Lucy Paul- BA (Hons) Interior Design
The Wash House
My background in Sociology has shaped my understanding of how people interact with spaces and communities, driving my passion for human-centred design and the belief that design can positively impact people's lives. My final major project responds to wider societal issues by exploring how spaces can be reimagined to promote dignity, wellbeing, and social connection for individuals experiencing hygiene poverty.
In the UK, over 4.2 million adults are experiencing hygiene poverty, which is the inability to afford basic hygiene products. As a result, many people miss work, school and interviews due to the shame and social isolation it can cause. The Wash House reimagines 19th century public wash houses as a contemporary civic space addressing hygiene poverty. Rooted in the legacy of Kitty Wilkinson, the project explores hygiene as both necessity and ritual, using themes of routine and fluidity to create moments of calm, dignity and connection. By combining essential hygiene facilities with communal spaces, this project challenges the stigma and isolation surrounding hygiene poverty while restoring hygiene as a fundamental human right.
