Children's hospice care is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive support to children facing life-limiting illnesses with a prognosis of six months or less. This thesis proposes a groundbreaking design concept for children's hospice care, prioritizing individualized care and emotional support through the integration of nature, flexible spaces, vibrant aesthetics, and holistic sensory elements. By creating a sanctuary where children can rediscover the joys of childhood, even in the face of serious illness, the design aims to nurture the well-being of every child while providing unwavering support to families and caregivers. The proposed concept seeks to transform hospice care into a place of joy, comfort, and positive memories for both children and their families, emphasizing holistic sensory wellness, community engagement, and compassionate design principles.

Exploring the relationship between humans and the environment by combining reflective materials and immersive design. This project focuses on how architectural/interior designs use reflective surfaces to transform spaces and explores the growing prominence of reflection in the human experience.  These surfaces' symbolic and illusionary aspects blur the traditional boundaries between internal and external characteristics. It can bridge the gap between the occupants and the surrounding space and is a spatial phenomenon that allows people to observe themselves in their surroundings. Moreover, reflective materials in interior spaces create engaging and immersive user experiences by taking advantage of our embodied cognition. These materials aid in the physical body’s complete immersion in its environment. By designing intuitive interfaces responsive to our physical experiences, we can create more dynamic spaces that reflect our embodied experiences. 

Consumerism is not only devastating our natural resources, but it also diminishes individual well-being. Rather than enhancing well-being, the expanding populations of high consumption societies are likely to have adverse effects. Even when we buy the things we really wanted, we start to want more. Fulfilling our desires never seems to satisfy us; we continually seek more happiness. Mindfulness is strongly and positively connected to higher happiness. In the context of consumption, mindfulness leads to consumer mindfulness. shopping is an activity that involves a range of practices such as experiencing public spaces, “hanging out,” and wandering around. As such, it can be understood as a leisure activity in its own right that does not necessarily involve the actual purchase of goods. I will explore various aspects related to habits, consumerism, sustainability, and the concept of a futuristic shopping experience that goes beyond traditional retail spaces, to provide education and encourage thoughtful consumption.

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.