Yushi Zhao

Interior Design, 2019

One of the greatest problems in Franklinton is access to food. The closest grocery store is 2.6 miles away which takes about 40 minutes by bus. People are suffering food insecurity and low consciousness of health diet.

Voluntourism is a new trend of tourism which allow visitors participate in voluntary work during their vacation. Treehouse is a multi-functional hostel introducing volunteering tourism into Franklinton by working with local non-profit organization, Franklinton farms.

The aim of Treehouse is to provide fresh food access to Franklinton and offer short-term residence for volunteers from the organization. Treehouse includes a market, hostel rooms, and an open gathering space for the locals and volunteers from all over the world.

Yushi Zhao is a graduating senior at The Ohio State University and originally from Shenzhen, China.  She is pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Interior Design.  She is passionate about interior spatial design and architectural redesign. Yushi will continue her study in interior design in Pratt Institute and pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in the Fall.