For Yorkville University Bachelor of Interior Design graduate Irina Alturmessova, the concept of loneliness isn’t something to fear or fix. Instead, through her award-winning Grad Showcase project The Art of Void, she sought to reframe it as solitude – a powerful state where reflection, creativity and healing can flourish.
Rooted in the symbol of the mathematical empty set (∅) and the Latin phrase Ex Nihilo Omnia – “from nothing, everything arises” – Alturmessova’s project reimagines Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works as a restorative art centre. Designed as an adaptive reuse of the historic industrial site, The Art of Void integrates community support, educational resources, mental health services and immersive art spaces that invite contemplation and discovery.
“Whenever a person is feeling lonely, they usually describe it as an inner void. So, my main idea was to embrace that void,” Alturmessova explained. “Loneliness feels like an inner void, but there is an inner strength inside that, which people can find and be comfortable with.”
Guided by environmental psychology, the project emphasizes accessibility, human scale and connection to nature, while fostering belonging, resilience and transformation for individuals and communities alike.
A Journey Back to Her Roots
Alturmessova’s path to interior design has been a deeply personal one. Having first earned a degree in Architecture and later specializing in Urban Planning, she rediscovered her passion for interior design after moving to Canada.
“When I came here, I needed to find a degree that I was always passionate about and Interior Design was it for me,” she said. “It’s what first led me to pursuing Architecture, so I decided to return to my inner roots.”
The flexibility of Yorkville’s blended learning model was key for Alturmessova, who balanced her studies with the responsibilities of raising her daughter. “I’m a mom, so that (flexibility) was the major reason why I chose Yorkville,” she noted. “I have lots of responsibilities and Yorkville’s (hybrid) program gave me the power to study and pursue my Interior Design degree.”
Recognition Beyond the Classroom
Alturmessova’s design work has already earned widespread recognition. In the last two years, she has been singled out twice for projects submitted to the Interior Designers of Canada’s Innovation in Design Thinking: Student Competition – The Art of Void earned her an Award of Merit in 2025, and her project entitled The Tree of Life: Post-Disaster Shelter was awarded with an Honourable Mention in 2024.
She was also named one of Metropolis Magazine’s Future100 Interior Design Undergraduate Winners – an honour celebrating the top emerging designers across North America.
A Community of Support
Reflecting on her time at Yorkville, Alturmessova said her favourite experiences came from her on-campus studio courses, with their small class sizes that fostered strong relationships between students and faculty.
“All of the professors that teach here are absolutely amazing – I love them and the way they teach,” she said. “They really go far and beyond in always supporting us and helping students bring out their inner design strengths. I really love it.”
While she admitted the COVID-19 pandemic initially left her feeling isolated, she found connection and community through Yorkville’s events and the eventual return to campus life.
“When we started to return to on-campus classes, I met a lot of students and then those connections kind of continued online,” she said. “So that really helped – the events, being on campus and just getting used to the online environment.”
A Showcase of Ambition
Alturmessova’s work was recently featured as part of Yorkville University’s joint Graduate Showcase – the second for the BID program and the inaugural showcase for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA).
“The joint Graduate Showcase today boldly embraces ambition, curiosity and the spirit of creative exploration,” said Angela Antohi-Kominek, Principal and VP Academic, Yorkville Ontario.
BID Chair Reem Habib echoed that pride: “This is one of my favourite events of the year, and it fills us with enormous pride to see the students reaching these milestones and achieving success.”
Yorkville University President and Vice Chancellor Julia Christensen Hughes added, “I just want to tell the students in the room how incredibly proud and moved I am by your work. It is truly remarkable.”
