Helen Arvanitakis: Rethinking the Shape of Home
In July 2021, I filmed a conversation with Helen Arvanitakis, then leading the launch of London’s Design District at Greenwich Peninsula, exploring how our relationship with home was shifting and what that might mean for the spaces we design going forward.
The film was made for The Modern House and centred on a deceptively simple question: what does a post-pandemic home actually need to be? Rather than focusing on trends or aesthetics, Helen spoke about use, behaviour, and atmosphere. From the changing role of the kitchen table to the importance of conviviality, playfulness, and shared experience, the discussion framed the home as a social and emotional space as much as a functional one.
I shot the film with Liam Allen, working with a my old Panasonic EVA1 and LUMIX S1. Much of the visual approach relied on gimbal work, allowing the camera to move fluidly through the space and mirror the openness of the ideas being discussed. The aim was not to present the home as a static object, but as something lived in and adaptable, shaped by movement, conversation, and everyday rituals.
What stood out most during the shoot was how grounded the discussion felt. There was no sense of grand theorising, just thoughtful reflection on how recent experience had sharpened our awareness of space. Helen spoke clearly about the need for homes that allow for both retreat and togetherness, places that support work, rest, and social life without becoming overly prescriptive.
Looking back, the film feels like a quiet snapshot of a moment when ideas about home were in flux. It captures a period of reassessment, but also optimism. A reminder that good design is not about predicting the future, but about creating spaces flexible enough to adapt to it.
I’m always interested in projects that explore how design shapes everyday life. If that’s something you’re working on, feel free to get in touch.
