VCUarts Qatar Interior Design Student Theses accepted by the US-based Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA)

Never have the ramifications of lifestyle on the mental and physical health of children and young adults been in the news as it is now. 

The negative effects of consuming highly processed food, lack of physical activity, and digital dependency, especially among children, are studied and reported by experts ranging from pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, dieticians and population health experts to policymakers, counselors and educators. 

In this context, and considering that children spend most of their time at home or in school until their early teens, ways to promote healthy lifestyles have become a necessity rather than a nice-to-have when it comes to designing spaces they frequent. 

Two BFA interior design graduates from VCUarts Qatar –  Gowri Maelathil and Shahd Alkaabi – have been doing just that. During their final year of study at the University from 2023 to 2024, they chose to focus on designs that enhance physical activity and movement among children. The graduates’ theses were part of their capstone projects during their senior year. 

The significance and universal application of their research were highlighted recently when their proposals were accepted by the US-based Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) last year. 

EDRA is an international, interdisciplinary organization that aims to advance and disseminate research, teaching, and practice to improve an understanding of the relationships among people, their built environments, and natural ecosystems.

Minimizing digital dependency

Gowri Maelathil’s project, titled  ‘Analogue Orchard: A multi-sensory and interactive Primary school in Australia’ asked the question, “To What Extent Does Technology Usage in Primary Education Impact the Cognitive Development of Primary Children in Australia?” 

The inspiration for the theses came from a visit to Australia in the summer of 2023. 

She says, “While visiting family and friends, I noticed that most children were addicted to digital devices. One particular instance that got me thinking was when I asked a child what she did after school, and she said she watches shows and plays games on her iPad. Nowhere in this six-year-old’s reply did I hear ‘going outside’ or ‘playing with friends.’ 

“I realized that despite increasing awareness of digital dependency, it is still a rising issue worldwide. Further research revealed that Australia is one of the top countries in terms of access and integration of technology within schools and homes.” 

For her research, she conducted three interviews with experts in Australia, including Dr. Kimberly O’Brien, a top child psychologist, Professor Wesley Imms at the University of Melbourne, who is a member of LEaRN (Learning Environments Applied Research Network), and a school teacher. 

To reduce the appeal and dominance of technology, Maelethil says children need better-designed learning environments to keep them engaged, excited, and energetic. Such interiors, she says, would also support children’s cognitive development, including creativity, critical thinking skills, memory, communication, empathy, etc. 

Maelethil proposed a design that incorporated specific layouts and furniture and supported children’s cognitive development, including creativity, critical thinking skills, memory, communication, empathy, etc. 

She explains, “If children have to use the same uncomfortable chair for seven hours a day, they are bound to turn to technology as a fun escape. Hence, I preferred furniture that offered ergonomic variety such as bean bags, group modular seating, armchairs, irregularly formed seats, etc., giving children the power of choice and allowing them to change their seats when they want to.”

She also designed a free exploration space where the layout is divided into different zones in relation to the various subjects in the curriculum, guiding children’s learning. Here, according to her, children can learn through play, acquiring core developmental skills such as curiosity, creativity, exploring independently, communicating, and problem-solving as they interact with other children. 

Colors were chosen to complement the function of each space, with warm colors used to boost activity, and cool colors to foster concentration. The overall aim was that children should draw stimulation from the space they are in rather than from technology.

She sums up, “I came up with interior design options that can be implemented in any school, worldwide. Such designs may be cost-effective as well, as they would reduce investment in technology.” 

Combatting obesity through design

The rising rate of childhood obesity has proven to be a concern worldwide, with it being linked to adult health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, metabolic abnormalities, cardiovascular risks, and psychological difficulties. 

In Qatar, it has been established that around 75% of schoolchildren fail to meet age-appropriate levels of physical activity, with over half of all school-aged children deemed to be overweight or obese. 

Shahd Alkaabi, a Qatari, decided to do something about this. In her final-year thesis titled ‘Childhood Obesity,’ she explored interior layouts that promote physical activity. 

Her research process unearthed several findings – some unexpected. One notable discovery was the significant influence of cultural and societal norms on children’s eating habits and physical activity levels. Additionally, Alkaabi was surprised by the disparities in access to healthy food options and recreational facilities among various socioeconomic groups within the country. 

Alkaabi says, “My findings highlighted the complex interplay between environmental factors and health outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address childhood obesity effectively. At the same time, they underscored the importance of designs in enhancing a population’s health.” 

Alkaabi conducted in peer-reviewed journals and child psychology. She applied the concept of kinetic design to spaces and accessories, such as furniture, with the aim of enhancing movement among children. For instance, she incorporated problem-solving components into some of the furniture, keeping the user engaged and active, physically and mentally. For her color palette, she chose hues of purple and blue.

She says, “This design can be adapted to various settings, including residential homes, schools, community centers, and public spaces like parks and recreational areas. In residential settings, such designs can be integrated into new construction projects or incorporated into renovations to promote healthier lifestyles for families. 

“In educational settings, interior designers can collaborate with school administrators to create environments that support physical activity and well-being among students. Similarly, community centers and public spaces can benefit from design interventions that encourage active living and social interaction.”