Student
Interior Design Students Embark on Project-Based Thesis
Last week, students in FIDM Instructor Sandra Mitchell’s Interior Design class toured Atelier Tower, a DTLA high-rise luxury residential building at 8th and Olive around the corner from FIDM (and will soon be home to DTLA’s first Starbucks Reserve Bar). As part of their project-based learning, the students met a representative from Atelier Tower in the lobby of the 33-story chic glass structure to tour the public areas including the rooftop and a penthouse condo unit as the site for their thesis projects.
In the condo project, students are asked to imagine their client is a Hollywood movie star moving to Downtown Los Angeles to film a movie for twelve months. The designer of the new high-rise condo space is tasked to create, in 2-D, a part-time home for the temporarily relocated star that embodies their sense of style. The blank interiors will need to be developed into a place of respite and inspiration due to long work hours, and will need to accommodate home/office work when needed.
The design will need to both communicate the star’s bold, expressive nature and be suitable for weekly PR gatherings meant to showcase them in their home environment. The client will periodically have a guest visitor for long weekends, who is their best friend and co-star in the movie and who also owns a small rescue Silky Terrier.
Interior Design Student Izabela Zenteno has chosen Sarah Jessica Parker for her client. In her research, Zenteno created a client profile by researching SJP’s eclectic style and what she likes to do. She also watched a Vogue interview with SJP to learn more about her.
The students were given the specs for the 32nd floor, 1515 square foot condo which include: one master bedroom, guest room, open living area, kitchen, balcony, ½ powder room, two full baths, two walk-in closets, laundry, and storage closets.
Part two of their project tasks the students to design in 3-D a branded lobby for the building.
Each year, the Interior Design Thesis (INTD 2830) class incorporates a comprehensive project demonstrating residential and commercial themes in a mixed use format. Focusing on functional space planning and design, code requirements, and material specification, the students prepare a proposal for a specific design project. Construction documentation and presentation drawings incorporating both hand and digital applications culminate in a formal presentation suitable for portfolio.
Award winning interior designer and FIDM Interior Design Instructor Sandra Mitchell became acquainted with FIDM when she was creating the designer office headquarters of GUESS in Los Angeles. Students fortunate enough to enroll in one of Mitchell's interior design classes benefit from her more than 24 years of experience in the industry with clients including Stella McCartney, 7 For All Mankind, Alexander McQueen.
Don't miss our Instagram story on the Interior Design field trip to Atelier Tower.
Categories: Interior Design Student
