SPCE.
Simple Student Living
SPCE allows students to rent properties directly from landlords simply, via a mobile and web app
I founded SPCE in 2011 with the intention of streamlining the student rental journey. By taking a very human lead customer experience and by finding the flaws, faults and delays I was able to create a new brand and business that solved many of the issues with the rental market.
SPCE became the first student property focused app that rewarded landlords for good practice and allowed students to build a credit history. I partnered with business such as Experian, BOXed and Brewdog and many other services that enhanced the mission of creating a community of students and properties across the UK
SPCE went on to fund £280k in 48hrs over Seeders crowdfunding platform and went on to be part of the We Work Creators and Colliers Incubator program. I was invited on stage at Web Summit in front of a live audience or 20 thousand and broadcast to over 15 million people.
I grew designed the brand, build the stratedy in marketing and built the initial prototypes of the app with UX and UI best practice. I created investor decks, websites, out of home and digital adds, apparel and a pop up shop at Old St Station. A true end to end brand launch campaign.
Impact & Approach
Built and scaled a multidisciplinary team across product, brand and engineering to take SPCE from concept to a live, funded platform. A clear product vision and strong ways of working enabled the team to move quickly while maintaining a high standard across every touchpoint. Grounded in user-centred design, the product was shaped around how students search, compare and secure accommodation, turning insight into a streamlined, app-first experience that removed friction and improved conversion. Design played a central role in shaping both the product and the business, influencing direction, investor conversations and brand strategy as the platform scaled. The result was a distinctive, high-performing digital product that supported growth to thousands of users and secured investment.
