Set in a historic church in Philadelphia’s Italian Market neighborhood, The Living Mosaic is a gathering place designed to reflect the energy, diversity, and culture of its community. This project explores how creative interior environments can support meaningful connection by integrating food, drink, and play into everyday life. Community kitchens, a coffee-to-wine bar, workshops, and active zones foster joy and a deep sense of belonging. Vertical gardens, an outdoor wine garden, community garden beds, and a neighboring pocket park blend nature into the experience. The design encourages lingering, learning, and spontaneous interaction across generations and backgrounds. In contrast to the fast pace and isolation of urban life, The Living Mosaic creates an inclusive, welcoming environment where people feel supported and connected to something greater. It is a celebration of everyday moments, neighborhood rhythms, and the simple joy of being together.

Many unhoused individuals avoid traditional shelters due to overcrowding and institutional designs that overlook their emotional and psychological needs. In cities, the limited availability of supportive environments further reinforces cycles of isolation and invisibility. This thesis examines how interior architecture can serve as a transformative tool,creating spaces that restore dignity, safety, and belonging.Focusing specifically on shelters for women and single mothers, it explores how design can foster emotional healing and stability. By incorporating calming, nature-inspired palettes, soft textures, residential-scale furnishings, and spatial layouts that promote autonomy and privacy, the built environment can begin to undo the sense of exposure and powerlessness many residents feel. These design choices provide a  setting for recovery, reflection, and growth. In creating spaces that prioritize safety both physically and psychologically, the project also emphasizes features such as clearly defined personal zones, secure entryways, warm lighting, and communal areas that encourage voluntary interaction rather than forced proximity. Through such details, the shelter becomes more than a temporary refuge;it becomes a space of dignity and hope, where women can begin to feel safe, seen, and supported in rebuilding their lives.

As individuals increasingly seek culturally immersive and emotionally resonant experiences, this project explores how interior environments can celebrate identity without resorting to literal or stereotypical representation. Conceived as a contemporary oasis, the design offers a curated journey within a hospitality setting inspired by Middle Eastern culture – one that invites pause, reflection, and discovery. Rather than mimicking tradition, it evokes cultural memory through sensory storytelling, material richness, and spatial sequencing. The goal is to create an atmosphere that is both approachable and transportive, appealing to a broad audience, including those unable to experience such cultures firsthand. By navigating the space between authenticity and entertainment, the project proposes a design framework that honors cultural depth while prioritizing enjoyment, accessibility, and emotional impact.

Black oppression is spatial, as it has always involved exposing us to harmful environments or denying us spaces for healing. To express ourselves, to take up space, and to move freely—to be, in whatever way we choose—is to resist that oppression. In response, Black leaders throughout history have created meaningful spaces that sustain our communities. These spaces often subvert traditional architectural limits, instead pursuing healing, liberation, and joy through their own design logic.

Sound and movement are central to these spaces, giving them vibrancy and expanding their meaning beyond their structural limits. In pursuit of Black joy, this project examines the sounds, motions, and creativity that shape Black spaces, and re-imagines them as architectural elements. In doing so, it transforms the built environment for our community's benefit.

The digital nomad lifestyle, blending remote work with extensive travel, has grown exponentially over the past decade. While it offers unmatched freedom and flexibility, finding suitable infrastructure—like co-working spaces, Airbnb, and wellness-oriented environments—often requires significant time and effort. These elements are rarely integrated or located conveniently together, creating friction in an otherwise fluid lifestyle. Existing setups tend to prioritize function over experience, limiting opportunities for deeper connection with the space and its surroundings. By incorporating natural elements, engaging the senses, and allowing for individual customization, we can transform temporary spaces into immersive environments that support focus while inviting exploration. The concept of meandering—wandering through spaces that spark curiosity and reflection—can be embedded in design to enrich daily routines. Through biophilic design, sensory richness, and a reflection of local authenticity, we can create cohesive, inspiring spaces that not only meet the practical needs of nomads but also elevate their journey.

Art is both an individual and social practice. Individual, in that privacy allows the artist to reflect, focus, and experiment freely. Social, in that shared spaces like galleries, studios, and performance venues facilitate interaction and connection. A balance of these two environmental conditions is the crux of optimizing creative flow. Artists will always create despite limitations; however, this thesis examines how refining access to live-work space can benefit artists and musicians, with a focus on integrating communal areas to foster stronger connections with neighbors, and flexible private studio spaces that prioritize artists’ individual needs. Through considered porosity of views and customizable furniture kits, the design strategy aims to create thresholds that encourage informal exchange and lateral learning—where ideas are shared across disciplines and experience levels. These design decisions promote a culture of collaboration and a sense of belonging, establishing the foundation for a vibrant and connected creative community

This thesis proposes a new model for affordable housing that supports long-term financial growth by allowing residents to pay reduced rent while advancing their careers. The design prioritizes economic mobility, giving tenants the time and space to focus on professional development and save money—ultimately enabling them to leave the housing program with higher incomes than when they entered. The project is built on three key principles: first, that people should be able to prosper financially without leaving their home communities; second, that affordable housing must provide comfortable, spacious living units to support resident wellbeing and foster community; and third, that amenities should not be viewed as luxuries, but as essential responses to resident needs. Amenity spaces are intentionally integrated throughout the design to offer meaningful support and enhance quality of life. This model reimagines affordability as a foundation for upward mobility, not just as a measure of cost.

