COMMON AREA, VSA

VSA Commons gives the shared spaces of the school a warm centre of gravity. Timber surfaces, soft seating and muted green accents create a setting for informal gathering, while an open plan allows movement and occupation to happen side by side.

MAD Studio uses the ceiling to bring rhythm to the space. Slatted timber, linear lights and suspended circular forms distinguish areas without relying on walls. Below, changes in flooring and furniture establish smaller places within the whole: a generous modular sofa arrangement, a green upholstered corner, paired lounge chairs and a counter with stools. Each offers a different degree of togetherness.

The material palette keeps these settings closely related. Timber lends warmth to the perimeter, pale upholstery gives the larger seating groups a gentle presence, and patterned carpet softens the visual scale of the floor. Wall lights and integrated screens sit comfortably within the architecture, supporting the room’s practical life without overwhelming its calm character. Daylight at the edges draws the space towards the surrounding circulation.

The project approaches commercial interior design through the everyday experience of community. It creates places to stop within the flow of the building, allowing a short exchange to become a longer conversation. With its layered seating and unforced atmosphere, VSA Commons makes shared time feel like an essential part of the school day.