Tang Xiao

Prior to studying interior design at the Royal College of Art I completed an art and design foundation course and undergraduate degree in architecture at the University of the Arts, London. Following graduation in 2018 I worked for several architectural practices in China before returning to education at masters level.

Education

BA (Hons) Architecture, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London

Foundation Diploma, University of the Arts London

Work Experience

Hunan Architectural Design Institute, Changsha

Gad Line+ Studio, Hangzhou

I chose to join the Interior Detail platform as I believed this platform would provide me with an opportunity to take a more practical approach to the subject than I have previously experienced. I believe an approach that is focussed on resolving a proposal in detail will help me in my future career.

During the Autumn term we undertook a series of short design tasks that allowed me to explore materials, form, structure and detail. I found this process to be quite inspirational and the most important lesson has been that simplicity can be difficult to achieve.

The Platform brief was to design an outlet for the small, London based, independent optician brand Cubitts – the modern spectacle maker. In addition to the usual retail and optical examination services Cubitts offer an exclusive bespoke service which is potentially the most interesting aspect of the brand’s offer meeting the individual customer’s wildest demands. Currently the bespoke service is rather undersold with little presence physically instore or digitally online so in response this design proposal is concerned with creating an environment solely focussed around Cubitts’ bespoke offer. As each bespoke frame is individually handcrafted to each customer’s requirements the interior is comprised of two main facilities. One arch houses the customer consultation spaces whilst the other contains the workshop where the unique spectacles are hand crafted. The two zones each have a distinct mood and character with the workshop having a cool metallic feel contrasting with the warm timber aesthetic of the consultation spaces. The two spaces are arranged so that customers pass through and experience the workshop on their journey to the consultation area. The spatial configuration involves the excavation of the existing ground floor to create a new basement level that has a concrete lining. New mezzanine floors are introduced at ground level and within each arch a staircase connects the upper and lower levels.