VDF schools

Subterms

    Latest story

    163 Shares189 Views

    Edinburgh College of Art's interior design students imagine cultural centres for their city

    by

    In this school show, Edinburgh College of Art students are presenting 10 interiors projects for public and community spaces, from an archive chronicling Scotland’s black diaspora to a hybrid day and nightclub.Created by a mixture of graduate and undergraduate students, the concepts adapt existing and historical buildings in Edinburgh for new uses, in a bid to create interiors that are sensitive to their context.
    University: Edinburgh College of Art, University of EdinburghCourses: BA and MA Interior DesignTutors: Ed Hollis, Rachel Simmonds, Gillian Treacy and Andy Siddall
    School statement:
    “The interior design programmes at ECA use real buildings and spaces as testbeds for the adaption and evolution of interior, architectural and spatial design ideas. Under the Interior Lab initiative, staff and students share research knowledge to develop their own individual response to the discipline, benefitting from the international cohort’s varied experiences and approaches.
    “Further work of the students can be found at ECA’s digital exhibition Summer 2020.
    “Through self-generated briefs for their projects, our 10 graduates have proposed designs including an Astronomy Centre within a light-polluted city centre and a Black Cultural Archive and Legacy Centre for Scotland.”

    The Island of Knowledge by Alkistis Brountzou, MA

    “The Island of Knowledge is an open, public space inside the Freemasons Hall for sharing knowledge and learning, which explores the spatial intersections of the physical and the digital world.
    “Inside the main hall, or ‘nest’, new hybrid experiences are generated by utilising new technologies such as augmented reality inside of an expanded cinema, various multilayered exhibitions and lecture halls.
    “The intervention’s form emphatically symbolises the contradiction between the diachronic character of the space formations and the extremely changeable digital content, suggesting that the physical and digital, materiality and immateriality are interwoven by their contradictions.”
    Email: brountzoualk@gmail.com

    Freemasons Hall by Gillian Kavanagh, MA

    “My master’s thesis focuses on the intersection between interior architecture and conservation. The design briefs I devised for the Freemasons Hall in Edinburgh challenge the idea of a historic institution in the modern world and question how interiors can be ‘re-programmed’ to revitalise the institution’s appeal.
    “To represent these ideas, I explored experimental mixed media drawing methods including collage, watercolour sketching and video studies. Adaptive conservation aids the longevity of buildings, which is the principal ambition of my work. The layering of materials, decoration and human narratives significantly influences my approach to the conservation of interior architecture.”
    Email: gilliankavanagh54@gmail.comInstagram: @gk_trinsic

    Viaticus by Mari Nasif, MA
    “Inspired by the idea of Masonic degrees, the brief re-imagines the Freemasons’ journey towards knowledge and translates this into spatial settings based on the learning domains proposed by Benjamin Bloom.
    “The proposal, broadly defined as a philosophy library, occupies the voids inside of an existing staircase volume. Its verticality mirrors Bloom’s hierarchical learning model where higher levels house more complex learning. Each degree is uniquely designed to activate the senses and help individuals resolve the cognitive challenges along the journey to mastery.”
    Email: mari_nasif@outlook.comWebsite: marinasif.com

    Pixelbox by Sher Ming Foo, MA
    “Pixelbox is a site-specific, transitional intervention designed as part of the museum in the Freemason Hall, Edinburgh. The lattice layout is an extrapolation of the building’s existing design, with the addition of modern elements to create a new design language.
    “The white, stainless steel structure seamlessly integrates furniture design and interior architecture, reducing the boundaries between the insertion and the existing building. Its location allows for the existing use of the Grand Hall to continue while welcoming visitors to the building.”
    Email: sherming97@gmail.comWebsite: linkedin.com/in/shermingfoo

    The Ar/ba/Son Market by Sinead Russell, MA
    “Personality is a big driving force in my work. I believe in curating and invoking a unique soul within the core of every project. I draw a lot of inspiration from researching and conceptualising how these projects may look and feel if they were people. I focus on creating a story and with every detail hope to add to that narration.
    “Recently, my work has begun to focus its attention on artisans and craft, and specifically on the promotion of local makers. This project explores how their work can be incorporated within my designs to inspire a new appreciation for craft makers at a larger scale.”
    Email: sinrussdesign@gmail.comWebsite: sinruss.co.uk

