Design Concept

Designing for veterans is a task that mandates intentionality behind design decisions as many veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and physical disabilities that require triggers and accessibility to be considered in the design of a space, as these factors can have a significant negative impact on how US veterans transition back into civilian life following their service. Some factors to be considered when designing these spaces are PTSD triggers such as loud noises, large crowds, sharp corners, narrow hallways, etc. (Nuamah et al., 2020). Alternatively, design decisions to combat these issues include easily identifiable entrances and exits, wide hallways, substantial windows for natural daylighting and access to nature, easy to comprehend wayfinding and signage methods, etc. (Nuamah et al. 2020).

Through the research conducted into these topics, nest veteran wellness and community center will provide the veterans of San Antonio, Texas with a dedicated space for them to find community, receive specialized clinical and therapeutic care, seek temporary housing, receive career coaching as well as potential employment within the facility, interact with and participate in training service and emotional support animals, and seek support and restoration in a provided outdoor environment that is safe and grants its users a sense of security. Acting as a prototype for this combination of facility typologies, nest veteran wellness and community center will ultimately work to reverse the negative statistics and stigma surrounding veterans while simultaneously supporting them in their journey through reintegrating into their civilian communities.

Design Needs

Support Needs

Acoustics

Many veterans are triggered by loud noises and hollow-sounding spaces due to PTSD, anxiety, etc., so acoustical control is critical.

Sightlines

To avoid triggering hypervigilance and heightened anxiety among veterans, clear sightlines and avoiding sharp corners and hidden spaces are necessary within veteran care facilities.

Accessibility

Due to varying physical and mental disabilities that veterans experience following their service, accessibility allows the maximum number of users to benefit from the space.

Homelessness/Unemployment

Due to stigmas, disabilities, lack of support, etc., many veterans experience homelessness and/or unemployment following their service.

Lost Sense of Community

Many veterans struggle to find the community and camaraderie they experience during their service as they transition back into civilian life.

Stigmas Around Specialized Care

Because of the stigmas surrounding mental health care and receiving professional help in general, many veterans do not feel comfortable seeking out these resources.

FF&E SELECTIONS

FF&E SELECTIONS

LOGO DEVELOPMENT

BRANDED PLACE SETTING

RENDERED FURNITURE PLAN

RENDERED RCP

Design Concept

Named after the rich tradition and presence of Russian folk arts in Moscow, Russia, the Heritage City Club will be an homage to the history of the city. By taking inspiration from traditional gzhel ceramics and the ornate architecture and interiors of Russia’s past, Carolina Brannon Interior Design will design a reception, bar and lounge, a president’s dining room, a member’s suite to accommodate up to 4 guests, and two member’s apartments to accommodate up to 2 guests each. Within each of these spaces, we have incorporated a palette of blue, white, and gold and combined it with dark wooden accents and soft floral wallpapers reminiscent of gzhel ceramic art.

LIFE SAFETY PLAN

BAR CABINETRY DETAIL

FIRST FLOOR FURNITURE PLAN

SECOND FLOOR FURNITURE PLAN

Design Concept

FINISH SELECTIONS

Musée Montessori de Bordeaux is a children’s museum located in Bordeaux, France focused on encouraging child development through the philosophy that children learn best by absorption and interactions with their environments rather than being directly taught. On the first floor, the museum features a large reception and lounge area with a temporary exhibit that rotates through different topics, a cafeteria with self-service vending machines and coolers, and staff spaces that are isolated from the public spaces. There are also three large galleries located on the second floor. The first gallery is designed for children aged 0-9 years and features numerous playgrounds, a crafts zone, and a large Froebel block grid. The second gallery is dedicated to water and sand play and features a large, custom built water table with a sand table located in the center. The third gallery is for children 9-18 years and functions as a flexible resource space for older children with various technical skill stations such as first aid, art, and science, a space for computers free for their use, garden boxes for students to tend and harvest from, and multiple tables for studying and socializing with others.

FURNITURE SELECTIONS

FLOOR PLAN

WATER FEATURE ELEVATION

Design Concept

We recognize that the presence of excess stress has direct correlations with mental and physical health disorders in college students such as Anxiety, OCD, Depression, Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Insomnia. We believe that design as a means of stress reduction can promote healing and respite on the journey to holistic health. Solace exists as a space for young adults to recognize beauty in a world of hostility, stillness in a world of chaos, purpose in a world of questions, strength in the midst of weakness, and support in the midst of overwhelming circumstances. In the nature of our Creator, this space employs intentional design, consideration for the whole individual, and attentive creativity.

BRANDING DESIGN

NOOK FLOOR PLAN

NOOK ISOMETRIC VIEW

*top and middle nook renderings completed by team members

SCHEMATIC SPACE PLANNING

Design Concept

NEXT is a home robotics company that sets themselves apart from competitors by holding to these core values: Human-Centered; Purpose Driven; Foster Connections; Act with Integrity and Excellence; Be Authentic; Be You; and Think Big and Be the Next. Based on these core values, the goal for this design was to create an office space for NEXT that promotes community, collaboration, creativity, and productivity. The design features a variety of workstation layouts to suit individual needs, a WorkCafé with informal collaborative as well as private seating arrangements and the flexibility to become a large meeting space, and unenclosed team rooms that function as a space for formal team meetings as well as informal, drop-in meetings. Throughout the researching process for this design, the psychologies of anthropometrics, color, and lighting were dominant themes. These factors were addressed in the design by using ergonomically designed Steelcase furnishings, a complementary color scheme of blue and orange shades to promote a balance of relaxation and productivity, and various lighting selections to create interest and provide appropriate lighting functions throughout the NEXT office. The NEXT branding has also been incorporated throughout the space to create a truly unique office space for their company.

FURNITURE SELECTIONS