Interior Design students recently attended the Architects for Health Student Awards. After presenting their designs live, the event ended in an awards ceremony where two teams of our Diploma Applied Interior Design, and one of our Online BA Level 6 students, were awarded prizes.   

Three groups of our students (Studio Soleil, Revolve Creative and Round Two) took part in an exciting live project with the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability where they were challenged to transform the basement-based staff facilities.  

Studio Soleil (Holly Crook, Stephanie Hollaway, Miki Fallstrom, Natacha Ravier, Ana Trofin, Imi Waller) won the HE Design award for their project redesigning the staff changing areas for the Royal Hospital of Neuro-disability. They aimed ‘to make the basement a warm and relaxing space for workers to get ready for the day or to wind down from a day of demanding work.’  

Team leader, Holly Crook talks about the experience “beyond delighted to win, alongside my fellow Studio Soleil designers, the Architects for Health Student Design Awards 2024 HE Diploma Category for our project redesigning the staff facilities at the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability. Not only was the project one close to my heart with close family in healthcare, but knowing we could potentially make a big difference. 

Our design was led by the concept of Nexus - a central hub that would bring staff together and make them the focal point of the hospital. But it was also guided by psychology - that angular shapes create anxiety and tension, yet curves relax and soften the nervous system. This approach is evident in our overall design and to win was a huge accolade to the intricate details we ensured were within the design but also the work that the whole team put in.”