Accrington student’s project in London showcase

13 June 2017

Final year Interior Design student prepares to display her work as part of a showcase of the freshest design talent in London next month.

A final year Interior Design student from Accrington is preparing to display her work as part of a showcase of the freshest design talent in London next month.

Corinne Brazier, 27, who will graduate with a degree from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in July, has designed plans to breathe new life into the disused Willington Power Plant in Derbyshire.

Her work will be featured in the New Designers 2017 show between July 5 - 8 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, where design students from across the UK will exhibit their work as part of a celebration of the next generation of talent.

Corinne’s project sees the Willington towers transformed into a new space for the local community, featuring the first ever hydroponic rainforest, an urban farm and a shop selling fresh produce.

"Hydroponics, which is the art of growing plants without the use of soil, is something I’m very interested and I feel it’s something that could bring many benefits."

“Although sadly there are real plans to demolish the remaining towers, what I wanted to show through this project is the importance of sustainability, with opportunities for people to learn how grow their own vegetables and spaces for people to get together,” says Corinne.

“Hydroponics, which is the art of growing plants without the use of soil, is something I’m very interested and I feel it’s something that could bring many benefits.”

Corinne, who counts Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster and Frank Gehry among her inspirations, says she has had a passion for art and design since being a young girl, when she’d watch her dad at work in his stained-glass workshop.

Having spent six years living in Sydney, Australia, she returned home to Lancashire when she was 22 and enrolled onto the Interior Design course at UCLan aged 24.

“I’ve loved studying at UCLan, it’s been ideal for me in terms of the distance from home, and the course itself has been fantastic. My main tutors, Pam Eccles and Jason Kearns, have been particularly supportive and helpful.”

Corinne also attributes her family’s staunch support, including husband Gareth, stepdaughter Jessica, 12 and daughter Ariana, three, in helping her pursue her passion.

“I’m proof that it is possible to have a family and still follow your education and career dreams, and I have my family to thank for that. My aim is to work in interior design or architecture industry and I’m hoping to achieve that soon.”

Corinne’s work will be on display at UCLan’s Preston Campus from 9-16 June as part of the Lancashire Arts Festival Degree Show.