YASMIN VILLANUEVA
Interior Design Portfolio | University of Texas at Austin
CONTENTS
Red Bluff Market
Micro Hotel
Technology Pavilion Museum of Emotions
Design Excellence Award Winner 2023-2024
01 | Red Bluff Market
In the midst of Austin’s rapid shift towards accommodating large chain companies, supporting native residents facing challenges due to escalating property costs becomes crucial in preserving the local culture. To counter this trend, informal retail typologies have emerged in Austin to uphold cultural identity and bolster small local businesses. Red Bluff Market, situated in the Red Bluff Triangle of East Austin, is a prime example, dedicated to sustaining the city’s small enterprises.The concept for this space was driven by a curiosity for the longevity of goods and how the ways we consume can support the surrounding community. Inspired by Austin’s topography, the market features a ceiling resembling the landscape, incorporating modular shelving around a central glass river reminiscent of Lady Bird Lake. The materiality and color of the glass is meant to highlight a central gathering space, which diffuses into smaller and more intimate shopping booths implied by the lowered topographic ceiling panels. This design encourages patrons to reflect on the origins of their purchases, emphasizing the impact of their buying choices on the local community. The project highlights the transformative potential of design in retail spaces, sparking reconsideration of conventional norms and fostering positive change both within and beyond the designed environment.
E. Cesar Chavez St.
RedBluffRd.
A. Red Bluff Entrance
B. Outdoor Seating
C. Entry Lounge
D-I. Retail Booths
J. Cafe Kiosk
K. Indoor Seating
Sourced locally from Austin, TX. Chosen as the flooring materal, which is placed in a pattern that diffuses into green where gatherng spaces occur.
Sourced locally from Austin, TX. The opportunity to utilize a naturally aging material allowed for color to be incorporated and push the branding of the market.
Set to be placed over the central “river” within the topographic ceiling condition. Sourced from local recycled materials. The reflective properties are meant to highlight a communal gathering point.
Chosen material for application on the topographic ceiling condition as well as retail displays.
Rendered Axon
Green Limestone
Green Glass
Limestone
Walnut Veneer
Transverse Section
Longitudinal Section
02 | Micro Hotel
The objective of this studio was to create an interior environment that is the outcome of the development of a central circulation strategy into an existing historic shell. The project was based on a culmination of the question we explored during the semester: What is the built environment produced when the primary consideration is the interior spatial design and experiential sequencing of space? Through notions of privacy, opacity, and transparency, the concept aimed to integrate a sense of community within a micro hotel located in downtown Austin. By utilizing designed screens strategically placed to create individualized lighting conditions, a hierarchy of private and public interior spaces is implemented. The two screens introduced unique lighting scenarios strategically placed to catch light in a variety of ways. Clearly defining uses through light gave visitors an intuitive sense of space, further promoting exploration and engagement with the local community. To facilitate that interaction, a second entrance to an incorporated coffee shop invites users inside to utilize public areas. However, visitor privacy is not sacrificed by limiting transparency to the primary circulation path- stairs, which lead to the singular inhabitation space. Overall, this hotel demonstrates that by carefully considering interpretations of space implied by light and visibility, explicit uses become clarified for users and can foster engagement or privacy.
Fall 2022
In collaboration with Ella Friedman
Light Study Model
Light Study Model
Vertical Circulation Case Study Model
Light Study Model
A. Private Room
A. PRIVATE ROOM
B. PRIVATE BATH
B. Private Bath
C. SHARED BATH
C. Shared Bath
D. LOBBY ENTRY
C.
B.
D. Reception
E. COMMUNITY LIVING ROOM
E. Community Living Space
F. COMMUNITY WORK SPACES
F.
E.
F. Community Work Spaces
G. PUBLIC RESTROOM
G.
G. Public Restroom
H. COFFEE BAR
I.
H. Coffee Bar
I. ELEVATOR
I. Elevator
04 | Technology Pavilion
Hosted at the annual 4-day World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, technologycompanies bring the public into their Pavilions to display upcoming technology and projects. For this space, the client requested an innovative design to demonstrate their brand, with the ability to be rapidly assembled and disassembled. Given the capabilities of the highly influential company on the international level, the project aims to challenge boundaries between public and private while facilitating an environment for engagement between the two groups. Intentionally blurring these boundaries creates an honest space where conversations can seamlessly occur, allowing the company to prioritize and incorporate valuable insights from the public sphere into its focus. Overall, the design of the space contains a variety of elements that acknowledge the local Swiss context while meeting the innovative needs of our technology focused client.
Spring 2024
In collaboration with Ella Friedman
Blending native Swiss and contrasting futuristic elements presented an opportunity to create an honest space while simultaneously maintaining a brand. Inspired by Swiss vaulted ceilings, an arch form was extruded in two directions to create a space making strategy. This form, repeated throughout the entire space, brings a cohesiveness and playfulness to an otherwise intimidating program.
