Khadeine Ali | Design Portfolio

KHADEINE ALI parsons school of design | graduating may 2025

DESIGN

PORTFOLIO

Hello.

My name is Khadeine.

Crafting experiences by telling a story fascinates me about interior design.

My design journey is fueled by a simple yet powerful belief: spaces have the power to transform human experiences. Inspired by the transportive magic of storytelling—found in literature, travel, and cinema—I craft environments that invite people to pause, reconnect, and create memories that resonate long after they've left.

As a designer committed to social justice, I see each project as a canvas for change. My work is deeply influenced by my roots in Trinidad, where I've seen firsthand how thoughtful design can address systemic challenges, provide resources to marginalized communities, and create pathways for healing and empowerment.

1. 2 1 3 .4 3 5.6 5 they say that design is an opportunity to continue telling the story, not just to sum everything up. now that, I truly believe.

and so, carpe diem. seize those moments. and make that story a good one.

Selected Works.

. 2 1. 2 .4 3 .4 .6 5.6 01_TERRA

DESIGN STUDIO II | PROFESSOR MARIA TRELLES LINARES BRONX, NY (2024)

PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN

02_KAISO

UNDERGRADUATE CAPSTONE | PROFESSOR CHARLES BOGGS PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (2017) SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

03_ENTR’ACTE

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIO IV | PROFESSOR CHARLES BOGGS LACOSTE, FRANCE (2017)

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

04_THE GREEN ZONE

BUSINESS CASE STUDY | COLLABORATION WITH OFFICE DEPOT BOCA RATON, FL (2019)

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HERBERT SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

For a more resilient future.

The South Bronx and Mott Haven carry a profound historical narrative, once serving as epicenters of industrial innovation and cultural dynamism.

However, the trajectory of South Bronx and Mott Haven took a turn amidst the tumultuous waves of urban decay that swept across American cities in the latter half of the 20th century.

Factors such as disinvestment and discriminatory housing policies left these communities reeling, grappling with

widespread poverty, unemployment, and dilapidated infrastructure.

It’s crucial to recognize that the decline of South Bronx and Mott Haven was not an inherent fault of the individuals and families who call these neighborhoods home. Instead, it was a consequence of systemic failures and neglect that disproportionately impacted marginalized communities.

terra breathing life into the old lincoln recovery center

deine ali ign studio 2: interior ecologies of food fessor Maria linares trelles

“I don’t divide architecture, landscape, and gardening. To me, they are one.” -Luis Barragan

Terra

community center the bronx, ny scope: 15000 ft2

01

Timeline of the Bronx.

Environmental injustice became deeply entrenched through discriminatory planning decisions, as the area became surrounded by polluting facilities, power plants, waste stations, and highways, leading to severe health disparities.

Today, residents face some of the highest asthma rates in the city - nearly three times the city average - and a life expectancy four years shorter than other parts of New York City.

cholera epidemics 3515 deaths nyc population: 250,000 diseases in nyc

1640

population

The South Bronx's history is a complex narrative of urban decline and resilience.

In the 1960s, the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway, part of Robert Moses's urban renewal project, marked the beginning of a devastating period, displacing thousands and destroying entire neighborhoods. The 1970s brought unprecedented urban decay, with over 40% of the area burned or abandoned between 1970 and 1980.

1832 and 1866: Cholera Epidemics in 1832 & 1866 caused mass deaths.

1860

1880

german immigrants

italian immigran

bronck arrives in 1639 jonas now mott haven.

people 200 AD lenape settle in region.

1860-1930: Bronx’s greatest population growth s 201,000 to 1.2 million. Brought diversity in industry

between the 1642 treaty lenape and dutch.

infrastructure

Despite being just five miles from Manhattan's wealthiest districts, the South Bronx remains the nation's poorest congressional district, struggling with underfunded businesses, unaffordable housing, and rising inflation.

public health

public health

600 AB: Lenape Areas, before Jonas Bronck.

knight’s bridge 1640-1860: Landscape included large, open pastures and family-owned farms.

understanding the statistics.

