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Posts from the ‘Designer Profiles’ Category

May 20

Meet Junior Designer Anna Foltz

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Anna is one of our newest Junior Designers. She studied fine arts for two years at Pratt Institute, in New York City, before deciding to relocate to the West Coast, where she earned my BFA Interior Design at the Art Institute of Portland, with a minor in Sustainability. Prior to Arciform, she worked in sales and production at Pratt and Larson Tile and most recently, did design and renovation coordination for a senior living community.

Read on to find out what inspires Anna…

 

When did you know you wanted to be an architectural designer? Tell us how you got inspired to do this work.

After several years working in the service industry, I started noticing how small details could really affect the functionality/dysfunctionality of a space. Around this time I was trying to decide on a career move that would build on my creativity and fine arts background, while serving a functional purpose. I chose architectural design because it holds the possibility to create beauty in the world, while improving the quality of people’s everyday lives and paying respect to the built and natural environments.

Describe one of your favorite design projects. What were the challenges? What were some of the features that made it memorable?

I was on a team of designers that was selected to remodel the Green Room (where musicians hang out back stage) at the Doug Fir Lounge. The challenge was to create a multi-functional space out of a 400 sq. ft. cement hole. If that weren’t challenge enough, we were assigned to embody the look and branding of the establishment on a $2000 budget, while meshing the personalities of five strong-willed designers! In order to stay on budget, we did some out-of-the box thinking to re-purpose unconventional materials, including bike tubes that were woven into upholstery and wood pallets used as room dividers. The result was a fun and funky rock ‘n’ roll lair that serves as a memorable place which traveling musicians can’t wait to come back to.

Tell us what you consider the hallmarks of a well-designed project. How do you know when something is “right?”

This answer is likely a boring one, but I really just believe something is “right” when there is harmonious marriage of form and function. It’s a wonderful thing to have a space that fills the user with a sense of delight in its beauty. More wonderful still, is when the same space efficiently supports the functions for which it was intended.

What’s your working style? How do you like to work with a client?

Whether it’s picking out paint colors or doing a full gut/remodel, I try to make each client feel as if they are my one and only. I think open communication is key, with an emphasis on listening and asking the right questions.

What are the top 3 things on your “bucket list?”

  1. Take a helicopter ride over Denali National Park
  2. Win a salsa competition
  3. Go to Burning Man under a false identity

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May 19

Meet Junior Designer Bianca McKelvy

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Bianca is one of three new Junior Designers. She joins us straight from the Portland Community College Architectural Design and Drafting program.

When did you know you wanted to be an architectural designer? Tell us how you got inspired to do this work.

When I was growing up my parent’s loved going to open houses on Sunday afternoons. They would throw us kids into the car and drag us to house after house. It became a traditional thing for us to do as a family. My siblings and I would always fight over who would have the bigger bedroom in each house we went to.

When my parents finally decided to just build a new house they involved me in a lot of the design decisions. I fell in love with the entire process and knew then that I wanted to design homes for a living.

Describe one of your favorite design projects. What were the challenges? What were some of the features that made it memorable?

Unfortunately, I haven’t been a part of any “real” design projects, but school has definitely provided me with some challenging design assignments. My favorite one was from my Space Planning studio. The challenge was to convert an existing two story garage into a home for a young newlywed couple. They had lots of different needs that all had to fit into the existing footprint of the small garage. In the end I was able to create a space that not only fit all of the different programming required but also had a nice open floor plan that I believe would have been a very comfortable space for my hypothetical couple.

Tell us what you consider the hallmarks of a well-designed project. How do you know when something is “right?”

I believe that a well-designed project should have an equal balance of several things. It should be a beautiful and functional space that meets and exceeds all of the client’s needs. Good design is not necessarily trendy, but instead it is timeless and made to last a life time. Finally a good design should keep sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. When you have a good balance of these things you are headed in the “right” direction.

What’s your working style? How do you like to work with a client?

I’ve always believed that communication is one of the key drivers to any successful project. So that means listening to everything that a client wants and needs, then combining that with my expertise for a healthy working relationship and a client that is happy with the entire process and the end result.

What are the top 3 things on your “bucket list?”

  1. One of these days I’d like to buy a ticket to a random country and have at least a week to explore a new culture.
  2. I have a lot of siblings, five brothers and one sister. We have never been in the same place at the same time so getting us all together for a trip to Disney would be a dream come true.
  3. I could keep going with this list but I think that running a full marathon in Paris, France would be amazing!

