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1 The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental Miami Design Development

2 The Setai New York Public Spaces Interior Architecture

3 Laura Geller Flagship Store Retail Concepts

4 ABC Carpet & Home Visual Merchandising

PROJECT SNAPSHOTS

THE SPA AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL MIAMI IS CONCEPTUALIZED TO BE AN ANTITHESIS TO THE CITY’S BRIGHT COLORS AND BOLD CULTURE

NATURAL INSPIRATION

At the Mandarin Oriental Miami, green materials and organic

forms used for the interior design of the Spa reinforce the

brand’s signature holistic treatments of Traditional Chinese

Medicine (TCM). A balanced use of fire, water, wood, metal,

and earth Feng Shui principles are considered throughout the

spatial layout.

At Right: A schematic sketch of the proposed Spa layout.

Opposite Page: Natural neutrals are used to build a soft,

soothing palette that honors the property’s signature colors

of blue and gold. Inspiration is taken from the rhythmic,

procession of tree trunks and weathered, texture of drift wood.

The gingko leaf is used as a decorative motif throughout and

interpreted as an abstracted logo of the fan.

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1 Reception2 Mani/Pedi3 Salon4 Men’s Locker5 Men’s Restroom6 Men’s Relaxation7 Men’s Wet Area8 Women’s Wet Area9 Women’s Relaxation10 Women’s Restroom11 Women’s Locker12 Spa Office13 Spa Boutique

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THE SPA AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL MIAMI ENTRANCE CORRIDOR

RETAIL ME THIS: THE SPA BOUTIQUE

Biomimicry is the imitation of nature.

Elevation A (Above): The retail space millwork

is designed to be a procession of posts like that

of bare tree trunks.

Elevation B (Below): Each retail piece is unique

and varies in width, storage, and display capacity.

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Spa Boutique Plan

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E N T R Y

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B

Elevation A (Top): A stacked driftwood façade clings

to the monolithic stone of the front desk. The back wall

is illuminated by candles.

Elevation B (Right): A continuous signage system

visually leads guests from the outside inside.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: THE RECEPTION AREA

Entrance Plan

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B

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THE SPA AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL MIAMI RELAXATION ROOM

ONLY IN YOUR DREAMS

Elevation A (Right): An organic crevice in the wood

paneling reveals a line of candles.

Elevation B (Above): Custom carved

wood chaises are separated by curtains

that go opaque at eye level for privacy.

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Relaxation Room Plan

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ORGANIC

GEOMETRY

CLASSIC

COMFORT

Clockwise from Left (Above): The Le

Corbusier chaise is used as an ergonomic

example. A classically constructed Andy

Goldsworthy stone sculpture. A sketch of an

inspired, driftwood chaise. A section detail

of the chaise. An Andy Goldsworthy art

piece depicting lightening strike.

Right: Relaxation room material board

As a new venture for the acclaimed hotel on South Beach, The Setai

New York was envisioned as a mixed-use luxury condominium and

hotel project. The building offers its residents hotel amenities as well

as proximity to the city’s finest. Twin concierge staffed lobbies service

both residential and commercial clients, while an elaborate restaurant

and meeting space on the second floor is followed by a spa and fitness

facility on the third. The crowning element is the rooftop that serves

as the residents’ own backyard and offers everything needed to host a

lavish affair from a kitchen and bar, to daybeds and fire pits.

A LUXURY BRAND EXTENDS ITS REACH TO COMBINE THE AMENITIES OF A HOTEL WITH THE COMFORT AND PERMANENCE OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE

Sphere of Influence

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HEIGHTENED DRAMAStyle concepts for the elevator lobby

emphasize the thin and vertical.

THE SETAI NEW YORK RESTAURANT

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Tidbit: Panic hardware of the emergency metal fire doors are

covered aesthetically with wood veneer.

The French-Asian establishment known as SHO Shaun

Hergatt features fine dining, private conference and party

areas, or a simple lounge to finish off the day.

WINE AND DINE

THE SETAI NEW YORK RESTAURANT

A STUDY IN COMPRESSION

Above and Right: A 3D rendering and section of the

dining area reveals the compression and expansion

of the space. This in turns defines intimate and public

zones to vary the diner’s experience.