    The Third Place by Hollie Middleton, BA
    “Like many UK cities, Edinburgh has seen soaring rents, an influx of Airbnbs and the perennial construction of student accommodation in the past decade. A little-known casualty of these private developments is Edinburgh’s post-war architecture, which is overlooked in favour of maintaining the city’s Georgian heritage.
    “The Third Place is a Scottish architecture archive dedicated to preserving the history of undervalued post-war buildings and supporting local communities in challenging the homogenisation of Edinburgh’s urban landscape. Black steel frames demarcate contemporary insertions while complimenting the existing lines of the 1960s building. Sculptural concrete forms echo iconic Scottish post-war structures.”
    Email: holliemiddletondesign@gmail.comInstagram: @byholliemiddleton

    Black Cultural Archive and Legacy Centre of Scotland by Aaliyah Oshodi, BA
    “This project establishes a Black Cultural Archive and Legacy Centre of Scotland. Archives are necessary to preserve the work of marginalised people but they are often overly clinical. That’s why I wanted to create a space which is colourful and warm and where the lives and stories of the Black diaspora across Scotland can be collected and preserved.
    “I created a series of interior spaces that facilitate oral storytelling. Inspired by the Adinkra stamped cloths of Ghana and the kanga garments of Kenya, I was able to design textiles and wallcoverings that can act as catalysts for conversation.”
    Email: hello@aaliodesigns.co.ukWebsite: aaliodesigns.co.uk

    Scottish Literature Centre by Jiawen Zhang, BA
    “This project aims to create a new literature centre for the city of Edinburgh. It hopes to connect and provide a central hub for all of the existing architectural spaces on the literary trail in Edinburgh Old Town.
    “This interior proposal for the Tron Kirk church provides a central, easily accessible location for promoting local literature by providing spaces for interaction between local writers and literary tourists.”
    Email: jiawenz@umich.eduWebsite: 924370879.wixsite.com/website

    Wax Lyrical by Bethany Harle, BA
    “I am interested in how interior spaces can shape our wellbeing and behaviour. Alongside the alarming rate at which UK nightclubs are closing, this guided my graduate project. Called Wax Lyrical, this day and nightclub consists of five venues that focus on different aspects of nightlife culture: drinking, drugs, sex, dance and music.
    “The design concept aims to reduce the risks to the physical and mental health of visitors, which are usually heightened within these environments. Informed by the experimental interiors of 1970s disco clubs, the spaces hope to create a healthy escape.”
    Email: bethany.harle@hotmail.comWebsite: bethharle.com

    The Astronomy Culture Centre by Echo Zhu, BA
    “The Astronomy Culture Centre is designed as an interior ‘station’, where the public can engage with sky events and explore the world above with interactive galleries and simulation technology, despite the light-polluted skies of Edinburgh. It helps visitors to investigate and understand our role in the universe and ultimately care about the future of humanity.
    “The design strategy revolves around gravity, the dominant force in the universe, which is closely related to the birth of life on earth. This theoretical underpinning is integrated into the design in the form of flow routes to encourage experiencing and pursuing activities within the designed interior environment.”
    Email: echoecho0716@gmail.comPortfolio: linkedin.com/in/echo-zhu-67091a184

    Read more: More

    More stories

    • 100 Shares99 Views

      Zayed University students present 10 interior design projects

      by

      Graduates from Dubai’s Zayed University present projects including an Arabic calligraphy centre and a place of worship that challenges “repetitive approaches to mosque design” in this VDF school show. The 10 works exhibited below were created by undergraduate interior design students at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (CACE). Projects from the rest of this year’s graduating class can be viewed in the school’s 360-degree Virtual ShowCASE.
      University: Zayed UniversityCourse: BFA Interior DesignTutors: Lina Ahmad, Karim Musfy, Omid Rouhani, Mehdi Sabet and Marco SosaStudio: ADR 496 Senior ProjectGraduate show: Virtual ShowCACE
      Course statement:
      “The Interior Design Senior Project at CACE is an advanced course, requiring students to utilise the depth and breadth of their conceptual and technical abilities to conceive, develop and present an original interiors project.
      “Usually, CACE would have hosted its end of year graduate ShowCACE in spring but due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, we are highlighting students’ work via a virtual online exhibition this year. The interior design department has developed a dedicated website to highlight the work of its graduates.”

