INTERIOR DESIGN PORTFOLIO

RILEY WYPISZENSKI

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DESIGN/BUILD01 | Ghana Study Abroad 02 | Gettys Group Office 03 | REI Store Design

04 | Seating Unit & Cabinet 05 | Alumni Hall Studio Redesign 06 | Photography

WORKPLACE RETAIL

FURNITURE EDUCATION OTHER

GHANA STUDY ABROADLocation: Ghana, West Africa

Semester: Summer 2014

Professors: J E Elliott

This six-week study abroad trip gave myself and fifteen other Architecture/Interior Design

students the opportunity to design and build a multipurpose guest house in the small village

of Abrafo Odumase. The project was driven by the needs of the village and designs were

adjusted to the feedback of the villagers before and during construction. Myself and the other students took part in all phases of construction working collaboratively with Ghanaian masons and carpenters throughout the entire project.

DESIGN/BUILD

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The process began by measuring the footprint of the building and digging the foundation with pick axes and shovels. We then mixed concrete for the trenches and the floor by hand. All blocks were made with a steel mold which we filled, packed and flipped. The blocks dried for twenty-four hours and were then set in place using mortar and trowels. All doors and window frames were hand made at the local mill. The exterior of the building was plastered by hand for protection from weather and erosion. The finished building was eventually painted to match existing structures in the village.

GETTYS GROUP OFFICELocation: Cincinnati, OH

Semester: Fall 2015

Professors: Ann Weigand & Dara Baldridge

This corporate design project allowed me the freedom to select an interior design firm of my choosing and create a satellite office in Cincinnati, OH. Due to my interest in Hospitality Design, I selected Gettys Group in Chicago. Research regarding company culture, branding, and current work environment was conducted allowing me to fully understand the needs of the employees and the firm as a whole. I discovered that the firm focuses on working collaboratively in an open and inviting atmosphere, allowing for free-flowing conversation and interdisciplinary work.

WORKPLACE

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FLOOR PLAN According to Gettys Group’s vision statement, they “operate at the intersection of design, implementation and strategic thinking. It’s about creating experiences,

destinations, sensations – adding value to each interaction.” I used this statement as inspiration for my design concept. With an emphasis on intersections and interactions, I created a central “collaboration axis” consisting of conference rooms, meeting rooms

and team huddle areas. In order to push the concept of intersections even further, wood ceiling details run perpendicular to the axis above the conference rooms which

act as the main “destination points” in the space plan. Strips of contrasting flooring mimic the solid walls dividing the collaboration zones, connecting the spaces in a

subtle way. Scattered smaller huddle areas along the main circulation path break the barrier between individual workstations and team space, once again providing areas for

interaction and collaboration.

SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM

LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM

HIERARCHYPROCESS

In order to create a free-flowing environment that supports intersections and interactions between people and spaces, all vertical elements in the floor plan are solid and all horizontal planes are clear glass or completely open. This allows for clean sightlines throughout the office and provides the necessary spaces for teams to work together successfully.

The large conference room serves as the main presentation space for when clients visit the office. Through carefully selected materials, lighting and furniture, it gives off a very “hospitality/hotel-like feel”, making the client feel like a guest and giving them the best experience possible.

RECEPTION / ENTRANCE

INDIVIDUAL WORKROOMS WORKSTATION TYPICALPrivate workrooms allow for a space of refuge for employees when they need to work independently and be free of distraction. Individual workstations provide ample storage and desk space as well as a seating area for quick meetings between coworkers. Team huddle areas provide a variety of seating arrangements to support numerous presentations and activities.

TEAM HUDDLE SPACE

REI STORE DESIGNLocation: Washington, D.C.

Semester: Fall 2014

Professors: Deborah Norman

This project was part of the 2014 Pave Student Design Competition. The purpose was to

create a new store experience for REI’s current customer base while trying to attract active

outdoor millennials. The concept focused on a flagship store in the Washington DC market,

located in a historically significant building. The project was 50,000 sqare feet with an emphasis on creating “shops” with an overall market feel.

A focus on the community aspect of the REI brand was an important aspect of the project

and drove many of my design ides.

