptual Sketches
Desire Path Concept
FLOOR PLAN - NTS
Cylinder walls in center of the kiosk would be a photo wall exhibit with advocacy propaganda and the organizations mission statement. This section is an idea of desire paths because you’re cutting through the middle rather than going around the already made paths.
Elevations - NTS
