The Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) will celebrate another year of interior design excellence with the 14th annual edition of the SBID International Design Awards competition.
Set to champion the world’s most skilled and accomplished creative industry professionals, the UK’s leading destination for professional interior design will shine a spotlight on the best interior designers, product innovators and design solutions throughout the past year.
The entry categories span both the commercial and residential sectors across Interior Design, Product Design and Fit Out.
The entries to the SBID Awards 2023 is open with Early Bird rates of £250*. SBID invites designers to take advantage of the reduced entry fees with exclusive 10% discount by submitting before 5pm on 31 March 2023.
Entries will officially close at 5pm (BST) on 30 June 2023. Click here to find out more about entering!
*excluding VAT and one-off admin fee.
This year’s SBID Awards Judges represent some of the most exciting and innovative companies at the forefront of design, media and business; featuring a panel of esteemed professionals across the fields, among them Sam Bucolo, Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Design Council; Julia Danilova-Meretska, Editor-in-Chief at Elle Decoration Ukraine; Nuno Fernandes, Director Design Operations EMEA at TÉTRIS; and Cass Saldanha, Regional Creative Director at Apple, to name a few.
Entrants have a unique opportunity to showcase their work on the SBID Awards’ global stage and exhibit designs directly to an audience of distinguished professional peers, press and potential clients.
SBID members receive exclusive benefits into the SBID International Design Awards, including 1 x free entry and discounted entry fees. Find out more
Click here to discover the last year’s SBID Awards winners!
Visit sbidawards.com for more information.
The SBID continues to champion the most skilled and talented designers from around the world in the 2022 edition of the SBID International Design Awards.
Taking place on Friday 21 October at a new luxury venue, InterContinental London Park Lane, the 13th annual ceremony will celebrate and showcase excellence across Interior Design, Fit Out and Product Design to its impressive international audience.
With award categories spanning both the commercial and residential sectors, SBID welcomes entries from all corners of the professional design community, who work together to drive industry standards and produce the exceptional interior environments that shape the way we live, work and play
Equipped with an assembly of expert judges, the judging panel features a host of revered industry figures from some of the most exciting companies at the forefront of design, media and business. With Global Digital Director of Architectural Digest, David Kaufman; Executive Editor for ELLE DÉCOR (US), Ingrid Abramovitch; Dean and Professor of Architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Sarah Whiting; and CEO of Rigby & Rigby, Iain Johnson (to name a few), entrants have a unique opportunity to showcase their work on the SBID Awards’ global stage and exhibit designs directly to an audience of distinguished professional peers, press and potential clients.
The entries to the SBID Awards 2022 is now open with reduced Early Bird rate of £250*. SBID invites designers to take advantage of the discounted entry fees and submit your entry before 14 March 2022.
Entries will close at 5pm (BST) on 23 May 2022. Click here to find out more.
To enter, visit sbidawards.com for more information.
With a commitment to recognising excellence and championing the creative industries, the SBID International Design Awards presented its annual Fellow of the Year award to TV Dragon and retail entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis for his outstanding professional achievements. With a business empire that now spans retail, property, finance and consumer goods, he began his career from a low-income background with no formal qualifications due to his dyslexia.
Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, Founder & CEO of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) explains: “The SBID Fellow of the Year is awarded to a successful public figure who has broken through personal and professional challenges, and in some cases prejudices, then progressed to become a household name in a specific field of business or the creative industries. Theo exemplifies the journey and struggles that many young designers and creatives are faced with. His personal and professional success is recognised in this award and acts as inspiration to the next generation of emerging talent to persevere through life’s challenges.”
At the age of 16 Theo started working as a filing clerk in a Lloyds of London brokerage before discovering his passion for retail at Watches of Switzerland. He later went on to carve his reputation in business and retail when he revived the fortunes of notable high street names such as Ryman, Partners the Stationers, Stationery Box, La Senza, Contessa Lingerie and more recently, Robert Dyas. Theo also bought Red Letter Days out of administration in 2005 with fellow TV Dragon, Peter Jones, and in the Spring of 2011, launched what has now become the multi-award winning, global lingerie brand, Boux Avenue.
