As part of the second year BA (Hons) Interior Design ReHab ReUse project, six students developed design schemes within the Crypt of St Marylebone Parish Church.
The work on show was produced in the design modules which ran from September to December 2018. Over the course of 12 weeks students updated an existing building by introducing a new use, before developing this in further detail allowing them to consider interior elements including materials and finishes - an essential part of the interior design process.
Each student came up with their own concept and programme including an art therapy centre for the blind and visually impaired, a subterranean hydro therapy spa, a homeless shelter, a light therapy centre, a library and a mental health counselling space.
Students Abdulhadi Banaim, Hannah Gates, Maria Gedike, Emily Hutchins, Mercy Sossion and Courtney Welham started off their design journey by visiting the site, analysing it and generating a concept stemming from their site investigations. The initial idea is developed through drawing and model making and comes to life in the exhibition.
Tutor Rentaro Nishimura said: ‘The creative process is common practice on interior and architecture programmes in the UK but what is unique here is that by bringing the projects back to the site, where it all started, in front of the client and the public. This brings exposure and enables our young designers to engage with their audience.’
‘My students at this stage come to realise their journey – what happens during and after university life - and gain confidence and a sense of independence as they embark on the final year of their studies.’
Creative items were on sale on the night with all money donated to the church.
Ginny Walton, Project and Activity Coordinator at St. Marylebone Parish Church, said: 'It was an absolute pleasure working with Regent’s bright and engaging students as well as their tutors. Their contributions to the project were amazing and seeing their work in situ in the Crypt truly brought their creativity to life.'
Throughout the current semester, the interior design students have been designing and building the exhibition for their graduate end of year showcase on 29 – 30 May. In giving them the opportunity to build for the third year students, it offers a taste of what their exhibition will be like in their final year and also how to communicate on a project. They are given a theme each year and the second year students liaise with the graduates to ensure they have everything they need for their final show.
Course Leader, Laoura Englezou, added: ‘We are extremely proud of this year’s group that has worked with enthusiasm and commitment to realise their ideas. Their creativity and professionalism is commendable. Their tutors Rentaro Nishimura, Paul Bretherton, Nick Rawcliffe and William Warren have provided support and instilled new knowledge advancing their students’ imagination and practical skills. As a team, our students and their tutors have accomplished a very special project this year.
‘Thanks to our client Ginny Walton, we have been able to contribute to the vision of the ‘Changing lives’ project at St Marylebone Parish Church. We celebrate the work that they do in providing a more hopeful future and revealing the treasures and opportunities for us to learn about this place, its people and its world-wide connections.’
St Marylebone Parish Church has been changing lives for over 900 years. Changing Lives is St Marylebone’s £9 million twenty first century opportunity to honour our heritage a provide a more hopeful future in the face of closure due to the Grade 1 listed building’s failing roof. For more information please click here or contact activity@stmarylebone.org