.Barnsley College Refectory

Project Type: Further & Higher Education
Client: Barnsley College (via Gresham)
Role: Lead Interior Designer, Furniture Strategy, Spatial Planning, CGI Visualisation

Barnsley College Refectory was developed as a flexible, welcoming dining and social environment designed to support a range of student activities throughout the day. The scheme was organised around three main activity areas: the primary dining zone, café area, and a dedicated relax and soft seating zone, creating a varied environment that could accommodate both everyday use and larger college events.

My role focused on the interior design development, furniture strategy and spatial planning, with particular consideration given to flexibility, durability and ease of maintenance. A key challenge was creating a soft and welcoming environment while ensuring that furniture finishes and materials were suitable for the demands of a busy dining and café environment, with surfaces required to be wipeable and easy to clean.

Flexibility was central to the furniture strategy, with the majority of furniture selected and positioned to allow spaces to be easily reconfigured or cleared for events. Heavier fixed elements, including the banquette seating, were carefully located along the front glazed façade where they would have minimal impact on the flexibility of the main floor area. Biophilia was also an important part of the design solution, with integrated planters used to define different zones, introduce natural elements and soften the overall environment.