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Please refer to my Cirriculum Vitae for my professional experience

Tides Eco Resort

Winner of the Interior Decoration category of Design Institute Of Australia (DIA) - Australasian Student Design Awards 2009

This 2008 student project brief was to refurbish a tropical Queensland resort located in prime diving grounds.

Using a design that creates an atmosphere that explores ecological principles, environmental responsibility and promotes sustainable thinking, I was able to incorporate elements from the sand, sea and sky of the local environment including the coconut palms and coral reef located on its doorstep. Clean tailored lines are featured in the furnishings and mixed with more organic elements finding a balance between minimal contemporary design and traditional tropical resort style. Soft, serene colours and the natural tones and textures of the renewable and sustainable materials give the rooms a casual but luxurious seaside feel.

The eco friendly design enhances the passive cooling aspects of the original architecture, with rooms opening onto a shaded deck and convection ventilation in the reception area. The furniture and finishes used throughout the resort were chosen for their durability and ability to maintain air quality and withstand the salt air and tropical humidity. The aim was to minimise the environmental impact of the resort project materials during their production, transportation, maintenance and future disposal.

Sydney Visitor Centre

Finalist in Design Institute of Australia (DIA) - Graduate Of The Year Award 2010 (GOTYA)

This 2009 Student project brief was to develop a visitor information centre in the upper level of the Rock's Centre that respects the historic nature of the building, Penrhyn House, and informs visitors of the importance of the area to Sydney, Australia. Visitors require facilities to relax, eat, drink, shop, plan their trip and make bookings. Sustainability is essential to the design approach, all furnishings and fittings are selected for their durability, ability to maintain air quality and to minimise their environmental impact during production, transportation, maintenance and future disposal.

The design concept is a dynamic spatial ribbon that unifies the multiple functions from the retail space to the interactive information areas. The design flows around the building creating a flexible and atmospheric spatial environment in which physical and digital spaces complement each other. Visitors can reflect on historic elements from the Aboriginal artwork to the sail sculpture and information about the First Fleet ship the Lady Penrhyn. The colours inspire a modern view of Australian landscapes from the coast to the red centre.

Brooke Johnston retail store

Finalist in Design Institute of Australia (DIA) - Graduate Of The Year Award 2010 (GOTYA)

This 2009 student project brief was to display Brooke Johnston's range of Scandinavian fabric and antique doily inspired jewellery within shop 1 of The Rocks Centre situated in heritage listed Penrhyn House, The Rocks, Sydney. The refurbishment had to be sustainable, respect the historic context, link to the rest of the retail complex and adhere to the governing laws.

The concept was to use furniture and fittings that play with the decorative realms of Brooke Johnston's art and provide a retail space that is functional and elegant, mixing the elaborate Victorian with the more contemporary clean lines of Scandinavia. The colours interplay with both themes and are repeated in the eclectic variety of picture frames. Brooke's use of old crafts in a new context is also reflected in the tea cup lights as well as the antique brass bird cages and suitcase storage units that provide an innovative way to store and display her work.

Connaught Salt Advertising Agency

The brief was to accommodate the Connaught Salt Advertising Agency into the Harbour Trust managed historic Sergeants Quarters Building, at Chowder Bay, Mosman. The space needed to accommodate the existing 41 employees with room for expansion and include stimulating informal areas, functional workstations and separate areas suitable for clients and focus groups.

The concept was to use unusual visual geometries to produce a creative collage that starts at the entrance and provides a transition into the building creating a sense of arrival for visitors. Beyond the reception area direction and movement is continued in the oblique features of the customised furniture. The design provides for the employees to impose their own individuality and ideas on their workplace with whiteboards and notice boards incorporated into various sections of the office design. White and grey are the basic elements with select features in the social leisure and office areas marked by positive and stimulating yellow and red.

Chowder Bay bridge design

The brief was to design a walkway bridge as an access entrance to the Connaught Salt Advertising Agency located in the historic Sergeants Quarters Building, at Chowder Bay, Mosman. The bridge joins a flight of stairs descending from the street with the second story door entrance of a rather featureless and modular building.

The concept was to use the walkway bridge to link the building with the steep bush covered ridge into which it is cut, in keeping with the Harbour Trusts desire to soften the building and help it integrate into the natural landscape. The bridge design reflects the organic curves of the natural bush land and the contrasting modular panels of the existing building. The materials used complement the existing signage in the area comprising of rusted metal posts that represents the marine heritage of the Old Submarine Depot at Chowder Bay of which is part.

More Information

For more information please feel free to email me info@elizabethkirkland.com.au