ASHLEY RENE KAHRS

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

1.Retail Space (Spa)

-Sophomore Year Project

2. Kitchen Remodel

-Junior Year, Fall Project

3. ADA Renovation

-Junior Year, Fall Project

4. LEED Home Design

-Junior Year, Spring Project

5. Fantasy Suite

-Junior Year, Spring Project

6. Commercial Office Space

-Senior Year, Fall Project

CONCEPT STATEMENT

This project was a kitchen remodel for a family of four (two

adults, two children). The family wanted an updated kitchen

that was more convenient for their use, had more storage,

better flow, a desk for the children to work at, and more

seating for guests. They also wanted new appliances,

including a convection microwave and a washer and dryer.

The family allowed walls to be moved in order to expand

the kitchen, to open up the kitchen to the family room and

to add space for the washer and dryer that they did not have

before. They wanted a contemporary style kitchen with

pastel colors, which was fulfilled with the use of light green

paint on the walls, and pastel green desk and island

cabinets. The contemporary style was incorporated with the

cabinet style and also with the sleek, clean lines throughout

the entire kitchen. There are two skylights in the ceiling of

the kitchen that serve a dual purpose in helping to light the

space while also conserving energy. All appliances are

energy star appliances to help with energy conservation as

well.

CONCEPT STATEMENT This project was an apartment remodel for a 32 year old man who is confined to a wheelchair. He was injured in a car accident and was paralyzed from the waist down. His

parents decided to turn part of their home into an apartment for him, so they can be close if he needs something, but he has a sense of independence as well. They gave their guest bedroom, bathroom, closet, two car garage, and storage area to the remodel for their son’s apartment. The client has been a performer in a country western band for years and wanted space to continue this hobby. He also had a large collection of records, tapes, CDs, books, stereo equipment and a piano that needed to be accommodated. The client wanted space to continue band practices and a private entrance so his guests would not disturb his parents, and easy access to move band equipment in and out for performances. To accommodate his belongings I placed many different shelving units, (all of which can be reached from his wheelchair) and added a new entrance to his apartment. I expanded the bathroom to make it more accessible for his wheelchair. The bathroom features a no-step shower with a bench and grab bars, an ADA approved vanity and sink and a shelving unit that is reachable from his chair to improve the clients’ independence. The apartment also features a kitchenette so the client can keep beverages, snacks and microwaveable meals in his space. The kitchenette has a small fridge, a beverage fridge, a microwave, sink, and cabinets to store food and utensils in. By adding this feature, the client is less dependent on his parents for food so both he and his parents have more independence.

CONCEPT STATEMENT

This project was designed to be a three bedroom, two bathroom model home in a new subdivision. The developer wanted it to incorporate a universal design and meet LEED Gold standards. We designed the

home to go above and beyond the requirements of LEED Gold standards and created a Net-Zero home that reached LEED Platinum standards. The home has a transitional design and all of the finishes in the home were

chosen from a neutral palette to attract as many buyers as possible. All of the appliances and fixtures in this home are Energy Star Rated, including the water heater and furnace. We also employed a lot of passive light-

ing in this home by having multiple skylights in the foyer, living room and kitchen to allow as much natural light into the home as possible. The south facing wall has several windows and a 6’ wide windowed French

door that also allows a lot of natural light into the space. All of the flooring and cabinets are made from bamboo and use low VOC stains. The kitchen and laundry room countertops are made of a recycled glass and

concrete material. All paints used in this home are also low VOC paints. There is an abundance of lower cabinet storage in the kitchen to allow people of all ages, sizes and disabilities to reach, and the kitchen

island is lowered so that people in wheelchairs can work at the stove and sit in place of one of the barstools. The entrance into the home is zero-threshold, or has a no-step entry to allow people in wheelchairs or

with walkers to gain easy access into the home. We also designed an in-law suite off of the living room in case the homeowner would ever want to add onto their home.

Concept Statement There are many different places for Harry Potter fans to enjoy on their vacation to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida but there is

one area that is very lacking. While there is an entire village devoted to the guests’ entertainment based on the Harry Potter Phenomenon, there is nowhere for guests to

stay that is keeping with the theme of the park so they stay in basic “Florida designed” hotels in and around Universal Studios. As a remedy for this problem, I designed part

of a penthouse suite for long-term visitors’ comfort and enjoyment for a potential Harry Potter themed hotel. This suite is entirely based on different parts of J.K.

Rowling’s Harry Potter series and the movies based on her books. Upon a student’s admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, students are sorted into one of four different “houses” where they will live and study with other students that

hold the same values. These four houses are Gryffindor; Brave and Honorable, Hufflepuff; Loyal and Practical, Ravenclaw; Wisdom and Knowledge Seekers, and Slytherin; Cunning and Confrontational. I wanted to incorporate all four houses into

my plan and did so in accordance to how important a role each house plays in the storyline of Rowling’s books.