Skip to main content

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the breath-taking ‘Whale Bar’ designed by WOW Architects. We spoke to Wong Chiu Man (Founder and Managing Director) of WOW Architects about this extraordinary project, our overall winner of the SBID Awards 2017.

The Whale Bar’s iconic shape was inspired by the majestic whale shark. This imaginative yet elegant retreat is elevated by light oak interiors and a softly lit neutral palette. The use of fish scale inspired timber shingles around the kitchen and smooth iridescent stucco inside the “body” of the whale emphasises the marine iconography that is unmistakable. The team endeavoured to make as many aspects of the project as sustainable as possible, up-cycling and recycling wherever appropriate, focusing their attentions on highlighting the fragility of the surrounding environment within their design in the hope that this would motivate guests to contemplate the creation of a responsible future for the next generations.

Company: WOW Architects | Warner Wong Design

Project: THE WHALE BAR

Project Location: St Regis Resort Vommuli Island, Maldives

The Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, ArchitectureWhat was the client’s brief?

The clients desire was to create a resort destination that would standout from the existing resorts in the Maldives and be commercially successful. After much research and discussion, the components of the brief were decided upon, the master plan designed and construction started. Upon appointing the St Regis as the operator, the brief was evolved further and refined, and improvements were made to fully achieve the brand’s potential, and the clients vision for a leading resort hotel.

The Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, ArchitectureWhat inspired the design of the Project?

After visiting many resorts in the Maldives, we understood the evolution of resort design throughout the last twenty years. The latest and best resorts had a strong ecological aspect but still stayed within the realm of design inspirations from the human perspective. We saw an opportunity to create even more eco awareness and draw inspirations directly from nature itself, and to pointedly draw attention through our design to the fragility of atoll and marine habitats in particular. Thus, the design evolved through our inspirations and observations on atoll ecology and marine biology. We hope that the design will uplift and motivate our guests in creating a responsible future for the next generations.

The Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, ArchitectureWhat was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Building sensitively with minimal waste and consideration for protecting the islands ecology was by far the biggest challenge. Efficiency and speed minimises waste and the logistic and carbon footprint on the Maldives and resources we needed. Despite using all forms of prefabrication and eco friendly materials, up-cycling and recycling, the longer the construction time is, the larger the waste footprint. Our challenge on a daily basis was to find affordable and intelligent solutions to minimise the waste while achieving a high standard of construction and finish.

The Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, Architecture, St RegisWhat was your team’s highlight of the project?

We had many highlights over 4 years. From the beauty of the sunsets to the drama of the storms, and the pleasure of seeing and preserving the island and the marine life around us.

However, an unexpected reward was how we were able to connect with the villagers from the neighbouring islands by offering them employment and gaining their trust and respect. They were instrumental in minimising waste because they up-cycled many leftover building materials and packaging materials into their villages and our project actually improved the villagers lives. This was truly sustainability in practice.

The Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, Architecture. St Regis

Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?

We hoped to gain recognition for a project very close to our hearts and wished that by winning an SBID award, we could not only celebrate the design, but tell the meaningful stories that made the design possible. For receiving the overall winners award, we are extremely proud and grateful, but also humbled by the quality of the other winners.

The Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, Architecture, St Regis

Questions answered by Wong Chiu Man (Founder and Managing Director) WOW Architects

To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with Orkun Indere’s winter wonderland ‘Log House Extension’ click here to see more

Entries were received, finalists deliberated and the winners of the SBID International Design Awards 2017 have been announced! Click here to see the full list.

We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

WOW Architects | SBID International Design Awards 2017

The Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, ArchitectureThe Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, ArchitectureThe Whale Bar, Maldives, Interior Design, Architecture, Luxury Holiday, WOW Architects, Beach Getaway, Wanderlust, Architecture2018 copyright WOW Architects | Warner Wong Design

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the magical ‘Log House Extension’ by Orkun Indere Interiors. Located in Kazan, this project features all the seasonal cheer you’d expect from a stunning ‘chalet’ in the wintertime. Decked with Christmas decorations and high end interiors, this project is the epitome of festive opulence.

