Freelance Interior Design services for In-House Design Teams
twentysixrobots
[BUT REALLY JUST ONE HUMAN]
A woman-owned design agency offering freelance interior design services for in-house design teams at corporate brands, architecture firms, experience agencies, and commercial real estate firms.
Founded by Savanna Barker — a Seattle-based NCIDQ-Certified Interior Designer and Independent Contractor with 16 years of experience — Twenty Six Robots collaborates with design teams to create brand-centric environments that prioritize both people and the planet.
Photography Credit: Sanwal Deen
you can think of savanna as
YOUR DESIGN TEAM’S PLUS ONE
(minus the overhead of an fte)
When business is booming and your team needs extra hands—or when resources are stretched thin—freelance design support offers the flexibility to keep projects moving while bringing a fresh perspective. As a collaborative independent contractor aligned with your team and client goals, 26R helps scale team bandwidth while supporting team well-being—without the long-term commitment or added overhead of a full-time hire. Offering flexible, project-based support to bridge resource gaps, 26R helps you maintain momentum and ease pressure on overextended teams.
26R is not a design firm
it’s b2b design SUPPORT
serving design teams across multiple industries:
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Savanna worked in a top global architecture firm for the first 13 years of her career and brings deep expertise in workplace design. She has helped shape the workplace environment for tech giants, prestigious law firms and beloved brands — as well as projects in hospitality, multi-family residential, retail, and building repositioning.
She is well-versed in all phases of design, from visioning and test fitting to construction administration, and brings a strong working knowledge of firm workflows and collaborative processes. As an independent consultant, Savanna provides flexible, project-based design support tailored to your team’s needs — whether offering focused support during specific phases or providing design leadership throughout the project.
View Featured Work to see examples of projects that Savanna has worked on during her time working in an architecture firm.
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As a commercial real estate professional, you understand the importance of helping clients see a space's full potential. A well-planned test fit can be a key factor in moving a deal forward by demonstrating how a space can meet a tenant’s needs.
Savanna is an NCIDQ-certified interior designer with extensive experience in programming and test fitting. She takes pride in uncovering a property’s possibilities while validating headcount and program requirements. Each test fit offers an opportunity to inspire future design decisions and create a functional floor plan that enhances value for both tenants and landlords.
Beyond test fits, Savanna also offers 3D modeling, rendering, and design concept development to help bring spaces to life visually for your clients.
View Featured Work to see examples of projects that Savanna has worked on during her time working in an architecture firm.
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Since 2023, Savanna has brought her interior design expertise into the world of large-scale corporate events, freelancing as an Associate Environmental Design Director for global experience agencies.
With a versatile skill set spanning 3D modeling, rendering, space planning, concept development, and furniture curation, she supports creative teams in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. Whether working remotely or on-site for live events, Savanna offers flexible, project-based support and contributes strategically to evolving environmental design needs.
View Featured Work to see examples of projects that Savanna has worked on during her time working in an architecture firm.
Environmental Design work samples available upon request.
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Leading an in-house design or real estate & facilities team today comes with its challenges—especially when adapting spaces for hybrid work models. If you're striving to create a workplace that reflects your brand and supports your people, working with a freelance designer can provide flexible support without disrupting your existing relationships with design firms.
Savanna brings experience collaborating with global brands, offering tailored, project-based design services that complement your internal team’s efforts. Whether you need help with programming, test fitting, or space planning, or more comprehensive design scope, Savanna offers thoughtful, flexible support that fits around your team’s existing strengths and partnerships.
View Featured Work to see examples of projects that Savanna has worked on during her time working in an architecture firm.
Photography Credit: Heywood Chan
meet savanna
founder of twentysixrobots
Savanna Barker is an NCIDQ-certified interior designer with 16 years of experience. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design fromBellevue College she began her career at Gensler in 2010. Over the next 13 years, she grew into a Senior Designer and Associate, working alongside many talented individuals who helped shape the designer she is today.
During her time at Gensler, Savanna led and collaborated on projects across multiple industries—from workplace design for global brands, tech giants, and law firms to retail, multi-family residential, and building repositioning projects. She also served on the firm’s Community Impact Steering Committee, leading initiatives supporting local causes. Savanna remains dedicated to mentorship and industry growth as a Professional Advisory Board Member for Bellevue College’s Interior Design program.
In 2023, Savanna transitioned from her full-time role to freelancing as an Associate Environmental Design Director for leading experience agencies, including The Freeman Company and Sparks. Through these engagements, she has contributed to the design of large-scale corporate events like Workday Rising and SAP Sapphire, expanding her expertise in environmental and experiential design.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Savanna launched Twenty Six Robots to collaborate with design teams while independently shaping her career—offering her expertise across industries, continually broadening her perspective, and enhancing the value she brings to every client project.