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Mar 25

Introducing Designer Jeffrey Kelly

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Recently one of Arciform’s talented Junior Designers earned his “stripes” and has been promoted to Designer. He’ll begin taking on his own design projects this year. We thought we’d take a moment to learn about what inspires him most.

When did you know you wanted to be an architectural designer? Tell us how you got inspired to do this work.

My father was a carpenter so building is in my blood. During my childhood, despite my brother’s and my protests, we spent many hours of our family vacations looking at open houses and visiting sites of architectural interest. It must have all sunk in at some point, because in my adolescence and early adulthood I would find myself exploring friend’s houses and looking at details that defined the architecture of the home. It took some years to realize this is what I wanted to do for a living. Once I did there was no looking back.

Describe one of your favorite design projects. What were the challenges? What were some of the features that made it memorable?

One of my favorite projects so far was the recently completed Snyder job. I have to admit I’m a bit partial because this was one of the first jobs I designed to go to construction. The scope of the project was a very compact bathroom that needed some more breathing room. We were able to capture space from an adjacent closet in order to make a more functional bathroom. The most memorable part of the project for me was working with the client. She had a very strong idea of what she wanted, in terms of finishes and overall aesthetics, so it made it a fun and collaborative process.

Tell us what you consider the hallmarks of a well-designed project. How do you know when something is “right?”

For me it is important to respect the existing structure and be an advocate for the lifespan of the home when designing a project. At the same time there have been vast improvements in building technology and the way people interact with their homes is constantly changing. Finding a balance between modern upgrades and lasting style is the challenge for every project. It’s hard to pin point when something is “right” but finding that balance is a great start.

What’s your working style? How do you like to work with a client?

I’ve found that most clients know what is needed for their project to be successful even if they don’t have a clear vision of how to achieve it. It is my job to interpret their needs and provide solutions that help them make their home a more functional environment. I enjoy providing a collaborative relationship for a client and welcome their input at all phases of design. While I enjoy space planning and coming up with configurations that I think are the most effective, the end result has to put the client’s needs first. No one knows how a space functions better than the people who live with it every day and to not utilize the client’s feedback as a resource would be a disservice to the project.

What are the top 3 things on your “bucket list?”

1. Visit every National Park in the United States. This is a goal of my mother’s as well and my parents are currently working their way through this challenge. We live in such a beautiful world and what better way to see it than exploring our own country. It is very important to me to spend time in the outdoors and experience the natural world. Unfortunately it is very easy to get caught up in the day to day life and forget to get outside and explore all the wondrous places that surround us. I have never been disappointed by a National Park and I look forward to checking more off my list.

2. Raft the Colorado river. I am an avid fly fisher and a novice rafter. This past year I purchased a cataraft and have been working on my boating skills. Hopefully one day I will be able to take it down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon.

3. Drive from Portland to the tip of Argentina and back. If you can’t tell by now I really love getting out in world and experiencing unfamiliar places. Central and South America has been on the top of my list for a long time and I hope to get there in the next 5 years.

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Jan 28

Designer Profile: Meet Kristyn Bester

We’re delighted to announce that Arciform designer Kristyn Bester was recently promoted to Senior Designer.

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Arciform owner Anne De Wolf shares that, “Kristyn is a great match for Arciform because her first focus is to serve the client’s needs well. She is always cool under pressure and well informed about cutting edge design techniques. Her design aesthetic is young and fresh and mixed with a keen eye for practical solutions. She’s a talented designer and we are delighted to promote her to Senior Designer with the company.”

We interviewed Kristyn to gather some insights into her design process and how she helps clients mix form and function to create a cohesive and personal whole.

1.    When did you know you wanted to be an architectural designer? Tell us how you got inspired to do this work.

I spent a semester during college in Florence, studying fine art and graphic design.  I was so frustrated sitting at a desk tweaking images on Photoshop when I knew one of the most glorious cities was sitting just outside.  I may not have received very good grades that semester but it is when I truly discovered my passion for architecture.  I spent hours at a time wandering the city and surrounding areas photographing the magnificent architectural landscapes that surrounded me.  I changed majors the very first day of the next semester and I never looked back.

Kristyn_Florence_picHere’s a look at some of the architecture Kristyn found inspiring in Florence…

2.    Describe one of your favorite design projects. What were the challenges? What were some of the features that made it memorable?