The extension was created to expand on this family home to meet the families growing needs.  Conventional log house patterns around the location and separate building blocks were designed to emphasise the warm & cosy “chalet” feeling. Every single-functioning building block is connected by hallways. All the new buildings are made of timber and constructed with special joinery techniques which forgo the use of screws and bolts. The new main space is to be used as a living room, while also functioning as a flamboyant area to welcome guests. In contrast to the traditional log house aesthetic this area has a very high ceiling profile.

SBID had the opportunity to speak with Orkun Indere, Founder & Designer of Orkun Indere Interiors about this magical project.

Company: Orkun Indere Interiors

Project: Log House Extension

Project Location:  Kazan, Russian Federation

orkun indere interiors, christmas, christmas design, design, log house, luxury, chalet, russia, interior design, luxury interiors

What was the client’s brief?

The idea of adding an extension started with the need for more space. The existing building didn’t meet the client’s needs as the whole family (of five) was about to move into the house. The existing building was quite small in relation to its mass. The vernacular architecture of the district which consisted of highly inclined roofing was diminishing the beneficial use of interior areas.

With a new life beginning, the client required a bigger en-suite bedroom, three rooms, one for each child, a bigger area for the walk in closet, a proper entrance to the building (the building entrance was not suitable due to its mass and the connection to the living room was not suitable for the guests), a proper dining room and a stunning reception room. We decided to extend the existing building, adding a new area to be connected to the previous. After this change the whole complex would be seen as one chain of buildings.

orkun indere interiors, christmas, christmas design, design, log house, luxury, chalet, russia, interior design, luxury interiorsWhat inspired the design of the Project?

The design emphasises every single room as a building block thus maximising the perception of space in every room. The joint points of short hallways which connect the buildings together, give an extra spacious feeling to every new room you step into.

The new layout also affected the existing building as a part of the new chain. After resolving the facilities of dining room, reception room and entrance hall in the new extended blocks, the existing building then turned out to be the intimate and most private part for the family. The new blocks were for welcoming the guests, entertaining and organising special events for celebrations so that the existing building could be used for the private, everyday life of the family.

orkun indere interiors, christmas, christmas design, design, log house, luxury, chalet, russia, interior design, luxury interiorsWhat was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The toughest hurdle was to connect the two existing buildings (the main house and barbecue house) and constructing new buildings in between them, so that the position, angle and distance between existing buildings was a big reference for the shape of the final design. Firstly we positioned the new reception room building with an area of 9 x 8 metres, we had to connect them one by one to the existing building. There planned three main blocks approaching to the existing house; reception room, entrance space and joint block which includes the staircase around a preserved tree existing on the land. We chose the side façade of the existing building (the kitchen façade also including an exit to the land) for the joint point of new blocks.

The plan layout and shape of each single block, derived from the positions of the buildings as came out of the joint angles. As many different blocks had to join each other properly we wanted to use the biggest block (reception room) as the conjunction unit, so the first idea was to design it in an octagonal shape to use some façades to connect to other blocks.

orkun indere interiors, christmas, christmas design, design, log house, luxury, chalet, russia, interior design, luxury interiors

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

For this project there were a variety of of highlights. One of my favourite aspects of this project includes the height of the rooftop of the main building block used as the living room, it was 8,5 meters high inside the building, supported with a mesh of beams to keep the huge block stable. Stunning!

Another highlight was the preservation of an existing tree so at the time of snow in winter you can have a well snowed tree inside the house right in the middle of the staircase.

orkun indere interiors, christmas, christmas design, design, log house, luxury, chalet, russia, interior design, luxury interiorsWhy did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?

SBID is an internationally known professional body registered in the UK to accredit professionals in interior design, to be accredited by SBID is a great opportunity to spread our design approach and projects to an international platform. That’s why I wanted to enter and be chosen by SBID.

orkun indere interiors, christmas, christmas design, design, log house, luxury, chalet, russia, interior design, luxury interiors

Questions answered by Orkun Indere, Founder & Designer of Orkun Indere Interiors. 

To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with HBA’s outstanding Ultima click here to see more

Entries were received, finalists deliberated and the winners of the SBID International Design Awards 2017 have been announced! Click here to see the full list.

