Wanqi Zhao Interior Design Work Samples

EDUCATION

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

BFA Interior Design

Degree Expected May 2024

GPA: 3.8

Relevant Courses:

Design Studio

Color Materials Lighting Materials Methods Meaning

The Working Set

Wanqi Zhao

Wanqizhao01@gmail.com

(929) 400- 5888

Brooklyn, NY

Hello! My name is Ivy and I am a highly motivated and creative interior design student at Pratt Institute with a strong passion for design and bringing ideas to life.

I am seeking for an entry level position where I can contribute to innovative design projects.

DIS Study Abroad, Copenhagen, Denmark

Jan 2023 - May 2023

Relevant Courses:

Design Studio

Adaptive Reuse

Furniture Design Workshop

EXPERIENCE

Interior Design Intern

Edwards + Mulhausen Interior Design Austin, TX

May 2023 - Aug 2023

Assisted the health care team with various projects including the BSW Host Hospital, a seven-level, 110-bed facility spanning 312,000 square feet in Dallas, Texas.

Key responsibilities included:

• Developed detailed FF&E specifications.

• Collaborated on furniture selection and produced furniture presentations for client review.

• Supported project-related tasks including ordering samples, maintaining materials library, creating the finish schedule, and creating front-end documents, etc.

SOFTWARE

AutoCAD SketchUp

Rhino

Revit

Enscape

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office Miro

SKILLS

Hand Drafting

Model Making

3D Printing

CNC Milling

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Strong ability to collaborate within a team environment.

Strong multi-tasking skill.

Ability to work under pressure.

English - Written and Verbal (Proficient)

Mandarin - Written and Verbal (Native)

LANGUAGES ACHIEVEMENTS

Dean’s List: 1 semester

President’s List: 5 semesters

Merit-Based Scholarship

SELECTED WORKS 2021-24

INTERIOR DESIGN

WORK SAMPLE

WANQI (IVY) ZHAO

01 Green Kitchen

Food has the power to connect people.

Green Kitchen is an adpative reuse project, transforming an old tram depot in Copenhagen into a community center — a place for people to come together and share their love of food. The communal kitchen, fully equipped with modern appliances, is the ultimate destination to expand culinary skills, experiment with new recipes or share old favorites with others. A variety of cooking classes and family workshops are offered on a daily basis.

The interior design features calming white and green elements, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere for all. The cafe, library, meeting room, and playground suit everyone’s need. Whether someone is looking to cook, eat, study, read, or simply meet new people, this is always a perfect place to go.

02 Kidult Cafe

Kidult Café is a family-owned bakery café that doubles as a cozy gathering spot for locals in the heart of Brooklyn, NY.

Kidult Café embraces the spirit of inclusivity, as reflected in their name—a fusion of “kid” and “adult,” symbolizing a space where individuals of all ages are welcome. With a focus on hospitality, the café prioritizes the comfort and experience of its customers above all else. Kidult Café offers a variety of seating options suitable for groups of all sizes, ensuring that everyone can find their perfect spot to relax.

In crafting the interior, materials and colors have been carefully selected. Vibrant and playful hues dominate the palette, creating an atmosphere that brings joy to the space, complementing the culinary offerings of the café.

03 Life On Water

This project explores the evolving relationship between humans and water and how humans can adapt to rising sea levels. This non-land based coastal habitat is an innovative affordable housing solution in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Located in the Florida Keys, a coastal environment prone to flooding, the habitat extends from an existing dock at Mangrove Marina into the waters of Tavernier. It consists of 16 floating housing units, creatively repurposing salvaged rainwater tanks for their construction as a commitment to sustainability and adaptive reuse.

The interior space features a serene palette highlighted by the warmth of wood elements. Embracing simplicity, the design focuses on providing the essentials, allowing residents to infuse their own personality over time. White tones expand the space, complemented by hints of blue reminiscent of the surrounding water and sky, evoking the tranquility of the unique living environment.

04 Urban Dwelling

This two-story residence is designed to meet the needs of a family of four. The open-concept layout, including the living, kitchen, and dining areas, promotes family interaction and fosters a sense of togetherness, while also allowing for individual privacy.

The clients, who hail from Brazil, a country renowned for its natural beauty, sought to bring elements of the outdoors into their home. A central courtyard was integrated and provides ample natural light and ventilation. Maintaining a connection with nature creates a calming and peaceful atmosphere.

The chosen color palette of beige, orange, brown, and green evokes a sense of serenity and reminiscent of a forest, while the use of warm and natural materials such as wood and stone contribute to the classic and elegant ambiance of the residence.

05 Brooklyn Public Library

This project renovates the existing branch of the Brooklyn Public Library located in East Brooklyn/Cypress Hills. In addition to the existing programs, a collection of banned books and exhibition space have been added. BPL, as the fifth largest public library system in the U.S., supports the freedom to read and aims to provide an opportunity for the community to access banned contents. Books considered as inappropriate or controversial and removed from public libraries are brought back to the community.

The collection focuses on the themes of racial injustice and police brutality towards African Americans in an effort to raise awareness and contribute to the ongoing discussions and movements towards positive change. Adding these books serves as a step towards protecting the rights of the community.

06 The Cave

The studio environment can be stressful for many students. The atelier-based program is known for bringing students together and encouraging camaraderie, but it requires them to compete against each other which can be detrimental to their development.

In this project, our class collectively designed the Cave, an installation where students can spend time alone and relax. The entrance of the Cave is defined by the use of transparent materials that admit soft and diffused light, while the interior progressively becomes darker and darker. At the end of the Cave, students can escape from the chaos and distractions of the studio, and enjoy a peaceful and

INT- 202-04 Design Studio INT- 202-04 Design Studio

The Unison

The Unison Chair is a wood chair crafted for maximum productivity and use.

It is made of 2 wood panels that perform as structural elements and 13 wood strips designed for posture and ergonomics. Complementing the organic form, each of the 13 wood strip maintain a different orientation and rotation for ultimate back support that follows the curvature of the spine. An additional 8 strips at the bottom provide stability. The panels and strips work in unison to provide a functional and comfortable seating experience.

08 Mermaid’s Chair

The Mermaid’s Chair is a furniture piece entirely handcrafted in Copenhagen. It is made from a wood veneer shell cut into a sea shell shape and a metal base, painted white to achieve a clean unified look. The chair’s back features a cutout design adorned with three strings of glass beads transitioning from white to deep ocean blue with a captivating gradient effect. This chair draws inspiration from the tale of the Little Mermaid and the country’s rich maritime heritage, encapsulating the city’s deep connection to the sea.