Aya S. Sawalha, M.Des.

Instructor, Department of Interior Design
An-Najah National University

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Aya S. Sawalha holds the position of Instructor in the Department of Interior Design at An-Najah National University. She earned her Master's degree in Interior Design with excellence from Amman Al-Ahliyyah University, and her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from An-Najah National University.

Sawalha brings distinguished academic experience spanning over six years of university teaching across leading educational institutions in Palestine and Jordan, including Palestine Technical University and Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan. She has developed and delivered a comprehensive range of foundational and specialized courses in interior design, including Architecture and Design Theory, Lighting and Acoustic Techniques in Interior Design, Architectural and Engineering Drawing, and Computer-Aided Design. She has also contributed effectively to curriculum development and academic planning at the departmental level.

Her teaching methodology is characterized by integration between theoretical foundations and practical application, with emphasis on building students' critical thinking and creative capacities, and preparing them for effective engagement in the professional marketplace according to the highest contemporary standards and practices.

Her research interests center on human-centered interior design, exploring the intersections between the built environment and human well-being. Her Master's thesis examined the impact of access to nature views on enhancing psychological and physical well-being in female university dormitories. Her current research interests include: biophilic design and its applications in interior spaces, sustainability in interior design, the role of cultural identity in shaping architectural and interior spaces, psychological design and its effects on human behavior and mental health, and designing supportive environments for well-being in educational and residential institutions.

Her research and professional philosophy is guided by the firm conviction that "beauty is for everyone," and that effective interior design must achieve balance between visual aesthetics and the psychological and functional needs of human beings.

Alongside her academic career, Sawalha has maintained an active professional practice as a freelance interior design consultant since 2014, specializing in the application of biophilic design principles and human-centered design in residential and commercial projects. This integration of academic research and professional practice enables her to enrich the educational process with real-world field experience and stay current with the latest developments and trends in interior design.

Sawalha is proficient in industry-standard specialized software for interior design, including AutoCAD, SketchUp Pro, 3D MAX with V-Ray, and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator). She is fluent in both Arabic and English, which contributes to enhancing academic and professional communication locally and internationally.