We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

Orkun Indere Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2017

 

 

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an insightful and gallery-esque re-imagination of interior design and visual merchandising for high-end retail spaces. Portview Fit-Out was assigned with the task of implementing the new flagship store design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.

Harvey Nichols is one of the world’s leading luxury retailers, renowned for its exclusive edit of the most prestigious brands across womenswear, menswear, accessories, beauty, food and wine. In 2015, an ambitious overhaul of the iconic flagship store in London’s Knightsbridge began with the Menswear department and in 2016, the Beauty department. Portview Fit-Out transformed the interior design of the two departments to enhance the overall shopping environment for style savvy, London shoppers. The Menswear department moved away from the traditional shop-in-shop format to become a collection of specialised boutiques where rooms are treated as a gallery of installations. The Beauty lounge features 221 brands and includes a fragrance space with a selection of over 75 scents.

Company: Portview, Universal Fit-Out Specialists

Project: Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge

Project Location: London, United Kingdom

Retail interior design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge

What was the client’s brief?

The brief was to turn tradition on its head and, quite literally, think outside the box by moving away from the typical “shop-in-shop” format that is more commonly associated with department stores. We then applied “controlled disruption” to create a space that is effortlessly innovative and alluring.  

Retail interior design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge

What inspired the design of the project? 

We worked closely with designers Virgile + Partners to bend the rules of modern design and deliver an awe-inspiring interior that is the absolute expression of contemporary luxury. From creating a collection of specialised boutiques in the two-storey Menswear department; where rooms are treated as a gallery of eclectic art installations, to the new open floor design in the Beauty Lounge; which nurtures ease and creativity in equal measure, we delivered an exceptional interior that has redefined the shopping experience. 

Retail interior design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

A project of this size and scale is always met with challenges. In this case, two existing load-bearing walls measuring 600 millimetres wide needed to be removed using a jacking system to open the space up and create a sense of fluidity. This required installing a large steel frame to support the five storeys above, which proved to be a challenge due to the phased renovation of each section giving us very limited space to manoeuvre in.  As always, we rose to the challenge to enable the successful completion of the interior design of this ambitious project on time.    

Retail interior design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

For the menswear department, we loved applying the design principles of ‘controlled disruption’ to juxtapose traditional, luxury fabrics with more architectural, textured materials. This includes 5,200 egg cups, pebble dash, stained plywood in sculpted 3D patterns, brick slips, and slate roofing tiles, to create a sense of movement and add visual weight. Working with unconventional materials was a great experience and the completed look is exceptional. 

Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?

We know that the design and fit-out of Harvey Nichols’ Menswear and Beauty Lounge departments in Knightsbridge is world class and it deserves to be recognised on a global scale. Projects that are shortlisted for the SBID International Design Awards are the best in the industry and often set the precedent for future design trends to follow. The new interior of Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, is no exception as it delivers a new hallmark in luxury department store design that has never been seen before. That’s why we entered the SBID International Design Awards and are delighted to be shortlisted.  

Retail interior design for beauty section in Harvey Nichols department store in Knightsbridge

Questions answered by Simon Campbell, Managing Director at Portview Fit-Out. 

To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with March & White for the Devonshire Club, click here to see more

Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now closed. To find out more about booking a table, click here

We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

Portview Fit-Out | SBID International Design Awards 2017

Retail interior design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge

Retail interior design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge

Retail interior design for Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the dream-like Kanuhura Resort, an island retreat situated in Lhaviyani Atoll, the Maldives, a true paradise for free-spirited travellers.

Inspired by the concept of ‘gypsy jet-setters’ or ‘gypsetters’ a term coined by Muza Lab – the project focused on pulling inspiration from these two concepts. Combining the free-spirited lifestyle of ‘gypsies’ with the decadence and the spontaneity of ‘the jet set-life.’

“We found inspiration in the legends, culture and natural world of the islands – their stories, colours and sculptural forms. By bringing these influences into the experience of Kanuhura, we have created a sense of free-spirited timelessness and well being where guests can escape from their normal lives and find a place to create their own special memories with family and friends.” Inge Moore

Muza Lab completely redesigned and reimagined the private island resort breathing new life and spirit into the holiday retreat.

