UAL's Atterbury Flat Transforms into a Vibrant Student Design Showcase

The University of the Arts London (UAL) has revitalized the Atterbury Flat, a two-bedroom guest accommodation within the historic Chelsea College of Arts campus. This transformation turns the flat into a vibrant showcase of design by students and alumni, offering visitors a unique experience of “live-in” art and creativity.

Originally utilized for visiting scholars and guests since UAL’s occupancy began in 2005, the Atterbury Flat has now evolved under the direction of Zoë Tynan-Campbell, a UAL lecturer. She recognized an underutilized opportunity to create a design archive, collecting student work that has traditionally been overlooked, thus re-contextualizing the space into a lively testament of UAL's design talent.

As the world’s second top-ranked university for art and design, UAL boasts a rich pool of talent across its six colleges. Working closely with co-curators Abigail Rigby and Bhairavi Yogasivam, Tynan-Campbell engaged over 400 students and alumni from 58 different courses to contribute to this comprehensive project, resulting in the acquisition of 117 diverse pieces during the initial phase.

Among the showcased items are innovative designs that gained attention in graduate exhibitions, like a remarkable color-changing chair and a conceptual coffee table crafted from 160 kilograms of stacked paper. Additionally, the collection includes functional products from notable brands founded by UAL graduates, such as refillable soaps and unique cookware.

In a remarkable collaborative effort, many of the installations were specially created for the flat. This includes gradient green tiles and a sink designed by ceramicist Emma Louise Payne, alongside inviting interactive elements such as a giant pencil, designed by Neha Ratanchand, for guests to sign the visitor book.

Small artifacts like scissors, tarot cards, and even recycling bags made from repurposed materials by alumni reflect UAL's emphasis on creativity. However, some old furnishings from the previous setup remain as plans for further enhancements continue.

Tynan-Campbell articulates the underlying intention behind this project: “We’re questioning what we value in collections. With a fine art focus, we predominantly feature paintings. This project shifts the narrative to include the diverse products and stories generated by other disciplines within our university.”

This rethinking is essential, especially as space constraints limit traditional collections. The Atterbury Flat serves as an ideal solution; it provided a pre-existing canvas for innovation without requiring a new structure.

Reflecting on the completion of the project, Tynan-Campbell adds, “With such a wealth of disciplines, it’s questionable why fine art has often been the sole focus of collections. We are amplifying the narratives and objects from various courses.”

Following its recent unveiling at the London Design Festival, the Atterbury Flat will continue to operate as accommodation for visiting professors and other guests to experience this unique repository of student art.

This initiative doesn’t just highlight existing talent; it also serves as a pioneering model for integrating student works into campus life. Tynan-Campbell notes that it represents a breakthrough in commissioning and archiving practices, emphasizing student potential while exemplifying an educational atmosphere fostering creativity.

The financial support extended to this project is notable; £61,686 was directly allocated to student contributions — a remarkable 91.98% of the total budget. This investment further underscores the commitment to valuing student contributions within the academic ecosystem.

As Tynan-Campbell and her team continue to refine and expand the collection, they have crafted a spatial design that showcases works from Molly Cook’s color palette, serving as a reference point for participants to cultivate their own designs.

Ultimately, this approach demonstrates a high level of trust in the creative abilities of students. The Atterbury Flat exemplifies a collaborative endeavor that not only archives student innovation but breathes new life into university accommodations.

During its showcase from September 12 to 20, visitors had the opportunity to engage directly with the installations, experiencing the environment crafted by UAL's creative community first-hand.

As this space continues to evolve, the Atterbury Flat illustrates the potential for educational institutions to incorporate student-driven design into everyday life, setting a precedent for future projects.