MARIE MELVIN

INTERIOR DESIGNER
The residences at Greenbelt - Laguna Tower, Unit 30B
Esperanza Dr.
1228 Makati
Cell. 0917.137.8055
melvin.marie (at) gmail.com

SOFTWARE USED
Adobe Creative Suite
Twilight rendering
Sketchup
Autocad

FONTS
Alegreya Sans
Caviar Dreams

Copyright © 2018, Marie Melvin

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission
of Marie Melvin.

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 EDUCATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, with honors
Interior designer (freelance) University of Staffordshire , UK.
Jan. 2016 - Dec. 2017 (14 months) Master's degree in Urban Planning, Paris Institute of
Joana Sultan, Paris Urbanism, Paris, France.
s
Preparation of building permits documentation (Paris) Certificate in graphic design and communication,
ABOUT s
Technical drawings : plans, elevations, sections and details University of San Francisco, (USA).
s
Source and research furniture and materials
s
Creation of graphic presentations Master's degree in Political science, Sciences-Po,
The core elements of who I am as a designer were formed in the places that I Grenoble, France.
hold most dear: the French Alps and California's Bay Area. Just'In Home Design, Paris
My childhood in the Alps was defined by awe and love for the rawness, scale and s
Complete survey of client's spaces COMPUTER SKILLS
space of my surroundings.  s
Draft CAD plans and create 3D model
s
Prepare bid documents Illustrator
s
Prepare clients’ presentations Indesign
A subsequent life in San Francisco forever linked in me the area's stunning
s
Create and update FF&E files
nature with the modern, yet classic spirit of Californian architecture and design. s
Create and update budgets Photoshop
It was so different from the formatted rigor that defined the French heritage
AutoCAD
that I knew, and it profoundly impacted me.  Education operations Manager,
I discovered a real sense of freedom that I have not encountered anywhere. And Sketchup
European Union - Climate KIC, Paris
as importantly, I found a bold, positive attitude that interior design can solve Dec. 2013 - Dec. 2014 Twilight rendering
(m)any problems. 
MS Project
International programs manager
University of San Francisco, USA MS Office
Oct. 2008 - Nov. 2013 QGIS/ArcGIS

Cultural attaché for education,

French Consulate, Houston, USA
LANGUAGES
Sept. 2006 - Sept. 2008 French (mother tongue)
English (bilingual)
Spanish (basic)

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 INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECTS
GROW p. 8-19
co-work/social retail station

IIDA STAND p. 20-29

exhibition retail stand

PRESCHOOL
TABLE OF renovation
p. 30-41

CONTENTS GRAPHIC DESIGN

INVITATION CARDS p. 42-47

PRESS
INTERVIEW
IIDA perspective, Fall 2017 p. 48-49

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 GROW 2016/17 IIDA student competition, 2nd place
GROW is a first-of-its-kind place where makers and retailers can co-work by day
and sell by night, in a wellness-oriented environment for flourishing businesses.
Its airy, light-filled space in the heart of bustling downtown Dallas brings
nature indoors, creating a soothing atmosphere where workers can be highly
productive.
Once laptops are stowed for the day, GROW transforms into a hip shopping
experience for visitors with a taste for social retail.
The project aims to meet ambitious sustainability goals through its choice of
materials, ample use of natural and LED light, adequate air exchange as well as
a recycling and composting program.

GROW is the future of social retailing.

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 GROW 2016/17 IIDA student competition, 2nd place
GROW is a first-of-its-kind place where makers and retailers can co-work by day
and sell by night, in a wellness-oriented environment for flourishing businesses.
Its airy, light-filled space in the heart of bustling downtown Dallas brings
nature indoors, creating a soothing atmosphere where workers can be highly
productive.
Once laptops are stowed for the day, GROW transforms into a hip shopping
experience for visitors with a taste for social retail.
The project aims to meet ambitious sustainability goals through its choice of
materials, ample use of natural and LED light, adequate air exchange as well as
a recycling and composting program.

