A portfolio of my work throughout my Bachelor Degree in Interior & Spatial Design.

1. 2019
Portfolio
Maria Duda
Interior & Spatial Design

2. Table of Contents
2. Flow
Bee Breeders Architectual Competition
Silent Meditation Cabins
Group project with Deborah Pedraza
Design for Commercial Spaces
Office Design
3. Ecometrica
1. THE ONE18
Major Project
Collaborative Studio Space with Retail
Design for Exhibition Display
GOMA Exhibition
4. Ginger Museum

3. Creative Conscience Competition
Commended & Shortlisted
Conscious Consumption
Group Project with Deborah Pedraza
6. HOW WE LIVE
Placement & Part-Time job
Autocad & Sketchup
7. Adam Burgess
Architect
Short film
Art Departement & Set Design
8. Eudaimonia
Design for Exhibition Display
Salone Del Mobile Stand Design
5. Oasis

4. 1.THE
ONE18
The central focus of this Major Project is centered around
conscious consumption and sustainability.
The intention is to give ethical designers a space to design
sustainable and handmade products, which they are able to
sell directly in the same building. This cycle promotes a circular
economy.
Fast fashion and over consumption are one of the leading
pollutants in the world. As a society, we often do not think about
the way we consume materialistic goods, how they were made,
where they come from and the impact they have on our world.
The aim of my design is to promote transparency between
designers and consumers by combining a co-working studio with
a retail space. The design promotes openness, interaction and
sustainability.
Openness: The floor levels are various mezzanines, which allow
the visitors to see into different spaces from wherever they are
situated. Furthermore, the shape of the floors imitate the curves of
the windows, giving the space softness and coherence.
Interaction: The design aims to increase interaction and
communication between consumers and designers, however this
also challenges the ideology of private and public spaces. The
double helix staircase therefore aims to resolve this problem by
allowing to have two buildings in one, which coexist and depend
on one another.
Sustainability: The design follows the Cradle to Cradle principles
which mimic the cycle of nature in which waste is reused. All
materials and features within the space are designed with the
intention of being either reusable or biodegradable.
1. Open 2. Closed 3. Mixed 4. Shelving 5. Joinery
118 Princes Street
E d i n b u r g h
View From Outisde
Entrance Inside Studio
1.

5. 1. Planting Panel
2. Suspension bolt
3. Hanger Clips
4. Continuous Hat Profile
5. Column Fixing
6. Insulation Layer
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
Sectional Detail 1:20
Double Helix
Staircase
The Double Helix Staircase is the main feauture of the design located at the center of the
building. It allows for two groups of people to be walking up at the same time, being able
to see one another, however never actually crossing paths. One staircase serves as public
circulation, whereas the other one is for the workers of the space.
The green column acts as a reminder for workers of the space that nature is at the center of
everything occuring within the space. It also serves an educational purpose for children to
be learning various plant species while going up the staircase.
2.

6. MAJOR SPACE
The Major Space consists of 5 floor levels,
which contain studios, retail, co-working
and a cafe. The aim of the Major Space is
to promote interaction and transparency
between designers and consumers.
The retail space located on the first level
allows artists to directly sell their products
in the space in which they are made.
Located on the second floor is a cafe
which acts as a divider between the public
and private in order to give more privacy
for people who are co-working.
The third floor consists of an enclosed
meeting room and studio space for a
larger business which outlooks the entire
building and Princes Street Gardens.
Retail Space Retail Space
Co-WorkingCafe
3.
FINAL VISUALS
DEVELOPMENT SCKETCHES

