Designing for Sustainable Interiors: How Can Interior Design Industry Address Climate Change?
The latest panel discussion in collaboration with Grohe, hosted by SBID CEO Vanessa Brady, addressed key considerations for effectively designing interiors with sustainability and climate change in mind.
The built environment accounts for 40 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions in 2019, according to the UK Green Building Council. Awareness over the environmental impacts of the construction, architecture and interior design industries is growing, as concerns over climate change and the sustainability of our cities, societies and lifestyles continue to rise. As a result, more clients and interior designers are seeking to incorporate sustainable principles into the design of their interiors.
The panel discussion explored the role interior designers and product manufacturers play in improving the impact of the industry and driving sustainable developments. From material selections and FF&E specification, to carbon neutral manufacturing, minimising waste and optimising energy efficiency.
Karl Lennon | Leader for Projects at Grohe
Karl has over 15 years of experience in the specification of architectural products in the international arena, acting as a project consultant on projects worldwide. Working with Architects and Interior Designers, Karl supports projects in all sectors with a strong consideration of the sustainable impact of the products supplied. Now working for GROHE for 5 years, he offers support to leading A&D firms working on many award-winning projects. He is also the author of GROHE’s RIBA Approved CPDs on Water Saving, Hygiene, and 3D Printing.
Pia Pelkonen | Creative Director at Pia Design
Following a degree in interior architecture Pia gained experience across a variety of projects as a designer and project manager at leading design studios in London before establishing Pia Design. Everything that Pia Design does has the future of our home planet at its heart and Pia and her team actively champion more sustainable ways to remodel. They reuse, repurpose and refurbish before replacing, working with the belief that longevity is the best form of sustainability and that by taking inspiration from nature, they are able to create spaces that improve with age - interiors with a green soul.
Cecilia Halling | Creative Director at Elicyon
Cecilia Halling is the Creative Director of Elicyon, with over 10 years’ experience in luxury interior design. Originally from Sweden, Cecilia specialises in highly bespoke residential interiors that are tailored to ensure each project is innovative and unique. She leads the vision for a 30 strong team, delivering projects all over the world.
Cover image credits: Interior design by LIA Design.
EPISODE THREE: The Future of Retail Design
With previous episodes addressing workplaces and the hospitality industry, the upcoming panel discussion with Zaha Hadid Architects will explore the evolution of retail design. Hosted by SBID’s founder & CEO, Vanessa Brady, the series examines new definitions of interior space and the consequential impact on the people who commission, design and use them.
One of the fall-outs of the pandemic is undoubtedly the retail sector. The lack of access to physical spaces forced the retail industry to find new and inventive ways to communicate and distribute their goods and services in the digital landscape. Guest speakers Sylvie Freund Pickavance, strategy and business development director at Valueretail; David McNulty, head of architecture at ICICLE Fashion Group and Kar Hwa Ho, head of interior architecture at Zaha Hadid Architects will discuss how evolving consumer attitudes and behaviours impact the design, use and significance of retail environments.
Kar-Hwa Ho | Head of Interior Architecture at Zaha Hadid Architects
Kar first worked with Zaha Hadid in the 1980s before he spent eleven years with Kohn Pedersen Fox and further eight with Louis Vuitton Malletier in Paris. Kar re-joined ZHA in 2014 to set up and lead the new ZHA Interior Architecture cluster. His expertise in retail, commercial, and residential interiors has significantly strengthened ZHA’s architectural offer that includes bespoke interiors, furniture and product design for both private and public projects.
David McNulty | Head of Architecture at ICILE Fashion Group
David McNulty graduated from University College Dublin, School of Architecture in 1985. He moved directly to Paris and started work at the office of Marcel Breuer Architects. After 20 years managing the Architecture department at Louis Vuitton David joined the Chinese fashion company ICICLE in 2017 to head the Architecture studio for store projects in China and overseas. In 2012 he was given the UCD faculty award for achievements in his career.
Sylvie Freund Pickavance | Strategy & Business Development Director at Value Retail
Sylvie is a graduate of ESCP Business School in Paris, Shenzhen University in China and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership. She is a member of the jury for The World Retail Congress Awards and gives her time to mentoring young designers and charities in the UK, Italy and the Middle East. She also sits on the Court of the Glasgow Caledonian University and Chairs GCNYC and the Luxury Club of the French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain.
Image project credits: Zaha Hadid Architects©
EPISODE TWO: The Future of Workplace
Following on from the last episode on the hospitality industry, this online panel in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects explored the future of the workplace. Hosted by SBID’s founder & CEO, Vanessa Brady, the series intends to examine the new definitions of interior space and the consequential impact on the people who commission, design and use them.
