That's not my Mayfield!
Have you ever walked into a supermarket for a single item, only to have a basket full of impulse buys? This is a crucial flaw in contemporary retail architecture. It weaponises spatial psychology through disorientating aisle layouts and artificial sensory cues to extract maximum profit. Individuals are reduced to mere consumers, turning a straightforward errand into an exhausting experience.
That’s not my Mayfield rethinks the retail environment, transforming it from a sterile non-space into a vibrant shared commons of collective stewards. Set in the post-industrial landscape of Mayfield, characterised by movement and a drought of community connection, this project uses food as a social mediator. By returning to the communal roots of the traditional village grocer, the simple act of retrieving products shifts into a meaningful exchange of receiving. Sterile self-checkouts are replaced by genuine conversations, cultivating a two-sided relationship.
A half-house structure is proposed for this masterplan, supported by a permanent glulam frame. Unoccupied modules provide intentional breathing space, inviting the community to take physical ownership of the site. Citizens can enclose these gaps with personalised, prefabricated walls made from reclaimed materials. An incremental strategy reflects the organic growth of a village. The structures evolve in height, programme, and permanence: progressing from heavy brick-slip bases housing traditional stalls, up to glazed community offices, and finally lightweight timber facades for future housing.
Finally, the community can claim, "That’s my Mayfield!”"
Regine explores the spatial psychology of architecture, specifically how sensory strategies in retail compromise user autonomy. In a recent humanities essay, she dissected this commercial manipulation, using Inclusive Design principles to theorise how shopping can become an exciting, communal activity rather than a draining chore. Favouring the warmth of storytelling over clinical architectural narratives, Regine expresses her concepts through hand-drawing, bold colours, and vibrant Photoshop collages. Outside the studio, she enjoys self-taught dance, collaborative gaming, and crafting.
