Madeline Stephens Portfolio 2026 (111)

Madeline Stephens

Selected Works in Interior Architecture

CONNEX- Law

Flight Path 66- Lighting

Soffioni- Garden

TIDE- Education

Harmoniq- Spa

Chapter 1

Dear Design,

Gratitude feels like the only appropriate beginning. Four years immersed in this discipline have cultivated strength, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to depth, integrity, and doing what is right - not simply what is easy. Within studios, structures, and historic walls, exploration became instinct and creativity evolved into thoughtful responsibility.

Art transformed from ornament to force, capable of healing, grounding, and shaping human experience Space holds the power to steady the mind, restore the body, honor memory, and inspire forward movement. Through this realization, design became more than a profession; it became a responsibility to create environments that serve with intention and care.

Adaptability, connection, and empathy have proven as essential as technical precision. Design exists as a dialogue between structure and soul. From foundation to finish, the pursuit remains the same - to design with integrity, craft with precision, and create spaces that carry both weight and meaning.

All my best,

DESIGN EDUCATION OVERVIEW

-The University of Idaho, Interior Architecture and Design Program, offers an accredited bachelor’s degree grounded in creative exploration and technical rigor through studios, theory, and hands-on application. Creating understanding of spatial design, balanced concept & constructability, human experience, environmental responsibility, & code compliance.

-Studying abroad at Accademia Italiana in Florence expanded this foundation through a deeply immersive cultural lens. Surrounded by centuries of art, architecture, and craftsmanship, refining sensitivity to materiality, proportion, and narrative within space.

ACCOLADES

PROFILE

Driven by a deep appreciation for historic detail and the discipline behind timeless craftsmanship, I hope to reflect a dedication to precision, intention, and design integrity With a strong respect for the layers of history embedded within materials and structures, and a belief that thoughtful detail elevates both experience and lifetime

-Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society Member

-8x University of Idaho, School of Art & Architecture, Dean's List recipient -UofI IAD Program Finalist for the 2026 IDEC Competition

-Honorable Mention for the Student | IIDA NPC 2025 design competition

-Vandal Merrit Scholar

-Student Excellency Award (Boise School District)

With a very outgoing and adaptable nature I find ease navigating new environments, cultures, and architectural contexts. My ability to connect quickly and genuinely with others strengthens my design empathy, informing spaces that are not only refined and carefully executed, but also deeply attuned to the people who inhabit them.

SOFT SKILLS

-Strong writing voice/ skill

-Confident/ clear verbal communication -Effective delegation, strong in leadership roles -Time management and self-directing initiative -Easily adaptive

I take pride in the discipline of hand drafting, sketching, and watercolor studies, valuing the clarity, care, and emotional depth they bring to the design process.

CRITICAL DESIGN SKILL

-Design Thinking

-Evidence Based Design Thought Processes

-Poetic Concept Development & Cohesive Execution

-FF&E Knowledge & Selection Capability

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE

Step9340@vandals.uidaho.edu

THE MAKING OF A DESIGNER

BACKGROUND

Raised all over the West, relocating every few years, adaptability became second nature. Exposure to diverse landscapes, communities, and built environments cultivated resilience, cultural awareness, and a deep appreciation for place. Constant change fostered flexibility, observation, and the ability to quickly understand new contexts- skills that now inform a responsive and empathetic design approach

PERSONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Worked with the Boise School District as a Just-for-Kids after-school educator and became CPR/First-Aid certified through the City of Boise. These roles developed leadership, composure, and strong multitasking abilities.

Additionally, years of experience in hospitality as a waitress strengthened communication skills, efficiency under pressure, and a genuine appreciation for fast-paced, people-centered environments

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

Currently completing a Master’s in Interior Architecture and Design with a minor in Architecture at the University of Idaho. Academic focus centers on sustainable design strategies and historic preservation, balancing environmental responsibility with architectural integrity.

SEMESTER ABROAD

Accademia Italiana Florence, Italy

Studied abroad for five months in Florence, fully immersed in Italian design culture, history, and daily life Developed a deeper appreciation for restoration, craftsmanship, and historically inspired design through a focused renovation project rooted in contextual sensitivity.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Internship Historic Preservation, Annapolis, Maryland

Worked alongside curators, preservationists, and architects within the Historic Preservation community of Annapolis, Maryland Participated in site visits and contributed to initiatives focused on protecting historic rooflines and maintaining the architectural integrity of colonial-era structures

Next CONNEX | Law Office

Year 2025 | Semester 7

Interior Architecture and Design IV Instructor(s)

Miranda Anderson, Debra Saul Submission for -

Steelcase Student Design Competition

NEXT is a law firm that has served clients worldwide over fifty years. They are opening a new office in Los Angeles California, designed to embody the firms' values of legacy, inclusivity and innovation, supporting flexible work and employee well-being.

