Student Projects Connect People Place and Process

Dakota Kalkstein, an undergraduate interior design student at the University of Arkansas, has been named a Metropolis Future100 honoree for 2026. His work focuses on human-centered design, an approach that treats architecture not as a luxury good but as a functional language. Kalkstein believes this language should be tangible and recognizable to the people who build and live within it. His projects aim to bridge the gap between abstract concepts and physical making, creating spaces that feel honest and accessible to everyday users.

One of his standout projects, Pathways of Connection, reimagines an adolescent mental wellness facility. The design is located within the greenway system of Fayetteville, Arkansas. It utilizes an adaptive-reuse mass timber building to house the clinic. A key feature is the literal connection between public amenities, such as a café and a bike repair shop, and the patient spaces. This layout is designed to reduce isolation and stress. Exposed CLT joints and strategic openings provide orientation, allowing for gentle access to nature. The central commons offers choice, encouraging therapeutic interaction without an institutional feel.

The structural honesty of the timber isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it signals a shift in how we think about care facilities. By making the building’s skeleton visible and integrating it with public greenways, the design removes the stigma often attached to mental health services. It turns the act of seeking help into a normal part of the neighborhood’s daily rhythm, rather than a hidden or segregated experience.

Kalkstein’s other major entry, Little Easy, addresses the rising threat of sea-level rise in New Orleans. Working with collaborators Drew Schillings, Campbell Osier, and Turner Cane, he proposed raised, puzzle-like microhomes for a competition. These structures draw inspiration from the Haitian-origin shotgun house. Each unit consolidates living and work spaces while featuring a shared kitchen and social hub. The goal is to promote neighborly interaction and support the continuity of the city’s diverse, culturally rich communities.

Jake Tucci, an assistant professor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, praised Kalkstein’s approach. “Dakota demonstrates a rare combination of curiosity, discipline, and creative maturity,” Tucci said. “He learns quickly, approaches new challenges with calm dedication, and executes his ideas with thoughtfulness and exceptional craftsmanship.”

The selection highlights a growing interest in student work that balances technical skill with social responsibility. Kalkstein’s portfolio shows a move away from purely decorative interiors toward environments that actively support community resilience. Whether in Arkansas or New Orleans, the common thread is a commitment to making space work for the people inside it.