7. Detail Photographs of Key Experiences
FINAL MODEL
Scale 1:50
4.

8. Organic Perspective 3D Balance Softness Connection Openness Protection
2.FLOW
Flow is a silent meditation cabin, respectful of its environment and
of its users.
When thinking about meditation, many words came to our minds.
The challenge was to give to these words a shape, a materiality and
to allow them to entertain a certain relation between one another, in
other words, to flow.
Establishing the experience of the visitor on the solicitation of his
senses was also a way of proposing a reconnection to the self and
to one’s thoughts. The visitor can then interact with the cabin and its
surroundings in many ways;
The sight is solicitated on the inside as well as on the outside with
the idea of a neat and peaceful interior contrasting with a wild
environment.
The touch will be surprised by the softness of the materials on the
inside and the organic texture imitating bark on the outside.
The smell will be challenged by the natural surroundings, as well as
with the comforting smell of wood, fire and aromas.
The taste with a selection of teas that will be perfect to accompany
a meditation session at any time of the day.
The hearing by the sound of the rain on the windows, the wood
cracking in the stove and of the wildlife becoming one with the
occupier.
The location of the cabins is split in 3 groups; the first one, relatively
close to the main buildings but still in the forest, allows an easy
access for disabled or unsecure users. The second zone is relatively
linear and a little bit more distant. Finally, the third group is located
around the lake for a more extreme experience of calm and isolation.
1.
2.
3.
5.

9. 5m 10m1m
Ground Floor Plan
Scale 1:100
Elevation A
Scale 1:100
A
1. Terrace
2. Meditation Space
3. Kitchen
4. Dry toilet
5. Green Roof
N
AS YOU ENTER...
6.

10. 1. A hidaway bed gives more space for meditation
2. Opening and closing louvres
3. A door that partially remains inside when opened,
which creates a link with the outdoors.
1.
2.
3.
7.

11. MODEL
The model was made entirely out of reused materials and
is fully recycable. The trees used were found on the ground
in a park and the cardboard was repurposed from previous
models as well as old amazon boxes.
FlOW
Model at a scale 1:200
DEVELOPMENT
The initial development sketches helped us figure out the
best placement of the louvres and how the triangle shape
would work. Then we explored various textures concerning
the exterior of the cabin as touch was an important aspect
of the project.
SHAPE TEXTURE
8.

12. 1. Break Room
2. Meeting Rooms
3. Loud Zone
4. Quiet Zone
7. Board Room
5. Kitchen
6. Entrance
3.ECOMETRICA
“We spend 87% of our lives inside buildings. How they are
designed really affects how we feel, how we behave.”- Ilse
Crawford.
When thinking of offices spaces, the first thing that usually
comes to mind are small cubicles, boring furniture, and not
enough desk space. Slowly this is changing as people are
realizing that working environments are equally as important
as the space you live in.
This office was designed to make you feel relaxed in your
work space. All chosen materials are environmentally friendly
such as cork, ply wood and felt. In addittion, many plants
were placed around the office as they make you feel more
calm, help you think, improve job satisfaction and are less
likely to trigger allergic symptoms.
The office is open planned and there are no concrete walls.
Instead wooden pillars and different flooring help create a
division between the different spaces. The wooden pillars
allow light to pass through to use as much as natural
lighting as possible and the wooden floors create a sense of
belonging in a given space.
9.

13. The meeting rooms can alocate between 4
to 6 people. They have additional lighting
as they do not have windows. They are
designed to be informal and act as a space
to talk or have presentations in a non
stressful environment. The colorful lamps and
plants add some color to an otherwise grey
space.
Loud Zone
Meeting rooms
Bespoke Furniture
Floor Plan
Not to scale
Section
Not to scale
10.

14. 4.GINGER EXHIBITION
Scotland has the highest percentage of natural redheads with 13%, whereas the
rest of the world has less than 4%. In order to celebrate this, the entire space at
the Gallery 1 in the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, will be dedicated to the Ginger
Exhibition.
The exhibition consists of 5 spaces, each one exhibiting different types of artefacts,
interactive spaces, as well as places to relax and simply enjoy the beautiful gallery.
The exhibition aims to provide something interesting for people of all ages, it is a
child friendly space where families can come and wonder about all day.
From this exhibition you will learn; the origin and history of redheads, various
feautures that come with being ginger, such as pale skin, freckles etc., shades of
ginger through age, and lastly the importance of color within our society. Hopefully,
through celebrating redheads it will raise awareness amongst the youth that being
ginger is something to be proud of in our society rather than something to hide and
be bullied for.
11.

