Interior Design School of Design
Monica Acca
I am an interior designer from Italy who has a passion for art, photography, and exploring new countries. During my time at GSA, I have broadened my design concepts beyond traditional interior design outcomes while improving my technical skills and overall knowledge.
For my final year project, I chose to tackle a global issue that impacts not only the UK but also other parts of the world: the housing shortage. As a designer, I find great fulfilment in solving current problems and making a positive impact on society.
Solely Yours
- This Interior Design project seeks to address the pressing issues of the housing crisis and climate change.
I repurposed an abandoned old Police Court building with Renaissance details, into innovative and affordable housing units. The project draws inspiration from the rich history of the location and the urgent need for eco-friendly, affordable living spaces. Converting abandoned buildings can be a part of a comprehensive strategy to address the housing crisis in the UK and beyond. These structures have the potential to provide additional housing units and make better use of existing resources.
Apartments
The ground floor features standard-sized apartments, ranging from 70m² for one-bedroom flats to 120m² for three-bedroom flats, while the third floor offers micro-flat options with apartments of 25m². By reducing sizes, I lowered the costs of materials, electricity, and other expenses. Given the building’s 3.8m ceiling height, what has been cut in width is compensated by the greater vertical height.
Extra storage and clever solutions have transformed the space into practical homes without sacrificing essential features. The building also includes amenities like pram storage, a courtyard, and a laundry room, which help to optimize the living space by bringing some activities outside the flats.
