Velocity to Serenity
Located on the edge of Leeds city centre, The Radiant comprises 111 contemporary new-build residential apartments, owned by Starlight Investments and operated by Allsop.
Anchoring a broader wave of regeneration along the historic Kirkstall Road corridor, this build-to-rent scheme contributes to the revitalisation of an area rich in cultural and industrial heritage. The vibrancy of the local context and its enduring legacy have directly shaped the development’s conceptual narrative – informing a design that celebrates both the energy of the district’s evolving identity and its close positioning to a key gateway into the city.
Sector | Build-to-Rent
Completion | 2025
Client | Starlight Investments
Operator | Allsop
As part of Phase 1, the studio was responsible for designing The Radiant’s premium ground-floor Business Lounge and adjoining Entertainment Lounge. While operator Allsop led the procurement and fit-out of the one and two-bedroom apartments, the focus here was to deliver a cohesive, human-centred experience at ground level.
Set against the raw energy of Kirkstall Road – a corridor defined by the hum of engines, the shift of traffic lights, and the movement of people in and out of the city – the interior was conceived as a deliberate counterpoint. Large areas of glazing connect to this dynamic urban landscape, yet inside the tone softens completely: woollen textures, layered warmth, and a sense of stillness replace the metallic noise and momentum outside. Inspired by Leeds’ heritage in the wool trade, the design transforms velocity into serenity – a sanctuary that invites pause, reflection, and comfort.
The amenity spaces have been planned to meet residents’ diverse needs, balancing functionality and atmosphere. By carefully zoning areas for work, socialising, and relaxation, the space accommodates moments of calm and solitude alongside opportunities for connection. The Business Lounge offers tranquil retreats for focused tasks or quiet unwinding, while the more dynamic Entertainment Lounge fosters social interaction and community engagement. This intentional spatial sequencing allows residents to move effortlessly between settings, offering a harmonious blend of peaceful and vibrant experiences – resulting in a versatile and enriching living environment.
From the outset, the creative vision was intricately woven from the city’s textures and stories – drawing inspiration from the arches of viaducts, the heritage of the woollen industry, and the lively pulse of Kirkstall Road. These influences shaped the interior language, materiality, and brand narrative, crafting an experience that resonates deeply with place and local character.
The aesthetic is carefully composed to serve as a retreat, providing a considered counterpoint to the austere hard surroundings, the movement of cars, and the bright lights of the adjacent casinos.
The material and tonal palette has been curated to support the rhythm and purpose of each setting. Finishes are deployed strategically to signal transitions and moments of contrast, defining zones that shift in energy and atmosphere while maintaining a unified visual language. These subtle changes in tone and texture establish a narrative that guides residents through the space – from calm, cocooned zones to those alive with warmth and energy.
In the Business Lounge, the atmosphere supports focus, calm, and quiet. A muted palette of soft taupes, natural oak, and gentle ochre and chocolate accents creates a sense of composure and comfort. The finishes are tactile yet restrained, with warmth that encourages ease without distraction, allowing residents to find stillness and rhythm in their own pace of work or reflection.
By contrast, the adjacent Entertainment Lounge invites a richer, more expressive experience. Drawing on the energy of Kirkstall Road beyond the glazed façade, the interior captures the rhythm of the city through a lively interplay of buttery tones, saturated oranges, and layered lighting. Here, velvets, patterned carpets, translucent sheer voiles, and recycled plastics combine to create a multi-textural setting that encourages conversation, spontaneity, and connection.
Despite their differing moods, both spaces share a consistent architectural foundation, with timbers, ceramic finishes, and unified lighting reinforcing continuity. Repeated details in joinery, columns, and curved ceiling troughs link the spaces together, creating an intuitive sense of order and familiarity that strengthens the overall character and cohesion. This attention to structure extends to the ceiling, where its form lifts and folds to reclaim space, maximising headroom while carefully coordinating services. Soft curves and flowing linear lighting trace these contours, echoing the brake lights and energy of Kirkstall Road outside. The result is a technically precise yet quietly expressive framework, uniting functionality and atmosphere throughout both lounges.
The project also integrates a cohesive graphic identity crafted in collaboration with Society Studios. Spanning wayfinding, signage, and subtle environmental graphics, the visual language draws on curved forms that reference motion and energy. These cues not only aid intuitive navigation but enhance rhythm and continuity throughout, enriching the user experience while staying rooted in the building’s architectural expression.
The Radiant demonstrates how design can transform a demanding urban context into a place of calm, connection, and belonging. Balancing the pulse of the city with a sense of stillness, it translates movement and industry into warmth and invitation. As light shifts across its layered interiors, the project stands as both a sanctuary and a statement – proof that serenity can exist at the heart of velocity. Phase 2 will continue this narrative, completing the composition and extending The Radiant’s role as a beacon of human-centred design in Leeds.