Join us for a transformative series of events hosted by the Parsons MFA Interior Design program, centered around radically inclusive interiors and fostering spaces of belonging. Taking place on November 18th with eight (8) affinity events and culminating in an exhibition across various New School locations on December 9th, this initiative invites participants to rethink traditional interior design paradigms and explore how spaces can be shaped by inclusivity, health, and joy.

MFA Interior Design students are redefining interiors as "action settings," inspired by Sarah Hendren’s What Can a Body Do?. This approach prioritizes spatial justice and access, viewing interiors not by aesthetic but by their capacity to facilitate interactions that embody radical care and equity. Through agency, love, and respect, this studio questions who the built environment serves, challenging existing barriers in design for disabled, neurodivergent, gender-diverse, and marginalized communities.

This exhibition and series of conversations will showcase research and studio work addressing ableism, access, and the social model of disability, embracing a community of diverse perspectives. With voices from over 20 countries, this student cohort values lived experience and fosters innovation, pushing design beyond ADA requirements to celebrate a spectrum of identities, abilities, and embodiments. Join us to reimagine interiors as inclusive spaces for all.

The studio creates a Spatial Inclusion Lab at Parsons that addresses the intersection of: Gender, Disability, Neurodiversity, Body Types, Spirituality, Age, Culture, Indigeneity, Shape or fat positivity, Sexuality, Mental Health, and the Built Environment.

Click here for more details on each group's time, location, and sign ups. 

24 Hours of Mind, Body, and Soul: Spatial Inclusion Lab for mental and cultural inclusion. 

Vera List Courtyard: between 65 West 11th Street & 66 West 12th Street

Shreya Kameswaran, Nikitha Naredla, and Pamasha Naik

Inner Realms—Outer Rhythm: Spatial Inclusion Lab for access to mental rest and recovery through meditation and movement.

Click here for Popup Locations

Amanda Davila and Kevin She

Healing through Breaking: Spatial Inclusion Lab for emotional release.

Parsons East: 25 East 13th Street, E200 studio, Second floor by the windows

Camilo Trujillo Morales, Galya Titova, and Naï Jammal Landsman

Raíces, A ritual around coffee: Spatial Inclusion Lab for nourishment through connection to roots and traditions.

Parsons East: 25 East 13th Street, Third floor by elevator

Ana Carrillo-Batalla Mattar and Carmen Sarg Lanza

Intentional Ceramic Workshop: Spatial Inclusion Lab for home making and belonging in the immigrant diaspora, expanding the need for making spaces, social connection and ceramics, or for anyone looking to create meaning and belonging in NYC.

Parsons East: 25 East 13th Street, Third floor in front of Donghia Gallery

Balbina Pozas and Tulia Torres

Zikra, Memorialization through Textiley: Spatial Inclusion Lab for community building and culturally inclusive storytelling by honoring the stories of women and femme people amongst students in higher design education. 

Parsons East: 25 East 13th Street, E200 studio, Second floor by the windows

Anandita Vidyarthi and Jude Qassem

Gather ‘Round the Pot, Stories and Lunch Episodes: Spatial Inclusion Lab for fostering connection through food as our anchor.

Parsons East: 25 East 13th Street, E200 studio, Second floor by the windows

Minhee Kim and Alifiyah (Fia) Nabila

Gentle Fibers, Gentle Minds, A Wool Beading Workshop: Spatial Inclusion Lab for neurodiverse sensory recovery and stimulation spaces: Intersecting mental, spiritual and intellectual access needs.

Parsons East: 25 East 13th Street, E200 studio, Second floor by the meditation corner

Sarah Hyun and Sophie Schumacher

Faculty:

Michele Gorman and Kimberly Tate

Teaching Assistants: 

Bhoomika Manjunath and Weniz Wills