An LGBT+ community centre that caters to Seattle’s queer population and a peace centre in Homs, Syria, are included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at the School of Visual Arts.

Also included is a fermentation centre that explores the world of microflora and its relationship to our wellbeing and a design for a new bookstore in China that marries biophilic principles with traditional Chinese architecture.

School: School of Visual Arts, BFA Interior Design: Built Environments
Courses: Senior thesis
Tutors: Anthony Lee and Gita Nandan

School statement:

“The interior design senior thesis year at the School of Visual Arts Interior Design: Built Environments department is the culmination of a year-long self-directed exploration. Each student has driven and developed an adaptive-reuse project from site selection through concept development, interior design, programming and furnishings.

“Every project is unique and tackles real-world issues such as a residence for the Harbor School on Governors Island and a centre for philosophers in Homs Syria.”

Oryzae Village by Chloe Hyun Jung Park

“Fermentation is an under-appreciated metabolic process that humans have embraced for thousands of years. It is responsible for a wide range of items we consume including beer, yoghurt, kimchi and penicillin. In this project, Oryzae Village is a fermentation centre that explores the world of microflora and its relationship to our health and wellbeing.

“It consists of farms, shops, residences and various engaging workshop areas. Fermentation experts and artisans lead the centre to create an environment for teaching, learning, sharing while creating products items using fermentation.

“Oryzae Village aims to revitalise the local communities by encouraging foraging, growing, investigating, and learning about microbial processes – helping people achieve healthier lives and wellbeing.”

Student: Chloe Hyun Jung Park
Course: Senior thesis
Email: chloehyun021@gmail.com

Harbor Residence by Iris Junhong Lin

“Being a high school student in New York’s award-winning Harbor School often means having to endure extremely long commutes from various corners of the five boroughs. Located on Governors Island, the school is accessible only by ferry. Harbor Residence is a student dormitory for these dedicated pre-college students committed to maritime studies, research and careers.

“In this project, Harbor Residence aims to be much more than just a place to live – it will be a continuation of the school’s maritime culture. Students will to able to live, socialise, learn, work at the residence – becoming a centre for the Harbor School Community.”

Student: Iris Junhong Lin
Course: Senior thesis
Email: jlin28@sva.edu

Cove by Stella Hanbyul Suk

“The pandemic has forced us to rethink travel. Urban dwellers with limited access to natural environments have been unable to travel long distances to connect with nature. Local travel may be the new normal in our post-pandemic tourism landscape.

“Cove is a wellness and activity centre that provides a tranquil and restful place in a natural setting within a relatively short distance from the major urban centres of South Korea. It is designed for people to unplug and reset their daily lives, improving both mental and physical wellness through high sensory involvement in a setting that connects back to nature.”

Student: Stella Hanbyul Suk
Course: Senior thesis
Email: st3lla.id@gmail.com

Alive Books by Difan Yang

“Alive Books is a new bookstore design in China. More than just a place to buy books, it is a gathering place where people can learn, communicate and exchange ideas.

“Marrying biophilic principles with traditional Chinese architecture, Alive Books aims to become the future of book retailers that will co-exist and survive the online bookselling landscape.”

Student: Difan Yang
Course: Senior thesis
Email: yang_difan@163.com

The Aurora by Ramey Yixuan Chen

“The Aurora is a hotel designed to maximize experiences of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Auroras result from disturbances in the magnetosphere caused by solar winds – resulting in otherworldly displays of atmospheric lights of varying colour and complexities.

“Located in Oblast, Russia, the Aurora Hotel is situated in the Arctic Circle with a relatively mild climate (due to the warm ocean currents crossing this seaside town).

“Because of its extreme northern location, visitors will be able to experience the ‘Polar Nights’ – when the night sky extends for periods longer than 24 hours – giving them unparalleled access to seeing the Aurora Borealis. The design of the hotel will focus on maximising the beauty of this atmospheric phenomenon while connecting visitors to nature.”

Student: Ramey Yixuan Chen
Course: Senior thesis
Email: ychencyx@gmail.com

Queer Community Centre by Yearin ‘Rin’ Park

“Queer is the new LGBTQ+ centre in greater Seattle. Located adjacent to the University of Washington, Queer will cater to the vulnerable LGBTQ+ population and reflect core values of diversity, inclusivity and freedom of identity.

“Constantly under pressure and attack, the LGBTQ+ community needs a place to gather, grow, organise, support, heal, defend and celebrate queer experiences and identities. Now, more than ever, with trans people being ostracised, and the legality of gay marriage being questioned, Queer will be a welcoming and open centre for the entire Seattle community.”

Student: Yearin ‘Rin’ Park
Course: Senior thesis
Email: rinparkinterior@gmail.com

Bayt Al Kul Philosophy Centre by Fuad Khazam

“Bayt al-Kul (house of the all) is a philosophy and peace centre in Homs, Syria that aims to play a major role in healing a divided society by challenging beliefs through discussions and conceptual analysis. After a ten-year war that divided the Syrian people, Bayt al-Kul will give the people of Homs a chance to listen and share one another’s views through philosophical debate.

“For centuries, Homs was a cradle for philosophical education and the birthplace of many historical philosophers who contributed to the world today. By re-discovering the ‘world of ideas’ Bayt al-Kul aims to help rebuild the unity and cultural commonality among the Syrian people.”

Student: Fuad Khazam
Course: Senior thesis
Email: fkhazam@sva.edu

Al-station by Eason Yixuan Du

“Al-station is a live and work community dedicated to art school students marrying art studios with living space. Students from the New York City (NYC) area art institutions will be able to use Al-station as a place to live, study, work, create, show, play and gather.

“The space will serve as a hub for creative university students – nurturing the next artists and designers who are so important to the continued growth and vitality of NYC.”

Student: Eason Yixuan Du
Course: Senior thesis
Email: easondu09@gmail.com

Social Commune by Yangkai Lin

“Over the past 30 years, the China Government has instituted a programme of poverty alleviation that relocated millions of scattered families living in rural areas, moving them closer to cities to provide social services such as healthcare and education. This caused thousands of villages across China to become empty, creating a landscape of forgotten places. Many of these abandoned villages – dating back thousands of years – should be preserved, reimagined and reused.

“Social Commune is an experimental design project that focuses on adaptive reuse of these forgotten places: transforming originally residential buildings into a series of public buildings that celebrate the unique characteristics of the local village and community.

“Through a mixture of preservation and modern design, Social Commune will breathe new life into these underutilised structures and will become a model for rehabilitating rural areas throughout China.”

Student: Yangkai Lin
Course: Senior thesis
Email: ykstv21@gmail.com

Noah by Ekko Tianjuan Zheng

“Covid-19 has changed the world. Wuhan China – with a population of over 10 million – is thought to be the epicentre of the virus. With its own virus spread quickly under control, Wuhan is in a position to become a centre for viral studies – to help prevent such an epidemic in the future.

“Noah is an institute of virology in Wuhan. Located in an abandoned factory, an extensive renovation will transform it into a high-tech, unique, state-of-the-art research facility. Incorporating biophilic elements and principles, Noah will be an environment where science and nature come together, creating a laboratory and science centre for the 21st century.”

Student: Ekko Tianjuan Zheng
Course: Senior thesis
Email: zhengtianyuan99@gmail.com

Partnership content

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