Charlotte Hughes-Hallett

Master of Interior Architecture Graduate, Charlotte Hughes-Hallet’s thesis, ‘Our Third Skin’, was a critique on the architectural surface.

Charlotte Hughes-Hallet’s thesis, ‘Our Third Skin’, was a critique on the architectural surface.

“I wanted to understand the relationship between the dynamic matter of the biological body and inert matter of architecture. This relationship is imperative to our lived experiences, yet there is a sense of sensual neglect between the two,” says Charlotte.

“This led me into a journey of trying to understand my body ‘as space’ and ‘in space’. I used my body as both a metaphorical and literal site to develop spaces from the wearable to the inhabitable.”

Charlotte created a vertical somatic topography that was designed as a prosthetic that could be superimposed onto buildings.

“My thesis was a personal exploration full of realisations about the space the body occupies,” says Charlotte. “I literally used the physical landscape of my body as a canvas and a constant source of inspiration. I became both the researcher and the observer, and that was crucial.”

Charlotte received the 2017 Warren and Mahoney Master of Interior Architecture scholarship. After her two-month internship, she was offered a position in the organisation’s interior design team.

“In my job, I’ve had the privilege to dabble in all phases of project delivery, from briefing to concept design to detailed design and all the phases in between,” she says.

Charlotte says her qualification and appointment to her current job were intrinsically linked. “The most transferable skills I gained at university were presenting, communication, feedback, problem-solving, and the ability to upskill.

Those skills are indispensable and will guide me forward,” says Charlotte. “A skill that wasn’t nurtured directly at university, but I think is vital, is being socially aware and empathetic.

Architecture is made for people and by people. The ability and willingness to understand different perspectives, the actual and potential forces on life, are paramount.”