“The concept of luxury is changing,” says Moore. “Luxury is now about what you get to feel inside rather than what you have to show off. As designers, this means it’s our thought process that sparks these feelings, and that really excites me. So with Kanuhura, we loved translating the values that bring happiness to sophisticated, well-travelled ‘gypsetters’ into experiences designed to elevate their sophisticated, free-spirited souls.”

SBID had the opportunity to speak with Inge Moore, Founder of Muza Lab about this spectacular project.

Company: Muza Lab

Project: Kanuhura Resort, Maldives

Project Location: The Maldives

Kanuhura, Maldives, Luxury Resort, Kanuhura Resort Maldives, Design, Interior Design, Wanderlust

What was the client’s brief?

We were presented with the opportunity to redesign every existing area of Kanuhura Maldives as well as to introduce new spaces, working from the big picture though to every minor detail, from creating larger guestrooms and renovating the F&B outlets, to amenities such as crockery, picnic baskets and uniform collections for the staff.

Kanuhura Resort Maldives, Maldives, Beach, Resort, Wanderlust, Muza Lab

What inspired the design of the project? 

We wanted to create something different from the usual luxury hotel offering in the Maldives, something that was bohemian, colourful and laid-back. Our inspiration for this was the word “gypset” – describing a lifestyle that combines the unconventionality of the gypsy with the sophistication and speed of the jetsetter.

We always like to tell stories through our design and, in this case, we were spoilt for choice! Extraordinary legends, fascinating cultural traditions and the stunning natural world of the islands gave us so many ideas that we could weave together, taking their forms and palette into different spaces and bringing them to life with an authentic sense of place.

The inspiration for the arrival area, for example, is the black and white sarong of the local Boduberu performers who showcase tales of heroism, satire and romance. The island kitchen A Mano, which translates as “touched by the hand”, embraces all that is handmade and natural, with lime washed timbers, local stones, woven fabrics and eclectic handmade ceramics. In Bottega Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar, fiery reds and corals mingle with sandy pinks, yellows and bright blues in a celebration of the colours of the Indian Ocean.

With the guestrooms & suites, we wanted to showcase the phenomenal panoramas, whilst bringing elements of the landscape into the design through material and colour choice. The Palm Houses take their palette from the surrounding palm trees and their position on the beach means that they benefit from uninterrupted views towards the ocean. The Shell Houses are raised over the Indian Ocean with exteriors inspired by the traditional local dwellings. Each of their outdoor courtyards has a bath so that guests can bathe under the stars whilst the terraces feature nets with large fluffy cushions suspended over the turquoise water, allowing sophisticated castaways a very private and luxurious connection with nature.

Kanuhura Resort Maldives, Luxury Holiday, Luxury Resort, Maldives, Muza Lab, Beach, Wanderlust, Gypsetter

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

As the resort is so remote, the logistics of getting all the materials and products we needed on site was probably the toughest hurdle. We also had to bear the humid climate in mind when making each design choice. Everything used needed to be hard-wearing to combat the sun, sea and tropical rain, yet also beautiful. Striking the balance between the two was imperative to create a luxury oasis that could stand the test of time.

Kanuhura Resort Maldives, Beach, Holiday, Luxury Holiday, Muza Lab, Wanderlust, Maldives

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The best thing about the project was actually the same as what we found hardest – the location. It was such a fabulous place to work and whilst it could be a hassle, it was worth it.

Kanuhura Resort Maldives, Beach, Holiday, Luxury Holiday, Muza Lab, Wanderlust, Maldives

Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?

SBID International Design Awards are widely considered to be one of the top schemes in the industry. It is important for us to compete against leading studios worldwide and the calibre of projects entered is always high.

Kanuhura Resort Maldives, Beach, Holiday, Luxury Holiday, Muza Lab, Wanderlust, Maldives

Questions answered by Inge Moore, Founder of Muza Lab

To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with Studio Proof for the NH Collection Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Click Here

Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now closed. To find out more about booking a table Click Here

We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

Muza Lab | SBID International Design Awards 2017

 

 

 

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the inspiring Belmond Andean Explorer. Muza Lab has exquisitely re-imagined the slow travel experience through their design of South America’s first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer in Peru, which launched on the rails May 2017. Working closely with Belmond to compliment the brand’s heritage for properties that are at one with nature, the studio has harmoniously woven cultural connections with inspirations from the idyllic surroundings, creating a detailed backdrop for the breathtaking spectacle of the Peruvian Andes.

