DESIGN STATEMENT

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As a design researcher, I am fascinated with the impact of interior and urban spaces on human well-being, particularly within affordable housing communities. Design research has taken on a whole new meaning for me. Through my MFA thesis research, interior design background, and working as a affordable housing researcher on the Resilience and Disaster Recovery Team with the Florida Housing Coalition, I’ve identified key holistic factors such as connection, safety, privacy, purpose, identity, location, and a strong connection to nature as pivotal for fostering positive health outcomes and restoring identity in residents who live in affordable housing. 

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Responding to the urgent imperative to combat climate change, sustainable and resilient design must take center stage in housing design and construction. This encompasses utilizing eco-effective materials, adopting renewable energy-efficient technologies, integrating resilient construction and green infrastructure, and adhering to cradle-to-cradle practices that promote diversity as a key to resilience, all of which contribute to healthy housing and sustainable communities. 

 

Design should reflect and celebrate cultural and social diversity rather than impose uniform, one-size-fits-all solutions. Innovation is sparked through flexibility, adaptive, and context-specific solutions that bring life and authenticity to interior design projects. Ultimately, by prioritizing sustainability at the forefront of design, we not only confront the challenges posed by climate change but also cultivate spaces that foster the well-being of individuals and communities across generations.

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RESEARCH, THINK, DESIGN