Dezeen School Shows: an aquatic research centre designed to raise awareness of freshwater ecosystems is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at the School of Visual Arts.

Also featured is a healing centre designed to promote wellbeing through exposure to white noise and a multiethnic restaurant that provides space for chefs to share their cultural heritage through food.

School of Visual Arts

Institution: School of Visual Arts
School: BFA Interior Design: Built Environments
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee

School statement:

"The 2023 SVA Interior Design: Built Environments Senior Thesis addresses a wide range of project types, combining them to create a sensitive aesthetic interpretation of our built environment that centres on sustainability and responsibility."

Made By Water by Will Huanyo Kuang

"Environmental pollution driven by unregulated carbon emissions contributes to oceanic warming, and urban development without ecosystem sensitivity destroys natural aquatic habitats.

"To this end, a research centre that implements a hatchery programme focused on multiplying threatened and endangered wild population aquatic species is needed.

"Made by Water is an aquatic research centre designed to raise awareness of marine preservation and freshwater ecosystems.

"The intent is to foster the development of healthy and sustainable fisheries throughout the greater New York City metro area waterways and to educate and engage the public in marine wildlife conservation."

Student: Will Huanyo Kuang
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: hkuang[at]sva.edu

NEXTsteps by Dawn Hood

"NEXTsteps is a faith-based support services prototype that connects social service providers and mentors with at-risk adolescent foster youth by leveraging the spatial resources of local partner churches.

"The NEXTsteps centre exists to serve as a spatial network hub that affords small, high-quality service providers and mentors the use of space without the high cost of real estate.

"It provides adolescent foster youth a home base to form critical skills and make life connections that help prepare them for their next steps as independent adults."

Student: Dawn Hood
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: dhood2[at]sva.edu

Floating Mind by Mini Zhao

"Life in modern societies is often fast-paced and flooded with short, instant messaging. The plethora of email, chat and text communications we receive daily fragments our time and attention.

"Over time, such short messages may abbreviate our attention spans and inhibit our ability to ponder and achieve more cerebral processes.

"Floating Mind is an interior design project that aims to provide people with a slow-paced spatial experience that offers relief from the overwhelming pace of modern society and breaks the cycle of constant, instant-fed communications and digital media messaging."

Student: Mini Zhao
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: zzhao10[at]sva.edu

Govx by Stephanie Schiff

"Only a four minute ferry ride from the fast-paced concrete jungle that is New York City, Governors Island – most recognised as a military base dating back to the 1700s – has been home to many different venues but is not (yet) an expansive performing arts theatre.

"For many millennia, the performing arts have been a vital part of society that gives space for expression and exploration of the human experience. For many performing artists, this exploration is as essential to life as eating and sleeping.

"Govx is an immersive performance space that allows for expressive, creative reflection and release. It is a sanctuary for its performers and patrons alike.

"It aims to foster the healing benefits of colour, sound and movement on the human body."

Student: Stephanie Schiff
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: sschiff2[at]sva.edu

Resilience by Raymond Xie

"According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 5.7 million Americans age 65 and older live with Alzheimer's and 73 per cent of that demographic are 75 or older.

"Alzheimer's adversely affects many people of many ages, but es­pecially the ageing population.

"Resilience is designed as an innovative, sustainable and inclusive senior care residence that emulates a recognisable home rather than an institution.

"With the foremost goal of enhancing the quality of life through design, Resilience creates a safe, supportive and engaging environment that fosters independence, dignity and a sense of community for residents.

"The design promotes a holistic approach to care that prioritises personalised attention, social interac­tion and purposeful engagement."

Student: Raymond Xie
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: zxie2[at]sva.edu

Ripple by Tina Huang

"Ripple is a sound healing centre designed to encourage relaxation and promote healing through exposure to white noise.

"Through sound bathing, guests will be more likely to improve their mood and release stress and tension in their bodies.

"On average, people in large urban cities experience stress from over sensory stimuli. Cities are often rife with environmental pollutants such as loud noise and bright light that adversely affect human wellbeing.

"Increasingly a place to relax, destress and recover one's mental and physical wellness is needed."

Student: Tina Huang
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: hhuang19[at]sva.edu

Heart of Art by Jayden Perez

"Heart of Art aims to promote healing through the arts and guided art therapy. As a child, Perez noticed the efficacy of visual and literary arts to help stabilise their father through episodes of incarceration, depression, PTSD and anxiety.

"Its influence had a profound impact on Perez and shaped the way they learnt to cope with their own mental health challenges.

"Through this imagined project, Perez proposes a solution to a real crisis of mental health that affects many in New York City.

"New York City is a hotbed of creativity and an epicentre of art and culture that has fostered the careers of many renowned artists.

"Besides fostering career opportunities, art is also known to foster healing through expression. In a city where simultaneously dreams are made and nightmares are lived, Perez is designing for help, healing and self-improvement."

Student: Jayden Perez
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: jperez12[at]sva.edu

Acceptance by Alicia Ng

"Recent upticks in political extremism and polarised identity politics have exacerbated tensions between neighbours across the country, and it seems Asian Americans find themselves more divided than ever before.

"The ripple effects of fake news and blame culture can have dire consequences on marginalised communities, and what is needed is truth, understanding and acceptance.

"Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan's Chinatown, Acceptance is a place for Asian residents to gather within the bonds of community to practice spiritual health, support local growth and promote feelings of peace and safety within.

"The design emphasises use of natural elements and materials, which are intended to promote a relaxed and calming environment."

Student: Alicia Ng
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: ang3[at]sva.edu

Our Table by Camille Lyn-Morilla

"Variety is the spice of life and New York City is ripe for experiencing culinary varietal flavours.

"But too often traditional cultural foods are divorced from the traditional people and practices, which make them appropriated than appreciated.

"Our Table is a multiethnic restaurant and culinary hub that offers space to local and global ethnic chefs and certified culinary artists to share their unique cultural heritage through food.

"Through the use of rentable kitchens, authentic dining experiences – along with cultural education – can be offered to a wide range of people who seek to learn and share."

Student: Camille Lyn-Morilla
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: clyn-morillo[at]sva.edu

The Village by Ares Liu

"The Village is a Chinese immigrant community centre in San Diego, USA – it is a place where Chinese immigrants can get help to integrate into American society.

"For people with poor English, it is very difficult to go back to living in the United States even after living there for many years previously, and they don't know how to get help with day to day things.

"This is not only a community centre but also an activity centre where people from all different cultures living in this area are welcome to experience Chinese culture."

Student: Ares Liu
Course: Senior Thesis
Instructors: Gita Nandan and Anthony Lee
Email: sliu31[at]sva.edu

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the School of Visual Arts. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.