Emily Coyle, from Sutton Valence, and Alice Simmons, from Hunton, who left the school three years ago and are now in their final year of studying BA Interior Architecture at the University of Westminster, teamed up with fellow student Ada Asillani to win the Collective Design Award, run by London residential property developers The Collective Ltd.
The students were given a week to come up with an innovative solution for a ‘live/work space’ at a site in Bayswater, with a brief to design a ‘room of transient dreams’. The main design aims were to promote conversation and explore the possibilities and challenges of small spaces.
The trio’s design was based around an inventive sliding partition, with a modern kitchen on one side and a practical office space on the other.
The partition can be pulled out from the wall to create a large office or tucked away to give a sleek and clean finish.
The students won first prize in the undergraduate category and were announced the overall winners, being awarded with a trophy and cash prize of £2,500.
The students submitted a 500-word design statement as well as floor plans and drawings for the studio, with mood boards and 3D perspectives.
Alice said: “It was a lot of work in a short space of time, but we were very happy with the result. It was an added bonus to win. Winning the competition gave us a real boost in confidence, as well as a flavour of the real world.”
Bruce Grindlay, headmaster at Sutton Valence, said: “Emily produced some excellent artwork whilst at the School and both showed huge promise and creativity in Design Technology. I congratulate them both and am thrilled that two Old Suttonians have won such a significant award.”
Lee Polisano of London architectural firm PLP, who was one of five judges on the panel, said: ‘The winning entry demonstrated a truly imaginative approach, with originality and innovation that allows a modular use of living space. The complex design, created from such a simple yet intelligent idea, was presented to a very high standard.’
