I am a designer, artist, and urbanist currently based in New York, deeply fascinated by how we interact with design, color, and the spaces that surround us.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I witnessed the impacts of uneven development and displacement in communities that shaped my interest in urban-scale design and community-led approaches to space-making. My work centers on reimagining the kitchen as a prefigurative public space, exploring how public infrastructure can be redesigned to foster mutual aid, cooperative practices, and community-led investment.

Every Tuesday, I run a public kitchen program at an East New York branch of Brooklyn Public Library called People’s Kitchen, where together we imagine a new future for public space and food access.

Most recently I worked under Evren Uzer, Professor of Strategic Design and Urban Practice at Parsons School of Design, The New School, focusing on developing curriculum for a course "Community Engagement 101" for educators to foster more mutually beneficial external partnerships and community engagement. In this role, I have contributed to creating interactive modules that guide educators in building reciprocal relationships with community organizations, including a pilot workshop implemented in collaboration with a local housing nonprofit.

Additionally, I work as the sous chef at La Cantine's dinner service, Sunsets.


view my resume here



soraya barar

gbarar@gmail.com
(323) 719-1998