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Interior Design School of Design

Alexandria Joanna Muir

(She/ Her)

A Glasgow-based interior designer with a particular interest in commercial design and community-focused projects.

My fourth-year project was inspired by human connection — or the lack of it — in today’s digital society. I believe in designing with purpose, driven by an understanding of how everyday human experiences shape the environments we live, work and find joy in.

 

 

Contact
alexjmuir23@gmail.com
A.Muir3@student.gsa.ac.uk
Works
Synergy

Synergy

Is co-living the answer to the current housing crisis?

When we think of co-living, we often imagine unpleasant images of student halls—with overflowing bins and a sink full of unwashed dishes. The main intention behind my final project was to redefine what communal living can look and feel like. Through promoting a strong sense of connection and community, I created a space that would support a diverse range of individuals, with a particular focus on those working within Glasgow’s creative industries and seeking budget-friendly yet convenient accommodation.

Section A-A

(All Floors 1:100)
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Mood Board

The concept is created through the idea that every user sharing the space has a story to tell, skills to share and friendships to form.
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Site

The project site is 620 Shields Road, Glasgow (G41 2RD).  Formally Pollockshields West Church, later renovated into Nithsdale Lodge Nursing home in the early 2000s. Sitting on the intersection of Shields and Nithsdale Road, Synergy is the perfect location for young, creative professionals who value supporting small businesses, access to public transport and green spaces.

620 Shields Road

Considering the outdoor space of the site by adding new planters, benches and landscaping.
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Site Collage

Shields Road is home to one of the fifteen subway stations in Glasgow.
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Site Plan

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Designing for co-living

A key element of this project was designing with user conflict in mind – an inevitable situation within shared living. To alleviate tension and promote peaceful cohabitation, I focused on achieving a careful balance between communal and private spaces. Creating a range of living and kitchen areas on multiple floors provides flexibility to residents and helps to reduce the pressure on communal zones. These spaces are deliberately spacious, with generous circulation between fixtures and thoroughly considered layouts, the design allows residents to move both comfortably and intuitively.

By considering flexibility, comfort and social dynamics when designing, I’ve created an environment that encourages healthy interaction whilst minimising any potential disputes or discomfort between users, promoting a more sustainable and considered model of co-living.

 

Collage of Communal and Social Spaces

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Private Space Collage

Encouraging users to interact within the communal and social areas whilst providing comfortable and secure private bedrooms.
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Indication of the Communal Spaces Avaliable

It was important to offer unique amenities that wouldn't normally be provided in other traditional housing options, as it gives the project a point of difference and is more desirable to residents.
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All Floors of Synergy

A mix of communal or private spaces on most floors to create a more homely and social atmosphere.
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Isometric of Ground to First Floor

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Lower Ground Floor

The lower ground floor consists mainly of communal areas, including living, working, and entertainment spaces, as well as two bedrooms with accessible WCs, as there are level entrances located on this floor.

Visual of Kitchen on Lower Ground Floor

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Lower Ground Floor Plan (1:100)

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Visual of Collaborative Workspace on Lower Ground Floor

Workspaces are designed to encourage creative collaboration and advice between users. To better their professional connections and build on personal relationships.
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Visual of Open-Plan Living Space on Lower Ground Floor

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Visual of Media Room on Lower Ground Floor

Separating living spaces with TVs from those without is key in reducing noise pollution and therefore prevents sound from disrupting open-plan areas, especially when they are transitioning into workspaces.
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Visual of Open-Plan Living Space on Lower Ground Floor

A spacious, fresh and relaxing area allowing residents to unwind, socialise and spend time themselves or with other residents.
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Visual of Bar Space on Lower Ground Floor

An intimate, speakeasy-style bar space where the scheme purposfully contrasts with the rest of the project through the use of darker, bolder colours - a space for residents to relax, entertain and host social events for friends and family.
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Visual of Bar Space on Lower Ground Floor

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SECTION E-E

Lower Ground Floor to Second Floor (1:50)
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Ground Floor

Ground Floor Plan

(1:100)
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Open Plan Living Space on Ground Floor

An airy, comfortable open-plan living space flowing from the main enterance on the ground floor, offering users a welcoming first impression. A flexible environment for relaxation, socialising, and spending time alone - nurturing both individual well-being and shared connection.
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Lowered Ground Workspace