1860: Rise in population led to the establishment of tenement housing.

The site analysis of South Bronx neighborhood reveals a complex web of environmental, social, and economic challenges that shape the community's reality. The area faces significant environmental health concerns, with childhood asthma rates affecting between 12-14% of the population, far exceeding national averages.

air quality causes smog 1960 poor across the bronx and nyc.

direct opens a 500,000 1990 fresh sqft warehouse in mott haven.

childhood asthma 1 in 4 in south bronx diagnosed

spanish influenza over 2 0,000 deaths due to overcrowding

1918-1920: Spanish Influenza pandemic hits New York City.

1980-1900s: HIV/AIDS epidemic disproportionately affects the Bronx.

1947: Smallpox outbreak leads to first mass vaccination effort.

smallpox 12 infected 10 dead

1900

1920

1940

childhood asthma

opioid crisis 8777 fatal overdoses between1990-2000

2020: covid-19

1980-Present: The Opioid Crisis causes high rates of overdose.

covid-19 5547 deaths

hiv/aids epidemic 37,072 diagnosed cumulatively

300 diesel trucks pass through south bronx every hour

poor air quality killed 400 people.

1960

1980

2000

2020

irish & jewish immigrants

2020: The Black Lives Matter movement surged nationwide after the killing of George Floyd.

nts

1973 hip-hop is born. residents moved to the suburbs, 1950 white leading to economic decline.

spurt. Population increased from y and ethnicities.

the bronx is burning.

robert moses

1948 of the cross bronx expressway 1948 construction displaced roughly 1500 families.

public health

ASTHMA PREVALENCE MORE THAN 12% OF POPULATION ASTHMA PREVALENCE MORE THAN 13% OF POPULATION ASTHMA PREVALENCE MORE THAN 14% OF POPULATION (99TH PERCENTILE)

redlining

of nycha 1990 rise housing as a

response to lack of housing.

1970: “The Bronx is Burning,” a period when South Bronx faced waves of fires and abandonment.

proximity to nycha

DAILY NOISE POLLUTION > 90.0 DBA

ANNUAL INCOME BETWEEN $9500 AND $34,908

NEW APARTMENTS

HOSPITAL

DAILY NOISE POLLUTION > 65-70.0 DBA

ANNUAL INCOME AROUND $34,908

CO-OP MODEL housing (NYCHA)

SCHOOL/LIBRARY

MOTT HAVEN & MITCHELL (NYCHA)

MOTT HAVEN HISTORIC DISTRICT

The Old Lincoln Recovery Center.

a testament to resiliency. the old lincoln recovery center represented hope and renewal to those it served.

The Lincoln Recovery Center holds significant symbolic importance to the Bronx, particularly during the 1970s-80s when the borough faced multiple challenges.

The center emerged during a period when the Bronx was struggling with a heroin epidemic and widespread urban decay. Its innovative use of acupuncture for addiction treatment represented community-driven solutions to

local problems, demonstrating how the Bronx community could develop effective alternatives to traditional medical treatments that weren't adequately serving their needs.

Located in Mott Haven, one of the poorest congressional districts in the US, the center represented hope and healing in an area often overlooked by mainstream institutions. It became

a model for community healthcare, showing how local organizations could effectively address public health crises.

The center's proximity to NYCHA housing complexes made it accessible to those most in need of its services.

Today, the abandoned site stands as a complex symbol of both historical community achievement and institutional neglect.

nycha new york public library

nycha mott haven's historic district

Old Lincoln Recovery Center

elementary school

why the old lincoln recovery center?

