Artist Biography
Cassandra, a senior at Endicott College, is set to graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture. Throughout her time at Endicott, she has balanced her academic pursuits with her role as an athlete on the cross country team. Additionally, she completed an internship at SMMA, an Architecture Firm in Cambridge, which extended beyond her required hours into the spring semester. Cassandra’s achievements include earning a spot on the Dean’s List as a student athlete and contributing to her team’s recognition with All-Academic Team honors for the 2023 season. Recently, she was admitted into the Kappi Pi International Art Honors Society and the Tri-Alpha Honor Society, which recognizes first-generation scholars.
Cassandra’s thesis idea stemmed from childhood observations of Peter Hawkins, a wheelchair athlete and marathoner, navigating an inaccessible camp ground. This experience marked her first awareness of the lack of accommodation within the built environment. Motivated to make a difference, Cassandra sought to create an inclusive space…
Thesis Abstract
Nexus Fitness & Health is a fitness center that provides an inclusive environment where individuals of all ages and abilities can engage in physical activity. Through various programs and services, guests can experience recreational opportunities, physical therapy, and fitness training. The design aligns closely with the client’s vision of promoting an active lifestyle and aims to guide users towards optimal health and wellness.
Upon conducting research, it became evident that prevalent external barriers, including inaccessibility, inadequate accommodations, and restricted access to local sports facilities, pose substantial challenges for individuals with disabilities, hindering their engagement in sports activities. Nexus Fitness and Health emerged with the mission to combat stigmas associated with physical disabilities and establish an environment centered on accessibility, empowerment, and community inclusion.