Designing The Skep: A Space Shaped by Young People and Community

The interior design of The Skep – a new community venue for North and East Brighton – began not with a finished plan, but with a simple question: how could this new space at Moulsecoomb Place reflect the people, values, and environment around it?

The answer began to take shape in July 2025, during Longhill School’s enrichment week. East Brighton Trust (EBT), who developed the concept for The Skep and provided a detailed design brief, partnered with regenerative designer Victoria Jackson and a group of Longhill students on a collaborative design project. The initiative was organised by Future Creators, alongside a wider programme of creative workshops designed to give young people access to work experience opportunities they might not otherwise encounter within the creative industries.

For the students involved, this was a chance to help shape a real space in their local area, contributing to something that would be used by the wider community. The project reflects EBT’s commitment to inclusion, skills development, and meaningful local engagement at Moulsecoomb Place.

Designing with Nature in Mind

Under Victoria’s guidance, students explored biophilic design, an approach that seeks to reconnect people with nature through the spaces they use. This can include natural materials, organic forms, references to local landscapes, and colour palettes inspired by the environment, as well as the integration of living plants throughout the space. Biophilic design is widely recognised for supporting wellbeing, creativity, and a sense of belonging, qualities that are central to how The Skep is intended to be used.

This approach felt particularly relevant for Moulsecoomb Place, a site that was once an orchard and remains closely connected to local green spaces. Students researched the area’s history and ecology and developed two initial design concepts:

• Regency for All, inspired by the Prince Regent’s historic links to Moulsecoomb Place and the elegance of Regency design seen at the Royal Pavilion, reimagined for a contemporary, inclusive community space.
• The Hive, drawing on beekeeping at the nearby Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and the orchards that once stood on the site, symbolising collective energy and shared purpose.

   

Both concepts were presented to EBT and its committee, who saw value in elements of each. Victoria then developed a set of design recommendations that brought these ideas together, focusing on:

• Warm, natural colour palettes inspired by orchards and planting
• Flexible furniture suitable for multiple types of activity
• Lighting that supports different uses while creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere
• Accessories and details that reinforce the layered, woven idea of a skep

   

Rather than prescribing a single fixed look, the design prioritised flexibility, ensuring The Skep could support co-working, events, workshops, and social activity.

From The Hive to The Skep

The initial name proposed by the students was The Hive, reflecting ideas of shared activity, connection, and collective energy. While the concept resonated, the name itself felt too familiar, particularly as it was already in use locally.

The Skep evolved from this idea. A skep is a traditional woven beehive, commonly used during the Regency period. The name retained the essence of collaboration and industriousness while adding a sense of originality and intrigue. It felt rooted in history, but distinct and memorable, much like the space itself.

A Space Built on Collaboration

The collaborative nature of the project extended beyond the initial design phase. Local upcycling textile designer Sibel Lagerdahl, who runs community projects Leftover Threads and No New Clothes Club, was commissioned to create soft furnishings for the seating using preloved materials, bringing sustainability and craftsmanship into the space.

The renovation was carried out by Making It Out, led by Jay, whose extensive experience in the restoration of heritage buildings ensured the work was sensitive to the listed status of Moulsecoomb Place. Original features were retained wherever possible, while new elements, including the stage, were introduced carefully and sympathetically.

New branding for The Skep was developed by Bear Creative, helping to translate the ideas of layering, connection, and energy into a clear visual identity.

Learning Through Real Projects

Victoria Jackson brought a wealth of experience to the project. She is a designer who creates spaces and experiences that enhance ecological and cultural connections to place, and also works as an author, curator, and facilitator across sectors to support a more just and equitable future. After more than a decade in the built environment sector, Victoria now works in the public sector on the three-year Lottery Funded Climate for Communities project, while writing a book for RIBA.

She is also Co-Director of Brighton Repair Café, established in 2012, which has held two events at The Skep in 2025 with thanks to EBT and a dedicated team of volunteer repairers.

Reflecting on the project, Victoria said:

“Working with the students was a genuine collaboration. They brought curiosity, local knowledge, and creativity, and together we translated that into a design approach rooted in nature, community, and flexibility. The Skep is a welcoming, inclusive space, and their voices will always be part of it.”

For the students, the project offered a rare opportunity to see their ideas taken seriously in a real-world context. They were encouraged to think critically, work collaboratively, and understand how design choices shape how people feel and behave in a space.

Gary Pleece, CEO of East Brighton Trust, said:

“The Skep is about shared ownership and collective energy, so it felt right that young people from the local community played a role in shaping it. This project reflects our wider commitment to making Moulsecoomb Place an inclusive space where ideas, skills, and confidence can grow.”

Many Strands, Woven Together

The interior design of The Skep is not just about how it looks, but about how it came to be. It reflects collaboration across generations, disciplines, and experiences, bringing together young people, designers, makers, and community organisations to create something rooted in place and purpose.

As The Skep begins to host activity, events, and shared work, its design will continue to evolve, shaped by the people who use it. In that sense, the original idea of the skep remains central: many strands woven together, forming something stronger as a whole.

Enquire about hiring the space, or come and visit The Skep in person.