GROW is the future of social retailing.

p.8 p.9
 THE SITE PROGRAM

Kitchen + Eating area Lounge -promenade Meeting “boxes”/

(seating for 26) Boutiques (x4)

Located in the popular West End historic district of northwest downtown Dallas, the building site is part
of a dense urban fabric and sits on the edge of a busy highway interchange -- Woodall Rodgers Fwy and
I-35E. Workrooms (x3) Private touch-down spaces Heads-down spaces (x5)
This central location makes it easily accessible by multi-modal transportation options, such as tramway, (47 seats)
bike, foot or car. It also situates GROW within the vibrancy of the surrounding community of museums,
restaurants and shops.
GROW's space is on the 7th and final floor of a 114-year-old brick building originally conceived as a bakery
and warehouse complex. It is part of a mixed-use development of offices and restaurants on the lower
levels.
Workshop Coat room + storage Copy room/IT

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 FLOOR PLAN WITH FURNITURE + MATERIALS REFLECTED
CEILING
GROW's layout benefits from great legibility and smooth traffic flow thanks, in part, to the space's wide and open passages.
PLAN
Its wellness-centered approach takes advantage of natural light and 360-degree views, with its three workrooms located
along the south, east and west walls.
At its center, all of the community functions are brought together in an effort to foster exchange and
discovery, which are vital in encouraging collaboration and can lead to unexpected break-throughs. 
In the evening, the space can easily and quickly transition into a natural-feeling and
attractive social retail environment.

1. Reception Not to scale

2. Coat room
3. Workroom
RCP LEGEND
4. Storage
Recessed can light Slope ceiling LED light
5. Meeting/Boutique Slot LED active light Undermount LED light
6. Kitchen LED pendant light Wall mounted light
Pendant light Surface recessed light
7. Dining Track lighting Ceiling height: 12’ unless indicated otherwise
8. Lounge
9. Heads-down
With sustainability and technology at its core, the lighting system is efficient, versatile and long-
10. Touch-down lasting. It features LED lights throughout and LED active lights in circulation areas, combined to
11. Workshop integrate daylight and motion sensors.
12. Print. The lights produce a brighter, “white light” shown to improve workers’ cognition and positively
13. IT affect their mood.
Not to scale
NIGHT ENTRANCE DAY ENTRANCE
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 “Box” day use: meeting room

SECTION ELEVATION WORK TO SOCIAL RETAIL CONVERSION

Four meeting/retailing rooms, called “boxes”, borrow from the vocabulary of the exterior
and resemble temporary architecture.
They have sloped ceilings, awnings and are wrapped in corrugated metal sheeting, which
evokes outdoor spaces like rustic market stalls.
Blurring the perceptions between indoor and outdoor, the setting seeks to re-create the
feeling of a pedestrian shopping street that invites you to wander down it.
SCALE 1/8’’ =1-0’
The social retailing area, with its dedicated entrance, sits at the heart of the space and can
comfortably accommodate 75 guests.
It includes four rooms dubbed “boxes”, which are meeting spaces by day and boutiques at
night. They open on to the dining and kitchen areas, which both benefit from ample counter
space and tables that are ideal for catering.
“Box” evening use: boutique
Thanks to a modular design, the boxes easily morph into hip social retailing shops. While the
walls of the boxes are made to serve as white boards and projection screens in the daytime,
they feature InvisiLock magnetic shelves by Visual Magnetics, which can be freely arranged by
the retailers in the evening. The rooms’ windows are bordered by a boxy frame that protrudes
enough to create display space for retailers. The furniture is multi-purpose, including hollow
cubes that serve as seats for meetings but can be stacked to make display cases by retailers.
Folding tables can be stowed or rearranged depending on the sellers’ needs.
A large, lockable storage space is built into the wall of each room -- saving sellers transportation
and set-up time. All storage units come equipped with a set of InvisiLock magnetic shelves as
well as an adjustable clothes rack on wheels.
Due to these features, converting the spaces from day to evening use can be done quickly and
by a single person.
“Box” elements

