Fall and Spring of senior year are dedicated to a two-part studio course that focuses on both research and execution of a design solution that addresses a need in the Nashville community and beyond. I researched the social and emotional learning needs of young immigrant and refugee children, and how they are impacted by subverted family dynamics, the stress of a new culture, and sometimes a new language.

My design, the Parkwood Student Center, is targeted towards these needs. Located in North Nashville, it is a repurposed alternative school that will function as an after school center for elementary aged children (5-11 years). In this space, they will be able to learn beyond the classroom setting about how to self-regulate, interact with others, and more. One of the main pathways for doing this is through theatre, which inspires children to be expressive team players and connect with others through empathy. After 5 months of research and data collection, I executed this design in Spring of 2024.

By this point in my education, I knew what my strong suits are, and that the work I enjoy doing doesn’t look like my classmates’. I love the conceptual design, stylizing renderings and bringing in my favorite fantasy elements. I exclusively hand-rendered and hand-drafted my showcase display. I wanted to have fun and embrace my strengths, and show them off in a way that felt like me.

Please note: Scans of renderings are temporary until high-quality images are accessible.