“We design journeys and with Belmond Andean Explorer, we have distilled the romance, nostalgia and freedom of the train voyage. The train is a place of transition where time seems to slow down between the departure and the arrival. Our vision was to design somewhere to ponder and dream, a space where the beauty of the land can infuse the soul.”

SBID had the opportunity to speak with Inge Moore, Founder of Muza Lab.

Company: Muza Lab

Project: Belmond Andean Explorer

Project Location: Peru

Interior of private passenger carriage for the Belmond Andean Explorer train

What was the client’s brief?

For South America’s first luxury sleeper train, Belmond Andean Explorer, Belmond gave us the brief to design a new, unparalleled level of experience that complements the brand’s heritage for properties that sit at one with nature. Our response was to create a one-of-a-kind immersion into Peru’s culture, landscape and crafts that gives passengers a contemporary, re-imagined way to enjoy the beauty of slow travel and create memories they will cherish forever.

Passenger overlooking views from the Belmond Andean Explorer train

What inspired the design of the project? 

Our vision was to distil the romance, nostalgia and freedom of the train voyage through an interior design that taps into the journey’s dreamlike sense of suspended time, an experience where moments seem to slow down. We harmoniously wove cultural connections with inspirations from the surroundings to create a detailed backdrop for the breathtaking Andes mountains.

Soft, neutral tones create an open, airy feel that allows the amazing vistas to take centre stage, while beautifully crafted furnishings reflect Peru’s heritage and natural bounty. Palettes, textures and patterns were chosen to create a sense of calm, a counterpoint to the vibrant panorama outside and a place of transition where travellers can ponder, dream and explore new horizons as the beauty of the land infuses their souls.

In the Observation Car, guests can enjoy nearly 360-degree views, either leaning against the scrolled balcony rails or relaxing on the central round seat. Inside, the bar is furnished with traditional embossed leather chairs and cosy sofas. The elegant Piano Bar Car offers a more formal ambience with a corner bar at one end facing an impressive grand piano at the other, and a palette of refined grey tweed with splashes of cornflower blue and golden yellow. The spa is formed of three treatment rooms painted a soothing shade of white to inspire a sense of stillness and relaxation as the colourful landscape whirs past.

Pale shades of taupe and cream enhance the two Dining Cars’ open spaciousness, and rich, cognac-toned leather chairs bring a substantial feel. One carriage also features a library as well as a boutique shop with original, handcrafted items from each destination along the route. Divider screens between seating groups have been refreshed with white macramé that replaces the inset timber panels.

Carrying up to 48 passengers, the Sleeper Cabins have been designed with all the sumptuous amenities guests expect from a luxury experience. Select nostalgic elements of the original train have been restored or added as emblems of the golden age of train travel. Brass room keys were forged into the shape of the Chakana Cross, one of the most enduring shamanic symbols of Incan civilisation and the train’s official crest.

Interior of bedroom on board the Interior of private passenger carriage for the Belmond Andean Explorer train

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

There weren’t really any hurdles, but we did commit to creating a genuine, heartfelt experience of Peruvian culture versus a pastiche. Nearly everything has been locally sourced, supporting the local community while reducing the project’s carbon footprint. Finishes have been renewed where possible, and re-purposed materials contribute authenticity and environmental responsibility. For example, in the Observation Car, the round central seat is covered in fabrics from traditional dresses sourced by Muza at a Cusco market, and passementerie on the roman blinds is from antique Incan fabrics. The result is a welcoming spirit that feels real and honest. In addition, the design allows for furniture and accessories to be securely affixed due to the train’s movements.