A collaborative workspace primarily for individuals in the fashion, textiles, and other similar creative industries. Set within a sunken area, bordered by dark wooden railings, the space creates visual interest from above while preserving a productive atmosphere. A bright, organic and calming scheme helps to enhance the natural light and promotes an inspiring environment for both individual creativity and peer collaboration.
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Kitchen on Ground Floor

The kitchen space invites more casual dining , featuring a dining table and bench seating, encouraging informal socialising over meals. The bar top offers additional seating as well as functionality and flexibility to residents. The original arch windows pour light in, surronding the space with garden views. The rich, wooden railings wrap around the double-height ceiling add warmth and contrast to the lighter wooden finishes, creating a smooth balance between functionality and aesthetic features.
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Dining Room on Ground Floor

A secluded dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows and soft curtains, following the kitchen scheme of green and pink limewash. Generous circulation creates an airy, atmospheric setting for intimate dining featuring a display of glass and dishware.
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First and Second Communal Spaces

First Floor Plan

(1:100)
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Second Floor Plan

(1:100)
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Visual of Open-Plan Living Space on First Floor

The double-height ceiling located on the first floor creates a central social zone within the co-living project. A variety of seating is positioned around the opening, encouraging relaxed interaction and shared presence. This zone includes an additional open-plan living space, along with a smaller kitchen and dining area, providing users with another place to cook, socialise and unwind outside of their private bedrooms, whilst relieving pressure from other communal spaces.
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Visual of Open-Plan Living on Second Floor

The open-plan living space on the second floor is located at the front of the structure. This allows natural light to flow in and gives views down Nithsdale Road. Using a calming, neutral color palette, the space seamlessly join to the kitchenette space and, on the opposite side, an additional TV room, providing a balance of openness with distinct zones for different activities.
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Visual of Kichenette

In addition to the three fully equipped kitchens, I felt it was important to ensure that users on most floors (except the attic) have easy access to essentials like a kettle, microwave, and other small appliances - allowing residents to easily make a tea/ coffee or snack and return to their own private space. The kitchenette is a small yet functional space, featuring a casual breakfast bar with stools, access to a fridge and essential appliances. Making this space ideal for users with bedrooms on the second floor and helps to relieve pressure on the other kitchen facilities.
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Resident Bedrooms and En-suites

Visual of Bedroom (1)

A gentle and zen-influenced scheme, bedroom spaces feature wall-mounted lights on either side of the bed, creating a soft and ambient atmosphere. Storage was a priority, so large wardrobe, ottoman style beds and chest of drawers are in every bedroom. There is reasonable wall space left untouched for residents to hang their own photographs or art. Allowing the user to personalise their space to a certain degree whilst continuing the high-end concept of the co-living project.
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Bedroom and En-suite Plan and Sections (1:50)

Using one of the bedrooms located on the second floor to show the general placement of fixtures and the circulation of these zones.
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Third Floor (Attic Space) Isometric

The third floor of the building is composed of six resident bedrooms with en-suites. All rooms have access to skylights.
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Visual of Bedroom (2)

The bedrooms are designed to be spacious, comfortable, and allow for residents to personalise their own space.
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Visual of En-suite

Each bedroom includes its own private en-suite, designed to be both functional and calming. Bright blue tiles and pink terrazzo flooring create a contrast to the rest of the space - a colourful yet peaceful atmosphere. All en-suites include under-sink storage, a spacious shower, and a heated towel rail to ensure practicality.
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Third Floor Plan (1:100)

The third floor is primarily bedrooms. Due to ceiling constraints I created a small sitting area next to the stair access. While all six bedrooms benefit from existing roof lights, the shared sitting space does not as it sits under the central roof line.
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Ensuite Views

Due to the lack of windows in most en-suite spaces, allowing natural light to flow in was a priority to me. In addition to downlighting and a feature hanging pendant, I also incorporated frosted glass on both the door and internal window to allow natural light into the space without compromising user privacy.
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Sitting Area Scheme

Due to the lack of natural lighting in the sitting area, it was important to create a bright scheme, to ensure the space remains welcoming and usable.
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