RESTRAINED OPULENCE

Clockwise From Left: Over-sized pendants

reinforce the double height room. Marble Foo

dogs watch over guests. The “Golden Purse”

menu item features caviar and gold leaf. The

show kitchen behind tinted glass. A lounge area

features back-lit shelves with antique books.

Tidbit: The lanterns are hand

pleated to hide the fixture’s

framework and coincide with the

linearity of the surrounding lattice.

THE SETAI NEW YORK CLUB SPA

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TAKE OFF YOUR COOL

Clockwise From Left: Spa materials are mounted for

display at the sales center. The women’s water suite with

waterfall and whirlpool. The fitness center with slivers

of lighting. The VIP treatment room features a double

occupancy option for couples.

THE SETAI NEW YORK CLUB SPA

Every moment shapes a patron’s experience. Here,

sketches and renderings of the spa hallways explore

ways to make every step a visual journey. Photos of

the finished product remain fairly true to form.

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

Patrons are led up a dark, tiled corridor from the

locker rooms to a bright, golden whirl pool area.

Below, sketches and renderings illustrate the

concept that is finally actualized at left.

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

THE SETAI NEW YORK CLUB SPA

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: THE VIP ROOM

Early sketches of the VIP treatment room explore possible

millwork designs. The rendering shows a CNC-routed

wood and mirror sliding door, teak platform supported

soaking tub, and glass tiled niche.

FALLING WATER

CONTRASTING MATERIALS

SUSPENSION

THE SETAI NEW YORK SOLARIUM

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FIRE AND WATER

The roof top offers gathering space for parties,

special events, or simple socialization with

other residents. The cultivated gardens and

sweeping views are framed wood lattices.

NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T

Pop-up massage enclosures and daybeds

compartmentalize the giant roof top in to

more private sections.

MAKEUP’S MAKEOVERA FACE LIFT FOR THE FLAGSHIP STORE OF LAURA GELLER MAKEUP YIELDS A SPACIOUS AND MORE EFFECTIVE RETAIL SPACE

A cluttered and crowded interior due to lack of storage and poor display techniques were among the many design issues to be

addressed. The renovation, paired with rebranding efforts were aimed to push Laura Geller Makeup from a neighborhood favorite

to a national icon.

Clockwise From Left: The store’s original floor plan. The tester counter. Two employees crowd around the POS. A haphazard arrangement of furniture seats customers awaiting makeup appointments. The store’s cluttered window displays.

A NEIGHBORHOOD RELIC

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LAURA GELLER CONCEPT & DEVELOPMENT

DO YOU LIKE RED?

To enhance the merchandise, a monochrome palette was used

with only red added as accent. The simplicity of the palette

creates a calm and unified space while allowing each shade of

makeup to stand out.

Clockwise From Left: A cleaner floor plan is

made possible by improving circulation and

adding storage. The private make up rooms

feature dimmable night and day options. An early

rendering features dual-sided suspended mirrors.

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Clockwise From Right: A built-in TV offers dynamic graphics and video for

customers waiting in line. The brand’s logo is inscribed in stone. A functional

cash wrap features ergonomically adjustable monitors, pull out trays for

equipment, and made to measure compartments for supplies and packaging.

A close up of the translucent corian on the cash wrap reveals abstracted,

hexagonal lips shapes.

THE MONEY-MAKER

LAURA GELLER FINAL PRODUCTION

I’M READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP

Clockwise From Left: A Laura Geller gift set. An overall shot

of the store. A changeable display niche. The tester counter

allows customers to free their hands by putting belongings in the

cubbies below. A magazine side table is flanked by twin banquets

for shoppers to rest. The window display is suspended to bring

merchandise to eye level.

Tidbit: The bottom of the display window features a concealed

hatch for access to the exterior lighting that illuminates the

store’s facade at night.