In 2015 he launched Theo Paphitis Retail Group which encompasses Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre. The combined group comprises over 300 stores and 4,000 employees, serving millions of customers a year!
Theo Paphitis said: “Winning any award is wonderful, but to be recognised for the SBID Fellow of the Year award, amongst so many well-known design individuals, was beyond that. Retail is such a visual medium, whether it is the product, the brand or the store windows and inspiration can come in so many forms. My award is for all of those design specialists who have inspired me and so many of my retail colleagues over the years, helping us to put design front and centre in our businesses.”
The SBID Awards strives to empower design industry talent to exhibit their creative work and celebrate their achievements on its global stage, as a testament to the incredible outcomes that can be accomplished through the power of good design and quality craftsmanship.
Click here to explore the full line-up of this year’s SBID Awards winners across Interior Design, Product Design and Fit Out.
About SBID International Design Awards
The SBID International Design Awards attracts entries from over 85 countries worldwide, serving to recognise, reward and celebrate design excellence across Interior Design, Product Design and Fit-Out. Showcasing the world’s best design talent on its globally respected stage each year, the SBID Awards champions and challenges design standards – a parallel it shares its exceptional entrants. Winning a SBID International Design Award signifies outstanding industry achievement, with recognition that is second to none for the deserving winners.
If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.
With a commitment to recognising professional excellence across interior design and championing the growth of the creative industries, the SBID International Design Awards bestowed its annual accolade for Master of Design to Kit Kemp MBE – renowned interior designer, Founder and Creative Director of Firmdale Hotels & Kit Kemp Design Studio for her significant contributions in raising the profile of the profession.
Over the years Kit Kemp has carved herself an internationally-acclaimed reputation, not only for her unique approach to hotel interiors, but also as a successful textiles, fragrance and homewares designer, author and a highly-respected champion of British art, craft and sculpture.
The Kit Kemp Design Studio is celebrated for its individual and original approach to hotel and residential design, with colourful and detailed storytelling which celebrates craft and captures the imagination. As the creative force behind Firmdale Hotels since 1985, the brand now has ten properties, with eight hotels in London including the Ham Yard Hotel, Soho Hotel, Covent Garden Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel, Haymarket Hotel, Number Sixteen Hotel, Dorset Square Hotel and Knightsbridge Hotel, as well as two in New York, The Whitby Hotel and Crosby Street Hotel.
Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, Founder & CEO of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) comments, “We wanted to present Kit with this exclusive accolade to acknowledge her work as trailblazer in interior design. Bringing colour and pattern back into the forefront, Kit Kemp has forged a trend in the brave path she has trodden which serves as great inspiration to the professional community – not only for interior designers, but product manufacturers too!”
Today the SBID Awards has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious interior design Awards in the global design calendar. It represents outstanding achievements, top quality design services and fascinating creativity in producing cutting-edge event experiences.
By representing all aspects of the interior design industry across Interior Design, Product and Fit Out on its inclusive and international stage, the SBID Awards offers excellent exposure for your work and designs, provides unique networking opportunities, and drives professional standards across the industry!
Haven’t completed your submission, or are still considering if you should enter the SBID Awards this year? Here are the top 5 reasons you should!
Success in the SBID Awards programme represents a significant achievement within the field of interior design, recognised as sign of design excellence among peers, clients and the press. The programme provides a global platform for showcasing your design talents to international audiences across the design profession. Featuring your company, projects or products on the SBID Awards website and social media as a Finalist (or better yet, a Winner!) offers valuable exposure to increase your brand awareness, promote your work and amplify your online presence!
The SBID Awards introduces an exciting new panel of expert judges to join its’ impressive and international jury, so each year presents a unique opportunity to showcase your work and innovative designs directly to top-tier industry professionals on the judging panel! Discover more about the diverse panel of judges who are set to evaluate the Interior Design & Fit Out categories here, and explore the esteemed judges for Product Design categories, here.
The three-tier judging process ensures that only the best proceed to the next level – with each entry considered fairly and independently for technical content and creative merit, regardless of the budget! The public vote also sees 225,000 unique voters – so it’s a great way to publicise your best work!