The center's dual nature as a symbol of both progress and decline is particularly noteworthy. Its initial success and innovative treatment methods symbolized the Bronx's capacity for creative problem-

solving and community care. However, its current abandoned state, due to asbestos and lack of funding, mirrors broader patterns of disinvestment in the Bronx.

misting system for moss moss coconut husk fiber pots molded recycled aluminum panels

small dissolved organic molecules large dissolved organic compounds activated carbon

air toxins water molecules

macro pore micro pore

how activated carbon adsorbs toxins recycled aluminum panel charcoal and eggshell biofilter moss poles

irrigation system that uses the harvested rainwater

how living moss absorbs toxins

permeable flooring system

In the design intervention, three distinct strategies were identified for incorporation into the project: Encapsulating existing asbestos: This strategy involves safely containing the asbestos within the structure to prevent its release and ensure the health and safety of occupants.

Demolishing walls to create new spaces: Selected walls will be carefully demolished to open up the space, creating a more functional and dynamic environment that meeting the project’s requirements.

Utilizing moss in wall paneling to enhance air quality: Moss will be integrated into the wall paneling not only for its natural aesthetic but also for its ability to improve indoor air quality. Acting as a natural air filter, it enhances the overall health and well-being of occupants.

activated charcoal bioplastic

rainwater harvesting

coconut husk water filter

eggshell bioceramic tiles

children’s play area: As an opportunity to create spaces for safety and belonging, the children’s daycare is an area where young members of the community can gather to play, read, relax, and do homework.

nutrition and clinic area

how do the walls encapsulate and treat asbestos?

Activated charcoal can effectively purify & encapsulate asbestos.

Research demonstrates the successful blending of activated charcoal bioplastics with polylactic acid (PLA), resulting in recyclable and biodegradable nanocomposite materials suitable for hazardous substance treatment.

Adding another layer of security, eggshell bioceramics further filter out toxins and mitigate potential issues associated with asbestos encapsulation. recycled aluminum framing eggshell bioceramic tile

coworking spaces

library & archive space

activated charcoal bioplastic

alchemy space meditation

encapsulation of asbestos new build walls

greenhouse

outdoor balcony

fogon collective kitchen: Collective kitchens serve as platforms for political pedagogy, empowering communities through decolonial awareness and action. Through celebrating the matriarch and delving into food histories, collective kitchens foster reskilling in soil care, cultivation, and culinary arts, thereby nurturing self-sufficiency and resilience within communities. dining area

level one

coworking spaces

archive

level two

space

greenhouse

balcony

lounge area

level three

library & archive: This site’s intrigue lies in its position within the Mott Haven Historic District, surrounded by buildings listed on the New York Historic Register. However, it stands alone in its block, excluded from this designation. While the reasons for this discrepancy are speculative and often contentious, it underscores the necessity for the program to incorporate opportunities for archiving histories before they face the risk of erasure.

greenhouse: To address food insecurity across seasons, there arose an opportunity to transform the site’s daylight therapy room into a greenhouse.

This repurposed space would cultivate traditional herbs and spices typically challenging or costly to obtain in the United States. Additionally, an adjacent alchemy space would facilitate the creation of dyes, spice blends, and other botanical concoctions.

propagation area tea station

meditation space

lavender

jasmine

gardenia

herbs for relaxation

greenhouse

children’s daycare

repotting area

lemongrass

aloe vera

pazote

lounge & workspace

herbs for wellbeing & focus

fogon: The fogon integrates the interior and exterior, a symbol of the transformative power of cooking within the Mexican diaspora.

At its core, the fogon represents more than sustenance; it embodies community, dialogue, and the exchange of ideas. It ignites not only flames for cooking but sparks for innovation, social movements, and shared narratives.

community kitchen fogon

change in flooring: To accommodate indigenous cooking methods, a section of the flooring in the collective kitchen is replaced with cork, providing comfort for those who work directly on the floor, such as when using a traditional grinder like the “metate” commonly found in Mexican culinary practices.

collective kitchen use of iconography: To uphold visual connections with Mexican culture, the counter incorporates iconography in the form of balustrades, paying homage to the familiar elements found in Mexican vernacular architecture.

propogation area: As many herbs can be grown through propagation, it was necessary to factor it into the overall process of growing plants. In this version, people can use old bottles and cans to start the growing process.

greenhouse alchemy room: To honor indegenous methods of cooking and using plants for medicine, the connecting room to the greenhouse is dedicated to teaching others about this process.

