Mixer - Somewhere, Not Anywhere

We live in an age of placelessness. High streets look the same from town to town, interiors are shaped by the same handful of global trends, and cyberspace - where so much of daily life now happens - has no location at all.

Against this backdrop, a craving for a genuine sense of place has re-emerged: not nostalgia, but a real hunger for spaces that feel distinct, rooted, and specific to somewhere rather than anywhere.

This panel explores sense of place in design - how it can be created deliberately, whether through a bold, unique identity that doesn’t need history to feel authentic, or through design that draws on local history, materials and narrative. We’ll ask what “sense of place” actually means today, why it matters more as our surroundings become more homogenised, and how designers can build it - intentionally - into the spaces in which we live, work and gather.

A panel discussion will be hosted by Kelly and Graeme Smith, founders of SPELK design studio and the Mixer.

About Kelly Smith

Dr Kelly Smith is the CEO of SPELK. Her work spans design, research and thought leadership, with a focus on character, materiality and how spaces feel to live in.

Kelly holds degrees in physics, computing and education, as well as a PhD in Contextual Design. She worked in academia and education for over a decade before founding SPELK.

In 2026 Kelly was appointed to the Northern Power Women Future List, and was invited to a special reception at Downing Street to celebrate female founders from the North East. She also won Best Industry Newcomer at the BKU Awards 2026.

About Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith is the Creative Director of SPELK. He brings each design from concept through to completion, with an exceptional eye for detail.

He holds degrees in interior architecture and spatial design. He was previously Head of Design for a kitchen component manufacturer, and spent almost two decades shaping the look and feel of national kitchen brands. He has designed over a thousand kitchens and now brings this skill set to his work at SPELK.

Graeme is also the North and North West Ambassador for the British Institute of Interior Design. His role involves supporting and promoting design in the North.

About the venue

This session takes place at Sunderland Software Centre, you can find out more information about the venue here.