ABSTRACT
Calico is one of the largest purpose-built student housing schemes in Europe, providing accommodation for up to 738 students. When asked to design the interiors of this huge project, Naomi realised that the primary challenge would be making it feel homely. The private living spaces are spacious but cosy, featuring bespoke furniture to maximise storage, and noticeboards and open shelving for personalisation. However, the shared amenity space encompasses 930 square metres – a vast amount of space. Essential in a building shared by so many, and where few have English as a first language, signage is arguably not redolent of ‘home’ – but at Calico these sculptural and illuminated signs become decorative objects in and of themselves. Calico illustrates how large scale needn’t be an obstacle to creating the sense of home and community that not only makes people on short-term tenancies want to stay, but to make life-long commitments.