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p.16 p.17
p.18 p.19
 IIDA STAND
AT ORGATEC
Spring 2018 Competition (ongoing)
Modern and spare, IIDA's booth at Orgatec is both a showplace and a workplace.
It aims for a dual objective:
- Promote IIDA to an international professional audience;
- Serve as a co-working space that references the current debate on workspace
design.
Strategic branding is at the core of this project and the brand's visual presence in
the space participates in creating an attractive world that visitors would want to
snap and share on social media.
More than just a retail show place, IIDA's stand is also a shared co-working space
that stimulates social interactions and enhances collaboration. 
In that sense, both the space and its users contribute to enabling creative ideas for
the future workplace.
Thanks to its general esthetic, functionality and the emotions its triggers, the re-
sult is an inspiring, cohesive and innovative space that will strikingly showcase the
organization's global leader position in design knowledge.

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 FLOORPLAN ELEVATIONS
The stand shows that even a small space can become a temporary workplace that
4 4 5
comfortably holds concurrent functions.
With its open floor plan, the layout answers all programmatic needs and features:
- Meet and greet area
- Two lounge areas with seating 3
- A dedicated collaborative space or ‘ID (idea)’ area 6
- Lockable storage units for promotional materials or personal belongings. 4 4
The stand is deliberately open on its longer side in an effort to make it more democratic 2 2
and inviting. Left elevation Not to scale Front elevation Not to scale Right elevation Not to scale

To address the challenge of not making the stand feel too small and enclosed despite 1
its limited footprint, several design savvy strategies were adopted. As such, visual
connections were maintained throughout and furniture chosen for its semi-open shapes. 1 Meet and greet area 3 Workshop/collaboration area 5 Glass window (light tint)
Not to scale 4
2 Lounge seating areas Storage space 6 Counter

INSPIRATION
The inspiration for the booth layout and design
was drawn directly from the IIDA logo.
The logo's strong lines were used to organize the
space into distinct areas and create its 3D visual
representation.
The booth's general esthetic appeal plays an important part in meeting its primary objectives.
Carefully restrained, the interior is a primarily white canvas onto which Vitra's graceful furnishings inject a bold, luminous pop of color. 
The use of natural wood and plants gives the space warmth as well as an organic touch of well-being.
As part of the branding strategy, IIDA letterings have been treated as dynamic and decorative elements of the space: from oversized
wall elements to small detail such as the contemporary graphics on the walls and floors.

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 RCP CEILING PLAN DECONSTRUCTED PERSPECTIVE VIEWS
RCP legend

Spot lights

Recessed can light

Pendant light

The ceiling structure was left partly open to

increase the sense of openness and light.

Not to scale
3

SECTION ELEVATIONS 1 2
FURNITURE
(To be chosen exclusively from Vitra/Artek)

Storage cabinets Ameobe chair All plastic Belleville Table Stool 60 Kaari shelf round, Pendant
chair Riihitie Plant pot B light A330S
Section 1 Not to scale Section 2 Not to scale Section 3 Not to scale
VITRA ARTEK

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p.26 p.27
p.28 p.29
 LA WANTZENAU
PRESCHOOL
La Wantzenau preschool was built in the mid-1960s’. Due to obsolete installations,
the city decided to undertake a major renovation.

The main goals of this project were to create a space that is both welcoming and
fosters in children the pleasure of learning.

The school layout was first revised to better fit its evolving needs. The new volume
and location of each room were carefully thought out to best answer constraints
such as noise, sunlight, adjacencies or accessibility.
Specific attention was paid to the intersecting discourse between pedagogical and
architectural considerations and as a result, the design proposes a high level of
functionality, modularity and stimulation within each space. Visual connections,
- necessary in these formative years - were another key element that motivated
many architectural decisions.

The preschool now benefits from having a clear and sober identity throughout,
revolving around a natural, calm and warm palette of colors and materials, as well
as a minimalist approach. It is also characterized by its attention to playful details
as well as ample natural light and views onto the soothing landscapes.