To the beat of Calypso. " People see suicide as an

attack on loved ones rather than an inner battle. When I spoke to my mother about it, she'd address how it would make her look. It was never about how I felt. I asked for her help to pay for therapy.

She refused, saying that I'm not mad and the meds would make me mad instead."

This is one story of struggle.

There are so many more.

According to WHO, Trinidad and Tobago has the secondhighest rate of suicide in the region. One in four people is also undiagnosed with a mental disorder in the country.

The imperative question: why?

Undergraduate Capstone Project | Awarded Faculty Selected Outstanding Capstone Prize

“By calypso, our stories are told.

Ca­lyp­so cel­e­brates life and analy­zes the way we live it.”

Kaiso

suicide outreach center port of spain, trinidad & tobago scope: 15000 ft2

02

a calypso connection. colonialism. It brought a Calypso is the beat that pulses through the veins of sense of community to an ostracized populace.

Trinidadians.

Trinidadians together in a way that prejudice cannot obscure nor tarnish.

Calypso, as a part of Through its ebbs & flows, calypso allows Trinidadians Trinidad’s consciousness, to reflect on the stories that brings people back to tie the nation together. In their roots: the humility of Trinidad’s history, calypso their ancestors fostering was rhetorically and community to build anew and overcome obstacles emotively used as social together. These harmonious commentary. Seemingly joyful jingles were double tunes were catalysts for social change, and till entendres shedding light on the trials of racism and this day, calypso binds

Calypso has changed Trinidad in a way that textbooks can never fully capture. As the voice for the disenfranchised, calypso draws similarities to a suicide treatment center as both raise awareness, acceptance, and community in midst of alienation and obscurity.

duality: the grounding elements in a transformative experience

double entendre

intertwining spaces and structures create a layered approach to healing and awareness

healing that is truly transformative. the ebb and flow of calypso as the Trinidadian pulse

what’s in a brain?

cultural stigma taboo social distancing

shame 1 in 4 Trinidadians are misdiagnosed with a mental disorder

Trinidad has the second highest rate of suicide in the region

beautiful paradox 1 in 5 people leave a note 78% of people in developing countries believe seeking treatment is a sign of personal failure.

the value of community in a world of anonymity.

"Religion is a protective factor for many.

Those who are faithful justify their failed attempt as wrong according to religion, causing them to feel overwhelmed. when seeking help, they would rather not be seen due to the negative stigma."

-Dr. Winston Gopaul-

The power of community and spirituality is crucial a victim’s healing, especially when siting a treatment facility in Trinidad.

Stigma discourages people in need of treatment from seeking help. Changing the perception of suicide treatment would be most effective by bringing the primary users, at-risk patients and those bereaved, together. There is an incredible opportunity to foster community and inclusivity. It would emphasize a simple truth: mental health disorders can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, class or ethnic background.

primary users. men between the ages of 15 to 21. currently in high school, studying for the prestigious CAPE exam. under high expectations to succeed. those who are thinking of suicide.

women between the ages of 15 and 23. 80% of women who attempt are victims of domestic abuse, and do not complete because of their kids. those who attempted but survived. women between the ages of 33 and 46. mostly single mothers who are raising their children alone, and have lost their partner or a child. those who lost someone to suicide.

how can design address suicide stigma?

The Old Public Library.

a vignette of the past.

Woodford Square & the old Library are as essential to Trinidad's collective narrative as calypso.

Addressing stigma to rewire engagement. Historically rule in 1901 to help grow socio-cultural perceptions dubbed University Square, an educated middle class. on mental illness is critical Trinis visited this square to The building's accessibility Trinidadians to consider when siting a be kept acquainted with welcomed mental health treatment current events. It lies in to read and discuss the close proximity to places ideas of democracy. center in Trinidad. where at-risk people can Like calypso, the fight Surrounded by Parliament, seek asylum: rehab centers, for independence was City Hall, Hall of Justice, schools, religious spaces, a collective voice that transcended religion, race, and places of worship, hospitals & shelters. and economic divides. the historic Woodford Square is located at the The Old Public Library was crux of justice and civic established during colonial

unapologetically trini. the story of a city. a personified narrative.

destigmatization.

