Dezeen School Shows: a project that examines how digital tools are reshaping human behaviour is among the projects by students at Drexel University.

Also featured is an interior designed to celebrate childhood nostalgia and a project imagining a hyper-automated world where human relationships have vanished.

Drexel University

Institution: Drexel University
School: Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Courses: Interior Architecture and Design and MS Design
Tutors: Frances Temple-West, Sarah Lippmann, Dee Nicholas and William Mangold

School statement:

"Drexel Westphal's Interior Architecture and Design programme develops creative, ethical and forward-thinking professionals in interior design and architecture.

"Emphasising sustainability, diversity and equity, the curriculum encourages innovation and responsibility. Students engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, immersive studio work and hands-on research.

"Graduates are prepared to shape the built environment and advance the profession. The programme offers two degrees: the CIDA-accredited, first-professional Master of Interior Architecture and Design and the post-professional Master of Interior Architecture.

"Both focus on sustainable design, material innovation and social impact. Students gain the skills to create meaningful, practical design solutions for real-world challenges.

"The MS Design course is an interdisciplinary, STEM-designated programme that prepares students to lead in the evolving design industry.

"Through studio courses, seminars and electives, students explore service design, market research, product development and emerging technologies.

"The 48-credit curriculum emphasises evidence-based, human-centred design and includes hands-on experience in research, fabrication and social impact design. Students pursue projects in areas like sustainability, health and technology, culminating in a thesis addressing real-world challenges.

"With flexible full-time and part-time options, the programme supports working professionals and career changers. Graduates are prepared for roles in product development, service design and research strategy."

The Sacrifice of Sentiment by Anouska Mann

"In a hyper-automated world, human relationships have vanished, replaced by Layered Intelligence Neural Kinetics (LINK). Selling intimacy as a product, LINK offers seamless companionship, stripped of human flaws.

"Deep within its headquarters lies a forbidden chamber, accessible only to the elite. Here, relics of true connection – paintings, films and poetry – linger as ghostly echoes of what artificial intelligence (AI) cannot replicate.

"Beyond a glowing threshold, a hushed tunnel of yielding foam and woven nylon cocoons visitors in eerie anticipation. At its heart, a domed sanctuary breathes with light, interactive veils revealing lost emotions at a touch.

"For the privileged few, this chamber is both a sanctuary and a vault. Here they mine humanity's lost essence and emotional wealth, allowing them to refine LINK's artificial 'intimacy' while keeping true connection locked away."

Student: Anouska Mann
Course: MS Interior Architecture 2026
Tutors: Sarah Lippmann and William Mangold
Email: am5447[at]drexel.edu

Grand and Groovy by Tri-Jeye Villaroel

"Growing older is mandatory but growing up is optional. How do we create fun interiors that can accommodate us as we age in place?

"This project explores the idea of 'where old money meets funky town' – a place where classical music collaborates with rock and roll and releases our once-present inner child."

Student: Tri-Jeye Villaroel
Course: MS Interior Architecture 2024
Tutor: Frances Temple-West
Email: trijdesigns[at]outlook.com

Omnipresence: Adapting Everyday 20th Century Interior Typologies for the 21st Century by Emily Malina

"Screen-based technologies are reshaping presence and embodiment by blending physical and digital realms.

"This thesis explores omnipresence – the ability to be simultaneously present in multiple spaces – through the works of Francesco Casetti, Erving Goffman, Kurt Lewin and Rana Abudayyeh.

"Drawing on these scholars and a qualitative, IRB-approved study, the research examines how digital tools are reshaping social behaviour and enabling individuals to navigate multiple environments simultaneously.

"Ultimately, it calls for a reconsideration of how we design everyday 21st-century spaces to support both digital engagement and authentic, embodied human connection."

Student: Emily Malina
Course: MS Design
Tutors: Dee Nicholas and William Mangold
Email: em3326[at]drexel.edu

Architecture as Seance: A Dialogue Across Time by Lauren Tennenbaum

"Architecture embodies both history and visions of the future.

"Utilising Philadelphia's landmark brutalist Roundhouse building – former home of the Philadelphia Police Department – this thesis explores how design can amplify or subvert experiences of place and history, enabling us to reimagine our relationship with the past as an active conversation, always in progress.

"Revealing the architectural form allows moments that invert historic dynamics of power and subjectification, instead embracing interaction and enjoyment and community."

Student: Lauren Tennenbaum
Course: MS Interior Architecture and Design 2024
Tutor: William Mangold
Email: lauren.tennenbaum[at]gmail.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Drexel University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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