Phoebe Imogen Mendel
Interior Design MA
Royal College of Art
Specialisms: Design for Social Good / Interior Design /
Location: London, United Kingdom
Phoebe Imogen Mendel
First Name: Phoebe Imogen
Last Name: Mendel
Specialisms: Design for Social Good / Interior Design
Sectors:
My Location: London, United Kingdom
University / College: Royal College of Art
Course / Program Title: Interior Design MA
About
Phoebe Imogen Mendel is a London-based interior- and furniture designer from Munich whose practice is inspired by contrasting color combinations, bold use of geometries, and meaningful materialities. Phoebe’s curious and adventurous nature partnered with her passion for making led her to expand her knowledge on a multitude of workshop skills experimenting with screenprinting, creating steel sculptures and chairs, building wooden furniture as well as carving and casting jewelry.
She believes that as designers are exposed to an entire cross-section of society they are uniquely positioned to identify and facilitate opportunities for social good. Designers are trained to notice things that are often unseen, suggest innovative ideas for improvement, and are often best placed to encourage partnerships with those who have the resources to make a meaningful change for societies' most vulnerable by manifesting the changes into spatial experiences.
In her master thesis NO EXCUSE for abusePhoebe explores the idea of a visible and accessible respite for women affected by domestic abuse located in the heart of a newly developing community in Woolwich. It challenges the preconception of a shelter only being safe when hidden and concealed and understands the importance of visibility to raise awareness of this ignored issue in society. The main focus of the project is to provide the space to affected women that they need to feel safe and valued, putting their well-being at the heart of the respite.
Coming home – to the place where we can relax, where we are safe. But what happens when the supposed safe space turns into the biggest danger in your life? Every third day a woman in the UK is killed by her partner. To these women coming home does not mean returning to a safe haven, coming home ultimately is a threat to their life. In her master thesis NO EXCUSE for abuse Phoebe explores the idea of a visible and accessible respite for women affected by domestic abuse located in the heart of a newly developing community in Woolwich. It challenges the preconception of a shelter only being safe when hidden and understands the importance of visibility to raise awareness of this ignored issue in society. The main focus of the project is to provide the space to affected women that they need to feel safe and valued, putting their well-being at the heart of the respite. As building a safe environment for survivors is the main goal, the heart of the respite is the inhabitant’s bedroom. “Sometimes the bathroom was the only place to find some peace.” – quoted by women living in a shelter. Understanding the importance of this space for the affected women, the shelter bedroom is inspired by the bathroom, using materials such as terry cloth, ceramic glazed tiles, and water pipes. Each resident gets their own room with an en suite bathroom, which is the first thing you will see when entering the room, the bathroom – your safe space.
Competitions
