Swiss Life Asset Managers - One Penrhyn

A main focal point of the space is the stunning feature light, which curves continuously through the entire space as a symbol of community and connection. Acting as a visual thread, it brings people, spaces and experiences together, creating a sense of movement and belonging while giving One Penrhyn a distinctive identity of its own.

The result is playful yet purposeful: a comfortable home-from-home that gives residents choice over how they use the space and, importantly, a sense of ownership over it.

Opening up the common room allowed us to zone the space through furniture, lighting, colour and bespoke joinery rather than walls.

At the quieter end, we created a study-focused area where acoustic ceiling treatments help soften the environment and support concentration. A generous shared table gives students room to spread out books, laptops or creative work, while additional seating can support either individual study or small group projects.

The teapoint introduces a more informal, cafe-style setting, with tables and chairs creating a natural place to pause, eat, talk or work casually. A bespoke refreshment point, including a Zip tap, makes this an everyday amenity rather than simply a visual feature.

With a majority of students studying a creative subject at Kingston school of Art we wanted to create a space that was a creative outlet in the space, the interactive display gives residents a space to pin artwork, photographs, notices and information about upcoming events. Whether it is a poster for a pizza night, a Polaroid from a recent event or student-created artwork, the content can continually change and most importantly support the sense of connection.

Instead of a corridor simply moving people from one place to another, it becomes a living record of the community. Residents can see what is happening, contribute something themselves and feel part of the same story.

A new connection towards the external area extends the design beyond the interior. The route and landscaping continue the sense of movement established by the graphic line, helping draw students towards the outside space and making it feel like part of the wider amenity rather than an afterthought.

Our material palette was deliberately restrained. Natural materials and muted base tones create warmth and comfort, while brighter colour is introduced through artwork, accessories and selected furniture elements.

This gives the scheme energy without making it overly fixed or trend-led. Softer elements can be refreshed over time, helping the environment evolve without requiring fundamental changes to the design.

It is an approach that supports longevity as well as aesthetics: the permanent elements provide a calm, coherent backdrop, while changeable layers allow One Penrhyn to respond to new residents and changing tastes.