Designing Spaces that tell stories & support well-being
"About Me"
A Journey of Heart and Home – Interior Architecture
Welcome to my online portfolio. My name is Sheila Farouk. I am located in Switzerland where I live and work. Before I knew what architecture was, I was already obsessed with space. My mother, pregnant with me, spent her weekends touring properties “just for fun.” Fast-forward a few years, and I found myself in a tiny student apartment, studying economics but obsessed with how the kitchenette disappeared behind a sliding door. That was the beginning.
My professional path first led me into marketing, where I gained a foundation I still draw on today: understanding people’s needs, reading between the lines of a brief, and translating vision into results. I learned to listen, manage complexity, and balance creativity with feasibility skills that now shape how I design. Yet architecture was never far from my mind or heart. I kept sketching floor plans, experimenting with bold colors (a daring move in Switzerland), and eventually, after a few life-altering events, I found the courage to pursue this dream for real.
I went back to school while working full-time, earned a diploma in interior architecture from the Swiss Design Center/Athenaeum in Lausanne (Switzerland), and took extra training in construction site management and CAD 2D/3D. I joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA), built a professional network, and threw myself into real-world projects - from remote renovations to board roles at the AIA Continental Europe.
My path may be non-traditional, but it’s full of intention, courage, and curiosity. I design not just for aesthetics, but for wellbeing. And I believe the best spaces are the ones that tell a story. Find out more about me here.