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 PRESCHOOL - SPACE PLANNING DIAGRAM

THE SITE
teachers’ break children bathroom adult janitor
north office room bathroom supplies
storage storage

Preschool

Woerthel Preschool egress

entrance
nap room corridor area corridor

cubbies cubbies cubbies egress

La Wantzenau is a small but attractive city of 6,000 inhabitants located in the north of the Strasbourg
region, bordering Germany. Spread over more than 2540 ha, on the banks of the Rhine and Ill rivers, the
city benefits from a pleasant environment made up of groves, forests with exceptional fauna, an old city
MAIN ENTRY
center and more recent dwellings.

The preschool is located in the Woerthel district, at the end of a small cul-de-sac. It enjoys a pleasant director's classroom classroom classroom gross motor room
library
and quiet environment, open to nature and close to the forest office
south storage storage storage
storage storage

parent parent
drop-off pick-up

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 FLOOR PLAN WITH FURNITURE
PROJECT MIND MAP

TARGET AUDIENCE
13
15
Children aged 3-6 Educators Parents City officials/constituents

14

Functional & flexible space

Stimulating space
Improve the learning and 6 6
(sensory, cognitive, motor 10
teaching environment
skills) 5
12 16 5 2 6
1
9 20
Socializing space 5 2
2 8
1
7
3 11 1
3
Views of nature 4
4
3 17
4 3 18

Create a space that is Natural light

welcoming
& promotes its users Adequate colors and Not to scale
well-being materials palette
PROJECT AIMS
Accessible Classrooms: Library: Director's office: Adult bathroom:

Reduce noise/attention to 1 Arts area, by washpoint 7 > Reading nooks 11 Large desk, storage and 14 Washpoint and storage 19
acoustic > book storage seating for 3
2 Teaching area 15 Accessible bathroom

3 Play area Nap room: Entrance hall:

Use of safe materials
Create a safe environment 4 Reading area 8 > 20 bunk beds 12 Moveable ottoman seating
> rocking chair Activity room/gym:
Unrestricted visibility
5 Moveable teacher's desk
and storage Break room: 18 Moveable/modular play structure
Teachers’ office:
Bathroom: 16 Kitchen and eating area 19 Seating
Energy efficiency 9 Work station for 4
Hallways: 13 Washpoints, 16 toilets 17 Lounge area 20 Climbing area
10 Copier/supplies and storage space
Use of sustainable & 6 Cubbies
Sustainability
durable materials

Waste reduction/recycling

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 location/volume HALLWAYS
The two hallways connect all the rooms of the school and are a busy space used by all
throughout the day. They were therefore designed to be luminous and pleasant, with ample
natural light, a soft and soothing color palette and the warmth of wood.

Because they are where children undress in the morning, they hold a very functional design,
with hooks to hang coats, lower storage for shoes and upper storage for papers or smaller
belongings.
In addition, internal windows bring added light to different rooms while letting the parents
peek into the children's universe.

The structure of the cubbies, whith its window and shelves positioned slightly at an angle,
adds depth to the corridors and increases the impression of space.

ENTRANCE HALL In the same way, the painting on the ceiling, which partly follows the floor pattern, seeks to
play with our perceptions of perspective.
The entrance hall holds a particular importance as it gives the first impres-
sion of the school. It is a welcoming and inviting space for children and their
families that sparks a mix of curiosity and well-being.

The access to the hallways is clearly separated from the entrance hall by a
different floor color and a lowered ceiling. The shape of the lowered ceiling
was designed to brings a sense of movement and to lead the visitors to either
side of the corridors.
Views onto the classroom
The choice of lighting is another element of contrast between the two
areas of this space: both are round, but while in the entrance hall lights are
recessed, in the hallways they appear as if coming out of the ceiling, like Space to leave notes for pa-
lanterns, showing the way. rents/notebook/small items
Finally, the new bathroom's door now sits in the direct perspective of the
Hook to hang coat
entrance.

