Our final meeting  involved some of the university technicians who raised some issues about seating for the disabled but were otherwise happy with the layout and design.

I’ve really enjoyed playing a part in my university’s modernisation. I think it’s truly rare for a university to give students the opportunity to have a say in the design of their own facilities. Penson Group, ESP Anna has been extremely gracious and patient with us. I’m looking forward to using the fabulous new space.

During this project I have had the chance to work with 2 very talented students, staff at LCC (ESP Jackson) and an award winning architectural practice. All round its been a great experience

We presented our ideas to Penson this week. We showed them a few sketches, mood boards and some ideas for flooring. We brought in some examples from both Trulawn (manufacturers of artificial grass) who kindly posted off some samples to me and Interface Carpets. We were hoping to have some of the space covered in turf as prior to summer the area of faux grass laid down in front of LCC had been such a roaring success with students. Unfortunately we learned from Penson that large areas of synthetic lawn can be noisy in busy spaces, what a pity. On the plus side, there are some pretty decent carpet tiles, which look very similar to imitation grass.

During the meeting  we asked that the following to be considered in the design:

• We wanted to keep the high ceilings,  retain the original pipework and whatever parquet flooring could be salvaged
• Organic shapes and curved seating – rather than rows and rows of ‘school desks’
• Some space for student input or flexible exhibition space
• A lap top area, with power points
• Semi private working space or pods
• Place for students to use their sketch books in conjunction with software

By the next meeting Penson will have some imagery – be fab to see how they develop the design………

Ahead of our BIG presentation to Penson, I called up Interface a company specialising in commercial carpet tiles to see if they would allow a student to drop in and have a wonder around. I had a wonderful welcome from Veronica Kingsley who showed me around the offices and very kindly talked me through the samples. Veronica is passionate about design and even more passionate about her job – I found her inspirational. Very conveniently she was also the client manager for Penson and knew Anna from Penson, the designer on the LCC project. The company is focused on Green design and often hosts speakers and networking events focused on Green topics. I had absolutely no idea carpet tiles could look so good in a commercial space. Not only are the Interface offices fantastic but the floors are all carpeted with a range of different flooring solutions. I snapped a few shots for research purposes and left with a bag of goodies, including a heavy load of samples for the project.

https://www.interface.com/?r=0

Penson are an award winning architectural practise with some cool clients on their brag list, including Google and YouTube

http://pensongroup.com/

Team Project Main Frame have decided we want something a little more organic, less linear seating, flexible working space for group work, an area where students can use their own laptops and tablets and some private areas where smaller groups can work together away from the main space. We are being given the chance to present to Penson Group who are in charge of the University’s entire re brand. I’m really enjoying being part of something I’ll see right up to completion. I’m fortunate enough to have two very talented partners and aside from all the work there is a good dose of laughter and general chatter. I’m getting a steady stream of feedback on my ideas and I’m learning so much about LCC and organisational politics. Jackson (head of technical services) introduced us to the money man for the college today and he seemed generally pleased with the progress – Jackson even got him to agree to increase the size of the space. Result!

Just had our very first meeting for what has now been christened ‘Project Main Frame’. The head of Technical Services just whirled us around a huge chunk of disused space at LCC and even promised to try and secure a bit more for the new Digilab. We have started a Facebook Group and been given some dimensions to play with.
As an added bonus my husband and I will be moving into our own home in North London. The house was listed under the renovators dream section (translation, total sh*t hole) so over the next few months I’ll be starting to redesign my very own pad. The first thing to go will be the orange carpets in the bathroom.

With so many universities offering Art and Design Degrees and fees about to quadruple at the beginning of the next university year – London College of Communications will have to work harder to attract students. As a result of all this the university has decided to redevelop its technical facilities starting with our digital lab.
Three students including myself have been asked to think about what we would like out of our own working space. Despite having worked my way through my uni design projects, this is the first time I’m going to squeeze a little bit of me into somewhere commercial. Just a little bit excited!