Zoha Tasneem Centers Empathy and Ecology

Parsons MFA interior design student Zoha Tasneem’s work is driven by empathy and an emphasis on coexistence with natural systems. Inspired by the dual, changing nature of life at the waterfront, her Amphibian Urban Interiors project reimagines urban interiors for coastal communities threatened by rising sea levels, seeking cyclical, sustainable solutions for both encroaching tides and related food insecurity. “The concept of an amphibian interior emerged from the realization that it’s not just about adapting spaces for humans, but about respecting and integrating marine life throughout the design,” she says. 

Zoha Tasneem Prioritizes Ecological Impact in Design Choices

The breakthrough came when she visited the sea in person. “I brought back fresh kelp, smelled the salt air, and watched oysters clustering on rocks,” she says. “Seeing these ecosystems firsthand made me realize the design couldn’t be a massive, imposed structure—it had to be small, modular, and built over time by the people who use it.” Her goal was to foster a sense of responsible growth and an awareness of material origins and impact. To address potential hazards—like the proliferation of invasive species—Tasneem’s design process considers each local ecosystem as a deeply interconnected whole. The project incorporates natural materials like algae, seaweed, kelp, and oysters, considering the larger ecological impact of each design decision along the way. “If we aren’t careful,” she warns, “we risk falling into the same cycle of consumerism—extracting resources without allowing time for regeneration and ultimately disrupting entire ecosystems.” 

For Tasneem, “designing with empathy means recognizing that materials are not just passive components; they have histories, cycles, and ecological impacts that extend far beyond their use in a single project.”