Addiction is not merely a personal struggle; it is shaped by environmental and social forces that often lead to isolation and weakened community connections. In recovery, fostering social relationships is crucial, as shared experiences encourage openness and lasting bonds. Digital communities also play a vital role, enabling individuals to build meaningful connections across distances while expanding support networks and perspectives. This thesis introduces a new model for addiction recovery centered on community, connection, and healing. By integrating inpatient and outpatient care, it fosters stability and continuity, helping individuals build lasting relationships while easing transitions between structured support and independent living. By integrating technology and thoughtful design elements—fostering familiarity, safety, and a sense of control—this model creates environments that feel hopeful and empowering, reshaping recovery spaces into places of growth and optimism.

This thesis investigates the role of interior design as a spatial storyteller, focusing on how environments shape perception, identity, and power dynamics. Drawing on examples from set design, entertainment architecture, and prison systems, it explores how design can both invite and restrict human experience. Central to this investigation is the Panopticon and its evolution from a tool of psychological control to a pervasive force in today’s digital surveillance culture. Using Eastern State Penitentiary as my intended site, the project proposes a conceptual reimagining of the prison as a participatory nightclub experience. Here, surveillance is transformed into play, encouraging guests to explore the tension between autonomy and observation. By reframing a site of isolation through the lens of collective nostalgia, evoking the intimacy and energy of house parties, the design challenges institutional narratives of control instead offering a space for reconnection, identity reclamation, and sensory liberation.  

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. 

My thesis project focuses on preserving Indian dance culture by enhancing community awareness through thoughtfully designed artworks. Indian dance, with its rich heritage and diversity, embodies a plethora of traditions that reflect the cultural ethos of various regions. This project aims to create a deeper understanding and appreciation of these dance forms within the community, ensuring their continuity for future generations.

By integrating traditional and contemporary design elements, the artworks will serve as educational tools and inspirational pieces. They will highlight the historical significance, intricate movements, and emotional expressions inherent in Indian dance. Additionally, these artworks will be strategically placed in public and private spaces to maximize visibility and engagement.

The project's ultimate goal is to foster a supportive environment for Indian dance, providing spaces that encourage both practice and performance. Through this artistic initiative, the community will gain a renewed understanding and respect for the cultural and artistic value of Indian dance.

The Mind Palace is an intergenerational daycare center that aims to promote healthy cognitive aging in place through community driven programming and design. It seeks to understand and explore attachments formed with the built environment through personal storytelling, wayfinding, and cognition. Design decisions are informed by inferences gained through employing a research driven process by reactivating a neighborhood landmark, this project supports cognitive aging in the Mantua/ Powelton community. Evidence-based methods include participatory sessions with community and expert interviews. 

We all have an innate need for transcendent experiences – moments that are “beyond or above the range of normal or merely physical human experience.” To meet this need, Meta/Physical proposes adding an experience of transcendence to people’s regular routines through the design of a public library branch. With a particular focus on the use of light and shadow, transparency and opacity, wabi-sabi, color theory, connection to nature, and scale, this library space acts as a respite from the outside world. 

Grounded in the cultural concept of nature as a divine feminine, this project envisions safe urban sanctuaries for young girls in India, addressing and confronting systemic gender-based challenges. Despite a culture that venerates nature as a powerful feminine force, young girls in India often face severe adversities such as female infanticide, child marriage, child labor, and sex slavery.

Establishing a new paradigm by returning to native, traditional practices that centered on and respected womanhood, these centers will nurture the girls' potential through empowerment, equity, and sustainability

The goal is to foster an environment where young girls can overcome societal burdens, thrive, and become resilient. 

Welcome to Abhaya Nivas:  A Fearless Dwelling for Vulnerable Girls

We inhabit dual realms: with [re]rural, these realms are rural necessities and urban desires. This thesis focuses on drawing parallels between different types of rural environments—a reservation in the USA and a village in India—with the aim of making these villages self-sustainable using currently available resources. Rural spaces have long been shaped by a lack of planning, where the presence of people and community gave culture to the structures. This living tradition is the focus of my design.

For this project, my aim is to use these building modules to redesign according to the current needs of the masses. How we live is often defined by these four aspects, which are also the areas of design (nodes) in this project: healthcare, housing, education, and commerce. Throughout this journey, experiences have become narratives, learnings have become intents, structures have become spaces, all with one intention—[re]rural.

Urbanization has led to a loss of interaction with nature over time, which is a process defined as extinction of experience. This is significant because nature is crucial to the physical, psychological, and social well-being of humans. My thesis seeks to restore this loss of interaction through a nature infused urban apartment complex, guided by design methods of expansion and contraction and biophilic principles. Amenities include a co-working space, cafe, fitness center, lounge areas, and rooftop garden. Each of these settings offers users unique opportunities to engage with nature. Additionally, every apartment unit features a plant filled balcony, allowing inhabitants to directly engage with nature in their homes. By integrating design practices of expansion and contraction and biophilic principles, my thesis aims to create a harmonious living environment that reestablishes our bond with nature through a modern lens.

The contemporary landscape of international migration brings numerous challenges as individuals navigate the intricate process of uprooting themselves, sacrificing cultural and familial ties, and adapting to unfamiliar environments. This journey often leads to a search for identity, belonging, and a connection to cultural roots. In this context, food emerges as a powerful connector, serving as more than sustenance but as a pathway to understanding and communicating the rich tapestry of India's cultural diversity. This thesis aims to create a space that unifies India's diverse traditions under one roof, using food and foodways as a means for immigrants and people from various backgrounds to experience and connect with the essence of Indian culture.