Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Lillie Roe-Wade
Student Spotlight featuring BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design student Lillie Roe-Wade and her project 'The Disconnect'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 29 May 2025
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
Lillie's project 'The Disconnect' is guided by the principles of motion and fluidity, creating a space that both preserves the essence of humanity and reawakens the fundamental power of physical touch. At its core is a mechanical orrery, a symbolic and functional device that reimagines the site as a dynamic landscape of interaction. Through this, Lillie aims to explore new dimensions of human connection, making the intangible act of touch visible and vital once again. The design challenges the notion of isolation, advocating instead for reconnection and intimacy as vital human needs. Set in the year 2085, this space is envisioned as a sanctuary, a place where people can rediscover the lost art of socialization. It serves not only as a tribute to human nature but also as a vehicle for healing and rebuilding the social fabric that binds us together.
Lillie has conceived a modern sanctuary that invites people to reconnect with themselves and others.
The inspiration behind the project
Lillie says: "The inspiration behind this project emerged from a vision of the year 2085, a time when society has become so consumed by technology that genuine human connection has all but vanished. In this future, people live in a state of constant digital engagement yet suffer from profound emotional and physical isolation. The act of touch, once instinctive and comforting, has become rare and forgotten. This haunting vision moved me to respond through design.
"I set out to create a space that reawakens what it means to be human. A space that challenges the alienation of a hyper-digital world and instead places value on presence, emotion, and shared experience. My goal was to design a modern sanctuary, one that invites people to pause, to feel and to reconnect not just with others, but with themselves. At its core, the project is a celebration of human nature and a call to restore the bonds that sustain our collective well-being. It is a space born from a sense of loss, but built with hope for a future where connection, empathy, and touch are no longer forgotten."
Lillie wanted to explore how architecture can awaken "forgotten forms of interaction".
The project experience
Lillie describes working on her project as being a deeply personal and a transformative journey. She explains:
"Confronting a future where technology isolates rather than connects, I felt a strong emotional drive to create something that could restore lost human values. Through the design process, I explored how architecture can heal, connect and awaken forgotten forms of interaction. This project challenged me to think critically about the role of space in shaping behaviour and inspired me to design with empathy and intention. In many ways, the project became a reflection of my own values and a reminder of why I chose to pursue design in the first place: to make spaces that matter, that move people and that reconnect us in meaningful ways."
Lillie Roe-Wade - BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design
Being part of NTU
Lillie says: "I've loved every second of my time at NTU. This experience has not only shaped me as a designer but also helped me grow into a more confident and resilient version of myself. At the start of my second year, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. Initially, this felt discouraging, but with the incredible support and encouragement from my tutors, I was able to navigate the diagnosis and turn it into a strength. It motivated me to work even harder and embrace my ability to think creatively and differently.
"Throughout my time here, I've gained a wide range of technical skills I never imagined I’d master. From AutoCAD and SketchUp to Illustrator and Photoshop, I’ve built a strong foundation in complex design software. If you'd asked me three years ago if I could do any of this, I would have laughed - but today, I can proudly and confidently say that I can."
One high point of her time at NTU was being nominated for the Chartered Society of Designers by the Head of Course - something, she says, that means more than words can fully express. "It’s not just about the recognition, it's about knowing that the tutors have seen the effort, the growth, and the resilience behind the work. That kind of acknowledgment makes every late night, every bit of self-doubt, and even the tears feel completely worth it!
"Looking back, there were times when I questioned myself and wondered if I could really do this. But moments like this remind me why I kept going. This nomination feels like a quiet but powerful 'you did it', not just as a designer, but as someone who chose to keep showing up and giving it everything, even when it was hard. It’s something I’ll always hold close."
Closing remarks
Lillie has the following advice for future students: "Stay on top of your deadlines, they creep up faster than you expect and staying organised will save you a lot of stress. Make the most of the support around you. Tutorials with tutors, online resources, and student services are there for a reason, don’t be afraid to use them. They can really make a difference when you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed. most importantly, enjoy the journey. It goes by faster than you think, so take it all in, learn as much as you can, and make the most of every moment."