-THE BONDS THAT HOLD US-

One, unifying, inescapable force, connects us all. Like gravity and law alike, it grounds us - ensuring no one being exists higher or mightier than the rest These invisible pulls bind us to each other They anchor us in balance while allowing our individual experiences to move freely within shared boundaries.

NEXT embodies this inevitability of connection. Inspired by the microscopic structure of an atom that every element needs; and the fundamental force that holds all systems together, gravitational pull. The purest forms of balance and order.

Los Angeles office is a living system built around a core nucleus of legacy and purpose, surrounded by orbits of unique individuals, ideas, and energies.

A powerful CONNEX of law and the science of nature.

LAW CONNEX

ROOTED IN LAW DRIVEN BY LEGACY

NEXT-

Thriving on connection both foundationally and experientially, keeping everything in motion

-CONNEX-

Definition: Connex (noun/adjective, archaic):

Adjective: Joined, linked, or related.

Noun: A relationship, union, or bond between things.

Comes Around, Ebony Dressed Lines Collect.

LOCATION-757SALAMEDAST., SUITE400,LOSANGELES,CA90021

SIZE-15,200SQFT

Historicwarehouseconvertedintocreativeofficespaces. Interiorspacesretainhistorictexture,exposedconcrete, tallceilings,andrhythmicwindowswithskylineviews

QUANTITATIVEREVIEW-

Built:~1917(SouthernPacificProduceTerminal)

5rectangularfloorplates(~233,000–340,000SF)

Orientation:LongNE–SWaxis

Access:Lobbyfromelevatorcore

Illuminated Felt Rings and Other Accent

Modular

Table Orientations

Lighting in Both Tables/ chairs from cafe blend seamlessly with furniture from the Hall when opened together. Furniture is Compact & Mobile

Partition wall is on a curved track to divide/ join spaces.

When open, spaces are fluidly joined by lighting and floor inlays.

CollapsableFelt Partition Wall

FLIGHT PATH 66 |

Lighting

Year 2025 | Semester 7

Interior Architecture and Design IV

Instructor(s)

Miranda Anderson, Debra Saul, Tharique DeSilva Submission for -

Robert Bruce Thompson Lighting Design Competition

Awarded-

Honorable Mention for the Student | IIDA NPC design competition

PROJECT-

An airport boarding lounge lighting installation, for the “Robert Bruce Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition”. The competition proposed an issue afflicting airport boarding lounges across the US, they stated “...too often the lighting in these locations is bland, unmemorable and uninspiring. Management would like the lounge area to be welcoming, comfortable and unforgettable. They are experimenting with changing the lighting and interiors in several of the lounges to create a high-quality environment where you would like to stay... Not a place where you can’t wait to leave.” (rbtcompetition.org). This is a great effort during an era of hyper-independence and fast-paced lifestyles, where it is vital to protect human connection.

The lounge ceiling is set at 12’ high with the architecture completely up to the designer’s discretion. The design should be replicable throughout the extent of the airport

PROPOSAL-

Inspired by the winding path of Historic Highway US Route 66, once the great American journey, crossing shifting landscapes and endless horizons. A reminder of intentional travel and time spent with loved ones, a reflection of the slower days of life

Recessed into the ceiling above an airport boarding lounge, this fluid, winding form recalls the curves, dips, and elevation changes of the historic roadway. Sequentially changing light temperatures will reflect those of the changing colors of daylight outside, following the rhythm of day and night. As travelers wait to board, the instillation bridges past and present, indoor and outdoor, and reminds us that travel is more than a destination; It is a passage of time, memory, and intention.

MaterialUse-

Five-foot sectioned modular light “roads” will be made from a semi translucent ABS Injection-Molded sheet then incrementally secured into the ceiling supports.

A light-weight, fire-rated, Aluminum Encasement will be hidden within the ceiling structure, providing support and light.

Within is an automated, color shifting, LED lighting system.

Day-LightingTemperatureChanges

DetailSections-

Wander with Intention

Subtle integrated City markers project 1/4" from the ceiling. Labeling major cities along Route 66, creating an even deeper sense of connection to physical location for the viewer. Encouraging the idea of slow, intentional travel.

I | Children's Center

Year 2025 | Semester 6

Advanced Interior Planning

Vincenzo Rocco Magrin

Historic Adaptive Reuse Project | Accademia Italiana

EI SOFFIONI – THE GARDEN OF DANDELIONS

A magical children’s space inspired by the resilience and wonder of the dandelion

An effort to bringing nature and imagination into the heart of Florence Italy for our young generations.

Done by adapting the historically monumental building, Spedale degli Innocenti Using organic architecture and interactive environments fostering play creativity and education will allow children to explore

“When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about and that was the ning of Fairies ”

er

CONCEPT ~ Some seeds are meant to stay where they fall, but dandelions were born to travel, carried by the wind to new places, new stories, and new dreams.

