Lineworks Yard is a residential and mixed-use development located on Frog Island in Leicester. Positioned alongside the historic viaduct, the design embraces the area’s industrial character and strong graffiti presence, transforming them into assets that drive the architectural identity and spatial experience of the project.

The scheme is composed of two distinct wings framing a central communal courtyard. The residential wing provides 15 one- to three-bedroom flats and duplexes, each with private amenity space and access to shared rooftop gardens. Opposite, the non-residential wing opens onto Slater Street and contains an open art studio, a community kitchen, and a debate space-creating an active edge that supports social interaction and creative exchange.

Between the non-residential wing and the viaduct, a vibrant public streetscape emerges. This space becomes the backbone of a curated exhibition journey, beginning at ground level with murals, installations, and gathering points, and continuing up onto the landscaped viaduct walkway which leads back into the development at the second floor, giving access to the two dedicated exhibition spaces. The arches of the viaduct are adapted to host small businesses, cafés, and curated street art, reinforcing the connection between the development and the surrounding creative culture.

Architecture is not treated as a backdrop but as an active medium for expression. Select blank facades are intentionally left open as canvases, offering residents the opportunity to contribute their own graffiti and artwork. This transforms the building envelope into a living surface-constantly evolving and reflecting the identity of its community.

Lineworks Yard is not just a place to live-it is a layered, participatory environment where architecture supports culture, creativity, and community ownership in a way that is both grounded and visionary.