I had the opportunity to design a major kitchen remodel for my parents’ 1925 Cape Code in West Moreland.  The greatest challenge was creating a separation between our working relationship and our day to day relationship so that our conversations would not be overrun by remodel talk for three months.  Our relationship was also the greatest advantage in the project because I was able to infuse details into their kitchen that made it uniquely personal to my parents.  Knowing the ins and outs of how they use their kitchen, as well as the functions that were missing, allowed me to pinpoint the areas in need of the most improvement.  My favorite features were a custom pullout butcher block counter for their simple eat-in dinners together, tripling the window area for a great view into their backyard and maximum light, and a dishwasher fitted with a cabinet panel for my mom who can’t stand fingerprints on stainless steel.  If only we had done the same thing for the fridge!

3.    Tell us what you consider the hallmarks of a well-designed project. How do you know when something is “right?”

I’m a believer in form AND function.  I think the two should exist side by side to create both a beautiful and practical space.  I like to identify problem areas from the beginning to solve the functionality aspect first, then I incorporate the details that make a space feel cohesive with the rest of the home, as well as personal to the homeowner.
When a space is “right” you can FEEL it.  When I walk into my home at the end of every day I have an “ahhhh” feeling because the way that it reflects my life and my family makes me happy.  That’s how I want my clients to feel when they walk into their new spaces.

4.    What’s your working style? How do you like to work with a client?

There are no two clients that are alike.  I think it’s important to be flexible and to listen each person’s learning style and incorporate that into the design experience.  Everything from imagery to convey an idea, having finish samples to touch and feel, and explaining really technical details – these are all aspects of the design process that speak to different clients.
I also like to put myself in my clients’ shoes to try to experience their home from their perspective and identify with their needs.  I may not have three young kids, be aging in place or run a business out of my home – but I am really good at pretending that I do!

5.    What are the top 3 things on your “bucket list?”

1. To be a competitor on Survivor – yes, the TV show.

2. Someday I would like to live in a barn.  I’m not sure when or where, but I would love to rescue one someday.
3. I have always wanted to learn the flying trapeze.

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Jun 3

Introducing Our New Senior Designer, Chelly Wentworth

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We are delighted to announce the addition of Senior Designer Chelly Wentworth to the Arciform Design Team.
Chelly holds degrees in both Clinical Psychology and Interior Design and is a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer through the National Kitchen and Bath Designers Association. She also holds certifications in Aging in Place and has served on the Portland board of the National Kitchen and Bath Designers Association as a VP of Professional Development for three years.

We asked Chelly to answer a few questions in order to help you get to know her better. Take a look:
When did you know you wanted to be an architectural designer? Tell us how you got inspired to do this work.

 I first fell in love with art and architecture while studying fine arts in college, several years later, I decided I had to pursue design while standing on the steps in the vestibule of the Laurentian Library in Florence, Italy. (It was designed my Michelangelo) It was so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. I also love to cook and entertain . Specializing in residential design allows me to make a career out of all the things I am passionate about.

Describe one of your favorite design projects. What were the challenges? What were some of the features that made it memorable?

It was a kitchen/addition project in a Laurelhurst Colonial Revival home. The clients were newly married and were planning a large family. They love to entertain and are passionate about cooking – in fact, the husband was studying to become a pastry chef. He wanted to be able teach his craft to disadvantaged youths and asked for a fairly large kitchen space. The challenge was to integrate a kitchen that would meet all of the homeowners’ wants and needs and still fit the integrity of the house and neighborhood. The collaboration resulted in a very functional and beautiful space, but most importantly a very personal one for the clients.

Tell us what you consider the hallmarks of a well-designed project. How do you know when something is “right?”

Beyond following the basic elements and principles of good design, a project must satisfy the goals of who and what it is being designed for, both aesthetically and functionally. It’s my job to use my training and experience to act as a guide to help clients create their vision. I know something is “right” when people say they love what we have created for them.

What’s your working style? How do you like to work with a client?

I like to ask a lot of questions and make few assumptions. If I really listen to them I have a better shot at ‘nailing it’ with the design.

What are the top 3 things on your “bucket list?”

This is always a difficult question for me since I am pretty satisfied with my life.

When pressed I usually answer:
1. Travel to all the places I’ve never been but have wanted to go. (Too many to mention.)
2. Take up painting.
3. Teach art history.

We are so happy to have Chelly join the Arciform Design Team and we look forward to following a few of her next projects on our blog.

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