urbanest is delighted to continue our partnership with London based art studio Acrylicize in the form of two new installations at urbanest Vauxhall and urbanest Victoria.

The recent installations follow existing work at urbanest Battersea and urbanest City which was curated in 2024.

Designed to encourage curiosity, exploration and connections, and inspire a strong sense of community for our students, the installations at Vauxhall and Victoria aid in enhancing our residents’ time at university. The installations include painted illustrations and murals, alongside curated artworks by three student artists in line with the four key pillars of the project:

• Sustainability
• Act Positively
• London as a Green City
• Community Spirit

Vauxhall

Inspired by the local area’s history as the site of London’s Pleasure Gardens, which opened in 1661 for music, entertainment and eccentric performance. The urbanest Vauxhall installation includes abstract visual language in the reception and window glazing to capture the legacy of the local area. On the roof terrace, there are arching forms and ceramic vessels that are references to the bronze sculptures which are visible on Vauxhall Bridge, honouring the area’s ties to craft and pottery.

Victoria

At urbanest Victoria, the installation is inspired by the Victorian architectural patterns embedded within the building itself. This includes a bespoke typeface from decorative tile grids, using it to celebrate the SW1 postcode and illustrate nearby landmarks including Westminster Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the famous St James’s Park pelicans.

The installations have transformed the communal spaces at Vauxhall and Victoria, strengthening the connection between our residents and the local communities which they call home.

Read more about our ongoing partnership with Acrylicize here.