Winning only has value if you have truly earned it! The SBID Awards has been praised for its ethics and transparency, achieving a GOLD Standard Awards Trust Mark by the Independent Awards Standards Council. All entry information is listed on the website so it’s clear from the start what is involved – and there are no hidden fees in order to progress so entrants can’t simply buy their way to the top! This means you can enter with the confidence that only the most talented designs, impressive projects and innovative products will go all the way (not the entrants with the deepest pockets!).
The SBID Awards is open to any design professional from interior designers, architects, property developers and decorators, to contractors, fit-out specialists, manufacturers, suppliers and product designers. Companies of any size are eligible to enter. Whether an interior design veteran or a recent graduate, all entrants have a fair and equal chance of winning! As a global competition there are no geographical limitations, entrants and projects can be based anywhere in the world, welcoming entries from all backgrounds and budgets by keeping entry costs low!
In the 12 years since the SBID Awards first launched, it has received 3000+ incredible entries by 1000+ companies from 85+ countries across the globe – and still growing! Entering the Awards provides the opportunity to become part of the international design community and connect with new audiences on a global scale at our annual Awards ceremony and supporting networking events.
Just being shortlisted as a Finalist for an SBID Award can bring your business substantial benefits, worldwide industry recognition and extensive PR opportunities.
Click here to discover how entering awards can enhance your business!
The SBID Awards programme is designed to recognise, reward and celebrate the profession of interior design from the interior designer’s projects and the products they specify, to the specialist contractors that install the final fit out.
If you’re a designer, product manufacturer or contractor, click here to find out more.
Standard Rate Entries close on Monday 31 May 2021!
SBID Accredited members also receive exclusive entry discounts.
Set to celebrate another year of global design excellence across the interior design industry, the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) has officially opened its 12th edition of the SBID International Design Awards for 2021.
Since it launched, the SBID Awards has received over 3000 incredible entries from 1000+ companies in 85 countries and continues to grow! Having firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious interior design Awards in the global design calendar, the Awards represent the outstanding achievements, dexterity, mastery and quality services that go on to inspire the creativity of this diverse and ever-evolving creative industry.
Alongside 17 specialist Interior Design categories spanning commercial and residential sectors, the SBID Awards 2021 continues in its quest to champion and challenge industry-wide design standards, expanding entry categories to encompass added specialisms in Product Design and Fit-Out Design.
With the introduction of new design categories, also comes an exciting panel of expert judges to lend their unparalleled knowledge and expertise to this year’s extraordinary international jury; featuring Property Services Lead for the Department for Education; Creative Director at Amazon; Interior Design Principal at Walt Disney Imagineering Asia; Editorial Director at WGSN; Global Store Design Manager at Tiffany & Co.; Design Director at Starbucks Coffee Company EMEA; and Director of Major Programmes at the British Council. Inviting entrants from around the world, the SBID Awards presents an exceptional opportunity to showcase professional work to a host of renowned industry leaders and the wider design community on its inclusive and international stage.
In its ambition to reunite the industry, the SBID International Design Awards 2021 will open its doors once again for a global celebration of design talent. Offering unique and inventive event experiences, the annual awards programme suitably culminates in a captivating ceremony at London’s latest luxury lifestyle destination, Nobu Hotel Portman Square on Friday 22nd October 2021.
The Awards’ entries for 2021 will close at 5pm (BST) on Wednesday 30th June, with ‘Early Bird’ entry rates ending on 31st March. Download the full entry guidelines for all information about entering this year’s SBID International Design Awards. Members of SBID can also take advantage of exclusive entry benefits, from discounted entry fees to complimentary submissions. Click here to find out more.
To enter, visit sbidawards.com to find out more.
Regarded as one the most prestigious accolades for interior design, the highly anticipated winners of this year’s SBID Awards have been revealed! For the first time in 10 years, the category winners of the SBID International Design Awards were announced publicly online, alongside the inaugural SBID Product Design Awards winners in a joint celebration of interior design excellence. Championing the exceptional designers of interiors and the innovative products that go in them!
Scroll down to discover this year’s incredible SBID award-winning interior projects from around the world, showcasing the industry’s best in the interior design sector.
