51ĀŅĀ×

My name is Sophia Birch. Iā€™m from Strongsville, Ohio, a suburb just outside of Cleveland, and Iā€™m currently living in Athens as I complete my senior year at 51ĀŅĀ×, majoring in Interior Architecture. Design has always been a part of meā€”something Iā€™ve loved since I was young. Whether it was sketching unique spaces in a notebook or building tiny model houses, I was constantly designing and didn't even know it. Creativity was never just a hobby; it was how I connected to the world.

Carpentry runs deep in my family roots and my dad just recently became an independent contractor. Growing up around many types of projects made me love to build with the hand. My parents both taught me the importance of hard work, so no matter what Iā€™m creatingā€”whether itā€™s a school project or a personal pieceā€”I try my hardest. Thereā€™s nothing more satisfying than standing back and feeling proud of what youā€™ve built.

What draws me most to interior architecture is the emotional impact of design. I want to create spaces that make people feel somethingā€”comfort, connection, even joy. Iā€™m constantly inspired by other artists and designers and love looking deeper into their work, seeing how they think, and finding my own interpretation. Sustainability is also at the core of my values. I believe in leaving things better than we found them, both in design and in life. Thereā€™s so much beauty in this world, and I like to believe we all have the power to make it better, one stepā€”or spaceā€”at a time.

As I finish college, Iā€™m looking for a job that will help launch my career and give me a chance to grow. My next chapter is all about building independence, while still staying grounded in the people and values I love. I hope to travel, learn, create, and keep evolving as a designer and a person. If I can make even a small difference through design, Iā€™ll know Iā€™m on the right path.

My Senior Thesis