Remembering Home is a thesis project involving a deeply personal exploration of the ways in which interior design can evoke memories and a sense of belonging while inspiring intergenerational storytelling within the South Asian diaspora community. In my childhood, some of my most cherished moments were spent sitting on the kitchen floor with my grandmothers, surrounded by the aromas of cardamom and cumin, listening to stories that connected me to a lineage extending far beyond the walls of our home. When I moved to New York, I realized how easily these traditions could fade in the fast pace of city life and the anonymity of modern apartments. This project is my response—a way to reclaim and reimagine those rituals of gathering, sharing, and remembering.

I chose to transform a typical rowhouse in Jackson Heights by drawing inspiration from the Nalukettu homes of Kerala, India, which are designed around open courtyards and communal spaces. In my design, the floor is not just a surface but a stage for connection: In it, sunlit communal zones, stepped nooks, and floor seating invite people of all ages to sit together, dissolving hierarchy and encouraging spontaneous conversation. The kitchen—the heart of the home—features an interactive digital rug depicting animated patterns and sounds inspired by South Asian festivals and daily life. Everyday objects such as spice boxes, chai cups, and textiles bear QR codes enabling one to engage with digital stories, contributing one's own personal stories, recipes, and memories. This feature creates an ever-evolving archive that honors both tradition and innovation.

Through sensory design—incorporating familiar scents, textures, and sounds—I hope to evoke the warmth and comfort of home for anyone who enters. Remembering Home is not just a design proposal, it is a love letter to my grandmothers and an invitation for everyone to gather, remember, and create new stories together, no matter where they are in the world.