Showcase 2026 Student Spotlight: Kioko Dennis
Student Spotlight featuring BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design student Kioko Dennis and her project 'Digital Dreams'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 19 May 2026
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The Project
Set in 2086, the UK has evolved into a society defined by uniformity and control.
Following the widespread adoption of automation and the collapse of traditional employment, government-issued income schemes dictate not only how people live, but what they consume. Choice has been replaced with standardisation. Goods are mass-produced and individuality removed. In response, a group of rebels has emerged - individuals who reject the monotony of their reality. They turn instead to the endless possibilities of video games, using digital worlds as a means of escape and self-expression, imagining lives beyond the constraints imposed upon them.
Through the adaptation and modification of retro technology, these rebels develop a "reality altering" implant seen as taboo in social, biological and technological sciences. This system allows users to interact with digital environments in real time, augmenting both their perception and digital presence. Within these hybrid spaces, individuals are free to reshape not only how they see the world, but how they are seen within it.
BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design student Kioko Dennis explains:
"My proposal is of a physical location for this virtual society - a space where digital and material realities converge. It facilitates connection, play, and identity formation, enabling users to construct and inhabit alternative versions of themselves, whilst providing a space for those new to the world to experience before installation what their world could be. Across Nottingham, disused multi-storey car parks are reimagined as 'virtual cities', each themed around a distinct video game genre. The given site has been transformed into a cyberpunk environment, catering to those drawn to the dense, neon-lit aesthetic and layered complexity of the genre. Here, architecture becomes the experience, dissolving the boundary between game and reality and pushing those to choose their own path."
Kioko imagines a former multi-storey carpark transformed into a futuristic cyberpunk environment. Image by Kioko Dennis.
The inspiration behind the project
Kioko wanted to push boundaries with her project and create an atypical space. To do so, she drew on her interest in video games.
"Video games have always been a major inspiration to my creativity throughout my life. From how they are made to playing games myself, they have always been a passion of mine. For my direct inspiration, the latest game I played was Cyberpunk 2077. The world had so much detail, not only in the story but in the environment itself, with aesthetics you don’t typically see in architecture today.
"Though not a perfect game, it is such a fantastic piece of art that inspired me into trying this different style. I’ve always found myself dreaming up these strange, detailed worlds, and this project came from wanting to explore that sense of escapism. I think this is mainly because I know reality is bound to itself, making this possibly my last chance to 'go wild' with my designs."
Kioko was inspired by her love of video games. Image by Kioko Dennis.
The project experience
Kioko admits that working on the project has been "a long labour of love with lots of late nights". "But as I pushed myself and the design progressed," she says, "it has been satisfying to see the results of all of my university experience
finally become a final piece. I loved creating my own story through the space and it truly has been a wonderful project to work on. Seeing how my cohort has transformed each of their projects in their own directions has also been such an amazing experience, as we all have such differing styles and thought processes when it came to the brief."
Kioko praises the course for helping her develop her technical and creative skills. Image by Kioko Dennis.
Being part of NTU
"NTU has been an amazing experience and has helped me build my skills in both technical and creative design," says Kioko. "Especially with presenting orthographic drawings and learning to convey my design in a stylised yet clear manner. Learning to streamline my SketchUp, CAD and Photoshop processes whilst maintaining a high quality will really help within my future as a 3D designer."
For Kioko, her happy memories of her time at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) are connected to the hard work, collaboration and support that happens in (and outside) the studio environment on the course.
"My favourite memory of my time at NTU would be the group get-togethers after a submission. It felt like a reward to get together with some friends, eat and relax after the last deadline push. I think I’ll also miss the late night library printing runs for our pin up presentations."
Closing remarks
Finally, Kioko has some very practical advice for future students of Interior Architecture and Design:
"Work outside of your home! This especially helped me since I tend to get distracted easily when I’m home. Getting out whilst working helped me stay focused. There are so many wonderful cafes in Nottingham to study at. Changing your environment can really help!"
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