Bluemoon Design for A Hidden Betsuin
Drawing inspirations from the traditional hot springs, gypsum and salt culture, the designer has skillfully interpreted the warmth and modesty of the exhibition space using natural materials such as wood, stone, hessian, bamboo and rattan. The interior design has integrated local cultural elements with modern design techniques, reaching a balance between the Western calmness and the Chinese elegance.
1.61 London for The Mansion
The project visuals for the extraordinary family home in Surrey showcase the external spaces with detailed landscaping and waterfalls, as well as glass swimming pool and the stunningly designed interiors for this one of a kind property. The internal finish needed to align with the external architecture in a modern way, whilst capturing a Gatsby-esque style.
Rockwell Group for Little Sister
Little Sister is a hidden gem of a lounge, tucked away in the sub-cellar of Moxy East Village. Rockwell Group created an intimate, seductive, sophisticated space with a clandestine, cavern-like feel, enriched by jewel-toned velvet sofas and plush banquettes, embossed leather accents, a glowing copper DJ stand, and a mirrored-copper bar illuminated by a dramatic overhead bank of backlit whiskey bottles.
Davide Macullo Architects for Chenot Palace Weggis
The project includes the renovation of existing hotel buildings, the addition of a new guest room block and a state-of-the-art medical spa. The timber cladding of the new elements plays a game of shadows and creates a material landscape embedded in the greenery, marrying together the old hotel buildings in a synthesis of architectural language and the simplicity of materials.
Areen Design for The Social House Nairobi
Each space in The Social House has been designed with a bespoke approach and to stimulate guests to shape their own personal experiences, connections and journeys. To create spaces that are authentic, innovative or reflective of Nairobi’s diverse population was the fundamental framework to Areen’s design.
Virserius Studio for Lobby & Public Spaces, W Atlanta Midtown
Virserius Studio’s concept for the W Atlanta Midtown is the recreation of fictional Arthur’s estate and secret garden, decorated with his awe-inspiring collection of art and other items obtained during his extensive world travels.
Pippa Paton Design for Cotswold Manor Bedroom & Bathroom
This master suite within a stunning Grade II listed Cotswold Manor is a luxurious sanctuary with 21st century style and functionality, whilst celebrating the building’s fabric and the owners’ love of wood. Simplicity of design enhances the beauty of historic materials and vistas, with timber used for all joinery and flooring set against a backdrop of white walls and furnishings.
SW1 Solutions for Prudential’s Project Unity
SW1 Solutions created a local identity for a global brand. The relocation of Prudential’s five Business Units and one-stop customer centre to a brand-new building in Kuala Lumpur enabled their employees with flexibility and catered to different styles of working.
Ricky Wong Designers for Hankow Avenue Sales Center
Adjacent to the Jinyin Lake, Hankow Avenue Sales Center boasts the picturesque scenery, integrated with sustainable development concepts, the design is delicate, allowing the project to provide a quality business space that is a comfort to the soul and joy to the eye.
Gow Hastings Architects for Niagara College Welland Student Commons
The new Niagara College Welland Student Commons establishes a welcoming heart within the sprawling, decentralized campus, establishing a flexible gathering place where students can study, collaborate, eat and socialise.
International Designers by Rita Chraibi for Monad Terrace
International Designers by Rita Chraibi reveals the interiors of the first completed residence at Monad Terrace. Rita’s design of the 5,193 square-foot residence highlights her signature style which uniquely fuses interior and fashion design to humanize the space.
Clare Gaskin Interiors for Wimbledon Common Duplex
An open plan living space was the springboard for Clare Gaskin Interiors’ complete redesign of the duplex apartment close to Wimbledon Common. Gaining greater understanding of how the client lived, they re-configured the floorplans throughout, ensuring that the client’s needs were met whilst being sensitive to the architecture of the building.
Roncarati + Zaffera for Woodside Loft
The owners wanted to create a unique loft-space which was expansive and multi-use, with a modern-retro style. Crucial to the design brief was that the space feel bright, spacious, organic, and comfortable. The design ensured the space could comfortably act as a living room with a view, a guest room, a project space, a place to relax, a place to be alone, or a place to be together.