With the two areas most affected by the pandemic being ‘work’ and ‘home’, and as their traditionally segregated contexts were challenged while the demand for a hybrid work/live space evolved, the guest speakers addressed how their boundaries have blurred and what the future might hold for these fast-changing environments.
Arjun Kaicker | Co-Head of Zaha Hadid Architects Analytics & Insights
Arjun has worked with ZHA since 2015. He co-leads ZHA’s Analytics & Insights (A&I) in-house research and development team, which applies algorithmic modelling and ‘big data’ analytics to optimise workplace architectural designs, including for wellbeing and operational efficiency. Arjun previously founded and led the Foster+Partners Workplace and Strategic Consultancy division (for 14 years), where he developed strategy and design for 200+ design projects in 50+ countries. Arjun also previously worked as a workplace consultant and designer at Morgan Lovell and at the London International Financial Futures & Options Exchange.
Juergen Junker | Head of A&D Development for Vitra
Juergen has been with Vitra for almost 15 years in various roles. Over time he specialised in collaboration with the architectural and design partners, the associated design of work spaces, their dynamics and continuous development. Over the last 20 months, as the world switched to remote, Juergen started focusing on lectures, digital format conversations and discussions, while working on the outreach to bring people back together in the analog realm.
Bidisha Sinha | Senior Associate at Zaha Hadid Architects
Bidisha finished her first degree in New Delhi before moving to London for her Masters at the Architectural Association. She has had an architectural career spanning over 18 years, delivering projects in India, UK and Hong Kong. In her role within Zaha Hadid Architects, over the last 15 years she has personally delivered projects which have made a positive difference to the revitalization agenda of the programs that were associated with them.
Cover image credits: Project by Zaha Hadid Architects
The post-pandemic environment has forced us to reconsider our understanding of the traditional definitions of living, working and leisure. Particularly for the Interior design industry, these questions necessitate an investigation into the pre-established typologies in both the private and public realms. Hosted by SBID’s founder & CEO, Vanessa Brady, the webinar series intends to examine specific typologies, the conflation of their boundaries, the emergence of new definitions of interior space and the consequential impact on the people who commission, design and use them.
EPISODE ONE: The Future of Hospitality Design
For episode one, the focus is on the hospitality and travel industries which have faced considerable challenges during the pandemic. The limited mobility and opportunities for interaction between people during this period have meant that demand has waned. On the other hand, continual restrictions has created a pent-up need to escape and to bolster one’s well-being. Guest speakers, Kar-Hwa Ho, Head of Interior Architecture at Zaha Hadid Architects; Douglas Grieco, Senior Director of Architecture and Design at Hilton Hotels; and Mari Balestrazzi, Director of Operations for Environments at Airbnb address how hospitality as an industry foresees a fundamental change in the services that it is expected to provide, and how design can evolve to navigate these restrictions, while satisfying the needs of current lifestyles.
Kar first worked with Zaha Hadid in the 1980s on a number of competitions and architectural projects. For eleven years he worked with Kohn Pedersen Fox as the Senior Associate Principal responsible for the design and implementation of mixed use, commercial and retail projects across the USA, Asia and UK. He ten spent eight years with Louis Vuitton Malletier in Paris, as the Design Director in charge of the establishment and development of LV stores across the Asia-Pacific Region. Kar re-joined ZHA in 2014 to set up and lead the new ZHA Interior Architecture cluster that strengthened ZHA’s architectural offer to include bespoke interiors, furniture and product design for both private and public projects.
Douglas Grieco | Senior Director of Architecture and Design at Hilton Hotels
Douglas is a brand and innovation leader with a strong entrepreneurial background. He has worked for 2 Pritzker prize winning architects, holds 2 Masters Degrees and led Design for W Hotels. With Hilton Hotels, as Senior Director of Architecture and Design for Latin America, he is on the team responsible for growing the LATAM region through hotel projects and brand extensions. Specifically, Douglas is leading Design for Collection, Full serve and Lifestyle brands in Central America and South America. He also teaches Hotel Design and Brand Development at Yale, Columbia, and Parsons New School for Design.
Mari Balestrazzi | Director of Operations for Environments at Airbnb
As Director of Operations for Environments, Mari oversees the team that designs Airbnb’s offices worldwide, and collaborates with real estate developers to create new models of housing that support Airbnb’s goal for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way. Before assuming her role at Airbnb, Mari held numerous positions within the hospitality design industry; most recently she was Vice President of Design Services for Hyatt Hotels in Chicago, where she oversaw design for Hyatt’s portfolio of full-service hotel brands throughout the Americas region.