Specialty Element Development
Specialty Element Render
Reference Floor Plan- Demo
Reference Floor Plan- Lounge
Rendered Section
Specialty Element in Plan
General Notes
Interlocking plywood structure to be assembled prior to assembling roof
4’ x 8’ wood veneer finish to be applied following assembly of all arch structures
Dimensions of arch structures vary
Later support braces every 36’ in both directions on interlocking structures
3/8” plywood interocking structure
3/8” plywood interocking structure
3/4” plywood side panel
Assembly Axon
Wood veneer
Wood veneer
Align to CL of Windows + Mullions
R-1: 6” Recessed
P-1: 1’6” Pendant
2' PENDANT
6" RECESSED
P-1: 1' 6" PENDANT
P-2: 2’ Pendant Sprinkler
Reflected Ceiling Plan
Within the openings of the wooden structure, globe pendant lights fill the ceiling to pay tribute to the mountains of snow just outside the pavilion. Likewise, acrylic screens line the private conference spaces within the back openings of the form. The acrylic, transparent and designed to present pops of color for space identity, allows the technology company to feel secure enough for private conversions, but also eliminates the potential for secrecy from the public due to the opacity of the material.
Demo Space - Day
Lounge Space - Evening
Reception Area - Day
Reception Area - Evening
01 | Museum of Emotions
In
collaboration with Ella Friedman
Design Excellence Winner 2023-2024
The Museum of Emotions competition explores how interior spaces can communicate and resonate through the senses. By orchestrating materials, colors, objects, and textures, sensorial experiences are meant to encapsulate two juxtaposing emotional narratives within a space. The selected positive emotion is wonder- a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration. Wonder is understood to bring curiosity that can progress too far and reveal shockhow we respond when we see something new or novel that doesn’t fit with our understanding of the world, which is the incorporated negative emotion.
To convey opposing ideas within one strategy, soft long columns encourage exploration, which then separate with progression into sharp repetitive forms bringing an all encompassing feeling of discomfort. By allowing lengthened columns to serve as a metaphor to trees and what is familiar, the visual experience of witnessing the growing size and distortion inhabits unsettling feelings. Halfway through the columns, an atrium space encourages inner reflection to provide a moment of heightened sensations of wonder. Following this, a series of surprises ranging from form changes, employment of sound within an acoustic gallery, rapid light changes, and various other elements further elevates the conceptual force of the transition between emotions.
Wonder Sensory Surfaces
Shock Exhibition Hall
SECTION A
1’ = 1/8”
Transverse Section
Large scale additive manufactured structure w/ 5/8” thermoplastic
Additive manufactured structure w/ triangular grid infill
5/8” plaster finish
Celbar spray-applied insulation
Fabricated 1/16” painted aluminum sheet panels
Acoustic Partition Section
Additive manufactured structure w/ Triangular grid infill
Ceiling bolts
Plaster finish
Structure printed interlocking pieces
Floor Bolts
Construction Axon
Principle 1- Equitable Use
Principle 3- Simple and Intuitive Use
Principle 6- Low Physical Effort
Principle 7- Size and Space for Approach and Use
Straight edge ceiling preventing echo
7’0” head clearance
Heavy-weight translucent curtain limiting outside noise
Open side of booth allowing wheelchair access
Human Centered Design Axon Diagram
YASMIN VILLANUEVA
817.726.9965 yasvill12@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/yasmin-villanueva
EDUCATION
The University of Texas at Austin Bachelor of Science in Interior Design May 2025 | GPA: 3.8
DIS Copenhagen Interior Design Semester Program | Fall 2024
RECOGNITION
UT Austin School of Architecture | Design Excellence Award Fall 2023
IIDA | Study Abroad Scholarship
Selected as the single recipient Fall 2023
UT Austin School of Architecture | Continuing Scholarship 2022-2023
UT Austin | University Honors
Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022
DIS Copenhagen | Study Abroad Scholarship Fall 2024
SKILLS
Digital Modeling
Rhino 3D, Enscape, Revit, Blender
Adobe Creative Suite
Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom
Fabrication
Model building, 3D printing, laser cutting, photography
WORK & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Bunkhouse Hospitality Group
Interior Design Intern | May 2024 - August 2024
• Supported the design team on various hotel projects
• Sourced FF&E, compiled selections into presentations
• Designed and modeled floor plan test fits
• Visualized millwork and floorplan drawings into renderings using Rhino3D and Enscape
• Met with hotel management for property walkthroughs to document and address potential changes
• Assist with purchasing FF&E and OS&E
Freelance Photographer
2019 - Present
•Delivered individualized experiences by communicating with clients regarding desired outcomes
•Organized and managed all financial responsibilities
Ampersand
ASID & IIDA Student Liason | August 2021 - May 2024
• Communicate with ASID and IIDA to organize involvement opportunities for students
Tri Delta Sorority
Sustainability Chair | August 2022 - May 2024
•Organize opportunities for members to earn points for implementing sustainable practices
INVOLVEMENT
International Interior Design Association
American Society of Interior Designers
School of Architecture Student Council
Jorge Pardo Lighting Workshop
Habitat for Humanity