‘Sustainable Tourism’ is a concept that has been in practice for fifty years, yet tourism remains unsustainable. Tourism in its own right cannot be sustainable, instead it must be reconceptualized as a tool to improve the well-being of host communities and sustain destination regions. This thesis explores how we, as designers, can harness the possibilities of tourism to create true and lasting sustainability.

I am interested in preserving architectural heritage and repurposing old heritage sites. Buildings that have deep and valuable cultural meaning can be modified to create spaces that people can experience and live while understanding cultural stories and events. It is important to not only preserve tangible cultural heritage but to convey a sense of value embodied in the architectural heritage.

The current segregation of living and non-living systems, especially in our cities, has had devastating effects on both humans and the environment. With biotecture, the synthesis of biology and architecture, we can design a brighter future, in which our philosophical understanding of the ‘natural environment’ incorporates architecture as an integrated constituent.

By creating immersive nature experiences and exploring aesthetics, sustainability, wellbeing and craftsmanship my thesis aims to develop a seamless, interactive experience between people and nature in order to enhance wellbeing and promote conservation of our national environments.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

Through understanding and defining the multifaceted idea of home, this thesis explores designing living spaces that connect people to place. In this case, connection to place is established through two methods – enhancing a sense of community and allowing for user autonomy.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

The definition of Oasis is “a fertile or green area in an arid region (such as a desert).” Translating the concept of an Oasis into a built urban setting, means creating a space in the center of a developed city where people can unwind, get away, restore themselves and feel at peace with nature, while being environmentally responsible.

Understanding the process & experience of recovery for substance abuse disorders, and how to design and visually represent an atmosphere of comfort, healing, and connection to nature in a rehabilitation facility.

Housing has been transformed into an industry, rather than a right, which has made it increasingly difficult for marginalized communities to obtain and sustain viable housing. Housing insecurity is an ongoing crisis that intersects with the built environment by presenting a unique list of needs that interiors programming and design could better address through trauma-informed methods.

Cultural and Historically significant sites not only allow for the preservation of history, but a connection of experiences for past and future generations. These historical sites are crucial to the makeup and individuality of each campus as they merge existing conditions with modern elements. Given the historical significance of HBCU campuses, it is important to remember their legacies, yet design them to be efficient for the present needs of the 21st century student. With the practice of Adaptive Reuse, designers will be able to preserve the legacies of these historical buildings yet allow for modern design advancements and renewed use within the interior.

Isolation and disconnect in cities and neighborhoods has been shown to decrease community engagement and cause a rippling effect that contributes to communities' economic instability, social issues, and environmental challenges. How can public community spaces bring people together to strengthen social bonds, encourage civic engagement, and promote the wellbeing and overall sustainability of neighborhoods?

Century-old buildings leave us to retell their stories through their materials, forms, and spaces. I created the phrase “perfectly imperfect” as a way of finding beauty when two materials and/or forms blend with existing materials to form a singular artifact that is perfectly imperfect. Using an estate of grand size and beauty, historic as it is, deserves a mission and purpose grander than its original one-family function. A “legacy of purpose” will be resurrected with this historic estate, honoring Helen Gould’s mission and values in how the estate should be repurposed, as a fashion and textile trade school for high school graduates. If she were alive today, she would want the estate to contribute to the greater New York City’s underserved youth in this way. Three beautiful buildings on this historic site will be greatly enhanced by these renovations and this relevant, contemporary mission.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

The evolution of the office and corporate workplace solutions have predominantly been an exclusive process. This thesis will take an outside-in approach to include the community directly into the professional corporate spaces. Combining these “markets” will create new definitions of territory and foster a place for increased collaboration under one roof.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.

Previously incarcerated youth suffer from a lack of re-entry services available to them. My thesis proposes a space in which a variety of services are offered to youth who have recently been released from the justice system. These services will focus on rehabilitation, transitioning back into normal life and reducing the chance of re-offending, while fostering a sense of community.

This thesis explores the idea of place identity and its role in communities that have a focus on place-experience such as Disney or professional sports venues. Aspects to explore include the formation of community through social bonding and shared experiences, how narrative and storytelling help shape a community, and how these communities provide a healthy sense of escapism from everyday life through immersive experiences.

Urbanization requires adaptation to population density and embrace of associated housing typologies, including vertical living that is cost-efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.