2 Student Projects Bridging People, Place, and Process

An undergraduate interior design student at the University of Arkansas, Dakota Kalkstein brings a grounded, human-centered approach to design. “I see design not as a luxury but as a language that should be recognizable and tangible to the people who build, use, and live within it,” he says. His work bridges the gap between concept and making, creating environments that are honest, accessible, and resonant with everyday life.

His project Pathways of Connection reimagines an adolescent mental wellness facility within Fayetteville’s greenway system. Housed within an adaptive-reuse mass timber building, the project creates a literal and symbolic connection between public amenities—a café and bike repair shop—and patient spaces. Exposed CLT joints, strategic openings, and a central commons provide orientation, choice, and gentle access to nature, fostering therapeutic interaction while reducing stress and isolation.

In Little Easy, a proposal in a New Orleans microhome competition, Kalkstein and collaborators Drew Schillings, Campbell Osier, and Turner Cane draw on the Haitian-origin shotgun house to create elevated, puzzle-like structures that respond to rising sea levels. Each unit features a shared kitchen and social hub while consolidating spaces for living and work, promoting neighborly interaction and supporting the continuity of the city’s diverse, culturally rich communities. 

“Dakota demonstrates a rare combination of curiosity, discipline, and creative maturity,” says Jake Tucci, assistant professor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas. “He learns quickly, approaches new challenges with calm dedication, and executes his ideas with thoughtfulness and exceptional craftsmanship.”

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