Skip to main content

Deirdre Hayes, Founder of Studio Hayes, has given her insights into the industry.

Why did you want to work in the interior design profession?

My route into interior design began with a fine art background, where my focus was painting and drawing. Beginning a degree in Interior Architecture was a significant shift, and adapting to technical drawing and structured design principles took time. However, it opened a new way of thinking about creativity within the built environment.

A defining moment came when I spent a summer as a student living and working in London. Coming from Ireland, the scale, pace and cultural diversity of the city was eye-opening, and exposure to other design disciplines broadened my understanding of design as a wider profession.

I spent much of my free time exploring London’s museums and galleries and was struck by how strongly buildings and interiors could influence how you feel, from the quiet, cathedral-like galleries of the V&A to the industrial drama of the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. That experience confirmed that I wanted to design the spaces people move through and experience every day.

Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the moment when a concept truly clicks, when brand, operational needs and user experience align in a clear design direction. I am particularly drawn to the strategic side: understanding how a space must perform commercially as well as emotionally, and translating that into layouts, details and atmosphere.

Collaboration is also a major highlight. There is nothing better than problem-solving live on site with a contractor or builder, navigating constraints and finding smart, buildable outcomes together. A strong collaborative team or lack of one can make or break a project, and when collaboration works well, it is one of the most motivating parts of the process.

What has been your most memorable career highlight from the past year?

The standout highlight this year has been launching my own practice while continuing to work at a senior level on hospitality and experiential projects. After many years leading an in-house design team and delivering projects for international brands, stepping into my own studio has been a major milestone.

A particular highlight has been the positive response from clients and peers to a more hands-on, director-led approach, with senior expertise embedded throughout each project. Reconnecting with past collaborators, building new relationships and shaping my own way of working has made this year feel like a real turning point. While starting a business is not always the easiest path, investing my time and energy into something of my own has proved to be the most rewarding aspect of my career.

What are your favourite types of projects to work on and why?

I am especially drawn to hospitality and social spaces such as bars, restaurants, leisure venues and hotels. These projects are centred around connection; they are where people come together, celebrate, relax and create memories. I enjoy the complexity that sits behind the atmosphere, from circulation and operational efficiency to layouts that support a strong commercial return, paired with the challenge of making the final experience feel effortless, welcoming and atmospheric.

I also enjoy working with heritage and older buildings. Their construction, detailing and layers of history bring a depth of character, and part of the design challenge is respecting that while adapting the space for contemporary use. Through recent residential work, including renovating my own Victorian terraced house in North London, I have developed a deeper appreciation for how these buildings are put together, with each layer revealing a different story. Balancing old and new adds a richness that cannot be replicated.

What are the most challenging aspects of working in interior design?

Balancing ambition with reality is always a challenge. Budgets, programmes and existing buildings do not always cooperate with the initial vision, so you need to be resourceful and solutions focused. Managing expectations and communication across large teams, including clients, operators, contractors and stakeholders, can be demanding, especially when things change late in the process. However, those challenges are also what make the successful moments so satisfying.

What do you wish you knew before working in the field?

I wish I had fully appreciated how much time is spent on coordination, communication and detail rather than purely on design. A strong concept can fall flat if the technical information, drawings and site coordination are not robust. I would also tell my younger self that understanding how projects are financed, procured, built and operated is just as valuable as a good eye; commercial awareness and curiosity about the wider process make you a far stronger designer.

I have also learned the importance of understanding different perspectives. Clients, designers and contractors often approach a project from different standpoints, and acknowledging those differences early on makes collaboration more productive and outcomes more successful.

If you could give one tip to aspiring designers, what would it be?

Spend as much time as possible in real spaces, rather than relying solely on mood boards and digital references. Visit sites and new venue openings, observe how people use them, speak to staff, and take note of bottlenecks, quiet corners and missed opportunities. Form your own design opinions and let those observations guide your thinking.

Seek out a mentor for support, whether within the industry or someone with strong leadership experience. Build strong relationships with your peers, and do not be afraid to ask for what you want or to articulate the direction you want to grow in. Enjoy the wins and learn from the setbacks.

How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead?

I expect a continued move toward spaces that support fluid, real-world use: places that can transition naturally from day to night, from work to socialising, and from private focus to shared experience. Clients are looking for environments that feel authentic and uplifting, not formulaic. Sustainability will also move further into the mainstream, with increased focus on longevity, reuse and responsible specification.

In hospitality, people are craving connection and shared experience in a world that feels slightly unsettled. This is evident in the rise of concepts rooted in familiar traditions and nostalgic social rituals, from competitive socialising to modern reinterpretations of the corner shop, pub or clubhouse. There is a renewed appreciation for places with heritage, soul and a sense of belonging, which may prompt a return to more timeless design, craft and spatial storytelling, even within larger brands.