Shalini Misra for St. John’s Wood Residence
Shalini Misra Ltd designed this family home celebrating craftsmanship, culture, and traditional and artistic techniques with hints of the family’s Indian heritage. It had previously been stripped of all period features, making it very contemporary, therefore the client wanted to reinstate historical elements to bring back a sense of British heritage and craftsmanship.
IDA LUCE SRL for Casa Verdi
Serenity and simplicity were the main goals for this city home that sits on the thirteen floor of a contemporary architectural building, located in one of the most prestigious neighbourhood of Santo Domingo Dominican Republic.
SpaceInvader Design for Alberts Didsbury
SpaceInvader designed a new, refreshed modern look and feel to mark the 10-year anniversary of Albert’s Didsbury. A sophisticated 15th Century undertone; love of symmetry, geometric patterns, the colour green and encaustic tiles formed the concept alongside a nod and a wink to Uncle Albert’s original tool shed.
Portview for Samsung KX
Portview completed a state-of-the-art brand experience space for tech giant, Samsung, in the heart of King’s Cross, London. Samsung KX is a showcase that’s packed with cutting-edge innovations. The space boasts a number of bespoke design features that are the first of their kind, including an architectural lighting frame embedded within the sales floor to create a curved, illuminated arc.
David Chang Design Associate International for Tianyu Villa, The Crown Avenue
This villa is named “Tianyu”, meaning to excel to reach the sky. The design needed to capture the essence of this with an interior that is outstanding and prominent. While highlighting the positioning of the project as a high-end boutique, it also required the integration of culture and business, innovation and art.
Click here to discover the 2020 SBID Award winners for product design!
Visit sbidawards.com to find out more.
Set to celebrate design excellence for not only the designers of interiors, but also the products that go in them, the SBID Awards now includes the newly launched SBID Product Design Awards, alongside the firmly-established SBID International Design Awards, with 17 diverse interior categories to enter in each programme. By representing all aspects of the interior design industry on an inclusive and international stage, the SBID Awards offers excellent exposure for designs, provides unique networking opportunities, and drives professional standards across the industry.
The deadline to enter is fast approaching with just over a week to go until the SBID Awards officially closes for 2020! Haven’t yet completed your entry, or are still considering why you should be entering the Awards this year? With design talent hailing from almost 50 countries worldwide, a record number of entries received year on year and a staggering 225,000 unique public votes, the Awards program is proud to celebrate the industry’s finest products and interior designs worldwide.
But if that’s not quite enough and you still need more reasons to enter this year’s SBID Awards, we’re sharing the top 5 reasons to submit your entry before it’s too late!
The Awards programme provides the perfect platform for showing the world who you are and showcasing your designs to an international audience, with features on the SBID Awards website and social media pages offering invaluable exposure for your brand and your projects! Not only can it give your own marketing a digital boost, but success in the programme presents a whole host of great PR opportunities to take advantage of!
The SBID Awards three-tier judging procedure ensures that only the best projects reach the next level! All entries are assessed by a technical panel of experts and a judging panel of high-profile figures in the creative industry to ensure each project is considered fairly and independently for its technical content and creative achievement, regardless of the budget! The final tier is the online public vote, receiving 225,000 unique votes – it’s a great way to show off your best work!
Winning only has value if you earned it! Many competitions reel entrants in before hitting them with hidden costs in order to progress. Unlike them, not every SBID Awards entry is awarded a prize and there are no hidden fees, so entrants can’t just buy their way to the top! There is just one Overall Winner and 17 Category Winners.
Achieving a GOLD Standard Awards Trust Mark for ethics and transparency, our T&Cs are transparent so you’ll never be asked to pay for extras. All information is on the website so it’s clear from the start what is involved. This means you can enter with the confidence that only the most talented will go all the way (not the entrants with the deepest pockets!).
The SBID Awards welcome entries from all backgrounds and budgets by keeping entry costs low! SBID Accredited members also receive exclusive entry discounts. This year, the Awards introduced new residential design categories differentiated by price point and property type, so the size or scale of your projects or practice is not a barrier to success! We know it’s the combination of small and large organisations that enriches the interior design industry – and that’s why the SBID Awards strive to celebrate the real depth and breadth of the profession.
