In this exclusive interview produced by Dezeen, designer Tola Ojuolape explains the design process for her Collectors’ Lounge on show at this year’s Collect 2026.
Collect is an art fair for collectable design and contemporary craft, hosted by the UK Craft Council over four days. Located in London’s Somerset House, the fair brought together over 300 artists and galleries from across the globe.
Ojuolape was commissioned by 3D modelling software brand Trimble SketchUp to create a lounge space using its proprietary software for the Collect 2026 fair.
The space was designed to encourage interaction among visitors
Ojuolape’s lounge space was envisioned as a modern maker’s library.
Within its design, the designer focused on using tactile textured materials, such as ridged edges on the furniture and scalloped panels across the walls.
Sage green, camel fabric and natural wood tones were used alongside organic-feeling materials, like Baux recycled wood wool panels, to create a restful atmosphere.
A sheer voile fabric by upholstery brand Vescom highlighted the bar area, adding a light, semi-transparent layer.
Textured surfaces were added to the space for tactility
“What you touch, what you feel, what you see,” explained Ojuolape. “The studio vision is built on the complete opposite of a cold space.”
“The work that we do is like an intersection between art and design,” she added. “We knew that whatever we would create would be complementary, but a real contrast, a real contemporary response to the architecture.”
Ojuolape used SketchUp’s 3D modelling software to create the space, which can be used to create and manipulate 3D models for design, architecture and interior projects, among other uses.
SketchUp’s software was used to visualise and design the lounge
“Very quickly, we moved from 2D plans to really understand the volume of the space and what we could play with,” she said.
“SketchUp was really helpful to be able to create those iterations.”
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According to Ojuolape, creating a restful and social atmosphere was at the forefront of her design process.
“I want people to feel incredibly comfortable, to feel at ease, to feel grounded,” said Ojuolape. “There’s always this centre space that you meet. It encourages community. It ensures that you have to be relational.”
Ojuolape is known for her statement interiors
Ojuolape is a multi-disciplinary designer based in London and founder of eponymous practice Tola Ojuolape Studio.
Last year Sketchup and Dezeen hosted a series of workshops with Ojuolape that taught viewers how to use SketchUp’s software to design and create virtual spaces.
Ojuolape workshop featured as part of an ongoing video series, which also featured workshops with design studio Uchronia and a design challenge with influencer Mr Chuck.
Collect 2026 ran from 25 February to 1 March. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
Partnership content
This video series was produced by Dezeen in partnership with Trimble SketchUp. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.