Let’s WORK TOGETHER!
how to get started
step 1
INQUIRE
Start by filling out a quick, no-strings-attached inquiry form. This step helps to understand the type of engagement you’re looking for — whether you need design leadership or design support, and whether it’s for a short- or long-term project. This initial information will help Savanna prepare for our first meeting (Step 2!) so we can hit the ground running.
step 2
MEET
After you submit the inquiry form, you will receive a reply with a booking link so you can schedule a 30-minute video call. This is a quick meet & greet to chat about the scope of the project together and ensure it’s the right fit for both sides. As a follow-up to our meeting you will receive a Services Guide with information on rates and engagement options for you to review and decide if you’d like to move forward with Step 3.
step 3
ONBOARD
We’ve streamlined the onboarding process to make working with Twenty Six Robots as effortless as possible. If you decide to move forward, you’ll receive a secure link and password to your personalized client portal. Here, you’ll find all contracts, invoices, and project information in one place, with the option to upload any NDAs for Savanna to sign. From here, we’re ready to kick-off the project and begin our collaborative partnership!
*Your company may have it’s own onboarding process for independent contractors or vendors and we are happy to comply with all necessary steps.
WOMAN-OWNED business
Twenty Six Robots is a Certified Woman-Owned Business (WBE) in the State of Washington. This certification reflects a dedication to supporting clients in meeting their CSR and ESG objectives while fostering meaningful partnerships built on inclusivity and impact.
ncidq-certified
NCIDQ certification is the interior design industry’s highest credential, demonstrating expertise in creating safe, functional, and code-compliant spaces. It signifies a commitment to the health, safety, and welfare of occupants and to upholding industry standards.
NCIDQ Certificate No: 38033
flexible PARTNERSHIP
Whether you prefer to engage with an hourly or day rate or have a specific contract type in mind, like an IDIQ or Monthly Retainer, we’ll work together to find the right fit.The goal is to create a partnership that is transparent, sustainable and mutually beneficial.
SuperHuman AI Certified
HAVE QUESTIONs?
FAQ
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Twenty Six Robots provides freelance design support exclusively to businesses, working as an extension of in-house design teams rather than operating as a traditional design firm. Unlike full-service architecture and design firms, which take on projects independently, Twenty Six Robots integrates directly into existing teams through a flexible, independent contractor relationship.
Rather than competing with design firms, Twenty Six Robots complements them—offering an alternative for teams that need experienced design support without a long-term commitment.
Twenty Six Robots does not work directly with end-clients, except when engaging with corporate brands that have their own in-house design teams. In those cases, the role remains the same: providing seamless, embedded support as an extension of their internal team.
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Yes! The majority of work is conducted virtually, supporting clients across various time zones.
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At the moment, Twenty Six Robots is a one-human agency, and when you engage 26R, you are engaging Savanna Barker as a solo independent contractor. Clients will always have the option to work exclusively with Savanna. The long-term vision is to deepen the support provided to clients by bringing on subcontractors if and when the project calls for it. This will be achieved by gradually building a small, curated network of trusted freelance interior designers and creatives. Any collaboration with other freelancers will always be transparent, with their work overseen by Savanna to ensure design quality and consistency.
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While Twenty Six Robots currently operates as a solo independent contractor - and clients will always have the option to work exclusively with Savanna - the long-term vision is to gradually build a small, curated network of freelance interior designers and creatives to enhance support for design teams. Any collaboration with other freelancers will always be transparent, with their work overseen by Savanna. At this time, there are no collaboration opportunities, but freelancers are welcome to check back for future updates.
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Work is primarily conducted remotely using digital tools for seamless collaboration. When necessary, in-person support—such as site visits or key meetings—can be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability and location.
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Absolutely. The goal is to complement your team’s workflow, not disrupt it.
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Each project is carefully considered in relation to existing client work to prevent any potential conflicts of interest. Transparency, communication, and confidentiality are always prioritized. If any potential concerns arise—such as working with competitors—it will be addressed upfront to set clear boundaries and expectations. Non-disclosure agreements can be provided as needed to further protect sensitive information, ensuring peace of mind for all involved.
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Please submit an inquiry form to receive information regarding rates, which vary depending on the engagement length.
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Please see the Availability Calendar for a look at our current availability. While every effort is made to keep it accurate, project schedules often shift. If your project timeline appears to conflict, don't hesitate to reach out—availability is flexible, and accommodations may be possible.