While universal design has made significant progress in improving accessibility for physical disabilities, a major gap remains in addressing non-apparent cognitive and sensory disabilities—conditions that are often invisible but profoundly influence how individuals perceive and navigate built environments. Many contemporary interiors continue to prioritize aesthetics and visual impact over sensory comfort, creating spaces that can be overstimulating, disorienting, or emotionally exhausting for neurodivergent users. My thesis explores how existing community-centered environments can become more inclusive through the integration of biophilic design and sensory-sensitive strategies. By incorporating natural materials, controlled lighting, acoustic balance, and spatial legibility, the project proposes evidence-based interventions that support sensory regulation, emotional well-being, and user autonomy. Ultimately, this research reframes interior environments not as purely functional settings, but as restorative spaces that foster comfort, belonging, and accessibility for neurodiverse individuals.

Individuals experiencing homelessness exist in a dichotomy that is enforced by stereotypes and manifests in a limited scope of services, even in major metropolitan cities like Philadelphia. Homeless vs. Housed – it is a distinction that dictates the types of environments people can, or should, inhabit. For individuals experiencing homelessness, shelter is not the only solution. Spaces for the in-between, that are designed for a population in transition in order to help them heal, establish stability, and create networks within their communities, are missing. This project aims to bridge this gap through the design of an interconnected network of third spaces designed to support and empower individuals experiencing homelessness at three scales: individual, group, and community. Spaces that treat all people with dignity and respect, meeting people where they are currently instead of waiting for them to navigate crises alone, is an essential first step to fostering stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities for all.