The SBID Awards have grown in reach and reputation around the world since its launch in 2009, receiving entries from almost 50 countries worldwide. Entering the Awards presents an opportunity to become part of our international design community and connect with new audiences on a global scale at our annual Awards ceremony and networking events.
Even if you don’t clinch the coveted ‘Winner’ trophy, just being shortlisted for an award can still bring your business substantial benefits. Click here to discover the essential ways that awards can enhance your business!
The SBID Awards programme is designed to recognise, reward and celebrate the profession of interior design. If you’re an interior designer or product manufacturer, click here to find out more. Entries are open until 5pm BST on Friday 14 August.
Achieving industry recognition through prestigious honours like awards can be extremely beneficial for business. Not only can it generate awareness, increase brand exposure and of course, boost employee morale in a celebration of their hard work and success, awards are a great way to differentiate your brand, product or service from the competition! Independent acknowledgement of a company’s skills, value or competence within your sector also offers additional reassurances and credibility for potential clients and customers.
Even if you don’t clinch the coveted ‘Winner’ trophy on the night, just being shortlisted for an award can still bring your business substantial benefits. With this in mind, we’re sharing 5 essential ways that awards can enhance your business!
Put your brand in the spotlight! Association with relevant, industry-specific awards that add value to your brand offering can raise your business profile and provide a host of marketing and PR opportunities, so the chance to publicise, and ultimately capitalise, on your achievements within an award programme (whether a winner or a finalist) should not be overlooked! Utilising the promotion of your involvement before, during and after the ceremony through your marketing channels is a cost-effective way to increase brand awareness, share your company’s success and become a real marketing asset. And that doesn’t even include the additional exposure you would gain from the event organiser!
Awards are designed to endorse a company’s calibre of skill and success in a particular field, making them a key indicator of trust-worthiness. Entering and winning an award therefore demonstrates to your customers that your business is operating at the highest level within your profession, acting as a powerful selling point for potential prospects (or perhaps reinforcing their reasons for doing business with you in the first place!).
As a result, this can develop brand loyalty and improve client retention, as customers are often inclined to stay with businesses who are succeeding at what they do – as well as give them more excuses to tell their friends about you. And we all know how valuable word of mouth is as an effective marketing tool!
Using the awards branding on your website and in your marketing materials is another way you’ll be able to showcase these credentials to your target audience.
Partaking in awards is a public way of acknowledging the hard work and achievements of your employees, giving your team members an additional sense of appreciation, purpose and motivation in their work, as well as a stronger desire and confidence to continue to perform for your company. Attending the awards ceremony also offers a great chance to reward your staff by celebrating together as a team – who doesn’t love a chance to get dressed up for a fancy three-course meal and rub shoulders with top tier professionals in your industry?
Achieving an award also validates your employees work as a direct contributor to wider company success which can also generate company pride, increase work satisfaction and can play a positive role in future recruitment too by enticing new talent who want to work for successful, award-winning companies.
Serving as an excellent platform to wine and dine with the best of the best within your profession, award ceremonies provide the perfect opportunity to network with key players in your industry so you can make new industry connections, bond with potential business partners, reach new customers, and build better relationships with your peers. Winning an award goes one step further in recognising the value and expertise you bring to your sector in front of this captive audience, meaning your peers will look more favourably on your business and you will gain a deeper level of credibility and respect within your industry as a whole.
Most awards judging panels consist of distinguished industry experts, so entering them also presents a unique opportunity to put your business in front of specialist stakeholders, industry-leaders and influential experts in your field.
Whether you are a small or large company, awards offer the ability to stand side-by-side and compete against some of the biggest names in your professional pool, allowing you to take stock of your achievements in comparison to your peers and benchmark your work against the industry – this will help to see how you measure up against your competitors and refine your business goals and aspirations.
And of course, if you’re successful in becoming an award-winning business, it is a surefire way to differentiate your brand and stand out from the competition with that all-important, industry-recognised seal of approval, giving you an esteemed third-party endorsement from an independent body.
While entering awards can bring a host of promotional benefits for your brand, enhance industry positioning, and increase credibility – it’s important to know which awards you should be entering! So before jumping in with both feet, do your research!