15. The concept for the stand was inspired by Peter Zumthor’s 2011 Pavilion called
‘Garden within a Garden. As Salone del Mobile will be incredibly busy, people will
be feeling overwhelmed and tired, I wanted to create an oasis within this chaos.
From the outside you are welcomed in by a sofa surrounded by tropical plants
and each side of the entrance has big banana trees which, hides what the stand
actually shows, therefore you need to walk in to get the full expierience. As the
furniture fair is mainly targeted at trade members who will probably have their own
offices, I decided to showcase products for offices.
“The office is an expression of a company’s identity. It’s design influences
the mindset and behaviour of employees, increasing or diminishing their
motivation and, as a related consequence, their productivity.”- Vitra. Therefore
the products chosen for the stand are modern pieces which every office should
have, comfortable chairs, a resting area, a desk to work and a space to meet.
Additionally, the space is filled with tropical plants, which reduces stress in
working environments.
5. OASIS
12.

16. 6. HOW WE LIVE
This exhibitiontries to propose simple and easy
solutions to live a more sustainable and conscious life. It’s
purpose is to raise awareness and provide alternatives
withoutblamingthe consumer but on the
contrary, by encouraginghim to be more
conscious.
The idea is to make it simpleand peacefulin order
to allow people to stay open mindedtowards
the polemical topic we chose.
Castle St.
Edinburgh
EH1 2EW
Princes St.
Gardens
Edinburgh
The following space in
the exhibition displays a
short interview which
discusses plant based
living and conscious
consumption.
On the opposite side, an
interactive and social
space allows the visitors
to calculate their carbon
footprint, leave feedback and
enjoy a treat.
Project Shortlised and Commended
13.

17. The shelving on the left
side displays sustainable
alternatives to everyday
objects you can find in a
home.
The shelving on the right side displays
unsustainable products which
everyone possesses. The plastic white
shelving further shows that even simple
structures can be unsustainable, this
shows that sustainability goes beyond our
taste sometimes.
14.

18. The mirror on the ceiling represents
the ideology that the way we live at
home, has an impact on the world
outside
The space on the left represents
the sustainable and conscious
lifestyle and the right space
demonstrates the unsustainable
lifestyle.
15.

19. The wooden structure made with Japanese
joinery creates an easy assembly and
dissassembly process. This allows the
structure to be very versatile and can be
moved to any location.
The structure on both sides has
unfoldable panels, which create
two more private space. In addition, the
sliding glass doors allow people
passing by to be intrigued by what the
space has to offer.
Final Presentation
16.

20. Visual by Deborah Pedraza
7. Adam Burgess Architect
During my third year at university I got the opportunity to do a
placement with Adam Burgess Architect, which then continued into
a part time job. The work I’ve been mainly doing on his projects is
AutoCad and Sketchup, which make his visions and concepts come
to life. The work varied from office design, to house extensions, houses
and lastly housing developments. The two projects best demonstrate
my ability in creating floor plans, elevations and sections.
Project 1 developped by Adam Burgess is a housing development on
an old garage site, which consists of 4 maisonattes and 1 house at the
Project by Adam Burgess
Drawings Not to Scale
17.

21. Visuals by Deborah Pedraza
The second project is also a housing
development with 14 appartements. My
role throughout the project involved
doing initial concepts in Sketchup and
then numerous floor plans, elevations
and sections. The journey throughout
this project faced numerous challenges
such as achieving natural daylight into
each flat, getting as many flats onto
the site without it feeling overcrowded
and lastly creating a community feel.
Each issue was tackled in a team effort
in order to create to create the best
outcome.
Project 2
Project by Adam Burgess
Drawings Not to Scale
18.

22. Eudaimonia is a short film written by Nell Cunningham and Juri
Krutti. Myself and Deborah Pedraza were asked to be part of the art
departement on the film. Our role was to gather props and fully furnish
the set from scratch. The photographs on the right hand side are stills
taken from the movies which best demonstrate various locations and
set design.
8. Eudaimonia
19.

23. Various props gathered
from theatre’s allowed
Deborah and I to fully
furnish the room. The
challenge with this
location was to always
make sure everything
was set exactly the same
each time even though it
was filmed from various
angles on different days.
As the altar was a
very important scene
in Eudaimonia, the
set design had to fully
represent that. The tape
around outlined paths
that were allowed to be
on and the numerous
candles represent
religious values by the
sisters.
20.