Marymount University Interior Architecture and Design graduate student Maia Hoonan (now Abelson) ‘25 has been named to Metropolis Magazine’s Future100 list, placing her among the top 50 emerging interior designers in the nation.
Hoonan is the seventh Marymount student named to the Future100 list, following designers Helia Amini, Lari Bittman and Nesreen Selim who made the list in 2024.
A DMV native, Hoonan has spent over a decade as an art director in the advertising field. Despite her success, she felt called to explore other creative avenues that may have a larger impact on others.
“Working in advertising has been a wonderful experience for me, but I’ve never felt truly connected to the people I’m producing these campaigns for,” Hoonan explained. “I want to feel that I’m making a real difference in people’s lives, that my creative work and designs actually have a tangible impact.”
During the COVID pandemic, she delved deeper into her growing interest in interior design.
“I’m very detail-oriented and mathematical, and I love to work with my hands to create things. Those have always been my strong suits,” Hoonan said. “Interior architecture is the perfect blend of all three, so it felt like a natural fit for me.”
She was drawn to Marymount’s Interior Architecture and Design program for its flexibility, which allowed her to continue working while going to school part time. After enrolling in the program, Hoonan became a standout designer, known for blending strategic creativity and innovation in her work.
“Maia consistently leads her class academically and demonstrates unparalleled creativity, resilience and a commitment to advancing the interior architecture field,” said Doug Seidler, Associate Dean of the College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology (BILT) and Hoonan’s nominator to the Metropolis Future100 list. “Maia seamlessly integrates her graphic design background, her passion for sustainability and her love of storytelling into her designs in inspiring and mission-driven ways.”
Along with Seidler’s letter of recommendation, Hoonan submitted her senior portfolio to Metropolis, complete with interior architecture, advertising and fine arts projects that detail her development as a designer.
Among these projects was her graduate health care studio project which reimagines Marymount’s Blue Garage as a multi-use space featuring a student health clinic, public-facing physical therapy clinic and creative hub. This concept built off her work as a graduate assistant for Marymount’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Center, which seeks to advocate for indigenous tribes that once inhabited Marymount’s land, and showcases her interest in creating mission-oriented, sustainable and equitable spaces.
The design features the building’s main lobby that houses the Wayfinding Gallery, an ever-evolving exhibit platforming artwork from marginalized communities. A retractable stage and bleachers seamlessly complement the space by allowing for flexibility in function through speaking engagements, performances and community events. Beyond the lobby, the building includes a hybrid indoor-outdoor physical therapy clinic and student health center designed with equal emphasis on patient and provider well-being.
“My goal for my work is to create a meaningful experience for those using my space, whether that be connecting people to the region’s culture or creating a space that encourages users to disconnect from electronics so they can better connect with one another,” she said. “Ultimately, my intention is to reinvigorate the community and celebrate each site’s unique identity.”
Hoonan’s portfolio also includes a redesign of the NEXT office building, which she created for the Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition in 2023. After researching the history of Dallas, she used the economic impact of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad (H&TC) as the concept for her work. The interior framework for this workplace studio project focused on creating a space that mimicked the railroad’s “seamless movement and dynamic connection.”
Prioritizing sustainability, Hoonan integrated salvaged railroad steel and preserved the original concrete structure throughout her design, transforming a standard office environment into a materially conscious, eco-friendly space.
These projects, along with fine art samples, earned Hoonan one of the coveted Future100 spots.
“When I saw only 19 interior design graduate students on the list and I was one of them, I was shocked. I didn’t realize it was going to be such a small number, so that is extremely validating and exciting. I’m so proud to represent Marymount’s program in this way.”
Hoonan hopes to carry this positive momentum into a career as a designer who works on mission-focused work or on entertainment for stadiums, concert venues and theaters. Seidler says he has no doubt that she will have a long and successful interior design career.
“I am confident Maia will elevate our program’s reputation in the region as she transitions to professional practice this May. Marymount University is privileged to have her as a graduate.”
