The scheme, led by third-year students from Middlesex University, centred on St Mary’s Church in Eversholt Street in Somers Town, Camden.
The church recently secured preservation funding and the students worked to a brief from the People’s Museum to transform part of the churchy into A [New] Space for Us housed in an area of the church.
The brief challenged the students to design a civic, cultural, and community space that preserves and respects the building’s religious function while expanding its social purpose.
Student explaining exhibits at the People’s Museum (Image: Middlesex University)
Rachel Koh, a student involved in the project, said: “I became more aware of how people use space in their daily routines, and how small spatial changes can support rest, care, and connection. It made my design decisions more closely tied to real social needs.”
Under the university’s Rough City Thinking Lab initiative, students worked for six weeks to produce designs that included a social space for meeting and conversation, a learning/debating area, and an area for The People’s Museum’s collection of audio artefacts.
Visitors learning about the People’s Museum exhibition (Image: Middlesex University)
Yeemon Aung, another student on the project, said: “Working with a live client, the People’s Museum, allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of site, community, and context, and how these inform design decisions. I particularly valued exploring the relationship between the client and the local area.”
In total, 37 students took part, creating a hybrid environment to serve the local community. Their work was displayed at the museum earlier this year and builds on previous success.
Last year’s student cohort won the Collaborative Practice category at the Interior Educators National Awards.
Jason Scoot, programme leader for Interior Architecture at Middlesex University, said: “We’re incredibly proud that, since working with The People’s Museum, our Interior Architecture students have produced a range of national award-winning projects.
“This success, combined with positive feedback, shows the work at Middlesex to develop the next generation of Interior Architecture specialists is being recognised.”
The university says further community-focused projects are already being planned for future students.
Diana Foster, director of the People’s Museum, said: “We’re delighted to work with Middlesex University’s Rough City Thinking Lab and see the innovative work of students unfold in our space.”
Deepika Kanthavara Madhava, project lead for the St Pancras and Somers Town Living Centre, said: “It was wonderful to see such good work around real-time community projects set within a grassroots organisation that works for its local voices.”