Belmond Andean Explorer train exterior

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The Belmond Andean Explorer travels through one of Earth’s most beautiful countries, a destination on many people’s bucket-list of places to explore. To get an understanding of Peru’s culture, we visited several Belmond properties in Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley and researched its amazing landscape as well as the textiles and textures of Peruvian arts and crafts. It was a magical experience and, with so much beautiful inspiration, truly a designer’s dream project.

Luxury massage room interior on board the Belmond Andean Explorer train

Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?

The SBID International Design Awards elevate the stature of the interior design industry by highlighting exceptional talent, passion and expertise across the globe. Participating in the competition strengthens our reputation as imaginative leaders creating some of the world’s most exciting designs.

Restaurant interior on board the Belmond Andean Explorer

Questions answered by Inge Moore, Founder of Muza Lab.

To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with ‘Peace Palace’ Click Here

Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now closed. To find out more about booking a table Click Here

We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

Muza Lab | SBID International Design Awards 2017

 

 

 

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the cutting-edge and futuristic flagship showroom dubbed ‘The Wave’ for Toyota in Abu Dhabi. Al-Futtaim Motors is the exclusive distributor of Toyota in the UAE. Following its acquisition of ‘The Wave’ building, design consultancy Greenspace, was commissioned to create a contemporary and unique flagship and redefine the standards for retail and brand experience for Toyota.

The Wave is set over five floors of 14,000 m2 of retail and service space. The challenge for Greenspace was to plan the circulation throughout the buildings and differentiate sales, display, hospitality and interaction zones.

The interior design vision from the outset was to provide a modern and minimal aesthetic achieved by using undulating fins with inset premium lighting above smooth, white and grey ceramic flooring slabs.

Greenspace also included a family zone, complete with racetrack and drivable electric cars, travelator tunnel to join the buildings and a digital design studio area.

SBID had the opportunity to speak with Adrian Caddy, CEO & Founder at Greenspace.

Company: Greenspace Ltd

Project: AFM Toyota ‘The Wave’

Project Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Toyota UAE office Building exterior at night

What was the client’s brief?

Al-Futtaim Motors’ brief was to create a ‘unique retail concept’ to drive the complete interior and exterior fit out and the total customer experience for the ‘Wave’ facility, including:

Brief objectives

 

Toyota Land Cruiser on display

What inspired the design of the project? 

Based on Toyota and Al-Futtaim Motors’ shared brand vision, ‘Passion for Better’ was the creative inspiration for all the architectural and interiors, lighting, digital and experiential design development undertaken by Greenspace.

“We wanted the entire space to feel as if has been constructed from light waves, drawing the intensity of the exterior light through the building via the horizontal light contours on every floor.” — Adrian Caddy.

The signature style of the entire interior space uses simple, mathematical lines and radiuses. The curved lines of the Wave exterior are echoed along the length of each floor by suspended white fins that are contoured from the front to the back of each floor.

Retail interior design for Toyota car showroom and office space

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Planning, designing and installing a completely new circulation system to enable high numbers of visitors, as well as the cars themselves, to move easily around a 9,500m2 retail space was the biggest challenge Greenspace faced.

 “The needs of all types of customers were considered in great detail through the customer journey planning workshops and the outputs fully informed the interior architecture and experience design process and their subsequent implementation” — Adrian Caddy.

Greenspace designed the architectural interiors following rigorous circulation and customer journey planning, the results of which led to the construction of 2 new escalator cores, a vehicle elevator, and a 50m covered bridge incorporating moving walkways that spans the retail showroom and the service centre workshops. The new escalators, moving walkways and lifts enable customers to explore the giant flagship with ease.

Retail interior design for Toyota car showroom with cars on display

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Probably the greatest achievement of the project is that fact that the Wave retail flagship experience is augmented by digital screens on each floor, providing customers with information and interactivity through multiple touch points.

“We decided very early on to eliminate displays of printed brochures and other forms of traditional point of sale, in favour of a seamless digital experience guided by hosts in the service of customers.” — Adrian Caddy.

The entire customer experience was designed to be paperless, and instead, utilising digital technology to engage and inform visitors seamlessly.

Toyota car showroom and office in UAE

Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?

We were attracted to the SBID International Design Awards because of the recognition they provide to design excellence across diverse sectors and because they have the ability to attract international attention.

