Hi, I’m Savanna, a fourth-year Spatial Design student at Massey University, with a growing passion for designing spaces that are not only functional but deeply human. My practice is rooted in inclusive, human-centred design, and I’m especially interested in how spatial environments can enhance people’s independence, well-being, and sense of belonging. My current research focuses on sensory-responsive and neurodiversity-inclusive design, exploring how light, acoustics, materiality, texture, and spatial flow can reduce sensory overload and support the unique ways people experience and navigate the world. I’m particularly drawn to how design can create calm, empowering environments for those who are often excluded by conventional approaches. It’s work that feels both urgent and full of potential.

Through a wide range of academic projects, spanning residential interiors, public spaces, and conceptual installations, I’ve been able to experiment with design as a tool for empathy, advocacy, and innovation. I’m fascinated by the emotional and atmospheric qualities of space, and how thoughtful design decisions can shape not just behaviour, but also mood, memory, and connection. Although sensory design is a key focus of my research, it’s not the only aspect of my practice. I also care deeply about sustainability, aesthetics, and the cultural narratives embedded in the built environment. Whether I’m designing for a real-world brief or exploring more speculative ideas, I aim to balance usability with sensory and emotional richness, creating environments that are adaptive, inclusive, and meaningful to those who use them. At the heart of everything I do is a belief that design should be responsive, intentional, and deeply rooted in care. I’m interested in how we can use design to not only solve problems, but to tell stories, spark empathy, and create spaces where everyone can feel more at home, in themselves and in the world around them.