Lois Skelton, Winner of the Murray & Willis Associate Prize
ARTS THREAD is pleased to announce that the winner of the Murray & Willis Associate Prize Award went to Lois Skelton from Bournemouth University for her Project: Point innovative design concept. Judges were looking for an innovative environmentally friendly interior design concept. Project: Point explores the possibilities of improving sustainable travel interchange in and around Milton Keynes.
Mustafa Afsaroglu, Bournemouth University
Bournemouth’s University’s ‘Student of the Course’, Mustafa Afsaroglu’s ‘Mor Yemeni’ Theatre Project caught our eye. His design proposal considered how a neglected Gothic cathedral structure he had recently visited whilst on holiday in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus, could be transformed into a celebration of art and culture for the community. Whilst mindful of the original function of the building, Mustafa drew inspiration from the traditional Cypriot headscarf, the ‘Yemeni’. He not only uses the name but also the form, designing a ribbon like structure to create the stairwell up through the main body of the cathedral flowing into a suspended overhead ceiling.
Daniel Harris, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
Daniel Harris, an Interior Architect graduate, demonstrated how an old tram shed substation located in the Shoreditch triangle in Hackney could be transformed to house the Luxury Eco Fashion collection of Linda Loudermilk. Daniel felt it was the perfect location at the heart of a vibrant part of the city, surrounded by designers, musicians and artists. The project proposal also incorporated educational elements. He specifies the use of eco materials such as reclaimed steel and Quikaboard, yet Daniel is keen to point out that ‘eco does not necessarily mean sacrificing luxury’.
Lizzie Kerr, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff
Interior Architect Graduate Lizzie Kerr presented her Museum of Childhood memories. The life sized ‘Dolls House’ project proposal sits within a row of Georgian Terrace houses and offers ‘an exciting concept of memories being unlocked from the experience of childhood items placed in a house’.
Hege Vetaas, Ravensbourne
Hege Vetaas, Interior Design Environment Architectures student from Ravensbourne was keen to show us her Fair Ground Project. The proposed site for her Women’s Resource Centre is in Whitechapel, ‘an area of diversity both in architecture, religion and inhabitants’. The project attempts to create a safe haven in order that skills can be shared and developed. Since 2007 she has been a sessional lecturer in Art and Design History in Designinstituttet in Oslo and whilst completing her studies in the UK has been no stranger to work placements within Interior and Architect Design Practices. She is keen to find full time employment in London and will also be exhibiting her work at Free Range next week.
Charlotte Hubbard, Northumbria University
Charlotte Hubbard from Northumbria University displayed her design proposal for The Duke Bar and Restaurant, a venue celebrating The Best of British Food and Accommodation using sustainable materials. Colourful presentation boards demonstrate her strong presentation and CAD skills. Having won the Nexus Transport North East Competition for Manors Metro Station, a second year project she revisited this year and receiving a First class honours degree, she is optimistic about her future job prospects.
Megan Andrews, Northumbria University
Another Northumbria graduate, Megan Andrews demonstrated how her superb free hand drawing skills combined with her CAD skills can produce winning results in the form of receiving a First Class honours in Interior Design. The Butterfly House Hotel and Restaurant concept is proposed to sit within the Heaton Park area of Newcastle.
Lee Valentine, Plymouth University
Plymouth University Spatial Design graduate, Lee Valentine had a range of projects on display. The design strategy for Kings Cross Square looked at ‘improving public transitions between transport networks’. The project looked at human behavioural patterns and transitional routes through space. Lee likes to relate his work to interdisciplinary subjects such as maths and science creating algorithms to form simple pattern generation to aid the design process. He has also recently won a commission to design two live experimental pieces to sit within the garden of The Faculty of Science at the University.
Richard Bracken, Plymouth University
Richard Bracken demonstrated the importance of working through the design process through research as well as design communication methods. We loved his vast selection of models on display, demonstrating the use of laser technology alongside the series of quick sketch models. Richards ‘Hub of Communication’ is a public realm project that aims to re-generate a derelict Grade II listed building set in St. Pauls in Bristol. His analysis is based upon his research on how sound and local residents travel, ultimately placing the user needs above the traffic scheme development and improving inter-connectivity in the community.
Lois Skelton
Mustafa Afsaroglu
Daniel Harris
Lizzie Kerr: Li33iekerr@hotmail.com
Hege Vetaas
Charlotte Hubbard: charlottehubbard@live.co.uk
Megan Andrews: meganandrews@hotmail.co.uk
Lee Valentine
Richard Bracken: rbracken1@hotmail.co.uk
