Vitoria Prado chose Marlborough House on High Street (Business tenant is Atmosphera) for her final major project while studying Interior Design at Bath Spa University. Rather than following many of her classmates, who based their work around buildings in Bath, she decided to focus on a familiar landmark in the town she has called home for several years.
Her proposal, named ‘Kairos’, would transform the Grade II listed building into a senior reintegration centre offering creative workshops, exercise sessions, baking, arts activities and shared social spaces designed to help older residents reconnect with their community.
“I really wanted to go back to my roots, having lived here in Swindon for so many years,” Vitoria said.
“They let us pick any building as long as it was a Grade II listed building, and most people chose places around Bath. But I wanted to find a building that I was familiar with.
“I already know the restaurant atmosphere. I think it’s a really nice area. I love Old Town, it’s very lively.”
The concept was developed following research into ageing, loneliness and accessibility. It also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, biophilic design and creating interiors that remain relevant for many years instead of following short-lived trends.
Vitoria said the project focused on much more than the appearance of the building.
“I had to go through the whole user experience and understand, is it an easy place for the elderly to access? Do we have a lot of facilities here for them as well? We have the Great Western Hospital, so all that was taken into consideration.”
She added:
“I think it’s really nice and it really connects with the heritage of the town.”
The proposed layout includes flexible creative spaces, a bakery, reading areas, exercise rooms and places where older people could meet and socialise.
Vitoria believes interior design is often misunderstood.
“I loved understanding the psychology behind rooms, how everything can affect you.
“It’s not only picking cushions, it goes beyond that.”
She said designing spaces that stand the test of time is more important than chasing the latest fashions.
“A really important thing is thinking about time and how long what you’re picking is still going to be relevant.
“If something is trendy, people just tend to think, ‘Oh yeah, it’s trendy, I’ll just pick that.’ It goes beyond that.”
Comfort, she said, should never be sacrificed for appearance.
“Maybe a chair looks really good, but it’s not comfy at all. It’s going to end up there and no one’s going to use it.”
Asked which interiors in Swindon inspire her, Vitoria pointed to Kenzo 72 in Old Town.
“I think they have a really nice atmosphere. When you walk in, you feel a different ambience from walking around town.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to one day work on some of Swindon’s historic buildings.
“The Corn Exchange would be amazing to do, like a hospitality project, a hotel or something. I think it’s an amazing building.”
Vitoria is now developing a new interior design business alongside her mother, who shares her passion for reimagining buildings.
“I’m her partner in business and life,” she said.
“I have more experience in the practical side, but we’re always looking around. The other day we went to the building he was talking about and we were just looking and dreaming about what we could do there.
“We’re always dreaming around so many places. We love what we do.”
Vitoria also praised Swindon’s Brazilian community, saying it continues to make a positive contribution to the town.
“I love to be part of the Brazilian community. It’s a very lively community and there’s always things going on.
“Swindon is already a very diverse town, and I think it’s really nice how we can welcome a lot of people.
“We have marketing agencies run by Brazilians, we have restaurants, so it’s definitely helping the economy of the community as well.”
Although Kairos exists only as a university project, it offers a vision for how historic buildings could be repurposed to support older people while strengthening community connections in the heart of Swindon.
