As part of our Graduate Summer Shows, we’re spotlighting some of our final-year students to learn more about their creative journeys, standout projects, and what life is really like studying at Brighton.
Meet Sade, a final-year Architecture BA(Hons) student, whose work blends abstract experimentation with a deep commitment to community and cultural heritage.
My influences and passions
“My work is usually very abstract based and experimental. What influences me in my design is what happens in the process and what appears naturally and not through force, and more recently, my influences have been based on community and history.
“My design project is on how we can propose an alternate urban strategy and housing scheme to that proposed by Lambeth council for South Lambeth estate in Oval, London. Lambeth Council’s proposal is to demolish and densify, and we are tasked with how to densify without demolition or displacement.
“I came up with my idea by thinking about what really matters in this design. Community. And that we are not designing outside of context, and something that has no direct impact on people. Our context is London, South London, and as someone who grew up there and has travelled through the vast areas with different classes and different cultures, I believe it’s important to design in a way that will enhance the community on and around our site rather than remove them.
“The process so far has looked at the history of Lambeth and the rich culture it holds, thinking about families and how what is around our site affects them, whether that is education and leisure, touching on areas of how sport can unify people and how Lambeth has great access to that.
“Looking at precedents that have designed housing schemes in a way that encourages and enriches the community, and seeing how we can apply that to our current site. We are also designing at a smaller architectural scale with elements that enhance meeting spaces and viewpoints within our overall scheme, so that it embellishes our overall scheme.”
Why Brighton?
“I chose the University of Brighton largely because of the location. I was going through a lot at the time of choosing where I wanted to continue my studies, and Brighton seemed like the right balance of what I needed.”
Learning through experimentation
“My favourite part of my studies is the freedom we have to explore and experiment. I learn a lot through trial and error and experimentation. Also that we have the ability to combine knowledge from many different subject areas into the course. People tend to think Architecture is just about designing buildings. But it is so much more than that.”
Inspirational staff
“The course team, Dana Hamden, Holly Crosbie and Georgia White, have been key for me in my development as an architecture student at the University of Brighton. They have given me loads of confidence in my skill set and abilities and supported me throughout my time. They are very inspiring with lots of experience to share.”
Real-world experience
“In the summer of 2024, I did an internship at Rider Levitt Bucknall construction consultancy. I spent 2 weeks with cost management, 2 weeks with Build Asset Consultancy and 2 weeks with Project Management. I got into this through the 10,000 Black interns programme.”
What Brighton means now
“Now Brighton means to me a place where I can grow into who I am. I built a lot of lasting connections here and really came into a confident version of myself.”
What’s next?
“After graduation, I plan to build my architecture portfolio and hopefully go into the field. I’m quite interested in architectural conservation and history. So, I am hoping to get involved with retrofit and restoration projects.”
Advice to future students
“Do what you think is best for you. Take the opportunities that come your way and don’t be afraid to be yourself!”
Thinking about studying architecture at Brighton?
At Brighton, we offer a hands-on, real-world approach to architecture that encourages you to develop your own design voice. With supportive tutors, a strong studio culture, and projects rooted in real contexts, it’s a great place to explore your creativity and grow as a designer.
Find out more about our architecture and design degrees on the University of Brighton website.
Published by