The document presents proposals for three different projects: an adaptive reuse of a warehouse into a cohousing center for transition age foster youth, a K-12 school remodel for students with unique learning capabilities, and a rowhouse remodel in Brooklyn with a theme of nostalgic simplicity. Diagrams, plans, sketches, renderings, and perspectives are provided to illustrate the proposed designs for each project. The projects aim to provide housing, education, and community support for vulnerable populations.

1. Amy Nelson

2. Contents

3. Institutional
Cohousing Center for
Transiton Age Foster Youth
Institutional
Excelsior Academy K-12+
Residential
Rowhouse
Skills

4. Institutional
Up A Tree: Reclaiming Home
Adaptable Reuse of an Old Warehouse into a Cohousing Center
for Transition Age Foster Youth in Los Angeles, California
Up a tree is an idiom for being in a difficult situation, just as most foster youth are in when they reach transition age. But a tree house is
also an escape from the binds that are forced on you; a second chance to define your own boundaries and establish a sense of control.
Reclaiming home is an act of defiance, and there is a feeling of peace that comes with it. It was never a foster child’s fault that home was
something that was taken away and defined for them, and it is a powerful statement for them to be able to live and create their own home
for themselves after being told what to do and that they had a home when it was nothing but a house. With this space they are given the
opportunities to grow and shape their own home; opportunities they deserve just like anyone else.
Build Up
Community Connections & Resources
Cultivate
Job, Life, and Technical Skills
Provide a Sense of Belonging,
Familiarity, and Support

5. Rooftop Solar
Panels and
Light Shelves
Generate
Revenue:
Parking
Garage/Farmers
Market with
Rooftop Garden
& Interior
Event Space
Exterior
Facade:
Google
Sketchup

6. Waiting Area Perspective:
Google Sketchup, Photoshop
First Floor Plan: CAD

7. Art/Makerspace
Perspective:
Google Sketchup,
Photoshop
Dance/Yoga
Studio Sketch:
Pen and Ink
Second Floor Plan: CAD

8. Third Floor Plan: CAD
Stepped Seating Living Area
Corner Perspective
Google Sketchup, Photoshop

9. Dining Area Perspective:
Google Sketchup, Photoshop

10. Games - Billiards Area Perspective: Google Sketchup, Photoshop

11. Study Room Perspective: Google Sketchup, Photoshop

12. Bedroom Entrance Facades:
Google Sketchup, Photoshop
Fourth Floor Plan: CAD

13. Air Quality:
Support Clean Air with Zero VOC Paints (Dunn-Edwards Everest
Paint) and Low VOC/Greenguard Certified Flooring (Nora Rubber
Flooring, Interface Net Effects Carpet Tiles)

14. Typical Bedroom
Perspective:
Google Sketchup, Photoshop
Adjustable
Bed with
Bunk or Loft
Options
Book Themed Stairs:
Comfort and Encourage Stair Usage
Modular or
Adjustable Furniture
Allows for Users to Adjust their personal
spaces and Create a Unique Environment
to fit their Personalities and truly make a
space Their Own

16. Institutional
Excelsior Academy: Navigating Life’s Waters
Through Collaboration and Individual Success
K-12+ School Remodel for Students with Unique Learning Capabilities
(Autism, Reading Disorders, etc.) in San Diego, California
Collaboration with Veronica Cruz and Katie Francis
Entrance Perspective: Photoshop (Veronica Cruz, Editing by Amy Nelson)

17. Site Plan:
Photoshop
Preliminary Site Photos

18. Overall Floor
Plans: CAD, Photoshop
Mobile Teachers Desks
Buoy Seats: Height
Adjustable, tilt on axis to
give Back Support and keep
your Mind Active

19. Height Adjustable
Desks
Yoga Ball Seats
Classroom
Grades 4-6:
CAD, Photoshop

20. Highschool Language/Social Studies Classroom Elevation:
CAD, Photoshop
Greenguard Certified
Furniture and Low VOC Materials
Formica Laminates, 3Form Soft Partition,
Nora Rubber Flooring, Interface Net
Effect Carpet Tiles, Dunn-Edwards
Everest Zero-VOC Paints
Interface Net
Effect Carpet
Tiles made from
recycled fishing
nets.
Low VOC, High
Durability, Easy
Maintenance

21. Height Adjustable
Desks with castor
optional Lab Stools
for Adaptability
Bean Bag Chair
Corner provides
a Quiet Space and
Dynamic Seating