AI will become more integrated into the design process, supporting research, visualisation and efficiency. Its value lies in enhancing human creativity and informed decision-making, rather than replacing the designer.

What does being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer mean to you?

Being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer represents professional credibility, accountability and a commitment to best practice. Accreditation by the Society of British & International Interior Design provides reassurance to clients and collaborators that my experience, training and approach meet recognised industry standards.

It reflects the importance I place on integrity, ethics and continued professional development. Interior design balances creativity with technical knowledge and responsibility, and accreditation reinforces the need to uphold all three consistently.

On a personal level, SBID accreditation acknowledges the breadth of my career to date, from leading in-house design teams to establishing my own practice. It also connects me to a wider professional community and supports my commitment to delivering thoughtful, well-considered design that responds to people, place and context.

Deirdre Hayes, Founder of Studio Hayes

About Studio Hayes

Studio Hayes is a London-based, director-led interior design consultancy specialising in commercial interiors, including hospitality, leisure, and retail environments. With over eighteen years of experience across Ireland, the UK, USA, and Australia, the studio delivers distinctive interiors that balance creativity with commercial insight. Every project is overseen at director level from concept through to completion, ensuring consistency, quality, and a deep understanding of each client’s vision. Studio Hayes partners with brands and individuals to create spaces that are purposeful, beautifully crafted, and designed to connect people, from small refurbishments to large-scale hospitality rollouts and unique one-off projects.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

The magnificent Grade-2 listed Georgian Cuckney House on the Welbeck Estate, one of the UK’s largest and historically important country estates, has been given a complete interior makeover by Rachel McLane Ltd.

The three-and-a-half-year project converted the vacant Cuckney House into luxury 15-bedroom holiday and event accommodation.

Rachel McLane Ltd

The 15,000-acre Welbeck Estate on the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire border near Sherwood Forest has a history that can be traced back nearly 900 years and is run by The Welbeck Estates Company.

As the most prominent House on the Estate, it has been thoroughly but sensitively transformed during the £5m redevelopment project to provide a single high-spec property for extended holiday and event-related stays.

Rachel McLane Ltd

Its 15 bedrooms include family suites and a bridal suite, allowing the House to sleep more than 30 people, and it has three reception rooms, including a 28-seat dining room and a 40-seat function room. There is a large, well-appointed kitchen, games room, snug butler’s pantry, and outside, there is a large terrace with two BBQs and a wood-fired pizza oven, a walled kitchen garden and a tennis court.

The transformation of Cuckney House is part of the long-term Welbeck Project to re-purpose and breathe new life into the Estate’s collection of historic buildings.

Rachel McLane Ltd

The entire project was managed by the Welbeck Estate, which made it run like clockwork as the Estate has incredibly skilled teams across different departments, including stone masons and builders, some of whom lived on-site to see the project completed.

Working closely alongside the Estate team, we managed through internal and external structural design changes that included a reconfiguration of the walls on the first and second floors, complete re-roofing, insulation throughout, refurbishment of all flooring, including reinstated parquet flooring, and the raising of the ceiling height in the top floor rooms, as well as electrical drawings, lighting designs, colour scheme and fabrics.

Rachel McLane Ltd

We could respect Cuckney House’s listed status while giving each room its identity and personality, reflecting the original use of the building as a Manor House.

The design intent was to make Cuckney House feel like it had evolved rather than an overly designed modern interior. The overall look is eclectic and traditional, with a contemporary twist suited to today’s living expectations.

Rachel McLane Ltd

The interior design also features a new art collection that the Rachel McLane team procured to make it look like the collection had evolved. We worked with the Estate’s collections team on scans of artwork from the collections and also with a commercial art gallery, mixing traditional and contemporary artwork on the walls and around the rooms.

An added feel of the area’s landscape also comes from the work of a ceramic artist who rents a studio from the Welbeck Estate and whose work is on display in the House.

Rachel McLane Ltd

The restoration of Cuckney House has also been emphatically sustainable with the provision of electric car charging points, renewable energy heat sources, and solar panels. In place of energy-consuming kettles in each room, each floor was designed with a communal coffee and tea pod.

Nigel Porter, Property & Rural Estates Director, said, “For me, the interior design and the quality of the craftsmanship stand out.”

