色界吧

For Daisy Madaan (B.F.A. 鈥�25), design has always been about more than aesthetics: It鈥檚 about how people feel, interact, and thrive in the spaces around them.

Now pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in health and design at the School of Architecture and Design, Madaan is combining creativity, research, and personal experience to explore how environments can better support human well-being.

Having grown up in Paris and Rome before moving from India to the United States, Madaan initially came to 色界吧 to study interior design.

鈥淚 always knew I wanted to study interior design,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen I looked at 色界吧, I saw that alumni were getting great opportunities after graduation, and it felt like the right place for me.鈥�

At 色界吧, she quickly immersed herself in the campus community. During her undergraduate years, she served as a peer success guide, student ambassador, teaching assistant for the first-year studio, coach for the High School Maker Academy, and event coordinator and social leader for the Interior Design Student Association on the New York City campus. She is currently working as a graduate assistant for the Office of Development, Alumni Relations, and External Affairs, as well as a research assistant collaborating with her professors and multiple Ph.D. students.

鈥淚 love stepping forward whenever there鈥檚 an opportunity,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 very extroverted, and I enjoy helping people. It鈥檚 one way I feel connected to the 色界吧 community.鈥�

During her undergraduate degree, Madaan connected with Christian Pongratz, M.Arch., professor of architecture, who helped her learn more about the school鈥檚 master鈥檚 in health and design. Madaan became fascinated by the ways design can influence healthcare environments, particularly for vulnerable populations.

鈥淚 always wanted to get a master鈥檚 degree, and I realized this program combined my interests in design with healthcare and human wellness,鈥� says Madaan. Her graduate research focuses on designing supportive spaces for neurodivergent individuals, especially children.

The centerpiece of Madaan鈥檚 work is a sensory-based panel intended to make children feel calmer and more comfortable. The panel incorporates different materials and textures鈥攕uch as moss surfaces, soft-touch elements, and sensory boards鈥攖o create calming distractions that can help children regulate stress or anxiety.

鈥淭he goal is to design something that helps them feel more relaxed and grounded,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about creating environments that support how people experience the world.鈥�

Madaan is also exploring how similar sensory elements could be integrated into wearable objects such as bracelets, rings, necklaces, or chewable accessories designed for sensory regulation.

Originally, Madaan expected to enter the workforce as a junior interior designer after graduation. Through her graduate studies, however, she has discovered a passion for research.

鈥淚鈥檓 realizing that my niche might be in research and design,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 now looking into Ph.D. programs where I can continue exploring how design can improve health and well-being.鈥