Seating Floors Wall paint Lights Space for shoes

Fabric Cat. A jet fidivi, #1001

location/volume Floors Lights Wall, ceiling & cubbies paint

Norament 926 Satura, Norament 926
color 5102 Satura, color 5128 V33 extreme
resist white Delta, DOX 100 S Delta, C-Max Hi
Fabric Cat. A jet fidivi, #9608 in white
Rubber flooring is used throughout the school
because of its multiples qualities:
- Made for very heavy usage
- Very high footfall sound absorption (9-15 dB)
Norament 926 Norament 926 Delta, DOX 100 S V33 extreme Tollens, vert Tollens, lagon, Oak wood
- R9-slip resistance
Satura, color Satura, color in white resist white rétro, satin satin
Fabric Cat. A jet fidivi, #9805 - Free of PVC, plasticizers and halogens 5127 5128
- high fire-retardant properties Tollens, vert rétro
Zenith, Kipu ottoman (L, M, S) - Jointless installation between different colors

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 location/volume location/volume

LIBRARY
The enveloping, smooth shapes of the library make it a cocoon, where
calm is encouraged.
This is also made possible by the warm atmosphere of wood, natural
Flooring Furniture + Lighting CLASSROOMS carpet and soothing hues as well as the yellow suspension lights that
look as if they are floating.
The classrooms are all designed on the same model, although the layouts vary.
Five nooks, carved within the library's organic shape, welcome children to
Norament 926 sit and look at books, which are conveniently embedded within them.
Satura, color They are highly functional as they allow the smooth running of several activities at the same
5115 time. The layout also allows the teacher an unobstructed view from anywhere in the room.
In the rest of the space, the library offers ample room floor for additional
seating as well as storage for books.
Thanks to modular, moveable (on wheels) and stackable furniture, the classroom can easily
Manutan white board Profiles - Delta light Superdome - Delta light Brico concept wall sink change configuration to become either one vast space dedicated to a specific activity or be
Norament 926 split up into several different areas.
+ Grohe eurostyle faucet
Satura, color 5113 The classroom also features two dedicated spaces: a cozy reading corner, and an arts and craft
area conveniently located near the water point.

The rooms benefit from ample natural light and views of the outdoors for the well-being of
Latoon wool the children and their teachers. Details like round cut outs in the walls, which allow for games
carpet like pekaboo, foster exploration and play. Walls & Ceiling seating covering floor covering Lighting
Muuto Swivel chair Diabolo Ugap children dresk Artek NE60 stool Mycore double roller blind Everything in the design of this fun and functional space is conducive to enhance the educa-
tion of young children.

Walls, ceiling & storage covering

Oak wood V33 extreme Tollens, lagon, Little Green, Linara Romo Linara Romo Shaw, sculpt loop carpet tiles
resist white satin Canton, 94, in Fabric in Lagoon Fabric in Peacock in Zinc
Masonry paint Ombrelle pendant light, La Corbeille

Avi, rouge
Oak wood slats Oak wood Cork - 10 mm th. V33 extreme Tollens, vert Tollens, lagon, Avi, pétale, satin
passion, satin
- 50mm W resist white rétro, satin satin

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 Location/Volume

ACTIVITY ROOM
The activity room is a bright and wide-open space,
where children can get their energy
out by engaging in different motricity activities in a
friendly atmosphere.
The room serves as an indoor playground and a
place to watch a movie or the end of the year show.

The room is dedicated to developing the children's

motor skills and includes:
- Steps that act as seating or a play structure
- Modular slide+tunnel, which can be easily
play Flooring stowed away along a wall
- Climbing wall of small height
location/volume CHILDREN'S BATHROOM
- Set of foam shapes that will inspire creativity
The children's bathroom evokes a polar landscape of drifting icebergs.
The palette of colors and materials is soft but vivid
and in continuation with the tone used in the rest The playful universe created here will make going to the bathroom a pleasant and sensory expe-
of the school. rience for the children. It is a bright and open space, where everything has been thought out to be
Norament 926 Norament 926 Noraplan stone,
easy to use by small children - tailored to their sizes and needs.
Satura, color 5127 Satura, color 5105 color 6609
The materials used areperfectly adequate for such a space and the swimming pool tiles do not get
The slide was designed specifically for this room. Its playful shape is slippery when wet.
inspired by an ice cream sandwich. The slide includes a play tunnel and Lighting
two tunnels %bites& can be added on each side to lenghten the size of Finally, the layout and low level of the partition walls allow the educators to keep an eye on all
the tunnel, or moved and used separately.
children while using the space.