“As a London-based company with a specialist reputation, we were delighted to create the new Toyota retail flagship experience in Abu Dhabi. This is a unique project with real ambition that will create a powerful legacy for all involved. To win an SBID International Design Award would be a great honour to all involved.” — Adrian Caddy.

Employee cafeteria interior design at Toyota UAE office

Questions answered by Adrian Caddy, CEO & Founder at Greenspace

To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with No.3, One Park Shanghai Click Here

Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now closed. To find out more about booking a table Click Here

We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

Greenspace | SBID International Design Awards 2017

toyota

toyota

Close up of architectural design elements for Toyota office building in UAE

 

 

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features an extravagant residential space located in Gubei, Shanghai, a finalist in our Residential over £1M category last year. The aim of the project was to create a prestigious and comfortable home which encompassed all the requirements of the owners, namely style and business functionality.

In the living area, the Portugal Grey marble flooring perfectly matches the jade marble TV wall, exuding ultimate elegance. The graceful accent continues in the adjoining dining area with the Shangri-la black marble mini bar creating a subtle yet elegant space. The master suite is topped with dark-oak flooring and light carpet to illustrate a contrasting visual effect of warm and cool colours, conjuring up a holistic luxury experience. In bedroom two, the brown palettes work together with the glossy wood finishes create a luxurious, streamlined look. With carefully selected materials and furniture, the designer has arranged the space with a contemporary approach, creating a refined, tasteful and luxury residence for its owners.

SBID had the opportunity to speak with Chong Chiu Fung, Chief Creative Officer at Steve Leung

Company: Steve Leung Designers

Project: No.3, One Park Shanghai

Project Location: Gubei, Shanghai, China.

Dining room interior design for residential development

What was the client’s brief?

The project is situated in Gubei, which is a premium location for residence. The target demographic for this project was wealthy families with a high income, so we needed to create homes that reflected their status, lifestyle and taste for the luxurious.

Also, as lots of the owners are businessmen, we needed to take into account their specific requirements, including work spaces for their everyday business needs.

Living room interior design for residential development

What inspired the design of the project? 

Italian design was a big inspiration for this project – especially their premium leather which is known for its craftsmanship and high quality. Italian design also possesses a certain substance and originality. To create an absolutely luxurious and indulgent experience for the residents we felt that adding Italian furniture and decors would not only lift up the whole space, but would also appeal to the style and the taste of the owners.

Interior design featuring marble bar for residential development

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Located in the heart of the prestigious Gubei International Residence area, the client hoped that One Park Shanghai would not only serve as an extravagant residence but also serve as a place for business. Due to the fact that residential and commercial/business designs are different in terms of the ambience and functions, the design team had to find a way to accommodate both needs and requirements.

In the end, the design team were able to create a space that satisfied all the needs of the owner. From the colour palette to the material selection, the design director hand-picked fabrics, upholstery and wallpapers in Italy and created a chic home space with an official work station tailored for business. Sophistication and extravagance is demonstrated through the use of lacquered wood, hand-woven leather finishes, grey patterned marble, silk finishes and brushed stainless steel finishes, etc.

Bedroom interior for Shanghai residence

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The residence was a very large space so the design team had to make use of careful spatial planning with different zones designated for different purposes. We took the client’s brief and starting working on it. After the design proposal, the client was very happy as we were able to take all their needs into account. They were excited about the design and gave us free rein on the development. Of course there were some changes during the course of the project, however we would say that the client really believed in us and trusted that our work would create a perfect match for them, and it did!

Marble bathroom interior design for Shanghai residence

Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?

To win an SBID Award is a very prestigious achievement and we hoped to demonstrate our extraordinary work through this platform.

Marble bathroom interior design for Shanghai residence

Questions answered by Chong Chiu Fung, Chief Creative Officer at Steve Leung

To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

Entries to the SBID Awards 2017 are now closed. To find out more about booking a table Click Here

We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

Steve Leung Designers | SBID International Design Awards 2017

Interior entrance lobby for One Hyde Park residential development

Bedroom interior design for One Hyde Park, Shanghai residential development

Join SBID

Join SBID

Find out more about our flexible membership structure.

Apply Online