Site confines: 10.6532° N, 61.5105° W

together we aspire. together we achieve.

why choose the old public library? proximity to schools fosters a sense of safety & belonging to community

the old library brought people together to fight for independence

woodford square: a historically significant civic center

the ties that bind us...

community.

bereavement.

religion.

culture.

...are stronger than those that tear us apart.

what people often forget is that the brain is the most important organ in our body. just because you can't see mental illness doesn't mean that it's not destructive to an individual or their family without intervention." community: addressing the generational bereavement is the period of grieving after gap can bring people together to shed losing a loved one. this process parallels negative stigma & raise awareness. that which a person who is ideating suicide feels when coming to terms with their life. religion is a coping mechanism for trauma. it gives a sense of belonging to trinidadians, In the end, what binds Trinidadians together helping them reintegrate into communities. is their culture: a shared history of growth.

how can design help people heal?

04

03

spiritual space

music therapy

yoga room

06 07

therapy gym

children's daycare

level two

central staircase

02

01 05

group therapy

level one

beat the pan, mister man.

understanding the central staircase.

The birth of the steel band was inevitable by the turn of the last century.

Attempts made by colonists to stifle nonEuropean cultural traditions (like African drumming & dancing) proved futile to Trinidad's community of laborers.

Instead of repressing a disembodied people, it

steeled the will of street culture artists to create a musical instrument that represented the different cultures that were brought to work in Trinidad's fields.

Old Oil Drums were repurposed into steel pans, the multi-tonal

instruments whose cheery tunes are synonymous with the Caribbean.

The central staircase is located at the heart of the main gathering space.

The railings and overall form are abstracted from a deconstructed steel pan.

the deconstructed steelpan. a hub to celebrate culture.

green space? old time houses?

a game or two?

kaiso | page 4 of 7

children's daycare Hopscotch, schooch, all fours & marbles are childhood games with a unique trinidadian twist.

These games develop childrens' motor sklls by teaching them how to interact, socialize and resolve conflict. Traditional games are all inherently part of Trinidad's culture, transcending all racial and socioeconomic divides.

02

For the love of Theater.

Live performances evoke the raw quality of human emotion.

Entr'acte is an immersive dining experience that captures the emotive quality of theater in the midst of the raw and rugged terrain of the Cardin Quarry.

The word entr'acte, in the world of theater is a break between scenes,

benefitting to both guests and performers. It is a segue from one atmosphere to another.

For the audience, it is an opportunity to collect their emotions so they are more immersed in the following scenes.

Entr'acte: an immersive, theatrical dining experience where the world is the stage and all attendees are actorsa show unlike any other.

“All the world’s a stage, and all men and women are merely players; they have their entry and exits...”

Entr’acte

immersive dining experience lacoste, france scope: 12000 ft2

03

The Green Zone.

"Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goalsboth essential ingredients for long-term success." -Bill Ford

To enact real change, companies must also act in best interests of the planet.

The Green Zone, done in collaboration with Office Current predictions Depot, examined the company’s sustainability prove holding countries initiatives to create circular accountable for sustainable initiatives is not enough. Large solutions that could benefit people, planet and profits. stakeholders also matter.

Graduate Capstone Project | Winning Case Study (jury selected)

“No matter how complex global problems may seem, they cannot be beyond our power to resolve.”

The Green Zone business case study boca raton, fl scope: 1500 ft2

04

1 3 5

1. 2 3 .4 5.6

To craft experiences, it means that some must be captured as well. and so, carpe diem. seize those moments. and make that story really good.

-

.2 .4 .6

THE END.

THANK YOU.