Grid on 111, Delta light Imax BR8, Delta Light Led strip
walls, ceiling & Flooring plumbing lighting

Walls, ceiling & seating coverings

The room will include an assortment of different Climbing holds,

V33 extreme Agrob Buchtal Agrob Buchtal Oak wood
white geometric foam shapes for the children to play Entre-prises
resist white tiles Color 2120 tiles Color 2011 Roca Happening toilet Franke Washino Children's Wash-and- Geberit Sigma 20 Grohe Eurostyle
with and develop their imagination. Oak wood slats - Oak wood V33 extreme Tollens, vert Tollens, lagon, Tollens, ardoise, Delta Light mini SPY Lampe avenue's ceiling light
Play Trough with white connector. Flush single handle size S
50mm W resist white rétro, satin satin satin

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 GRAPHIC
DESIGN

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 INVITATION CARDS

Private viewing invitation card to Mont Blanc's retail stand for the launch of their Summit smartwarch. General invitation card to Mont Blanc's retail stand for the launch of their Summit smartwarch.

p.44 p.45
 PRIVATE VIEWING INVITATION CARD

GENERAL INVITATION CARD

p.46 p.47
 PRESS

N
IIDA PERSPECTIVE MAGAZINE, FALL 2017
lived in Paris as well as California so I’m hoping one of my probably benefit me in designing architecture because
strengths will lie in that. I believe sometimes architecture should rise from the
p e r s p c t i ve
e
DESIGN IS LIFE. IIDA IS DESIGN.
The French approach of interior design is very rigorous. inside, rather than the outside. The interiors are where
IIDA.org | Fall/Winter 2017
It comes from centuries of knowledge, and it’s not the people use the space. I’d also like to integrate some of the

MEET OUR same as I’ve seen in the United States. I also believe there
is a certain timeless elegance and sophistication to French
ideas of urban design so that streets and interior spaces
are connected somehow.

No one knows how design will morph over the coming
years. The one certainty: Students in the classroom will
STUDENTS
RANEY: In school, we’re focusing on learning how to be
design that you don’t quite see anywhere else. DUVAL: Something that I have made a personal goal for
designers and how to speak designer to designer. But learning
people relate to their environment, and that is crucial to Yet I’ve also been very impacted by Californian myself as a young designer is to focus on connection—the
to speak to laymen about interiors is a totally different thing—
change. There are millions of possibilities to design better being able to articulate your vision to people who don’t architecture and interior design. It’s opened up all these connection of people and design in vague terms. As I

ISION
have a massive role in how it shapes up.
We spoke with four students about the state of the
profession, what’s influencing their work, and their plans
for the future. They didn’t always agree. For instance,
THE YEAR IN DESIGN
they may be digital natives, but they were divided over the
A SHOW OF STRENGTH
degree to which designers should be tethered to their tech.
NEXT-GEN VISION
AIR OF ANTICIPATION Yet, it’s clear they all realize the transformative power of
design and the part they can play.
Perspective
spaces, and the results can be life-changing. necessarily understand the design world. Having worked as a possibilities I’d never known about. In Californian design, grow as a designer and become more experienced, I hope
RAQUEL RANEY, STUDENT IIDA, FLORIDA professional graphic designer for several years, I know there there’s a real sense of freedom and a strong need for the this goal allows me to create spaces that understand
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY: An interior designer can be a big disconnect there. MAXWELL interior of a space to be created in connection with the human behavior and interact with our daily lives more
has the ability to realize the value in older spaces. You have to educate clients. But then you also have to learn (CHUN-WEI) CHEN,
surrounding environment. than ever before. I hope this influences the future of the
Anything can be made beautiful, and interior designers that there’s often a point where you just have to be flexible. It a native of Taipei, Taiwan is a senior
have the perspective to bring that out. We see the at Pratt Institute in New York, CHEN: I hope interior design and architecture can design industry in a positive and innovative way, ultimately
can be extremely shocking for people who get really attached
building as just a shell and are able to work within to their designs and then just have to let them go.
New York, USA. He plans to earn a become a single entity. Studying interior design will creating a foundation as it continues to evolve. n
master’s degree in architecture to
that. And as long we approach the project with a lot of complement his undergrad studies
flexibility and an open mind—like, OK, let’s get in there PERSPECTIVE: How is technology changing the work in interior design.

