Mckenna Spens

McKenna was born with an artistic mind. Ever since she was little, she has been creating anything from ballets for her siblings and herself to perform to composing piano music. McKenna is married to her husband, Jared, who is loving and patient as she's constantly making a mess of the house in her new art or baking adventure. McKenna loves any chance she gets to be out in nature and frequently finds inspiration there for her designs. She has a passion for people and is constantly looking for opportunities to learn the stories of those she designs for. Graduating is bittersweet for McKenna, but she is excited for all of the adventures ahead.

Student Projects

New Beginnings Behavioral Health

This project is for the 2025 IIDA Student Competition. The objective of this project is to design the Lobby/Reception and Inpatient area of a behavioral health clinic. The design must consider the safety and well-being of the patients as well as the staff. This project is in partnership with OFS and Carolina and at least 50% of the furnishings shall be sourced from them. The Lobby/Reception area must contain a reception desk for 4 staff, a waiting area, and a minimum of 4 lockers for guests. The Inpatient area must contain the following: a sallyport at the entrance; 2 consultation rooms (one with technology able to accommodate telehealth appointments); an exam room; a work area for the staff, storage; a janitor closet; a noisy activity area for the patients with a nourishment, dining, and TV area; a quiet room; a group therapy/quiet activity room; a courtyard; patient toilets; a minimum of 8 patient beds (include both private and semi-private rooms); and a care desk that must have visual access to all patient areas.

COVID-19 Memorial Museum

The purpose of the COVID-19 Memorial Museum is to record the stories of those who lived through the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Library of Congress. This museum is mobile to allow as many as possible to visit and record their experiences. To accommodate mobility, the museum is built in trailers approved for freeway use. Additionally, the museum is ADA-compliant to allow access to a larger population. The COVID-19 Memorial Museum recalls the devastation of the epicenter of the coronavirus in the United States: New York City. As visitors enter the museum, they are given the option to wear a mask and walk through the museum alone. Each room is designed to help guests recall their personal story of the pandemic. The COVID-19 Memorial Museum creates a multi-sensory experience by incorporating various design principles. One example is the photo displayed. The Room of No Faces is a vast room filled with shirts of various sizes, one for every five people who died in New York City, many without a name to their grave. The end of the museum recalls moments of beauty found during the pandemic. Visitors are then able to sit and tell their stories.

Smith Residence

This home is a new-build designed for a plot of land in Paradise, Utah. The owners are the clients. They want to build their dream home where they can retire. The Smiths want a home with a large gathering area for their growing family to come together. They also want a space where they could host parents or other family members in need of support. The Smiths requested a pickleball court and sunroom be added to their dream home. The home is also to be an aging-in-place residence. This means that the home is accessible for the couple as they age and for any guests that may stay in the secondary suite.

Hotel Marilyn

Hotel Marilyn is an exclusive boutique hotel designed for fashionable couples to get away and feel like an icon during their stay. The boutique hotel is designed to embrace the fashion, design, and iconic moments of Old Hollywood. Hotel Marilyn is located in Palm Springs, California. The hotel embodies the bold colors and vibrancy found in Old Hollywood, as well as the stars that were born there. Each suite is designed to embrace stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Audrey Hepburn, etc. Every suite will have the same layout but a unique design. Hotel Marilyn will include amenities for the guests, including 24-hour room service (provided through the restaurant kitchen), an Italian restaurant, a gym, a yoga studio, a garden suitable for events or summer tea, and a pool area.

Li Fiore

Li Fiore is an Italian restaurant designed to fit inside the Hotel Marilyn. The objective of this restaurant is to create a space that is elegant and compliments the atmosphere of the hotel. Although Li Fiore isn’t using Old Hollywood as its concept, it is designed to give the feeling of luxury and timelessness that the fame of Old Hollywood brings.

Church of the Sun

This project aims to create a multi-purpose religious and event space. The building is directed towards the Christian community and has a non-denominational chapel that can accommodate a variety of Christian religious practices.