Izabela Wesolowska
Interior Design BA
Norwich University of the Arts
Graduates: 2026
Specialisms: Interior Design / Design for Social Good / Design Research
My location: Norwich, United Kingdom
Izabela Wesolowska
First Name: Izabela
Last Name: Wesolowska
University / College: Norwich University of the Arts
Course / Program: Interior Design BA
Graduates: 2026
Specialisms: Interior Design / Design for Social Good / Design Research
My Location: Norwich, United Kingdom
About
My name is Izabela Wesolowska and I recently graduated from Norwich University of the Arts with a degree in Interior Design. Over the course of my studies I developed a deep interest in environmental psychology, which gradually evolved into a particular interest into carceral environments. This led me to focus my dissertation on exploring the psychological impact of prison design and its influence on inmates' rehabilitation, where I found that the built environment can play a profound role in shaping behaviour, wellbeing and opportunities for rehabilitation. By analysing the rehabilitative approach adopted at Halden Prison in Norway and contrasting it with the highly punitive environment of CECOT in El Salvador, I developed a deeper understanding of how spatial organisation, architectural features and environmental conditions can contribute to significantly different outcomes for those within the prison system. My research also highlighted the high rates of recidivism among individuals following their release, exposing the ongoing cycle of reoffending. This understanding inspired me to explore how interior design can move beyond punishment and instead support rehabilitation and reintegration. As a result, I became motivated to develop a prison environment centred on ethical and humane design, creating spaces that recognise the psychological needs of inmates while preparing them for a successful transition back into society.
Women's Custodial & Rehabilitation Centre
This project proposes a rehabilitative Category C women’s prison within St James Mill in Norwich, reimagining the custodial environment as a place of care, growth and social reintegration rather than punishment alone. It responds to the high rates of reoffending among women and the specific pressures they face in the criminal justice system, placing dignity, autonomy and connection at the centre of the design. Set within the historic fabric of St James Mill, the design adapts the existing structure to create a series of interconnected spaces that support rehabilitation through routine, education and meaningful activities. Easily accessible workshops offering skill-building in crafts, textiles and vocational trades form a central element of the design to encourage participation and build confidence. Educational facilities are integrated throughout the scheme, ranging from classrooms and digital learning to informal study spaces, providing calm, flexible environments for education and supporting a range of learning styles. A key feature of the proposal is the inclusion of dedicated mother and baby units which provide a safe, nurturing environment where women can maintain and develop early bonds with their children. Designed with a domestic scale, they offer privacy while remaining connected to the wider community of the prison. Material choices, natural light and spatial sequencing are used throughout to soften the institutional character typically associated with prisons. Overall, the project treats rehabilitation as something shaped by everyday spatial experience as much as by formal programmes, supporting women to develop skills and stability for life beyond the prison.
Competitions