PERSPECTIVE: What do you find most inspiring and see what we can do—then the results can be amazing of an interior designer?
about interior design? and endlessly valuable. RANEY: Technology is a sensitive subject. I personally love

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
Fall/Winter 2017

MARIE MELVIN, STUDENT IIDA, STAFFORDSHIRE working with my hands and not being behind a computer
UNIVERSITY: The duality of creativity and intellectuality PERSPECTIVE: What gaps do you see between 24/7. You need to be able to quickly sketch your ideas, but
1 perspective iida.org/perspective
is what drew me to interior design. I’ve always had your education and your expectations for your from what I can tell, you don’t have to be able to draw well
MARIE MELVIN, Our panel members share the projects and people that motivated them this year.
this strong need to create interior spaces, but I’ve also work experience? to be a designer today. Software tools seem to be the way
STUDENT IIDA,
discovered there’s much more to interior design than that. MELVIN: At school, we’re working in a world of “anything everything is going.
lives in Paris, France and studies at MAXWELL LINDZEY DUVAL, MARIE MELVIN, RAQUEL RANEY,
I think interior design sometimes faces credibility is possible,” but we’re not dealing with real projects. It’s challenging to become proficient in these programs. Staffordshire University. She worked (CHUN-WEI) CHEN: STUDENT IIDA: STUDENT IIDA: STUDENT IIDA:
issues. Here in France, for example, it is not a regulated When you remove the human and financial components, At my school, the graduates who are good at these tools in international education for more 11 Howard hotel, New York,
than a decade before pursuing her
Milken Community Schools The Hollander, Chicago, India Mahdavi, architect
profession. Anyone can say they are an “interior designer.” which might be the most unpredictable part of a project, are mostly self-taught. We’re using YouTube tutorials New York, USA; Designed by
degree in interior design. Melvin Guerin Family Institute Illinois, USA; Designed by and designer, Paris
And there are lots of people with no interior design or it doesn’t prepare you well for dealing with the possible and teaching ourselves. And I guess that’s the point— Anda Andrei Design, New
finished second in the IIDA 2016 and Architecture + Design Cigüe, Montreuil, France, and My 2017 inspiration is
technology is forever changing, so you have to be able to be York and Space Copenhagen,
Student Design Competition. Institute, Los Angeles, Delordinaire, Paris, France

“
not a specific project but
resourceful and self-reliant and just take it upon yourself to Copenhagen, Denmark California, USA; Designed French studios Cigüe a badass woman: India
learn what’s necessary. For me, it represents a
We’re using YouTube tutorials and teaching ourselves. And I guess that’s by Lehrer Architects LA, et Delordinaire were able Mahdavi. With a rich mix of

Photos by: (previous page) pchyburrs/getty images; (right) Lindzey Duval photo by: Todd Winters
the point—technology is forever changing, so you have to be able to be resourceful
“ DUVAL: I believe technology is allowing designers to create
in more innovative ways. Overall, I believe technology is
new shift in the direction
for hospitality design.
Los Angeles to magnify the existing colors, cultures, and recurring

Nikolas Koenig/ Courtesy of 11 Howard; courtesy of GRUPO HABITA; © Paolo Roversi

I had the structure with their design elements, she creates
and self-reliant and just take it upon yourself to learn what’s necessary. allowing many more people to see and understand design
RAQUEL RANEY,
The aesthetics of the pleasure of respectful, sober, yet playfully sophisticated
than ever before. This translates into interior designers hotel contextualize watching the powerful approach. The
—Raquel Raney, Student IIDA now having the ability to create and develop designs that
STUDENT IIDA, SoHo and integrate
environments that are
is a graduate student at Florida interior design project doesn’t borrow from establishing a contemporary
push boundaries because of new building software but midcentury design competition one clearly identifiable style
architecture background offering their services. Not only pressures of the job, such as being a quick thinker or being International University, Miami, style that spans
also because of more people understanding and wanting Florida, USA and co-president of and contemporary winners but shows various influences
can this be detrimental to the quality of the work, but it able to deal with conflict and acting as a mediator. interior,
innovative designs.   the IIDA Campus Center. Raney Danish design, making announced at that make you wonder, “Is
also gives the wrong impression that you don’t need any LINDZEY DUVAL, STUDENT IIDA, IIDA STUDENT graphic, and
works as a professional graphic the space timeless

