Isobel is from London, and is a final year student on M ARCH: Architecture at Central Saint Martins.
Why did you choose to study your course and why Central Saint Martins (CSM)? I previously studied BA Architecture at Sheffield, where I first realised the power of architecture and the positive impact it can have on people and the planet when designed and delivered well.
During my years out in practice before joining CSM, I also became aware of some of the negatives within the industry – like unpaid overtime and extractive practices. CSM stood out as a place that actively challenges these norms in a positive and creative way.
I also chose CSM because the course encourages you to explore and embrace your own practice. Unlike other architecture schools, where students often follow the same brief and produce similar outcomes, projects here are unique, personal, and incredibly varied – and that really appealed to me.
What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far? What made it so interesting to work on? Probably my final project, which I’m working on right now. It explores the theme of Collaborative Feminist Construction – challenging the culture of the construction industry through practices of repair and reuse, while advocating for gender equity.
It’s been fascinating because it’s the longest independent project I’ve undertaken, and I’ve had the freedom to shape it around my own interests. I’ve collaborated with peers and institutions like the Building Crafts College to gain hands-on experience, which has supported my research and given me real insight from experts in the field.
Have you completed any work placements or internships during the course? Yes – as part of the M ARCH: Architecture course, we complete a placement in the summer after first year. I joined ConstructLab on a project called KOKO (Collaborative Construction), based in a remote Austrian village.
We lived and worked together to design and build a temporary social space, part of the European Capital of Culture programme in the Salzkammergut region (2024). It was a very hands-on experience that questioned how communities are formed, and what collaborative work and design mean in context.
My role involved both the design and construction process. We built the project in about three weeks and then hosted workshops and activities for the local community, working with both local and international artists. I also helped deconstruct the structure before returning to London.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course? I’d say studying this course is a personal journey – you're really encouraged to push your thinking and expand what architecture can be. It can be challenging, but it helps you become a more critical, thoughtful designer who can make a real positive impact on people and the planet.
What has been the highlight of your CSM experience so far? Definitely working on a collaborative group build project in first year with Material Cultures. The group work was incredible, and we completed a 1:1 fragment of our design, which was later exhibited at Price & Myers.
What are your career aspirations? Where would you like to be in five years' time? I’d love to be part of an ethical, socially driven practice or collective that’s involved in both design and the hands-on making and construction process – especially around repair, reuse and retrofit.
Eventually, I’d like to form my own practice, possibly with peers from the course.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned on the course so far? That work is so much more meaningful, fun, and successful when done collaboratively. As students, we often get caught up in our own projects and research, but for me, the moments of sharing and working with others have been the most impactful.
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