Lauren Roberts

Interior Architecture

When I was young, I spent my pocket money on shag pile rugs and hot pink lampshades, while my friends were spending theirs on Furbies and Polly Pockets. Thankfully, my style has evolved since the 90’s, but my attraction to interior spaces has remained. Now, as a graduate interior designer, I am passionate about creating spaces that resonate with people on a human level. I am particularly excited by projects that emphasise inclusivity and community-focused initiatives and believe in designs that bring joy and foster a sense of belonging. This interest led me towards my Captsone project which explored how the built environment can strengthen social connections and reduce loneliness in a community setting.

My two years of experience as a student interior designer at Carr have allowed me to hone my design skills and my ability to collaborate within a team. My approach to design is playful yet practical with a strong attention to detail and I thrive in a studio environment where collaboration and independent work go hand in hand.

EDEN - THE ENTRANCE

Eden is a women’s community centre that aims to reduce loneliness by creating a welcoming space that fosters a sense of belonging. Housed in a former church, the design strikes a balance between creating a homely and comfortable environment and preserving the integrity of the original building. The new entrance creates a sense of arrival before entering into the larger, open space of the centre. Users are first greeted by the reception desk, which provides an immediate welcome and a sense of security as visitors can be screened by staff.

EDEN - THE CAFE

Upskilling is important in empowering women. Spaces like the classroom and workshop can facilitate this, but women can also volunteer in the café or childcare centre to learn new workplace skills and help to create a feeling of value and belonging in the community.
The double-storey mesh frame of the café creates a dramatic entrance to the centre, without taking away from the open feeling of the space or blocking natural light. This is a small space, so seating is designed for perching. For those who want to linger, comfortable booth seating is available behind the café.

EDEN - THE WORKSPACE

Eden provides support for women and addresses some of the intersectional issues that they face. Casual childcare provides support for mothers. The workspace supports working women and emergency accommodation provides a safe space for women and their children when they really need it. In the workspace, the draped fabric and pendant lighting bring the space down to a human scale without blocking the original front windows. Large tables allow for group work while quiet booths on either side provide the opportunity for focus time.

MUSEUM OF THE HANDMADE - THE BUILDING

The Museum of the Handmade sits within the Heide Sculpture Park, where its minimalist design and clean white exterior stand in striking contrast to the surrounding natural landscape. The main focus of this project was to create a passively designed building that could both block and harness energy from the sun. The use of clay was explored for the main façade material with tiles being used to create various shading systems which could be adjusted as the seasons changed to create an energy efficient building and a comfortable interior for visitors.

MUSEUM OF THE HANDMADE - THE CAFE ENTRANCE

The museum design carefully considers the building’s orientation, sun paths, and window placement to maximize energy efficiency year-round. Roof overhangs are positioned to allow low winter sunlight to naturally heat the interior while blocking higher summer sun to prevent overheating. Strategically located windows and doors promote cross-ventilation and enable night purging, ensuring the building stays cool during warmer months without relying on artificial cooling. Solar panels and a rainwater collection system further reduce the need for external utilities, making the building more self-sufficient and environmentally sustainable.