      Calligraphy Hub by Aysha Al Hashmi

      “With the gradual loss of the Arabic language, Arabic identity has begun to fade away. I wanted to highlight this problem through a proposed Calligraphy Hub, which was designed for the Manarat Al Saadiyat arts centre in Abu Dhabi.
      “The space draws visitors’ attention to the beauty of their language in an artistic way, to help them regain a sense of pride in their identity and origins. I wanted to create a space where all people but especially the young could learn, experience and enjoy the art of calligraphy to help save their culture and history.”
      Email: aysha.alhashmi@outlook.comWebsite: marcososa.com/caceidexhibition2020/sadaa-almansoori

      Al Shindagha Architectural Incubator by Alia Al Maktoum
      “This proposal encompasses an architectural incubator in the Al Shindagha neighbourhood of Dubai. The incubator will aid the development of new business ventures by providing low-cost commercial space, management assistance and shared services.
      “The proposed space will cater to designers, in particular, helping them to start up businesses that contribute to the development of the creative industries in the area. Via the incubator, visitors, students, faculty and professional architects and interior designers will have the chance to explore the district as well as the neighbouring museums.”

      Bait Al Shabab by Maryam AlAmeri 
      “Bait Al Shabab’s primary focus is on the young people in the Emirate of Sharjah through creating a dedicated space to share knowledge, experiences, hobbies, interests and relaxation with people from all walks of life.
      “Bait Al Shabab, or the House of Al Shabab, will provide Sharjah’s youth with an opportunity to have it all in one place – a place that is made just for them and will serve their needs and desires. The project is based on a building that is more than 100 years old, which is preserved and reused to serve the needs of Bait Al Shabab.”
      Email: MaryamAl3amri@gmail.comWebsite: marcososa.com/caceidexhibition2020/afra-khalil-almalki

      Elham by Maryam Albannai
      “Elham means inspiration and muse, signifying a belief in the creative abilities and joys of autism. It is a place where children with autism can develop their creativity and express themselves through art.
      “Through the medium of design, this project seeks to eliminate learning and communication difficulties faced by autistic children and help them develop their confidence. Elham is about possibilities, focusing on what autistic children can do instead of what they can’t. The project nurtures the creative ability of each child and provides them with the skills to lead active and fulfilling lives in the future.”

      Purity Cafe by Sadaa Mubarak Almansoori 
      “In my childhood, I spent most of my time in the garden of my family house surrounded by the sight and smell of trees. The sun peeking through the branches and the occasional breeze of clean air helped me to feel comfortable and relaxed.
      “Due to harsh weather conditions in the United Arab Emirates, there is a lack of outdoor seating that can actually be used in the summertime, which made me miss the feeling of being close to nature. In response, Purity Cafe creates the experience of being outdoors throughout the year inside an environmentally-controlled interior.”
      Email: 201409798@zu.ac.aeWebsite: marcososa.com/caceidexhibition2020/sadaa-almansoori

      Enlightenment by Khawla Ahli
      “As an interior designer, I believe my role is to design solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing and sustainable. This senior project represents both a futuristic and environmentally-conscious space. The design of Enlightenment implements new techniques in terms of space division and lighting design as well as its materials and colour scheme.
      “Its atmosphere creates the illusion of living in the future while housing a future-focused academy that aims to educate students about how to plan and propose solutions to climate change by adopting new technologies.”
      Email: 201509798@zu.ac.aeWebsite: marcososa.wixsite.com/caceidexhibition2020/maryam-tahir

      The Flame by Najat Saif Albraiki
      “As an interior designer, I’ve always been interested in human psychology, as well as studying the way human bodies move and occupy a space. I am committed to designing with sustainability in mind whenever possible and with a primary focus on clients’ needs and visions.
      “I attempt to design with a focus on the human interactions that will take place within a space and the functionality of the design at hand. My design proposal The Flame is a multipurpose space that allows young Emiratis to interact in a fun and safe environment.”
      Email: Najat.albraiki@outlook.comWebsite: marcososa.com/caceidexhibition2020/najat-saif-albraiki

