Maggie McNeill

Experiential & Spatial Design by Institute. 

Experiential & Spatial Design by Institute. 

Experiential & Spacial Design by Institute. 

Spring 2016 | Parsons School of Design 

This project was chosen to be included in the 2016 Parsons Senior Thesis Archive.

This furniture store was designed for Wanted Design, a company which represents new and established unique designers from around the world. The design of the store itself reflects as well as highlights the uniqueness of the furniture and designers represented by Wanted Design by using light and shadow and the application of arches and apertures to facilitate the effects of light and shadow. The form of the interior structure as well as the functionality of the space revolves around a “central core” which runs through the center of the space and acts as means of circulation, funneling visitors into the showrooms located on either side of the central core. The light flowing from the apertures in the ceiling as well as the LEDs embedded in the floor reinforce the means of circulation throughout the space as well as highlight the display areas. The central core also acts as a library for visitors to meet with designers, staff members, or learn more about featured designers. The showroom spaces are open to allow for different designs, display layouts, as well as events. The glass facade which faces the courtyard can be opened up to accommodate different displays and events. A coffee shop/bar located in the back of the space encourages visitors to stay and can be opened during events.

This project was selected for the 2016 Parsons Senior Thesis Archive.

Fall 2015 | Parsons School of Design 

This project was chosen to be included in the Fall 2015 Parsons Archive.

This 4,000 sqft. apartment explores the efficiency of multi-person living through examining the boundaries of publicness and privacy. The apartment is laid out so that the areas that require more privacy (the bedrooms and bathrooms) are positioned on either end of the apartment. One wing for the children and one wing for the parents. The “Privacy Wings” are connected by a fluid, transformable shared public space which allows for a living area, dining area, study space or whatever program is necessary for the current occupants. One curved wall and the kitchen are the only stationary aspects within the shared space. The space can be transformed by adjusting semi-translucent curtains hung from tracks embeded in the ceiling. The transformability accommodates a family’s different needs throughout the day, the season, the years, or even a change in occupancy. The transformability within the shared space is translated through three moveable, semi-translucent curtains as well as a moveable, curved frosted glass wall.

Spring 2015 | Parsons School of Design

Site: W 45th Street & 5th Ave NY, New York

This design & build project took place in Buffalo, New York, more specifically Silo City, an area populated by a collection of abandoned grain silos scattered along the Buffalo River. This project explored the relationship between the world above and below by developing a project that emanates from an interest in architectural behaviors (surfaces), or spatial envelopes, relative to the physicality between artifact (silos) and body (earth). The design emerged from the exploration of a single form which could act as a repeating component within a larger structure. Kissing Sparrows was created over the course of two weeks and was a collaboration between twelve students and designers of multiple disciplines. The first week was dedicated to the design process while the second was focused on the actual construction of the project, all of which was completed by the group. 

Tools: Laser Cutter, CNC Laser, PlasmaCutter. 

Fall 2014 | Parsons School of Design

Site: 14th Street & 8th Ave NY, New York

Spring 2014 | Parsons School of Design 

This project was chosen to be included in the Spring 2014 Parsons Archive.

This is a space designed for StoryCorps, an independent nonprofit organization which allows people to record stories or experiences they have encountered in the course of their lives. These recordings are later broadcasted on NPR and Archived at the Library of Congress. The space is located in a narrow L-shaped building half of which sits under The High Line park.

The design of the building revolves around the change that people go through after experiencing such prominent events like the events the participants in StoryCorps have experienced.

My building is divided into three parts or stages, which represent the three stages of change.

The first stage is the moment before the event occurs and the change happens. This moment can be be described as having a sense of naivety. This stage is represented in the lobby or entrance of the building through light and materials. It is large, open and unassuming with a large skylight filling the space with a mysterious luminescence. 

The second stage is the moment of change. At this stage the event has occurred and the individual experiencing the event has begun to go through the different changes that come with experiencing a significant event. This stage is depicted in the 4 recording booths and universal hallway which are located in the center of the ground floor. The change is represented by small rooms which are lined with acoustical wooden blocks of different sizes which absorb and reflect sound waves while representing the irregular, unique experience associated with change. 

The third and final stage is the moment after the change has taken hold. The moment after the event has occurred. The moment of realization or of "seeing the light." This stage is represented in the long, vertical glass staircase which inhabits the space where the participants exit the recording rooms and ascend to the cafe on the second floor. This space is filled with light, which comes from a large, slightly curved, frosted glass window. The cafe is included in this stage and is also effected by the curved frosted glass window as well as a by a large wall of clear glass facing an elevated park.

Spring 2014 | Parsons School of Design

This project for Representation and Analysis at Parsons was produced in conjunction with Sylvia von Fedak. Groups of two were assigned to analyze an assigned building throughout the course of the semester. These diagrams and drawings display many areas of interest in the analysis of The Münster City Library located in Münster, Germany including specific spacial conditions throughout the building, the library's position in Münster and geometric breakdowns of the space.

Spring 2013 | Chelsea College of Arts

Site: Elkstone Park, London

For my final project I was assigned a small park in London, Elkstone Park, to re-design. We were told to create anything that we wanted to fit the site.
The park is right off of Portobello Road market, a very popular artists and antique market that brings many Londoners and visitors to the area. The Portobello area is full of artsy boutiques and antique stores but does not have an art gallery. 
For my final project I decided to make a small gallery that would showcase local art as well as historical treasures.
The Gallery is a small art gallery located in Notting Hill in London near Portobello Road market, a very popular artists and antique market that brings many Londoners and visitors to the area. The Gallery is unconventional in that none of the art is displayed on the walls of the building. Instead, the art is displayed on long adjustable walls that sit in the interior of the building. These moveable walls allow for a new experience for the viewers every time they visit.
The Gallery is split into four rooms. Each room inspired by an aspect of the surrounding area. It is showcased in the flooring materials and the level of the room.
Room one; the dark rustic wooden floors, at ground level, represent the antique stores/market.
Room two; polished concrete floors, 1/2 a floor down, represent the train tracks.
Room three; the floor is made of small rocks and pebbles to represent the original purpose of the site, a park. It is one story above ground level. This means that there is a tall stair case used to get from room 2 to room 3. This represents the slight slope of the park.
Room Four; is one and 1/2 stories high and the floor has four panels of rough concrete separated by metal rods to represent the levels and the design of the Trellick Tower which overlooks The Gallery.

All drawings are at a 1:50 scale on A1 size paper using graphite, colored pencil and water color. 

Fall 2012 | Chelsea College of Arts

Site: Portobello Road, London 

The objective for this project was for groups of 4 to design and build a stall that would hold each individual's sensory wrappings. The stall also needed to be able to be transported from the workshop at Chelsea to Portobello Road where the students' wrappings would be sold. The stall was supposed to relate to the design and concept of each individual's wrapping. It was also supposed to be based on, or consist of a found object or material.

The first found object, a small box holding four coasters with glass mosaic patterns on them, acted as an inspiration piece for the stall. The second found object was a wooden crate. The stall was built using the same material and similar construction techniques as the wooden crate.

Fall 2012 | Chelsea College of Arts

The objective for this project was to create a sensory wrapping based on each individual's sensory map that holds a ‘sensory gift’, which would later be sold on Portobello Road. The sensory gift was supposed to relate back the map as well as to the Portobello Road area.