Dezeen School Shows: a community centre that mirrors the fluid forms found in Chinese calligraphy is among the projects by students at the University of Dundee.

Also featured is a space designed to accommodate the sensory needs of people with autism and a chain of vegetarian pie restaurants in Dundee, Scotland.

University of Dundee

Institution: University of Dundee
School: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design
Course: Interior and Environmental Design
Tutor: Gary Kennedy

School statement:

"Interior Environmental Design at DJCAD operates at the exciting intersection of architecture, design, art and new media.

"It allows spatial investigation into areas such as architecture, furniture and installations to exhibitions. The course is a dynamic programme that respects the tradition of design history, contemporary culture and new social issues."

Co-ncrete by Daniels Rubins

"Co-ncrete transforms an abandoned former Dundee College into a vibrant multi-generational co-living community that balances privacy with connection.

"Inspired by the emotional intensity of Brutalist architecture, the design softens raw concrete spaces with warm materials, daylight and human-scaled interventions.

"Corridors once empty and institutional are reimagined as social hubs, each named and designed after the building's historic academic course names.

"Shared gardens, lounges and kitchens encourage spontaneous interaction while preserving individual independence.

"Co-ncrete adaptively reuses the original structure while rethinking its purpose, offering not just sustainable housing, but a new vision for how people of all ages can live better, together."

Student: Daniels Rubins
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: danielsrubins.design[at]gmail.com

Benn's by Fiona Benn

"Benn's is a series of vegetarian pie bars across Dundee. The concept consists of one HQ pie bar in the city centre as well as four alternating pop-up shops.

"The design concept reimagines David Wallace's The Auld Dundee Pie Shop, taking inspiration from the materiality to create a new experience 50 years later.

"Pies, pints and music make the bars – which are open 24 hours – multifunctional. The spaces act as bakeries and cafés during the day and bars and music venues during the night.

"The concept will be a space for families, friends and pie lovers!"

Student: Fiona Benn
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: fbenn[at]hotmail.com

Vestige by Neve Young

"Vestige is a one-to-one interactive object that combines two topics: the decay and erosion of abandoned buildings and the decay of the world around us.

"The project uses two materials that are meant to represent the materials used in old buildings: wood and concrete (stone).

"The interactive element comes from 100 concrete blocks that are in placed inside the structure.

"The blocks are painted on three sides with different colours to represent three different topics that are relevant in today's social climate: red (politics), green (climate change) and blue (human rights).

"The public can pick the blocks up and change them to the colour of the topic they feel most strongly about. It is a way to show the public's opinions on these topics without fear of judgement."

Student: Neve Young
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: snappedsugardesigns[at]gmail.com

Tractions by Yu Fan Ho

"The Tractions project is a combination of a drive-thru and walk-in motorsport museum that showcases historical and contemporary motorsports.

"This includes the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), Hill Climbs, Monte Carlo and Rally as well as various vintage, super and hyper car models.

"The site has a connection to the past as a former Michelin tyre factory and the interior of the drive-thru museum reflects a Scottish motorsport heritage, with the scheme's colours being blue and white.

"The design philosophy is based on Michelin tire treads from two motorsports: wet circuit and gravel tyres."

Student: Yu Fan Ho
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: hoyufan9868[at]gmail.com

Buddhahood by Sarah Murdoch-Burt

"This project aims to promote the continuity of spiritual practice in Dundee, from Christian congregations to a new Buddhist community.

"This is an ambitious adaptive reuse project in an abandoned Victorian church. The development proposes to continue its legacy as a religious centre for the local neighbourhood.

"The design is inspired by symbolic Buddhist iconography translated into three-dimensional elements. A connected yoga studio provides a space for non-religious locals who want to cultivate mindfulness.

"The second floor houses a vegan cafe and social space that allows for community connection and provides income to fund classes.

"A connection with nature can be explored in the extensive garden with fragrant planting and calming reflection pool."

Student: Sarah Murdoch-Burt
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: s.m-b[at]talktalk.net

Curiosity Cove by Jennifer Ritchie

"Curiosity Cove is a sustainable, innovative and educational environment for families to learn and interact together through play, inspired by the Japanese art form of origami and the way in which children interact enthusiastically with their toys.

"Located within the former Queen Victoria Works – a derelict jute mill in the city centre of Dundee – this child and family centre is open for families between 7:00am and 4:30pm.

"In the evening, it transforms into a hub for expectant families to participant in antenatal classes. The outside space remains open until 8:30pm, allowing a safe space for youths to gather and socialise."

Student: Jennifer Ritchie
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: jenniferlouisedesign[at]outlook.com

 Re-collection by Elissa Lee

"Re-collection is a furniture collection inspired by the idiosyncrasies within a series of inherited objects.

"Showcasing themes of materiality, re-use and memory, Re-collection draws upon ideas of inherited objects outliving disposable cultures.

"Transcriptions of memories are engraved onto each leather seat. Marquetry, crafted with the mahogany from an antique headboard, tells a story of personalisation and detail.

"The legs of an old sewing table were transformed into dowels supporting each seat and the table's mechanism is repurposed from an existing metamorphic table, still bearing the rust from its previous life.

"These idiosyncrasies are an abstraction and celebration of the intricate relationships between humans and our cherished objects."

Student: Elissa Lee
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: elissa.m.lee[at]gmail.com

L[inked] by Haley Chan

"L[inked] is an innovative art and design community hub inspired by the fluid and expressive nature of Chinese calligraphy.

"Located at 3 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee, Scotland's UNESCO City of Design. This project is designed to foster creativity, build connections and inspire collaboration.

"The hub serves as a dynamic open space where creative individuals come together, whether through workshops, collaborative projects, or spontaneous endeavours.

"It provides spaces for artistic expression in the different studio spaces, education and social interaction, offering opportunities for people to meet, exchange ideas and grow creatively within a community."

Student: Haley Chan
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: haleychandesign[at]gmail.com

Neursoria by Magdalena Wiluszynska

"Neursoria is more than a design project – it's a deeply personal journey inspired by my brother's experiences growing up with autism, which opened my eyes to the urgent need for change.

"Watching him navigate spaces that overwhelmed rather than supported him made me determined to create something better.

"Rooted in the six senses – sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, and proprioception — Neursoria is designed to encourage independent living by creating spaces that respond to sensory needs.

"Carefully layered sensory stimulation, guided by biophilic principles, helps to soothe, engage, and empower residents, offering an environment where they can truly thrive."

Student: Magdalena Wiluszynska
Course: Interior and Environmental Design B Des (Hons)
Tutor: Gary Kennedy
Email: magdalena.wiluszynska[at]gmail.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the University of Dundee. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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