One of the biggest concerns for interior designers is often about securing clients for their next project. In the context of high-end luxury design, the burning questions turn to how design practices go about reaching the lucrative market of ultra-high-net-worth (U/HNW) individuals.
SBID organised an insightful panel discussion with SBID founder & CEO, Vanessa Brady as she explores the professional approaches and business strategies of leading international practices when it comes to building relationships with U/HNW clients in the UK and abroad.
Sharing valuable perspectives across the global design industry, the panel boasts an extraordinary wealth of expertise and experience working and engaging with clients on high-value projects around the world. Speakers include Chris Godfrey, Global Principle of HBA Residential; Firas Alsahin, Co-founder and Design Director of 4SPACE Design; and Andrew Linwood, Head of Business Development at Areen Design.
We discover that obtaining connections with those desirable U/HNW clients is much more than presenting a design proposal with pretty pictures. The panel sheds light on key sources for reaching this elite clientelle, how they go about nuturing those relationships, managing client expectations, and ultimately, providing the level of trust, confidentially, and skills that U/HNW clients value when it comes to commissioning an interior designer for their exclusive design projects.
The panellists also highlight their strategies for digital marketing, gaining press coverage, and achieving third-party endorsements through awards and accreditations (like those that SBID provide) as key to enhancing reputation among UHNW individuals.
Chris Godfrey | Global Principle of HBA Residential
Chris has over 23 years experience creating highly considered and finely crafted interiors for the residences of the most discerning clients. Chris cultivated his holistic design approach; combining Architecture and Interior Design to create beautifully conceived and exquisitely delivered residences for clients who appreciate the value of design excellence. In 2018 he received the coveted Master of Design Award from SBID and is also an award-winning Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chartered Architect.
Firas Alsahin | Co-founder & Design Director of 4SPACE
Firas is the Co-founder and Design Director of 4SPACE Design - a dynamic, multi-talented, and multi-awarded design studio delivering quality architectural and interior design services. He is a fully accredited SBID Professional and was chosen as one of the 20 most influential interior designers in the Middle East 2020 for Commercial Interior Design Magazine.
Andrew Linwood | Head of Business Development
As Head of Business Development at Areen Design, Andrew has over 30 years of experience in delivering a range of projects for Hospitality, Residential and Commercial. He has designed insightful interiors for many of the world’s leading hotel operators including Hilton, Marriott, Radisson, Accor, Hyatt and InterContinental Hotels Group as well as HNWIs and sector specialist developers. He is involved in all aspects of a project: from initial client contact, brief and concept development through to documentation and site installation.
Cover image credits: Project by HBA Residential
With newly adapted lifestyles and shifting consumer attitudes towards how our interior environments should feel and function, SBID hosts an insightful webinar and panel discussion with global design experts on the opportunities and challenges facing the interior design and architecture industry in 2021. From the design and business implications of Covid-19 restrictions, to leveraging global opportunities overseas.
Discover unique global insights on the future of the interior design profession with SBID founder, Vanessa Brady; global principle of HBA Residential, Chris Godfrey; senior associate at Zaha Hadid Architects, Bidisha Sinha; co-founder of Albion Nord, Ben Johnson; and founder of Design Haus Liberty, Dara Huang.
Ben Johnson | Co-founder of Albion Nord
Equipped with a First-Class Honours degree in Interior Design, Ben began his career at Candy & Candy, followed by Heatherwick Studios, and quickly built a strong foundation of experience in high-end residential design, public spaces and retail projects around the globe In 2010, Ben joined design practice 1508 London, leading a studio of 40 interior designers and appointed Creative Director and Partner in 2014. In 2017, Ben co-found Albion Nord, building an impressive of portfolio of both international and domestic residential projects.
Dara Huang | Founder of Design Haus Liberty
Dara Huang is the founder of Design Haus Liberty; an international architecture, interiors and design practice established in London in 2013, with global offices in both London and Hong Kong. She holds a Masters degree in Architecture from Harvard University and started her career at Herzog de Meuron, Basel and Foster + Partners, London. In the company’s short time, Dara has received numerous awards and honours including Property Weeks 40 under 40, BBC China's 100 Women, and Prestige Hong Kong’s 40 under 40.
From Zoomtable panel discussions and online interviews, to Accredited CPD webinars, SBIDPro provides access to exclusive industry content. Email [email protected] to get involved and share your professional views on the interior design profession!
Episode Four | Adapting Our Designs
This episode will discuss how the industry will be adapting designs. More specifically, what our homes and workplaces ten years from now may look like - and what types of rooms society will put more emphasis on.
