Overview

Before the transformation of Savannah’s historic power plant into the iconic Plant Riverside District, The Kessler Collection partnered with SCADpro to explore its potential as a world-class mixed-use destination. Over a 10-week collaboration, I worked as a product designer on a cross-functional team, contributing to early-stage experience design concepts that blended hospitality, culture, and immersive digital touchpoints.

Challenge

The challenge was to imagine how a decommissioned industrial space could evolve into a modern destination while preserving its historical and architectural character. Kessler wanted bold ideas that could spark the eventual redevelopment, helping to position the site as a cultural and commercial hub for both locals and visitors.

My Contributions

• Research & Discovery: Investigated historical context, user behaviors, and case studies of adaptive reuse (e.g., Tate Modern, Gasometers Vienna)
• Experience Strategy: Helped define primary visitor personas (tourists, locals, event-goers) and their spatial journey through the future site
• Visual Design:  Contributed to the creation of high-fidelity mockups for mobile apps, kiosk screens, and AR interfaces that supported discovery and interaction.
  
• Prototyping: Built interactive prototypes in Figma to simulate key user flows, such as wayfinding, event discovery, and exhibit interaction
• Collaboration: Worked closely with interior designers, architects, and brand strategists on an interdisciplinary team
   

Outcome

Our work was conceptual and served as an early-stage exploration of what Plant Riverside could become. While the final built district took a different direction, our designs offered a forward-thinking perspective on digital storytelling, interactivity, and guest experience within adaptive reuse architecture. This project deepened my skills in prototyping, digital-physical thinking, and communicating vision through design.