Working with renowned design faculty, M.F.A. students explore the broader topic of “Design” through a specific design discipline, drawing on collaborations with the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences. It showcases M.F.A. candidates’ final research and creative projects.

Dockable Shelter: Housing for Homeless Families

Esther Kim’s design represents the transient nature of life in the emergency shelter by providing temporary housing for homeless families in “upcycled” shipping containers that dock into a high-rise steel frame. Located in San Francisco’s historic Tenderloin district, the tower is situated behind the preserved front portion of an existing SRO hotel, which serves as entrance, art gallery and social service facility.

The unexpected tower of containers-objects typically associated with freight and portability-raises consciousness of the need for both new housing and improved living conditions within the notoriously blighted SROs.

Soulcraft Clothing: Linking Indian Handcrafts with Sustainable Design

Carol Shu’s sustainable thesis collection bridges development research and design practice to explore how fashion design can advance women’s cultural, economic and social wellbeing in developing countries. Her designs are the synthesis of her experiences in India interning for two non-governmental handcraft organizations that support women artisans. Embellished with embroidery by artisans in Mumbai and Kutch and made with sustainable and block printed fabrics, her garments are designed to be manipulated by their wearers with features such as adjustable straps and waistbands.

Her exhibition highlights the artisans who helped create her garments and shows viewers how they can participate in the design-for-social-change paradigm shift.