A selection of work exploring how space, material, and narrative combine to shape the way people move through and experience an environment. Each project in this collection reflects a commitment to translating a clear design concept into a physical reality, from initial inspiration and material direction through to layout, fixture placement, and guest experience.
Caroline Steranka, Architect AIBC
crsteranka@gmail.com https://www.caro-concepts.com
Design Proposal by
Caroline Steranka
A design proposal for a residential amenity floor in Chicago, the Hearth Lounge is conceived as a destination rooted in a specific time and place. Drawing from the art, architecture, and material culture of 1960s Chicago, the concept translates those references into a spatial experience that feels both grounded and contemporary.
The guest journey moves through a sequence of distinct zones, an arrival moment at the bar and cafe, a social gathering area anchored by a double-sided fireplace, and a more intimate lounge wrapping the hearth, each designed to support a different mode of engagement while maintaining an open and connected overall flow.
Material and fixture choices reinforce the concept throughout: walnut millwork, terrazzo and marble surfaces, brass accents, and warm upholstery in earthy tones create an atmosphere that feels curated and cohesive from every angle. The furniture plan establishes product placement, circulation paths, and fixture specifications developed as a client-facing deliverable to communicate design intent and support procurement.
Materials & Finishes Legend — 13 specified finishes developed to reinforce the design concept across every surface and detail.
Reflected ceiling plan and furniture layout establishing zone placement, circulation flow, lighting strategy, and fixture specifications.
Design development by Caroline Steranka, Paloma Szpaiser, Agustina Garcia del Rio, & Ray Dalupang
Project Architect: Elizabeth Gruchala
Openspace Architecture, North Vancouver BC
A private retreat compound in Northern California, Spirit Island is organized around a sequence of indoor and outdoor spaces designed to guide guests through a curated experience of arrival, discovery, and comfort. The design development scope included guest house design, interior material and finish selections, and visualization for client presentation.
The material palette, natural stone, aged brass, oak millwork, and cedar, was developed to establish a clear sensory identity for the project. Each material was chosen to layer warmth and texture into an atmosphere that feels effortless and cohesive, while responding to the California landscape and quality of light.
Design development by Caroline Steranka, Paloma Szpaiser, Agustina Garcia del Rio, & Ray Dalupang
Project Architect: Elizabeth Gruchala
Openspace Architecture, North Vancouver BC
Renderings and visualization by Caroline Steranka
Project Architect: Shawn LaPointe
Henriquez Partners Architects, Vancouver BC
Mirvish Village is a 900,000 sq ft mixed-use redevelopment on the former Honest Ed’s site in Toronto, comprising nearly 900 rental suites across 33 micro-buildings. The project treats retail and public space as the primary storytelling layers of the development, activating the ground plane, honouring the site’s heritage, and creating a dynamic pedestrian experience that draws from the grain and energy of the existing neighbourhood.
Interior renderings were independently produced to communicate lighting, materiality, furniture, and visual composition to the client, developing the look and feel of the market hall and public spaces to bring the retail and hospitality concept to life.