St GEORGES STUDENT UNION
Creating a vibrant social destination at the heart of student life.

Corey from St Georges Hospital University's Student Union Describes his Experience with Harp Design ....

The best feedback we can receive is knowing we've exceeded our client's expectations. Hear from Corey Biffa as he shares his experience of working with Hayley and the Harp Design team, and how our creative vision helped bring his project to life

THE DESIGN

The designer for St Georges Hospital London was Hayley Roy

Read what Hayley had to say about working on this project:

"Student spaces should be far more than somewhere to grab a coffee or meet friends. They should create a genuine sense of belonging. At St George's, our goal was to design an environment where students could relax, collaborate and build a community, while ensuring the space remained commercially robust and flexible for years to come."

Hayley Roy
Founder & Creative Director, Harp Design

Introduction

Harp Design was appointed to transform the Student Union Bar at St George's, University of London, creating a modern, flexible venue where students could socialise, relax and connect.

The design balances the energy of student life with durable commercial finishes, delivering an inviting hospitality environment that supports everything from daytime studying and informal meetings to evening events and entertainment.

The Brief

The existing Student Union Bar required a complete redesign to better reflect the needs of today's students.

The objective was to create a multifunctional venue that could accommodate a variety of activities throughout the day while providing a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged students to spend more time within the Students' Union.

The design also needed to maximise operational efficiency, improve circulation and create a memorable destination that reflected the university's identity.

Our Approach

Our design focused on creating a contemporary hospitality environment that felt inclusive, energetic and comfortable.

Carefully selected materials, feature lighting and flexible furniture layouts allowed the space to evolve throughout the day, supporting quiet study sessions, casual dining, social gatherings and organised events.

Durable commercial finishes ensured the venue could withstand high levels of daily use while maintaining its quality and visual appeal.

Design Highlights

Contemporary Student Union Bar
Hospitality-led interior design
Flexible seating arrangements
Social learning environments
Feature lighting design
Commercial furniture specification
Bespoke joinery
Durable material palette
Space planning
Enhanced customer journey
Inclusive design principles

"Student spaces should be far more than somewhere to grab a coffee or meet friends. They should create a genuine sense of belonging. At St George's, our goal was to design an environment where students could relax, collaborate and build a community, while ensuring the space remained commercially robust and flexible for years to come"

Hayley Roy
Founder & Creative Director, Harp Design

St Georges Student Union Bar Pool Table.jpg

The Outcome

The refurbishment successfully restored Southwell Racecourse following one of the most significant flood events in its history.

Delivered in time for the 2024 racing season and Ladies Day, the project has revitalised the venue's hospitality offering, creating welcoming spaces for racegoers, corporate events and overnight guests while supporting the racecourse's long-term commercial success.

Project Details

Client
St George's, University of London

Location
London

Sector
Higher Education • Hospitality

Services

Interior Architecture
Interior Design
Space Planning
FF&E Specification
Lighting Design
Bespoke Joinery Design
Technical Drawing Packages
Furniture Specification

Results

✔ Flexible social space

✔ Contemporary Student Union Bar

✔ Improved student experience

✔ Commercially durable finishes

✔ Hospitality-inspired design

✔ Designed for collaboration and wellbeing

Designing spaces where communities thrive.

Whether you're transforming a student union, university campus, hospitality venue or commercial environment, Harp Design creates inspiring interiors that improve wellbeing, encourage collaboration and enhance everyday experiences.