INFINITE POSSIBILITIESPROGRESSIVE BUYING, WHIMSICAL MERCHANDISING, AND INSPIRATIONAL WINDOW DISPLAYS ARE WHAT MAKE ABC CARPET & HOME A LANDMARK RETAIL INSTITUTION IN NEW YORK CITY

Established in 1897, ABC Carpet & Home has grown from being

simply a retailer of home goods to an inspirational destination for

consumers, designers, and New York City visitors alike. ABC’s

buying department sources vendors and manufacturers from all

over the world to tap a truly international perspective on style.

Furthermore, custom requests ensure exclusive merchandise that

encapsulate emerging product trends. The selection is constantly

changing and so is the store’s look. The visual merchandising

team is a conglomerate of contractors, antique restorers,

designers, and artists that continuously shape the setting in which

consumers encounter the space.

Based on the theory by Japanese researcher,

Masuru Emoto, the theme for the Holiday windows

were the effects of positive thinking. According

to Emoto’s theory, water crystals would form

differently based on the aura or energy in their

surrounding environment. For example, water in

containers with positive words such as “gratitude”

or “love” would freeze as symmetrical and

complete. On the other hand, water in containers

with negative words such as “hate” or “disgust”

would freeze deformed and sometimes broken.

At ABC, each window recreated a water crystal

made of trimmings and decorations on plexi-glass

that represented positive energy: Peace, Change

Gratitude, Happiness, Heart, and Love.

POSITIVE ENERGY AND WATER CRYSTALS

ABC CARPET & HOME 2009 HOLIDAY WINDOWS ACCESSORY DISPLAY

To simulate an icy effect, merchandise was dipped

in melted wax and then quickly in water. White or

clear objects are used to maintain a monochrome,

snowy aura.

FLASH FREEZE

The back wall gets a layer of icicles which is done by

slowly pouring and layering hot wax. White confetti

is quickly rubbed on to the surface before it dries.

ABC CARPET & HOME 2009 HOLIDAY WINDOWS CHILDREN’S DISPLAY

WINTER WONDERLAND

Clockwise from Left: A miniature landscape of painted

cardboard and Christmas ornaments is created within a child’s

playhouse. Lace trim is painted and used as a stamp. A panel

of snowflakes hangs next to a garland of paper heart outlines.

Paper hearts are stitched together.

ABC CARPET & HOME 2009 HOLIDAY WINDOWS FEATURE DISPLAY

SNOWFLAKES REINCARNATEDVarious methods of representing snowflakes were explored

from crystallizing pipe cleaners with Borax and water to lace

puffs and fabric cut outs.

ABC CARPET & HOME MERCHANDISING CONCEPTS

A HOME SHOULD BE LIVED IN

Clockwise from Left : 1 Layers of gauze drape over the space not unlike spider webs,

while clothing is strewn on the bed, crumpled papers decorate the desk, and an ominous

raven watches over an absent writer. 2 A seating group with a smashed vase and raven

motifs on the wall suggest the scene of an accident. 3 Another seating group has an

escaped raven perched on a shelf stacked with apothecary items. 4 The remnants of a

diner party is recreated on a dining set by stacking random china and burned out candles.

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REMNANTS OF HUMANITY

The matter@ home collection inspired a spooky, forgotten

story. The furniture seemed to be that you would inherit from

a relative’s attic or salvage from a thrift store. To elaborate on

this idea, inspiration was taken from cluttered environments,

unfinished tasks, and the ominous, messenger raven.

Consignment merchandise such as clothing, toiletries, and

stationary would be used here as props.

di ti

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$295

$2695

matter@home raw industrial style with an old world twist on 4

ABC CARPET & HOME PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

STAYING ON TOP OF THE TRENDS

The concept was to innovate a best seller with the

emerging trend of driftwood table tops. At the left are

various sketches of different desk styles with the same

proportions of the original product.

A cantilevered desk

features a pop of color on

the interior of the cubbies

Leg connections are

notched in to the wood

surface as square

columns or channels

Sleek, powder coated

legs and body contrast the

driftwood work surface

A school style type desk

embodies old world

charm with expressed nail

connections and round legs

on glides

PEEK-A-BOO

A signage concept for the store’s directory details

a section cut through both buildings to reveal what

merchandise each floor holds.