Learning to think with my hands — woodwork, stage design and problem-solving in Granada.
My time working at El Secadero in Granada caused my design practice to shift in a hugely positive direction. I worked alongside a creative carpenter who introduced me to the fundamentals of woodworking, and that hands-on training opened a direction I'm still following. While there, I designed and built a bespoke table for his workshop, complete with an integrated marker well and a roll of brown paper that could sweep across the surface for sketching. I also co-designed and fabricated the stage design for TEDxGranada, and created a noise-isolation solution for a local dental studio. The mix of craft, collaboration and improvisation in Granada taught me to trust materials, think with my hands, and let place guide the work.
I loved the process of making this table. I learned so much throughout — from the initial design stage to figuring out what was required from a table in this space, and working backwards to creatively problem-solve how to address those needs. Having the space to create something completely bespoke and fitting for the use case was exactly the type of project I dream of working on.
Building the table made me realise how important it is to have a medium that can bring your designs from your head or your laptop into the real world. The actualisation of the design lit a fire under me and pushed my design path to the next level. Being able to actualise my designs through woodwork — or any other medium — is now a core part of how I think about design.
For TEDxGranada, I worked with the team to design and build a stage inspired by the theme of 'Roots'. We created tree structures complete with foliage and illuminated natural forms. I developed the concept from initial sketches through to fabrication, creating a series of sculptural elements that integrated lighting to form a warm, atmospheric backdrop for the speakers.
I handled the construction, wiring and on-site installation, ensuring the pieces worked both visually and technically within the venue. I also had the privilege of serving as one of the stage managers during the event, giving me first-hand experience in the live operation of the environment I helped create.
Another significant project was a sound-isolation box for a dental studio client. They had an outdoor air-compressor unit that produced extremely loud noise, and needed a solution that would reduce the sound while preventing the machine from overheating. I handled the full process — from research and concept development to pitching the design, building the structure and installing it — exploring airflow, noise-dampening, vibration control and weatherproofing.
The box had two air intakes that needed constant ventilation but also had to be protected from rain, so I designed covered openings that maintained strong airflow without letting water in. To minimise vibration I used rigid construction and rubber elements to reduce resonance. We built it from leftover wood from a previous project; durability and performance were the priority. The final structure significantly reduced the noise while maintaining safe operating temperatures, and the client was very satisfied.