News / 04 May 2023

BA (Hons) Fashion Design student designs giant art installation for Carlton Hill development

BA (Hons) Fashion Design

Left to right - Pickard Properties directors Simon Pickard, Catherine Coleman, Kit Tse, Pickard Properties director Miles Pickard and GMI Managing Director Andrew Hurcomb unveil Kit’s artwork to mark the topping out of Carlton Hill. Artwork by Kit Tse.

Left to right - Pickard Properties directors Simon Pickard, Catherine Coleman, Kit Tse, Pickard Properties director Miles Pickard and GMI Managing Director Andrew Hurcomb unveil Kit’s artwork to mark the topping out of Carlton Hill. Artwork by Kit Tse.

A giant temporary art installation designed by BA (Hons) Fashion Design student Kit Tse has been unveiled at the Carlton Hill development in Leeds to mark a major milestone at the student accommodation scheme.

The seven-metre-wide artwork depicts an abstract of the 604-bed, purpose-built apartment development, and was displayed to mark the topping out of the development.

Originally from Hong Kong, Kit has been studying in the UK for six years. He is currently studying BA (Hons) Fashion Design and focuses on contemporary and impressionist art.

Kit said of his piece: “Its great to see my design in transformed into a giant piece of art on the sky gardens. I was really pleased to get this opportunity to win this commission, which gave me a chance to use a media that creates texture and rhythm, which brings energy and connection to my audience.”

“Its great to see my design in transformed into a giant piece of art on the sky gardens. I was really pleased to get this opportunity to win this commission, which gave me a chance to use a media that creates texture and rhythm, which brings energy and connection to my audience.”

Kit Tse, BA (Hons) Fashion Design student

Set across three storeys, Carlton Hill’s fully landscaped sky gardens are part of an approach by Pickard Properties and the development team to provide a strong emphasis on students’ mental health and wellbeing. Carlton Hill, which is set across three blocks, the tallest of which is 15 storeys, also features larger than standard bedrooms and living spaces.

Due for completion in the second quarter of 2023, the development also supports Leeds’ contribution to tackling climate change.

Miles Pickard, director of Pickard Properties, said: “The sky gardens are a core element of our vision for Carlton Hill and Kit’s artwork is a fantastic perspective of the scheme and how important it will be to the student living in Leeds.”

Carlton Hill replaces a 239-bed student accommodation block, also owned by Pickard Properties, which was demolished to make way for this new contemporary scheme that aims to reduce carbon emissions.

Its location, close to the city centre including nearby Leeds Arts University, Leeds Beckett University and University of Leeds, is helping to encourage the use of pedestrian and sustainable transport.

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