Eloisa De Gracia

About me: I am someone who has always been curious about people, human interactions, and connections. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I have been able to explore the role of design within these aspects and develop my own personal design philosophy which aims to put people first and be thoughtful about the designer's wider role in terms of placemaking to create projects that have a positive impact on people, place, and the environment.

About my project: Dissected from a series of major thresholds, Spon End, much like other areas beyond the Coventry ring road, suffer from socio-economic inactivity due to businesses and developments being concentrated in the city centre. This project aims to draw attention to this issue by creating an 'urban hub typology' which can be replicated in other inactive areas. As well as being designed in response to the City of Culture 2021 event, the building's main aim is to unite the local community and strengthen its connection to central Coventry. The street food hall, urban room and exhibition spaces invite the creative and curious, whilst the indoor skatepark encourages increased connectivity and movement from the city centre by promoting micro-mobility as a fun, active, and sustainable form of transportation.