      Rahma by Amna Al Shamsi
      “Mosques are iconic Islamic architectural features that have gone through a series of great transitions throughout history. They are places of worship and places were the community can gather for vital social interactions.
      “Rahma is a mosque that is designed to offer services for the benefit of the local community, providing them with a calming and spiritual place. The project is situated at the Al Ain Mineral Water warehouse in Dubai hopes to serve the high number of low-income expats in the area while also challenging repetitive approaches to mosque design.”

      Difa’a by Afra Khalil Almalki
      “Difa’a, which means warmth and cosiness, provides a safe, clean home to domestic animals in need. It’s a home for pets! Most animal shelters place animals in cages instead of allowing them to move freely.
      “But Difa’a is designed as a welcoming place for pet lovers, owners and those looking to adopt a pet. It includes a daycare, boarding service and playroom to create a positive environment.”
      Email: afralmalki@gmail.comWebsite: marcososa.com/caceidexhibition2020/zainab-ashoor

      Coffee on Track by Zainab Ashoor Saeed
      “DMX Motocross Club is a place where anyone interested in biking can practice and participate. I designed a three-story coffee shop made from repurposed shipping containers that were dumped on the site, stacking them on top of each other to create outdoor and indoor seating areas and an exhibition space.
      “The proposal focuses on incorporating nature into the sandy surroundings, to give visitors a feeling of relaxation and help them feel energized after a long day on the tracks.”
      Email: 201307126@zu.ac.aeWebsite: marcososa.com/caceidexhibition2020/shamsa-al-mazrouei
      Virtual Design Festival’s student and schools initiative offers a simple and affordable platform for student and graduate groups to present their work during the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for more details.

      Read more: More

    • 138 Shares169 Views

      Falmouth University students design interiors for most vulnerable members of society

      by

      Interior design graduates from Falmouth University present projects that aim to create safe spaces for refugees, young mothers and recovering addicts in this VDF school show. The conceptual designs were created as part of the students’ three-year undergraduate degree, which encourages students to “reimagine the future of interior design”. Elsewhere at the Virtual Design Festival, […] More

    • 125 Shares189 Views

      11 architecture and interior projects by students at Aalto University

      by

      A home for an artist, ceramic furniture and a masterplan that condenses all human activity within a city are among the broad range of student projects Aalto University is exhibiting in this VDF school show.  The 11 featured projects were completed by students across the different studios of the BA and MA Architecture and MA Interior […] More

    • 125 Shares159 Views

      Canterbury School of Architecture students imagine interiors for fictional embassies 

      by

      Eight interior architecture and design students from Canterbury School of Architecture present their visions of fictional embassies in dystopian futures in this VDF school show. The futuristic proposals were conjured up by students in their final year of studies on the BA Interior Architecture and Design course at the school, which forms part of the […] More

    • 200 Shares149 Views

      10 interior design projects by University of Huddersfield graduates that offer a “glimpse at the future”

      by

      The University of Huddersfield’s School of Art, Design and Architecture presents the work of 10 of its award-winning interior design graduates in this school show for Virtual Design Festival. All 10 featured projects were completed by students in their final year of study on the Interior Design BA(Hons) course, during which students are invited to […] More

    • 138 Shares99 Views

      York St John interior design students reimagine spaces for the elderly

      by

      As part of their VDF school show, graduates from York St John University are presenting interior designs for the elderly, which tackle loneliness and make life easier for those dealing with dementia or visual impairments. The 10 projects featured here were created as part of the students’ undergraduate interior design course, and also include spaces […] More

    • 150 Shares139 Views

      Regent's University London interior design students reimagine former department store in Margate

      by

      Five interior design students from Regent’s University London present proposals for the overhaul of a once-vacant Woolworths department store in Margate, UK, in this VDF school show. The schemes range from a cave-diving centre to an observatory, and were all developed as part of the school’s Urban Flux studio that asks students to “investigate ideas […] More