
Faculty of Design
Environmental Design - Interior Design Specialization
Meet the Designer
Ashkan
Haghighat Nia
aka. OCAD University Graduate Student, Environmental Design: Interior Design
“Designing greener cities by reimagining forgotten infrastructure into public, sustainable spaces.”

I am an Environmental Design student focused on transforming urban infrastructure into spaces that promote ecological and social wellbeing. My thesis reimagines the Gardiner Expressway in downtown Toronto through renaturalization—introducing moss-covered surfaces, pedestrian walkways, and public gathering areas beneath the expressway. Using Rhino, AutoCAD, and hand-built models, I explore how architecture can integrate nature and community into the city’s concrete core. I also use Illustrator, Canva, and collage to visualize narrative-driven designs rooted in culture, sustainability, and spatial storytelling.
OCAD U - Faculty of Design
Environmental Design - Interior Design Specialization
Major Completed, 2025
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
High School
Major Completed, 2021
AutoCAD Rhino Physical model-making Architectural hand drawing Illustrator Canva Collage Mixed Media Digital + manual representation Spatial and architectural design
2021, Honour Roll Award
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
2021, Ontario Scholar
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
2021, Studica Technology Award
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
2020, Honour Roll Award
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
2017, 3rd Place - Art Selling Competition
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
2021, Studica Technology Award
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
2021, Honour Roll Award
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
2020, Honour Roll Award
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy
2017, 3rd Place - Art Selling Competition
Our Lady Queen of the World Academy

Celebrate the work of OCAD U’s class of 2024/2025!