Mark Nestler, president, Nestler Strategies comments on how we may find interior design principles 'going back to 90s' with a drive for clear and minimalist interiors as we seek to create the perception that public spaces are clean and healthy; placing importance on how healthcare design will impact on corporate design, and the key considerations which will start to filter across the sectors.
Discover expert views on how coronavirus is imposing on the design industry with Reva Revis, architecture & design industry publicist, Reva Revis Consulting; Mark Nestler, president, Nestler Strategies; Vince Gammino, design and project management director, Vince Gammino Design; Jennifer J. Fondrevay, founder & chief humanity officer, Day1 Ready; Kaitlyn Daniluk, interior design student, Columbia College of Chicago and James Wild, principal & founder, Gridwerk Architecture.
Episode Three | Adapting Our Industry
Featuring expert perspectives from professionals on the m+ consulting team, Reva Revis, architecture & design industry publicist, Reva Revis Consulting; Mark Nestler, president, Nestler Strategies; Vince Gammino, design and project management director, Vince Gammino Design; Jennifer J. Fondrevay, founder & chief humanity officer, Day1 Ready; Kaitlyn Daniluk, interior design student, Columbia College of Chicago and James Wild, principal & founder, Gridwerk Architecture.
This episode in the 4-part Zoomtable series continues the discussion about the design community during Covid-19 and how the interior design industry, as a social and multi-disciplinary profession, will be impacted.
Reva Revis, architecture & design industry publicist, Reva Revis Consulting comments on the important role international events play each year in helping design professionals connect when it comes to networking, building new industry connections and moving forward as an industry. How is this driving new and existing digital alternatives in efforts to maintain that crucial dimension of connectivity within the industry?
Episode Two | Adapting Our Practice
The m+ consulting team of experts features Reva Revis, architecture & design industry publicist, Reva Revis Consulting; Mark Nestler, president, Nestler Strategies; Vince Gammino, design and project management director, Vince Gammino Design; Jennifer J. Fondrevay, founder & chief humanity officer, Day1 Ready; Kaitlyn Daniluk, interior design student, Columbia College of Chicago and James Wild, principal & founder, Gridwerk Architecture.
This episode continues the conversation about how the ongoing pandemic is imposing on the design industry and how we should be adapting our business communications to the current condition that is affecting the world.
Tom Marquardt shares some of the ways his practice has been exploring collaborative video communications to best capture the essence of face to face for project development in a new, social distancing society. With this increased reliance on the digital environment and emphasis on the need for technology to innovate and evolve, Jennifer Fondrevay, founder & chief humanity officer, Day1 Ready comments on the importance of actually being face to face and the need for us to realise the benefits so we can "recreate that as much as possible in order to get the feedback and dialogue we need to make something better."
Episode One | Humans and Business
President of SBID and founder of Chicago-based design practice marquardt+, Tom Marquardt kicks off the SpeakEasy series of digital discussions with an m+ consulting team video conference; bringing his team of professionals across the design industry together to address the present and future state of design and business during the pandemic.
Discussing how the ongoing pandemic is imposing on the design industry, some of the immediate implications of this and how that starts to impact on the human value of companies, the m+ consulting team Zoomtable discussion features expert views from Reva Revis, architecture & design industry publicist, Reva Revis Consulting; Mark Nestler, president, Nestler Strategies; Vince Gammino, design and project management director, Vince Gammino Design; Jennifer J. Fondrevay, founder & chief humanity officer, Day1 Ready; Kaitlyn Daniluk, interior design student, Columbia College of Chicago and James Wild, principal & founder, Gridwerk Architecture.
Jennifer Fondrevay, founder & chief humanity officer, Day1 Ready comments on the importance of empathy and compassion and understanding what people bring to a business, "What my hope is that will happen in the future, is the human piece of business will come to the forefront ... In many industries, we're just so driven by the revenue and the growth aspect that the people pieces have been forgotten." From seeing a more human-centric approach to business in the future to how this will this drive our need for social connectivity.
Mark Nestler, president, Nestler Strategies shares his views on remote working as "Those trends of remote, hotelling, hot-desking are going to accelerate - people are going to see that remote working is working very nicely and is very efficient - but I'm not going to say by any suggestion that it's eliminating the need for personal one on one or group conferences". He explains his thoughts on how these trends, alongside the wide-ranging implications of Covid-19, may impact on commercial space and real estate.
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
By subscribing, you agree to be added to SBID’s mailing list. As an industry’s standard bearer organisation, we strive to bring you the most up to date news and access to exclusive industry content through our various newsletters.
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
I accept the SBID Terms of Use