Interior Design School of Design
Natalie Brown
After deciding to return to education and study Interior Design, I completed an HND in 3D Design at Edinburgh College, which led me into the third year at GSA. This final year has been a chance to bring all of my learning together—combining spatial awareness, branding, and storytelling.
I’ve always been drawn to both interior and graphic design because the overall brand, look, and feel really matter to me. I think it’s so important that every element connects and reflects each other to tell the right story about a brand. Walking into a space should feel like stepping into that, so I’m often drawn to bold design and a mix of new and raw materials, usually with a graphic twist.
For my final project, I wanted to design something that felt meaningful and relevant to my own life. I chose to focus on the role of sport in children’s lives—the connections it builds, both on and off the field or away from the studio, and the challenges that can sometimes get in the way of those experiences. I chose to design a city-based stay designed for groups and clubs to come together—not just to train and prepare, but to bond, reset, and create lasting memories.
This concept allowed me to explore a mix of design approaches across hospitality, sport, and community spaces.
Final Project – CLUBHOUSE
Clubhouse – Glasgow – is a sports and movement themed city stay aimed at groups, clubs and teams, promoting and encouraging bonding and a healthy lifestyle and mindset for the youth age group.
Designed as a ‘place to be’, the new Clubhouse building restores elements of the existing at risk building, and adapts a quirky ‘building inside the building’ effect which takes advantage of the height and space of the warehouse style sections.
It will sit within the community providing links with local sports professionals, and also local food vendors. The main side wall also will become a point of interest in the Glasgow mural trail which attracts attention therefore focus on the message of a sports and movement lifestyle and the importance for the youth age groups.
The site is located at Pollokshaws Road in a building that was previously an electricity station and then a printworks for the council. Aiming to be a city base for clubs and groups means that it can take advantage of venues and facilities around it, and just help promote Glasgow as a ‘city of sport’.
A B-listed front encouraged me to keep and restore some of the features. The large front windows are restored and create a memorable feature. Inside, the design creates a sense of building within the building—using structures and mezzanines to form a dynamic layout that makes the most of the height and character of the warehouse-style building. It’s a space designed for movement and exploration, with different areas to discover while still maintaining a sense of connection. Adults can enjoy their own space while still feeling close enough to keep an eye on things, giving kids the freedom to explore and feel independent in a safe, engaging environment.
The branding of the venue features the word clubhouse with the logo symbolising the tieing together of ‘your club, our house’ with a shoelaces icon also representing the sports topic. A standalone shortened logo of the initials acts as a simple stamp used more often and is a mark of belonging. The app and digital story act as an extension to the brand, whilst merchandise and gifts allow guests to have keepsakes and provide longevity to the memories made.
Exterior elevation
Brand Identity
STAY
The main elements of Clubhouse fit into 4 categories – STAY, PLAY, GROW AND BOND
STAY – A chance to stay together as a group, potentially interact with like minded others depending on the party size.
Practical design considerations fall under this category such as reception – checking in and information, Sleeping arrangements – making sure as much variety and choice is on offer for the varying needs of different groups. Toilet, changing and laundry, as well as staff functions.
The rooms and dorms are varied to suit a wide variety of needs for larger groups, including accessible and adjoining rooms, optional sofa beds and most having access to their own toilet and shower facilities. Clubhouse is designed to make guests feel like they have use of the whole venue, so bedrooms are not huge but provide a fun place to sleep and get ready, or wind down at night.
Reception visual
PLAY
PLAY – Play is the big one, with a multi sports court with variable Led lighting, interactive squash court, various studios, outdoor pitch and other outdoor space, all in the same space as you are staying, there is always something going on and activities to take part in.
Sports and movement functions are placed all around the building so create lots of activity opportunities for fun, trying out new skills but also honing in on passions. Local coaches and people from the sports industry are linked on the app and can be booked for visits, workshops or talks to add to the sense of motivation from the venue.
Freestanding studios made from shipping containers which double as storage, and an adapted container provides the staircase in a novelty way – using the idea that the kids are used to seeing these outside in a muddy field, so using in this way is a special and novelty element.
Two adjoining studios also sit on the top floor of the dorm block, a building inside the building, the studios make use of the roof lights and have doors which can be left open or closed to make two rooms. Available for groups but also the accompanying adults can use this, book instructors from the local area to come in for a class.
The multi sports court sits at the back and is a hive of activity for any purpose. With an LED court which can be adapted to suit the game for clarity and quite unique feature.
GROW
GROW – Clubhouse aims to encourage and promote positivity through various elements. To keep memories alive, sharing is key, so the venue includes a dedicated sharing wall, complete with a photo-printing station so moments can be captured and displayed. There’s also an achievements area, where visitors can celebrate milestones, big or small, by hitting the gong. It’s not just about winning, Clubhouse is about personal goals, individual progress, and the support of the team around you.
Clubhouse also links with the local community so local coaches can come in to gain experience, or more experience coaches or experts of different sports can be booked for slots to visit the venue, meaning cross skills and new experiences, whilst also incorporating the community.
The sharing wall and achievement sharing provide opportunities to open up talking, goals, personal targets, all important for furthering life skills in children for the future, along with making fun and long lasting memories along the way.
Fun and positive graphic message on the floor in this area, recycled paper tiles and moveable paper furniture is a nod to the history of the building when it printed school jotters with messages on.
Free time together provides important moments getting to know each others personalities outwith the sports or performance field leading to longer lasting tightly formed teams with purpose and enjoyment, so there are areas to do this with games and a lively atmosphere and also
BOND
BOND – The free time is when true bonds are formed, this can include eating together too so clubhouse provides a variety of food and drink options to suit varying needs, A self catering kitchen so cook and enjoy time together, learning life skills along the way, a coffee and sandwich shop, a pizza oven, and two kiosks which link in with the community. Also break out spaces, games areas and chill out spaces all add to this.
Food and drink provides many options for bonding, eating and having fun together.
Lots of varied seating means the needs of large groups can be met in different ways. They can cook and learn together providing imports life skills, or just grab a takeaway!
They can access the pizza oven through the venue or book some local vendors to cater for the evening through the convenient app. A fun way to interact with the community and have a different experience whilst away when sometimes large groups might find it more difficult.
A coffee and sandwich shop means an option to grab something quick, a coffee in the morning or grab something to take away. This would be open at certain times when guests were staying.
A juice and smoothie bar with water fountains, in an accessible centre area means its easy to hydrate but also interact with menus from the app, making juices and smoothies, promoting healthy eating and also independent and exploration from kids.
The ‘dugout den’ and the ‘halftime snug’ provide alternative areas to ‘hang out’ – one for bonding fun and free time games, and one for a more chilled out space to reflect or read.
Section of back wall featuring some food and drink options
20 credit – CLUBHOUSE CONNECTIONS – app design
App design
An app designed for the venue helps extend the experience beyond the interior. It embodies the brand and brings personalisation, choices, and sharing photos and messages as well as motivational games and helpful links and discounts.
Taking into account issues for viability was looked at during the process as well as research from existing solutions.
Functions which extend and promote the brand was important as well as the look, feel and accessibility.