Are they a credible organisation? Do they have industry recognition? Do they really understand and represent your industry sector? And finally, do the previous winners embody what you want to be known for? Why win a vanity trophy when you could collect a prize that really resonates in your industry!
Look out for hidden fees in the application process! Some Awards charge successful entrants extra fees for exposure – some even require the winner to pay for their own award! Attending the ceremony can be a caveat of ‘winning’ too. If this is the case, the awards are likely to be given to the highest bidder so you know it’s not really about outstanding achievement, excellence or creative merit…
The latest Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event to be held by The Society of British and International Design in partnership with SBID Partner Swedecor, explored an interesting subject; one that has no doubt been relevant, at some stage, during the careers of most Interior Designers and Architects. The event explored the benefits and challenges associated with running a multi-disciplinary practice, along with a look at where the roles of Architects, Decorators and Designers begin and end.
A packed crowd of SBID organisers and members gathered in the Saint Gobain Innovation Centre, a suitably chosen site dedicated to showcasing and promoting sustainable materials for the design and construction industries.
On the agenda were interesting talks from both Interior Designers and Architects, sharing some varying perspectives on the subject. First to open the discussion was Caroline Smith, Creative Director of Wish London Design. Caroline outlined the way the role of the Interior Designer has changed over the past few decades and how this has had a subsequent impact on the blurred boundaries between Designers and Architects today. She discussed the factors that have contributed to the growing success of Wish as an interior design practice, including the need to be commercially aware – knowing what elements to prioritise budget on to achieve the greatest project success. A relevant point she raised was the importance of a mutual respect between the Interior Designer and the Architect – each party being aware of their respective roles and responsibilities, to ensure both a professional and collaborative approach to a project.
Penny Allen, Director of Penelope Allen Design, was second speaker of the evening who showcased one of their recent residential projects, winner of the SBID International Design Awards 2013. Her interior design practice, established in 2009, has seen a flourishing success over the year, partly due to Penny’s PR focus and her knack for networking. An interesting benefit she outlined of working with Architects was the exposure to a broader spectrum of clients and subsequently maximising income. Key challenges she raised were keeping abreast of legal responsibilities and ensuring sound knowledge of Health & Safety as the Interior Designer.
A common message that was emphasised by both Penny and Caroline was the importance of the early involvement of Interior Designers on a project. It’s all too common for assumptions to be made, whether from the client, that the Interior Designer need only be involved during the final, finishing stages of a project, or from the Architect, that there is perhaps no Interior Designer getting involved at all.
This in turn opened up a number of other important considerations to the discussion – educating the client on the specific role of the Interior Designer is crucial; ensuring they understand that the breadth of duties goes far beyond the finishing textiles and a lick of paint on the walls.
Communication, perhaps the most crucial element, is required on all levels between Client, Architect and Interior Designer throughout the entire project process. Vanessa Brady, Founder of SBID and Chair of the evening, provided additional context to these points, outlining the overall challenge of interior design being recognised as a credible industry.
Since the battle exists for governing bodies to recognise the difference between Decorators and Designers and to see the importance of the latter, it’s perhaps no wonder the challenge exists for Clients to understand this as well.
Third to share their views for the evening was Graham Harris, Managing Director of SHH Architects. SHH, an esteemed, full-service interior design and architecture firm, has been well established in the industry for over two decades. With a very approachable presence to the audience, Graham discussed the egoistic attitude often felt by many Architects towards Interior Designers and how SHH have developed a clear and respectful line between the two – “Architect: space, place, light. Interior design: colour, human scale, tactility”.
A valid benefit he outlined of working collaboratively was the commercial aspect, providing the client with a single cost upfront for both elements of the project, ensuring cost efficiency and transparency of financials, in turn, crucial to building solid relationships with the client and all parties.
As I sipped my wine, explored the centre and chatted with those in attendance, I grasped how much food for thought the evening and its discussions had provided me, a handful of ‘watch-outs’ when approached by a client on the overall collaboration process, the increased sense of determination I felt for raising awareness of interior design and all it entails, along with the desire for a potential Designer/Architect relationship to grow as organically and respectfully as it should.
Author: Shanna Rogan, emerging Interior Designer and founder of interior-imagination
To see more pictures from the event, please visit our Facebook page here.
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