Middlesex University’s BA Interior Architecture students have been brainstorming ways to develop Kilburn Space Lab, a long-term vision for a community-led urban space in Kilburn.
The Year Two students took part in a ‘Rebellious Spaces’ workshop which brought together residents, community groups, and design students from other universities to discuss the purpose and potential different formats of the space.
They developed an inspiring range of ideas with MSc Interior and Spatial Design students from Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano). These included:
* A coffee and micro-broadcast station to share stories and spark conversation in public spaces;
* A reconfigurable street bench that functions as a display, market stand, or mini-stage to support public expression.
* A storytelling installation aimed at children, adaptable for broader educational use in a public space.
* Bus stops transformed into cultural and historical storytelling stations, creating a “learning line” across the neighbourhood.
* Repurposing old phone boxes into community-curated mini-museums celebrating Kilburn’s past and present.
* A mobile suggestion box inviting residents to contribute ideas ahead of meetings or local decisions.
The workshop was developed with University College London (UCL), Camden Council, and One Kilburn, a community alliance working towards a more inclusive and engaged Kilburn, as well as Politecnico di Milano. It was led by Dr Francesca Murialdo, Director of Programmes in Interior Architecture and Design at Middlesex University, and Elena Besussi, a lecturer in Plan Making and Strategic Planning at UCL’s The Bartlett School of Planning.
Dr Murialdo said: “Some of the ideas, such as reimagining Kilburn High Road as a continuous spine for cultural engagement, or transforming local bus stops into storytelling stations, connect to the area’s most visible shared infrastructures. Students and participants also explored the idea of a dispersed urban room, using underused venues or shared spaces across Kilburn rather than relying on a single location.
“The ideas that came out of the workshop laid important groundwork for how Kilburn’s existing built environment could be used differently: more socially, more democratically, and more creatively.”
Participants worked around three key themes: mapping out a timeline and next steps; management and funding of the space; and the purposes and potential locations of the space. The aim is to create a multi-use area that evolves with the needs of the community, whether it is a single location, a network of existing spaces, or a series of pop-ups.
The workshop, which was held at the Alexandra and Ainsworth Tenants Association Hall in Kilburn, gave students first-hand experience in community engagement, learning how to use their design skills to support civic dialogue and collaborative urban strategies. Community members also contributed their knowledge and visions, with many describing the event as energising, hopeful, and productive.
Dr Murialdo said: “The workshop was a huge success. Over 40 community members, including residents, and councillors, joined students on three working tables to co-develop ideas for the Kilburn Space Lab. It provided a genuine platform for the exchange of ideas, and demonstrated the power of design education when embedded within real-life local challenges while offering a strong foundation for the next stages of the Kilburn Space Lab initiative.”
The projects and event laid critical groundwork for how Kilburn’s existing built environment could be used differently: more socially, more democratically, and more creatively.
A large-scale exhibition of student work including small models, interactive prompts, and a map of Kilburn High Road were on display to inspire ideas. The event also featured the premiere of Anna Bowman’s documentary, Everyday Magic in Creative Kilburn, commissioned by Paprika Collective, a not-for-profit arts and education social enterprise.
The students’ work was exhibited alongside some of UCL’s ‘deep mapping’ research which involves layering different pieces of information to create a fuller understanding of a place and its communities to create meaningful design interventions.
Dr Murialdo added: “The Kilburn Space Lab is envisioned as a platform for residents, local groups, and interested parties to collaborate on shaping the area’s future, particularly through events such as the Rebellious Spaces workshop.
“The project reflects the ethos of our Interiors courses at Middlesex. We’re committed to teaching our students to use Interior Architecture as a tool for community empowerment and not solely as a detached profession. Our Interiors Programme encourages students to work at the intersection of spatial design, social justice, and urban resilience, fostering a deep ethical responsibility towards the places they shape.”
