Artist Biography
Shannon Hermann is a senior at Endicott College, majoring in Interior Architecture and graduating in May of 2023. She shares a deep love and understanding of environmental psychology and how spaces affect those within them. She also shares her love of nature and natural elements within each space she designs as she believes the connection of nature to the built environment will benefit users greatly. Her decision to pursue design was easy as she understands how important it is to create a space that meets the needs of the user.
Thesis Abstract
Learning environments are critical to a child’s fundamental development years. However, students with learning disabilities, especially those in inner-city and low-income schools, are more likely to be left with underdeveloped skills and lack the tools needed to further their education. Research demonstrates that students with learning disabilities suffer the most in low-income areas due to the lack of funding, qualified staff, and resources. School districts with the resources required to work with children with learning disabilities often spend much time planning an individualized curriculum. However, due to the little empirical data available, it is difficult to assess whether these students are gaining anything from their efforts. Learning environments should be designed to be inclusive of individuals using the space regardless of their social status, income, or learning ability; resources should be aligned to support the needs of all students, producing a more confident and independent learning experience. This project solves design issues surrounding underfunded school districts and shows how public schools can be designed to meet the needs of all users in the space.