College Breakout Spaces

A suite of rooms for relaxing, meeting and studying

Lead Designer: Rosanna

The Brief

  • Design 3 interconnecting rooms for senior academics
  • Space for having a coffee and relaxing or informal meetings
  • Space for working or studying between meetings
  • Space for more formal meetings
  • Create a relaxing atmosphere that will be used by college staff and also visitors
  • Make the most of the view of the garden
  • Disguise the trunking and sockets currently in the room

The Design Concept

How did you decide on the furniture pieces for each room?

It was the functionality for the spaces that really influenced the furniture in each space. They wanted some quiet work / meeting spaces so we chose the room furthest from the entrance so there would be less noise. The informal meeting areas we put in the first room along with a coffee station – so people could just pop in to grab a coffee or have a quick chat.

Once we had agreed the functionality and levels of traffic in each space, the furnishing became quite easy – with chairs and coffee tables in the first room, through to tables and chairs for working in at the far end.

What influenced your choice of fabrics and finishes?

The client didn’t want the rooms to feel like offices – more home from home. Also the rooms has lots of Georgian windows and beautiful views of the grounds, so I decided to keep with a more traditional feel to suit the architecture.

We added half height wall panelling which covered up all the old electrical trunking and also gave the rooms some personality. I introduced button back upholstery in soft velvets and tweeds to add softness to the rooms, and used a palette of smoky greens and blues to bring the outside in.

It’s all in the detail

Client Testimonial

Thanks for your input into our three little rooms. Everybody likes them!

Domestic Bursar

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