The current Student Lounge at the New York School of Interior Design Graduate Center, located on the second floor of 401 Park Avenue South, is under-utilized due to its unwelcoming, stark, and uninspiring atmosphere. To better serve its student community, the lounge is undergoing a redesign which aims to transform the space into a versatile, dynamic, and engaging environment that balances both quiet mindful spaces and vibrant social areas, fostering a sense of creativity, relaxation, and collaborative connection.

This project involved creating floor plans, a reflecting ceiling plan, and elevations on AutoCAD and rendering a selection of these on Photoshop, as well as a digitally hand-drawn perspective drawing and assembling mood boards with furniture and finishes selections for each space. Physical samples were also sourced.

The design creates a welcoming, earth-focused communal lounge space for students to connect, recharge, and explore their creativity. The space is divided into four purposeful zones: a kitchen and dining space, a social lounge and library space, a private work pod, and a tranquil yoga and meditation room. Organic forms, biophilic features, and warm, natural materials come together to mimic nature (biomorphic), promoting serenity and comfort within the chaotic surrounding city and school environment, which do not have significant natural space. This is important as spending time in nature is a key method to promote relaxation and mindfulness. This space is artistically and creatively designed to support the promotion of creativity among students. Through harmonious use of light color, varying textures, natural materials, and layered lighting, the space fosters both creative energy and a sense of home, offering students a peaceful escape from the urban and classroom surroundings. The space also features tints and tones of red and orange hues to connect with the NYSID color of red which is throughout the rest of the campus.

The design also features a custom table which I have designed for the space, which an be separated or assembled to adapt to changing needs of individuals in the space. It’s modularity and organic form also connect to themes from nature and connection.