Live industry brief at Strata Florida Abbey provides unique experience for Coleg Ceredigion furniture designers

Coleg Ceredigion students have been working with Strata Florida Abbey near Ystrad Meurig, on a live brief creating prototypes to complement their outdoor areas and shop produce. 

Strata Florida Abbey was once home to a Cistercian monastery which stood beside the banks of the river Teifi since 1184 and it is.

Following a visit to the grand medieval abbey, students on a level three furniture design and making course came up with ideas for wooden items that could either be sold or placed at the site. 

Some designed outdoor benches whilst others created smaller items such as coasters, that could be sold in the abbey shop. 

Recently, staff from Strata Florida Abbey visited the college’s Cardigan campus to visit students who pitched their ideas to the organisation, which is run by both Strata Florida Trust and Cadw. 

Students are awaiting to see if their designs have been chosen but working on a live brief with an external organisation is a beneficial part of their studies, which brings unique and brand specific experiences. 
 

Deborah Elsaesser, Coleg Ceredigion furniture lecturer said: “This is an exciting live brief where students researched the heritage and values of Strata Florida before designing and producing prototype pieces intended for the site. 

“The concepts were developed with real-world outcomes in mind, with designs suitable either for placement within the grounds or for sale, to raise funds in support of the Strata Florida charity.

“Pitching ideas to an external organisation also provided students with professional feedback of their designs and gave them valuable experience in presenting and responding to industry critique.

“We have enjoyed working on this project with each student bringing their own unique ideas and we’d like to thank Strata Florida Abbey for the opportunity of working with such an important historical and cultural site.”

Student Hephzibah Huggins said: “One of the most interesting things for me was the paving tiles made in the 12th century and beyond. I really like the mosaics with their patterns which were inspired by patterns on Persian fabrics. I made a picture of a mosaic of four tiles. In the workshop I made tiles out of ash wood and engraved them with the patterns. It was a pleasure to show the tiles to Nathan and Lowri, tiles that can be used as a set of drink mats, or placed in a frame, or even cut like a small jigsaw.”

Furniture student Raees Kola added: “It was an enjoyable experience as Nathan and Lowri from Strata Florida were very receptive to ideas and were really positive about them.

“It was truly an honour to be able to visit Strata Florida Abbey as the site is of significant historical value to all of Wales. 

“It’s very easy to see that the Strata Florida Trust takes their role in preserving and restoring the
site seriously.”