Graduate Project:
The Stour Centre
In my final year, I created an independent design brief exploring how commercial design can support wellbeing in rural communities. Drawing on my experience in the wellbeing industry, I developed The Stour Centre, a concept that brings together complementary and traditional therapies in an accessible, non-clinical environment.
Guided by local research, the project placed particular emphasis on neurodiverse users, rethinking how materials, spatial flow, and sensory engagement could create a supportive alternative to conventional clinical settings. This challenged me to experiment with unexpected materials and design holistically, considering not only function but also how the space is experienced as a whole.
Please take a moment to explore my presentation boards as well as the video presentation, found at the end of the page. I’d love to hear any feedback or thoughts you have on this project!
The Overall Concept
This project began with an in-depth manifesto developed in my first semester, exploring the gaps in health and wellbeing provision within our society, particularly the ways rural communities are often overlooked. The research revealed how this neglect impacts both individuals and the NHS, leading to unnecessary costs in time, money, and patient wellbeing.
This board highlights key insights from that research, alongside the full building section and the conceptual narrative that shaped the design of the space.
Plans, plans and more plans
This page presents the three building levels in detail, with corresponding floor plans and reflected ceiling plans that highlight spatial organisation, circulation, and key design decisions at each stage. Together, they illustrate how the narrative of the project is carried through both structure and atmosphere.
Alongside the plans, a focused section introduces the integration of aeroponic systems within the design. These innovative installations support the growth of trees indoors, reinforcing the project’s vision of health, sustainability, and future-forward wellbeing in communal spaces.
Taking a Deep Dive
This page brings the project’s innovative design decisions to life, presenting each level of the Stour Centre through a range of techniques: elevations, isometric sketches, 3D model renders, and detailed technical drawings. Together, they provide a multi-layered understanding of the building’s form, function, and atmosphere.
Here, the essence of the Stour Centre is most clearly experienced, as the visuals invite you to step inside and explore how the spaces come together to support wellbeing and community.
Technical detailing
For my technical detailing element of my project, I decided to explore the reception desk of the Stour Centre, as this is what welcomes visitors and sets the tone for their experience. I went through many iterations of how this would look. Still, I ultimately came away with this fluidly formed design, incorporating a multitude of sustainable materials and construction methods, which were chosen for their ability to be deconstructed and reused at the end of the desk’s life.
Video Presentation
Take a quick 3-minute tour of the Stour Centre, exploring the key design ideas, spatial narrative, and innovative features that shape this wellbeing-focused project.