STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Highlighting NEWH Student Chapter Members Salsabila Ramdhanti Banks, Mid-South Region University of Memphis Architecture and Interior Architecture Anticipated Graduation: Fall 2025 Project: University of Memphis Introspective Center Located in an existing tree grove in front of the fine arts building at the University of Memphis, the Introspective Center provides a place of rest to a busy campus life. The lush site with the addition of an entry garden and grove engages the existing site while welcoming visitors. Conceptually, the design was developed around the requirements to have an art gallery and meditation space. The design provides two zones for the art gallery: one as you enter and one space wrapping around the courtyard. The fluid art gallery gives an experience in itself. The open-air courtyard at the heart of the gallery serves as a social area for people who want to talk about art or simply connect to nature. At the end of the art gallery there's an option to use one of the private mediation rooms or go outside to an exterior meditation space that is created by a raised platform. The merging of the art gallery and meditation space addresses the program requirements while creating a seamless indoor to outdoor experience. Facing east, the design provides natural light for the gallery with the combination of shoji panels in the meditation rooms that provide soft light, enhancing the experience. Earthy materials were used to create a sense of calmness and connectedness to nature that the building provides. The design merges nature with architecture and art as a whole to achieve a true place of serenity. Clockwise from above: Exterior view; exterior meditation area; art gallery 38 newh.org Continued on p. 40 〉〉〉http://www.newh.org