Jana Saveljeva embarked on a project that involved the redesign of the existing Tamper Sellers Wheel in Sheffield, envisioning its transformation into a prestigious residential building. Drawing upon her observations, she recognized that many individuals, until their early thirties, often find themselves adapting and compromising in various aspects of their lives. They may be engaged in jobs that lack personal fulfillment or experiencing stress during their university years. Amidst these circumstances, people frequently daydream about future vacations or alternative pursuits. Each person possesses their own mental escape, and it is this concept, combined with Jana’s heritage, that became the central focus of her proposal. Her objective was to reconnect individuals with their preferred “element,” whether that be a bustling city, a serene beach, or the tranquil mountains.

In Saveljeva’s design approach, she sought to create distinct environments for each tenant, providing them with a unique space that would transport them visually and mentally beyond Sheffield. The layout of the building was altered to offer diverse journeys and individual apartments were imbued with specific themes. The scale, materiality, style, and available views of each space were carefully curated to reflect their designated theme. Furthermore, Jana considered the ways in which residents would access their apartments, ensuring that quieter environments maintained a discreet and tranquil entrance, while those in more bustling city settings offered a livelier entrance from Arundel Street rather than the discreet entrance along Brown Lane.

Incorporating meticulous attention to detail, Saveljeva infused key characteristics of each environment into her designs, maintaining a professional approach throughout. An exemplary instance of this was her work on the “mountains” themed apartment, where she skillfully applied her interest in bespoke furniture design. She crafted a storage/sleep platform with trapdoors, accessible only through specific climber’s grips, incorporating elements reminiscent of mountain environments, such as elevated views, a hint of danger, and partially obstructed vistas. Through her thoughtful consideration of each environment, Jana created spaces that exuded authenticity and allowed residents to immerse themselves in their preferred realms.