Faiza Choudhury - MA Interiors
Understory
I approach design through the lens of human wellbeing, shaped by my experiences in healthcare. This background gives me a deep understanding of how the built environment can influence emotion, behaviour, and connection. I bring care-led, values-driven thinking to every project, creating sustainable spaces that not only support human flourishing but also inspire engagement with the climate and environmental crisis.
My MA project, 'Understory', reimagines hospitality as care rather than consumption. Situated in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, it is designed for post-party recovery and collective wellbeing, offering a space where visitors can slow down, reconnect, and heal. 'understory' replaces traditional hospitality offerings like food and alcohol with IV nutrient therapy, herbal rituals, and immersive sensory encounters.
The space is botanical, minimal, and intentionally tactile. Rainwater-based misting encounters invite reflection, breath, and embodied experience. Each element is designed to support emotional decompression and social connection, creating a layered environment where wellness, community, and ecological awareness intersect.
Through 'Understory', I explore how design can actively nurture care, both for ourselves and for the planet. The project embodies my belief that hospitality can be radical, restorative, and regenerative, offering more than a place to pass through: a place to stay, feel, and belong.
