Elder Street Studios

Elder Street Studios is a creative co-working space that addresses the impact of global isolation on mental health & creative industries over the last two years. It explores how craft can open-up connections within communities and be a source of healing. Maintained by independent artists & partially funded by Brighton & Hove’s ABCD Cultural Recovery Programme, the studios provide flexible & affordable memberships, offering access to equipment & spaces. Both small businesses & newcomers to craft are welcome; my design fosters shared practice & a sociable dynamic through its free-flowing layout & adjustable studio sizes, encouraging a symbiotic relationship between members & visitors. Short courses, a retail space & cafe opens the studios to the public, sharing the mental health benefits of craft & community to residents, whilst simultaneously supporting local artists who are housed at Elder Street Studios. Longevity, sustainability & local voices are at the forefront of my creative ethos: named after the demolished terraces & workshops which once stood on the site, the design is solution to the modern pandemic of isolation, exploring traditional neighbourhood layouts & shared craft practices.