RETAIL

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CAMPING DIVISION DISPLAY AREA

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Apparel Division

Footwear

Community Space

Action Sports Division

Camping Division

Garage / Bike Shop

Millenials are drawn to visually stimulating elements and fresh ideas. REI’s authentic brand mixed with new, innovative technology gives these individuals the opportunity to embark on a journey to discover their own authentic story and truly get the most of what’s out there. Bountiful but organized, market-like shops along a central path create moments of interest that tell a story about the latest product in each shop. Interactive, digital media placed thoughtfully throughout the store allows customers to engage with the space and the products within it. Old materials contrasted with modern fixtures and bold graphics create the perfect harmony between REI’s brand and a unique store experience for millenials.

DIVISIONAL FLOOR PLAN

EXTERIOR STOREFRONT

The main display fixture is strategically placed at the focal point of each shop along the primary aisle. A video advertisement will loop at all times showcasing the newest product in that shop. The new item is hung in front of the screen for customers to see first hand. MAIN DISPLAY FIXTURE

SECONDARY FIXTURE

The secondary fixtures are located throughout each shop with varying sizes. A built-in touch screen allows customers to look up information about specific products displayed on each fixture. Users can also link to the new REI smartphone app, enabling them to see how other REI members have rated and used the items.

COMMUNITY SPACEThe community area serves as a gathering

space for REI members. A touch screen, interactive map of Washington, D.C. allows

customers to locate numerous hiking trails, bike paths and national parks throughout the city and see reviews and photos shared by other REI members through the smartphone app.

The social media wall consists of video screens with live feeds from Twitter and Instagram that

showcase REI members’ tweets and photos from thier experiences with products as well as

REI adventures and classes.

CABINET & SEATING UNITLocation: None

Semester: Spring 2015

Professors: Greig Rutherford

This furniture design and construction studio gave me the opportunity to explore another side of design. We completed two major projects during the semester; a cabinet and a two-person seating unit. The class visited a number of lumber suppliers to learn about different types of woods and how they are produced to be furniture-quality. We learned basic millwork and cabinetry standards and explored a number of wood joints and connections. Each piece was designed and constructed in Miami University’s woodshop with assistance from a woodshop technician.

FURNITURE

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Everyone produced the shell of their cabinet from particle board and medium density fiberboard, each varying in size and shape depending on the specifc design. The face of my cabinet layers two geometric patterns playing with the idea of solid versus transparent as well as positive versus negative space. I attempted to create shadows on the face to add visual interest. The frame was constructed out of walnut wood with aluminum accents. Two fully functioning drawers are exposed on the inside of the cabinet.

STUDIO REDESIGNLocation: Alumni Hall, Miami University

Semester: Fall 2015

Professors: Katherine Setser

In this group project, we were given a unique chance to transform the very space in which

we operate daily, our studio, and to change the educational environment for students who will

follow. This was an opportunity to apply our own design principles to the configuration of

the spaces which inspires our own creativity and innovation. In architecture and interior design

education, the design studio has long been regarded as the center of interaction — between

students as well as between and among the faculty. The newly designed studio space had to meet the physical and technical needs of its

users, but it also served as the home of a social and cultural dynamic well known to design

students and faculty alike.

EDUCATION

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FLOOR PLAN

The studio redesign transforms static, un-energetic spaces into vibrant, flexible work stations that enhance the students’ ability to work, create and learn. Paired with a new presentation room that has varying degrees of enclosure and two comfy lounge areas for relaxing and unwinding, this new studio combines a variety of needs into one location.

COMPUTER LAB

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Studio Space

Group Presentation Space

Breakout Lounge

EAST STUDIO

LIGHTING POWER/ELECTRICAL

CIRCULATION ACOUSTICS

The individual desk is flexible and customizable. With portable storage units and a glass divider with magnetic pin-up capabilities, the students have the ability to design the desk to their liking. The unit itself can be combined in sets of two, three and six, allowing for a variety of different studio sizes and arrangements every year. It has integrated electrical outlets that connect to other desks and the main power source in the floor.

BREAKOUT LOUNGE AREA CAVE STUDIO

PHOTOGRAPHYLocations: Ghana, West Africa | Grand Rapids MI

I took these photos during my travels with different programs through Miami University. I studied abroad in Ghana, West Africa with the Architecture department for a summer program. During my stay I was very inspired to look at the world from a different perspective. I also went to Grand Rapids, Michigan with my senior studio to visit multiple furniture manufacturers. The architecture of the spaces caught my attention in a variety of ways.

OTHER

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GHANA, WEST AFRICA | VILLAGE OF ABRAFO-ODUMBASE

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN | HAWORTH & HERMAN MILLER HEADQUARTERS

wypiszrl@miamioh.edu | 630.335.3053

RILEY WYPISZENSKI