20/05/2026
Temporary homes can still hold identity.
For this studio apartment for in Leeds, the challenge wasn’t just fitting everything into a compact footprint - it was creating a space that felt aspirational, emotionally grounded, and genuinely lived in.
By this stage in the competition, I wanted to explore something different. Previous projects had pushed me towards larger structural interventions, but this became an exploration of atmosphere instead: how colour, materiality, lighting, and styling alone can shape how a space feels.
The design leaned into a more confident, masculine language - balancing industrial textures, darker tones, rust accents, and layered materials to create a studio that felt curated rather than temporary. The intention was to create a home that felt grounded, expressive, and reflective of a young resident building confidence within city living.
Looking back, this project feels representative of what the overall experience taught me most: that good design isn’t always about the biggest gesture. Sometimes it’s about restraint, atmosphere, and understanding how a space makes someone feel day to day.
I’m incredibly grateful to for the super kind words and advice in designing for commercial spaces like this. It was such an honour to meet you after admiring your creativity since Season 2 🫶🏾
To for continually challenging my thinking throughout this crazy process, the encouragement and guidance that has led me to the designer I am today. Thank you 🙏🏾
To for always bringing the light and humour to these stressful days and for just being unfalteringly kind.
And where on earth would we be without the incredible trades who helped bring all of these ideas to life under intense time pressure. To - sorry I didn’t have that much for you to do this week 😬