Photos by: (from left) Nikolas Koenig/ Courtesy of 11 Howard;

MELVIN: Technology is evolving so rapidly that you’re the IIDA COOL this in Rio or Manhattan? product
“real knowledge” to do this job, just a good sense of style.  OF THE YEAR IN 2017: I believe everyone’s transition designer in her studio, Raneytown, yet contemporary. This
required to constantly monitor what’s going on, what’s gala, and I found Or maybe Milan?” The design.
But there’s an intellectual gravitas to interior design. It between education to landing your first job in the and interns for EoA Group while
coming, and what you could use in a project. This can be project redefined the idea this one in particular choice of materials and
studying interior design.

Four students sound

does require real knowledge—such as design techniques, professional design industry is very different. Personally, my exciting but also quite daunting because there’s so much of modern inspirational because of the colors is absolutely
principles, strategy, knowledge of materials, lighting, time in school has provided me with a strong foundation information to process. luxury and level of human connection impeccable:
colors, etc.—as well as analytical skills, which I had from that I can use as I am jumping in and finding my way in Designers need the ability to adapt. We need to share staying at in the design. This elegant and

off on the state of the my previous studies and career in international education.
You also have this capacity to make changes happen
the professional environment. I believe that having a good
design foundation with the right attitude means you can
knowledge and best practices with one another, especially
because the projects we’re pursuing right now are aiming for LINDZEY DUVAL,
a hotel. institute showcases a
wonderful space for
warm. Finally
the treatment

industry—and how they through design. A very interesting thing about interior bridge the gap between education and the professional really high sustainable objectives. We can only achieve them if STUDENT IIDA, design students to of the rooms
design is that it sits at the crossroads of social, economic, design industry.  we learn from each other and collaborate. is the 2017 IIDA Student of the learn, experience, is smart,
political, and environmental issues. There are just so many CHEN: My school is preparing me pretty well for the real Year. She graduated from Texas and grow. I believe functional,

plan to make their mark. issues where design can be part of the conversation, whether
it’s aging, political turmoil, economic instability, safety and
world. The biggest difference I’m getting used to is time
pressure. At school we have all the time we need to develop
PERSPECTIVE: What influence do you hope to have
on the future of the field?
State University, San Marcos,
Texas, USA earlier this year and
has accepted a job with HDR as
having a space like
this to support these
and inviting.
They remind
security issues, gender balance, or the obsolescence of new our ideas and explore different possibilities. At work, MELVIN: Globalization is a really positive trend in interior
[opportunities] will me a bit of the
By Steve Hendershot an interior design coordinator in
foster impactful design for students’ rooms
technology. The challenges are endless. sometimes I’m asked to do three iterations in one hour, design right now—the way a design project can be enriched by Chicago, Illinois, USA.
the students attending. And designed by Le Corbusier.
MAXWELL (CHUN-WEI) CHEN, PRATT INSTITUTE: and it’s a rush. So at work it’s a lot about working really fast pulling ideas from many different countries and cultures. I’ve
Credit

that will expand into their This is a very beautiful

One really exciting thing about the design industry is that while still expressing the artistic side of the design. And at
professional careers. project.
we all seem to really enjoy what we do, even though it can school, that’s where we learn to elevate our artistry of our
be tiring. We’re designing spaces that might change how own designs. fall/winter 2017 perspective 41

fall/winter 2017 perspective 39

42 perspective iida.org/perspective

40 perspective iida.org/perspective

p.48 p.49
THANK YOU
If you would like to see more projects,
please contact me:
melvin.marie (at) gmail.com