Like dandelions breaking through the pavement, children grow with unstoppable energy, reaching for the sky while staying deeply rooted in their world. Il Giardino dei Soffioni – The Garden of Dandelions is a place where imagination flourishes against all odds, where curiosity drifts freely, and where ideas take flight.

Here, play is magic, learning is an adventure, and every child is a seed of endless possibility. In this space, wonder knows no boundaries, and creativity moves like the wind, spreading far beyond it’s walls to shape the world around.

Barrie’s world of Neverland, resists the pressures of growing up too fast and can be found rooted in the design philosophy of Soffione. Creating room for softness in a hard landscape, for magic in a structured world, and for resilience disguised as whimsy.

Elements in the design references not only the fluff of the dandelion but the flutter of fairy wings. The unseen spark of belief that, in Barrie’s words, makes it possible to fly.

Laboratory & Observation

F I R E N Z E

I T A L I A

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R E T

TIDE | Education C

Year 2025 | Semester 7

Interior Architecture and Design IV

Instructor(s)

Debra Saul, AnnJeanette Seymour

Submission for -

2025 Student Design Competition - ID

Awarded-

Proposal was one of the two selected projects UofI to be submitted to the final IDEC competition winner's circle. Final placement TBA

Collaboration with B. Douglas, A. Cobarruvi

PROJECT-

Submission to the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) 2025 Student Design Competition - a nationally juried competition challenging students to address critical social and environmental issues through innovative spatial solutions.

CONCEPT-

TIDE is a modular, floating learning center constructed from repurposed shipping containers. Designed to rest along lakes, rivers, and coastal zones, it bridges oceanographic education with life-saving water safety training for adult learners

Through adaptable planning and layered programming, the structure integrates digital technology with hands-on environmental learning - encouraging movement & reflection.

NAIRATIVE -

Across communities, the divide between people and water continues to grown wider Climate change, fluctuating water levels, and increasing pollution have made these environments less predictable, while access to education and safety training has dwindled. Adults 20-65+ often lack the tools, confidence, or opportunity to engage in meaningful hands-on learning with their local resources and community.

TIDE serves as a semi-permanent, mobile intervention, reconnecting communities to the waters that sustain them. Each modular recycled shipping container addresses a distinct educational component, guiding users through a spatial sequence that culminates in immersion.

The project acts as both infrastructure and invitation: a bridge between people and water, fostering awareness, safety, and stewardship through experience.

MATERIALITY

WATER SAFETY SKILLS

FLOATING SYSTEM OCEAN HEALTH & VITALIZATION

Teach swimming, rescue, and water safety awareness

BIOLOGICAL STUDIES

Study marine life, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

Focus on conservation, sustainability, and the human impact on ocean ecosystems.

SCIENTIFIC OCEAN STUDIES

Explore ocean science physical, chemical, and geological aspects.

Reimagined, water-sealed, shipping containers.

The structure is watertight once the modular units are assembled on site. Utilizes light-weight long-lasting materials.

HARMONIQ | Spa

Year 2024 | Semester 5

Interior Architecture and Design III

Instructor(s)

Tharique DeSilva, AnnJeanette Seymour

Submission for -

Bienenstock Student Design Competition.

The 2025 Interior Design BienenstockProject was to design a holistic day spa specializing in therapeutic treatment for multiple sclerosis patients.

The spa is owned and managed by a doctor and physical therapist team. The owners reside in a 1,000 sq ft space within the 4,600 sq ft building located at the base of a mountain and surrounded by park-like settings, water features and abundant wildlife. It is very important that the facility reduces stress and outside pressures to provide a tranquil holistic environment.

Har-mon-ik - Combining the timeless principles of balance and organic interconnectedness with a modern, tech-inspired edge. Inspiring harmony of mind, body, and spirit, with a sophisticated approach to wellness and nature. Harmoniq inspires a rejuvenating haven that integrates modern innovation with the wisdom of natural well-being.

Inspired by biomimicry and natural healing elements, the spa integrates water, light, and biophilia to combat stress, fatigue, and physical discomfort associated with MS. The project reflects the interconnectedness of nature and well-being “embracing mother natures’ innate help and healing”, utilizing self sustaining systems, green building practices, and organic interior elements to nce both aesthetic and functional healing.

The spa’s architectural design embraced natural materials and forms reflecting the mountain scenery of the site, fluid spatial layouts, and holistic wellness principles to foster relaxation and rejuvenation.

Accessibility was a prioritized through barrier-free circulation, adaptable spaces, and sensory-friendly environments.

HARMONIQ~

RESIDENTIAL PORTION

A 1,000 sqft private residence needed to be seamlessly integrated, reflecting the spa’s design philosophy while providing a warm, homely retreat for the owners (pictured in the lower right corner of the plan).

Design has become more than the creation of functional space; it is the shaping of experience, emotion, and connection to the built environment.

Through materiality, form, and historical context, this work strives to create spaces that carry meaning and respond to their surroundings with intention.

Thank you,