The Office of Academic Affairs awarded Marissa Kronenfeld ’20 (BFA), whose thesis project is featured on this page, the Chairman’s Award for her overall performance at NYSID. At NYSID, thesis projects are long journeys that challenge students to brainstorm, conduct research, and synthesize all they have learned. The journey ends with a presentation to a jury of faculty and industry professionals. Our students work closely with faculty to create hypothetical designs that offer solutions to real-world problems. View all 2020 thesis projects here.

Student: Marissa Kronenfeld
Project: Elysium Sustainable Hotel & Brewery
Program: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Instructor: Jack Travis

Marissa Kronenfeld intended this hospitality space to be a hub for locals who love craft beer, and an immersion into sustainability for hotel guests. Using biophilic design principles, Kronenfeld created a green roof garden, an indoor farmer’s market that sells produce grown on the premises, and a brewery that reuses byproducts from the brewing process. She sourced reclaimed and environmentally friendly materials throughout. The fully self-sustainable space draws on the aesthetic of its Brooklyn neighborhood , so it feels both urban and natural. She says of her advisor, “Jack Travis really helped me grow as a student and maintain my individual perspective for the project.” Kronenfeld is especially proud of what she calls the “Parks,” balcony areas that jut out every few floors and overlook the entire space.