From the UK to SOU: Interviews with Derby University Talents Designing for the Children’s School of Architecture
During this academic year, the School of Architecture for Children, Sou, had the privilege of establishing a partnership with the Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer in Interior Design at the University of Derby. As part of this collaboration, students were divided into groups and tasked with designing a table that would evolve alongside our students and seamlessly integrate into our school environment. Upon completion of the project, we recognized and awarded the three designs that best aligned with our vision and objectives. At the conclusion of the awarding ceremony, we conducted interviews with the creators of the winning projects to gain deeper insight into their creative process and understand how they arrived at their final design.
Let’s meet the three creators of the winning projects:
Meet Teresa: Designing for Play, Collaboration & Inclusion
“My inspiration came from watching my five children grow up building with Lego and Duplo—imagining, experimenting, and problem-solving without limits.”
Teresa’s design journey began at home, sparked by years of playful learning with her kids. That experience shaped her belief that learning environments should be hands-on, creative, and adaptable. In her recent project for the SOU School of Architecture, Teresa created a table designed by play and for play—centered around collaboration, inclusivity, and child-led interaction.
What makes her design special?
The round whiteboard table top sits on an adaptable Lego-style pedestal base. It’s ergonomic, safe, and height-adjustable, making it accessible to children of different sizes and needs. For neurodivergent learners, the tactile and visual elements support multi-sensory engagement. Best of all? The desk can be taken apart and rebuilt by children—promoting teamwork, problem-solving, and creative confidence.
As a mature student, Teresa faced her own challenges—like translating her ideas into technical drawings—but her experience as a mother of five gave her unique insight into designing for all kinds of children. She says, “Design isn’t just about aesthetics or function. It’s about shaping experiences—giving people, especially children, something they didn’t even know they needed.”
Looking ahead, Teresa imagines expanding her design with seating, embedded tech for interactive learning, and alternative surfaces like chalkboard or digital touchscreens.
Her final reflection? “Play isn’t just for fun—it’s a critical tool for learning and social development.” And our teem couldn’t agree more.
Elodie & Chloe: Abbraccio – A Desk Designed to Connect
Their project is called Abbraccio – The Desk of Connection, and the name says it all. Inspired by SOU’s values of community, culture, and creativity, Elodie and Chloe designed a desk that welcomes. Through circular shapes, soft lines, and a sense of visual embrace, they created a space where children can gather, share, and grow.
One of their first steps was visiting primary schools, speaking directly with children, and listening. What the children asked for was clear: desks that respond to their everyday needs. From bottle holders and coat hooks to pencil pots and backpack storage—these features were seamlessly integrated into the desk thanks to a clever dowel-based system that allows for add-on elements and multifunctional use.
Of course, the design process came with challenges. A key one was stability: how could the desk support a child’s weight while staying safe and intuitive to use? Their solution was a curved stabiliser, echoing the shape of the desk while ensuring no tripping hazards and strong structural support.
Inclusivity was a guiding principle throughout. Originally, multiple dowels on one leg created a visual separation between users. So Elodie and Chloe made a bold change—stripping the leg down to a single dowel and allowing multiple desks to connect. The result? A flexible, accessible design that adapts to different ages, heights, and abilities—inviting children to come together as one.
Safety was never an afterthought. They refined the mechanism, moving from external attachments to laser-cut integration, making the desk stronger and more durable for everyday use.
What did they learn? “Designing for young users with real needs taught us so much about bespoke design,” they shared. “This desk isn’t just a desk—it can become a cloakroom, a shelf, a space of imagination. We had to think like children again, and it made the process joyful.”
The project also reshaped their understanding of design’s impact. “We often focus on layout or circulation. This time, we focused on psychological and social dimensions—on what design means to a child. Working with a live, international client expanded our thinking and pushed us creatively.”
And if they had more time or resources? “We would laser-engrave both sides of the leg posts and explore more add-on features for greater personalization.”
With Abbraccio, Elodie and Chloe didn’t just design furniture. They designed connections.
Meet Rex: Designing for Multicultural Learning & Inclusivity
Rex’s project was inspired by the SoU School’s theme of “Culture of Peace,” and as an international student, he wanted to create a desk that would encourage multicultural learning and promote unity. His concept incorporates symbols from the flowers of Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Italy—each representing their respective cultures—to inspire the next generation to build a more harmonious society.
Involving children directly in the design process, Rex gathered feedback from primary schools about safety and the need for more group activities. He took this to heart, designing a desk with rounded corners to minimize injury and a modular shape that can be assembled like a jigsaw puzzle. This allows children to come together in teams and collaborate more effectively.
The challenge? Ensuring the desk would be adjustable for a wide range of ages—7-12 year-olds and even adults—while still being easy enough for younger children to assemble on their own. Through extensive research, Rex balanced stability and functionality, creating a design that’s both adaptable and simple.
What makes Rex’s design inclusive?
The desk encourages hands-on interaction, with assembly and disassembly processes promoting cooperation among children and teachers. This fosters a sense of community and helps children learn about different cultures while they work together. By interacting and collaborating, they learn not only about the desk’s cultural elements but also about each other.
Safety is a top priority too. The desk features rounded corners and an irregularly shaped design to reduce the risk of injury. The sliding dovetail joint, which doesn’t rely on glue or adhesives, ensures a strong, durable build, keeping the desk safe and stable.
Rex’s design experience taught him valuable lessons about ergonomics—ensuring that the desk promotes healthy posture for children, preventing future back problems. He discovered that a hands-on approach, where children can build and interact with their environment, helps spark creativity and engagement.
Reflecting on the broader impact, Rex believes the “Culture of Peace” theme is a critical message. “Inspiring the next generation to embrace inclusivity and unity will create a more peaceful society,” he says.