22. Anchor/Speech Offices and Group Collaboration Space
Perspective from Doorway: CAD, Revit, Photoshop

23. Anchor/Speech Offices and Group Collaboration Space:
Thin Markers on Vellum, Photoshop

24. Lighthouse/ Music
and Art Classroom:
CAD, Photoshop
Collapsible
Easel
provides
Storage and
Flexibility
Solatube
Lighting
provides
interior
daylight and
is proven
to improve
concentration

25. Exterior View
PAINT
counter Furniture West Section
Interior View
Floor Plan
The Life Raft
Staff Lounge Retreat
The Eagle’s Nest
Outdoor Classrom Sketch
Chairs Storage
Floor Plan
Board Before My Editing Board After My Editing
The Eagle’s Nest
Outdoor Classrom
The Life Raft
Staff Lounge Retreat

26. Nostalgaic Simplicity
Rowhouse Remodel for a Married Couple in
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Residential
The dwelling of Alia Renee and Manuel Thiébaux, above their combination art gallery
and pastry shop titled “LA5T SUN,” is a contemporary space with an overlying feeling
of nostalgic simplicity. Inspired by Manu’s work as a graphic artist, the aim is to attain
the convergence of the deep, warm, comforting, and wistful air associated with a sense
of nostalgia with the crisp, clear coolness of simplicity or minimalism. An overriding
theme of simplicity is stepped up using clean lines and edges with accents and focuses
of colors and decorative elements to communicate a sense of tradition. A final element
within the space is the penchant for accessibility wherever possible. This challenge
brought about an excellent formula for design as accessibility turns into a sense of
freedom and respite.
Inspiration Images
Courtesy of Manuel
Thiébaux

27. Parti Planning Design
Development
Exterior Elevation

28. First Floor of
Apartment
CAD, Photoshop
Kitchen
Bedroom
Office/Guest
Bedroom
Dining
Living

29. Second Floor of Apartment Space
CAD, Photoshop
Master Bedroom
Master
Bathroom
Laundry

30. Living and Dining
Concept Imagery

31. Kitchen Elevation:
AutoCAD, Photoshop
Kitchen Concept
Imagery

32. Master Bedroom Perspective: 3D AutoCAD, Photoshop

33. Master Bath Concept
Imagery

34. Hand Rendering
Skills
Soda Shoppe Perspective Linework:
Thin Marker on Vellum

35. Soda Shoppe Perspective:
Pastels on Pastel Paper

36. Hand Drafting
Tennant Improvement Power Plan: Mechanical Pencils on Vellum

37. Computer Aided Design Drafting
Residential Details:
CAD
Restaurant First Floor Plan:
CAD

38. The Room: Photoshop Composite Rendering
Digital Rendering

39. Composite Pieces for The Room
Composite Floor Plan
Collect: Room Composite Inspiration Piece by Amy Nelson
She sat in a room filled with fire, and the flames licked her toes.
And the portrait on the wall said, “Don’t you feel small?”
She said, “I’m tired, but I’ll crush them with defiance.”
The room grew blue like a storm coming for you,
she shivered at the whispers of the morning dew.
She said, “I’ll trap them in a jar, but I’ll remind them who they are.
I’m sure they’ll be alive just the same.”
But the book on the floor said, “I could have been a door
if I wasn’t quite so cleanly shaved.”
And the ceilings felt tall and the echoes made a call.
She replies, “You’re probably right, they don’t deserve this at all.”

40. Digital Rendering
A Bridge For Kids Charity Event Signage: Photoshop, InDesign

41. Claudia MacKey- Artist
Sycuan Golf
Vitality Tap
Silpada Jewelry
NSP Printing
Pauline Amar
Young Attitudes
Williams and Sonoma
Sprouts
Ryan Lehr
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
Finessee Nails
Cozymels
Suzanne Mariucci
Glo Beauty Bar
Dailey Method
Veterans Museum
Allison Snowden
MIMI and Red
Rush Spin
MINGEI Museum
Sheryl Roush
Organic Roots Salon
Re:vive Skin Care
Mia Brazllia
Fernando Pinion- Art House United
The Bead Store
La Jolla Karate
Colorescience
Karrie Quinby
Piatti’s
Surf Diva
Bike and Kayak La Jolla
Jillena Greer - True Beauty
Ashen Salon
Barre Method Solana Beach
Vickie Lanvanty
Vickie Lavanty Salon-Solana Beach
Corepower Yoga
La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic
Nautilus Wellness- Jenna Williams
Dolce Pane Vino
Bar 710
Dr Phil
The Talk
52 Card Contributors
O R G A N I C
Prize Wheel: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign
(Right) Sponsor Sign: Photoshop, InDesign

42. Are not all aimless doodlers...

43. ...people who make something out of scratches and nervous ticks?
Amy Nelson
AmyNelson216@Gmail.com
619.215.6163