Two SoI Grad students chosen for 2025 Metropolis Future100
Two graduate students from the University of Kentucky’s School of Interiors have been named to Metropolis magazine’s prestigious 2025 Future100 list, an honor recognizing the top architecture and interior design students in North America. Fatima Samman, who graduated with her master’s in interiors in December, and Zahra Hajibabaei, who is graduating with her interiors master’s next week, were selected for their outstanding academic work, visionary design portfolios and potential to lead the future of the design industry.
The Future100 program, launched in 2021, identifies 100 graduating design students who represent excellence in design thinking and a commitment to innovation and sustainability. Selected students are nominated by faculty members and reviewed by a panel of industry professionals. Both Hajibabaei and Samman were nominated by UK College of Design Associate Dean for Research and School of Interiors Associate Professor Lindsey Fay.
Samman was recognized for her deeply research-driven and culturally rooted design work, especially her thesis titled "Linking the Past to the Future through Design Theory: Preserve the Atmospheric Experiences of the Rowshan in Al-Balad, Saudi Arabia."
Her work documents and reimagines the historic interiors of one of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s oldest buildings, the Noorwali House, with a focus on the Rowshan, an architectural element that bridges indoor and outdoor space. Samman’s portfolio highlights her commitment to preserving cultural identity through adaptive reuse, while also embracing contemporary materials, lighting and patterns. Her projects also include ceramic tile design inspired by traditional methods, experimental installations, and a co-authored Arabic-language book on 3D Studio Max for design students.
“Fatima’s work exemplifies the integration of rigorous research and creative exploration,” Fay said in her nomination. “Her dedication to documenting and preserving historic interiors through innovative yet respectful methodologies highlights her potential to make lasting contributions to both the academic and professional realms of design."
Since graduating in December, Samman has continued her academic career at the University of Florida.
“Fatima’s dedication to design and preservation is matched by her academic drive," Fay said. "It's been inspiring to see her evolve from a committed graduate student at the University of Kentucky to a doctoral researcher at the University of Florida."
As for Hajibabaei's nomination, Fay cited Hajibabaei’s “sophisticated understanding of how interior environments can influence well-being and productivity, particularly in high-stress health-care settings." Hajibabaei earned recognition for her conceptual and human-centered approach to interior design, as reflected in a diverse portfolio of global design interventions. Her project “Reminding You of Home,” a pediatric clinic inspired by the harbor of Baltimore, creates a soothing, sail-like environment to reduce stress for young patients. Another standout, “The Last Scene: Watching the City and Victory,” honors the memory of an Iranian warlord and creates a public space that bridges history, storytelling and architecture. Her work often blends vernacular elements with innovative spatial concepts, from a school and weaving workshop that revives traditional crafts in Iran to cost-effective housing in Cambodia.
“Zahra brings a spirit of excellence and innovation to everything she does—from her impactful design research to her dedicated contributions as a teaching assistant and engaged member of the School of Interiors community,” Fay said.
Both students will receive a complimentary year-long Metropolis subscription and a celebration box. They were featured on the Metropolis website and in the Metropolis Summer issue. Members of the Future100 will also be spotlighted in a special video compilation on DesignTV by SANDOW, set for release later this Spring.
Samman and Hajibabaei’s inclusion in this year’s cohort places them among the most promising new voices in interior design and reflects the University of Kentucky’s continued excellence in nurturing creative, globally minded designers.
To view the full list of 2025 honorees, visit https://metropolismag.com/programs/future100/.