IE University’s School of Architecture and Design continues to lead the way in fostering creativity and groundbreaking ideas. This year, Dezeen, the world’s most influential architecture, interiors and design magazine, featured 10 exceptional projects from IE students. With over three million monthly readers and seven million social media followers, Dezeen is a global stage for emerging talent—and this year, our students have made their mark.
Our students’ top 10 projects featured in Dezeen
Here’s a closer look at the exceptional student projects featured in Dezeen, in no particular order:
Commodity of Land and Locals: Exotic Invasive Species by Alara Aykanat
Alara’s project challenges human-centered design by comparing humans to invasive species. She envisions a world where non-human elements—like animals and plants—are treated as co-creators of space. By rethinking ecology as “oikos,” or a shared household, her designs promote kinship with nature. This idea pushes us toward sustainable infrastructures that blend humanity and biodiversity in harmony.
The City Under A Tree by Daniela Figueroa Rozotto
By integrating temporary and permanent structures for public and private events, Daniela has created a space that adapts to the city of Malaga to its year-round needs. Her innovative eco-friendly systems—solar panels, rainwater collection, and improved bike paths—showcase a practical yet visionary approach to urban design. This project isn’t just a design; it’s a blueprint for social sustainability.
Sticks and Stones of Flood + Drought by Yusuf Sühan Bozkurt
Yusuf has reimagined Girona’s landscape with a climate-adaptive project that uses limestone terraces to manage floods and droughts. These terraces transform into reservoirs during heavy rains and community museums during drier times. The vertical social housing minimizes environmental footprints, proving that thoughtful architecture can evolve with nature and society’s needs.
Mediateca San Andrés – Centro Cultural de Málaga by Daphne Fournel
Daphne envisions a médiathèque in Málaga as a cultural and educational hub that connects the city’s past and future. Designed to collaborate with the University of Málaga and local tech firms, the space blends innovation with regional heritage. With cycling routes integrated into the architecture and a public plaza that embraces the coastline, Daphne’s project emphasizes accessibility and sustainable urban movement.
Wood on Wood by María Suárez-Pumariega Blanco
María’s project brings the Nervión River back to life in Bilbao. Her adaptive hybrid plaza transforms with the tides, serving as a pool, a gathering space, or an event venue. By incorporating rainwater systems, solar panels, and aerothermal energy, the design is both functional and eco-conscious. María’s work reflects a profound understanding of how natural elements and urban spaces can coexist.
Reconstructed Modernism: A Revision on Euro-American Design Ideologies by Carlos Loaiza
Carlos’s thesis critiques how classical antiquity has been misrepresented in modernist design. Through speculative designs and a revisionist approach, he calls for a more inclusive understanding of modernism.
“This project tested all the skills I learned at IE University and allowed me to tackle real-world problems from a designer’s perspective. It also taught me that designers can solve the complexities of the 21st century.”
Memory Shells: Reconnecting Lebanese Post-War Generations to Lost National Belonging and Memory by Mariane Meshaka
Mariane’s project transforms Beirut’s iconic but abandoned cinema, The Egg, into a space for collective memory and reconciliation. Once a sniper’s post during the Lebanese Civil War, The Egg now symbolizes hope and unity. Her design incorporates traditional crafts and cultural tools to heal sectarian divides, creating a shared space for all Lebanese communities.
Accelerating Pink by Alejandra Gabián, Ana Sánchez and Alejandra Olaguibel
This trio reimagines the color pink as a symbol of sustainability. Their interactive city design in Madrid highlights recycling processes for textiles and plastics, using bioengineered pink pigments. By engaging visitors with playful, hands-on activities, the project transforms sustainability into a creative and approachable concept, reshaping perceptions of environmental responsibility.
KIRI Table by Isabel Peña, Isabel Sánchez and Kayla Vinh
The KIRI Table addresses ocean pollution by repurposing ghost fishing nets into functional, artistic furniture. By using Kirigami techniques, the designers created fluid, dynamic forms that imitate the ocean’s movement. Furthermore, every scrap of plastic is reused, even the shavings, which are turned into lampshades. This project is an example of how waste can be transformed into beauty and utility.
Another Round? By Candela del Barrio
Candela tackles social media addiction with a phone case designed to discourage digital distractions during face-to-face interactions. The case has a fun board game inside, but its tokens fall out if the user gets distracted and picks up the phone mid-game. Her design playfully critiques modern social behaviors while promoting meaningful human engagement.
A proud moment for IE University
Being featured in Dezeen not only celebrates the brilliance of IE’s students but also highlights the university’s commitment to empowering the next generation of designers. Their projects also reflect a mastery of technical skills and a deep passion for innovation.
Congratulations to all the featured students! Your work inspires others and showcases the transformative power of design.