About Rachel McLane Limited

Rachel McLane Ltd offers a full design service that interprets a client’s brief and delivers their project on time, on budget, and as envisaged. Every client and every project is different, so how we get there is entirely up to the client. Not every project requires internal spaces reconfiguring; not every client has an architect or project manager. However, as a general rule, their project process offers: Feasibility Study – narrowing down your options; Concept Design – sketched visuals of how your space might look; Design Detailing – producing drawings & plans for trades; Purchasing – new, bespoke or repurposed; Fit-Out.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Lily of the Valley is the fruit of a family project, led by Alain and Lucie Weill, father and daughter, with the aim of creating a dream hotel inspiring Wellness and luxury. This is the very concept of the hotel, which offers to its residents an elegant setting in which they are guided in their weight loss goals with the most exclusive Technogym training solutions.

Lily of the Valley

Entirely imagined and designed by the famous designer Philippe Starck, the hotel fits in naturally with the surrounding nature. With an organic architecture, the place opens up to the surrounding light and the vegetation is part of the hotel's design. He states: "I designed an organic and vernacular village. Everything is so harmonious that it feels like it has always been there. It's a place that welcomes you at any time of your life, at any time of the season."

Lily of the Valley

This small "village" inspired by the gardens of Babylon, the architecture of Provençal abbeys and Californian villas, is made up of small Mineral houses with 38 rooms and 6 suites with nature and the Mediterranean as far as the eye can see. 8 pool suites are also part of the picture: these private villas with swimming pool are set in the Mediterranean environment of the French Riviera. Below, the hotel's own beach with restaurants and bars is available to residents.

Lily of the Valley

2,000 m² are dedicated to sport and fitness within the hotel, and 3 programmes are available for residents who wish to keep fit, accompanying them throughout the year, over 4, 7, 10 or 14 days:
- Optimal weight & serenity
- Intensive weight loss
- Weight loss & sport

All three programmes are supervised by a team of professionals, using the so-called "TGV" method. Developed by Jacques Fricker, it is said to be in three stages and consists of a "high speed" phase, a stabilisation phase and a full fitness phase; all three allow for rapid and lasting weight loss, particularly appreciated for the flexibility and balance of its approach.

Technogym is partnering with Lily of the Valley in the development of this luxury sports area.

Lily of the Valley

Fitness and coaching, present in each of the fitness programmes of the place, are thus proposed and highlighted thanks to Technogym solutions. The Artis line dresses the hotel and allows residents to live an exclusive fitness experience. From cardio equipment to weight training equipment, Artis offers high-end products with a touch of elegance. With customised workouts and a variety of entertainment options, Artis makes working out more motivating and enjoyable for everyone. Working independently on an assigned program or accompanied by the Technogym Coach through the Technogym Live console, residents have access to a simple and ergonomic training experience that adapts to their needs and goals.

Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley

Artis equipment includes Artis Run, the treadmill that combines elegance, technology and connectivity. Designed with attention to detail, it is the essence of indoor running. It adapts to the user's running style, with a natural feel that makes for the most comfortable training experience.

Lily of the Valley

In addition to the Artis Line, residents can also take advantage of the Kinesis Personal Vision, the Technogym innovation “par excellence”. Perfect for a wide variety of functional exercises, it can be used to improve physical condition, endurance, sports performance or to accompany a rehabilitation process. Kinesis Personal Vision is designed to train while respecting the body's natural movements, in order to achieve fitness, athletic or health goals in an efficient and personalised way.

Lily of the Valley

For over 35 years, Technogym has been promoting Wellness worldwide, a lifestyle based on regular physical activity, a balanced diet and a positive mental approach. Through its wide range of products, Technogym supports Lily of the Valley in offering high quality fitness solutions to its residents, enabling them to achieve their wellness goals through the best Wellness experience to improve their quality of life.

About Technogym UK

Technogym's globally renowned products are perfect for both home and commercial gyms. They strive to create gym equipment and accessories that are not only professional and sleek but also adapt easily to every surrounding space. For more than 40 years Technogym have been helping people live healthier and happier lives with a range of products that are exceptional in both function and aesthetics. With modular collections, they offer the ultimate wellness experience anytime, anywhere, at home, in the gym, in the office, or in a hotel.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Overlooking Lake Garda, EALA is a luxury hotel designed in every detail to give its guests a one-of-a-kind experience. The choice of Foglie d'Oro flooring, different in design but united by the quality and comfort of wood, creates a clear identity for each room - from the suites and the bistro to the wonderful hall.

Foglie d'Oro - Matita modular system, in Ca' Bollani finish

In the elegant hall, the Matita modular system, in the Ca' Bollani finish and with Marquinia marble and brass inserts, creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, where the natural light from outside creates a play of reflections on the dark marble.

Foglie d'Oro - Tricot modular floor in Ca' Melli finish
Foglie d'Oro - Tricot modular floor in Ca' Melli finish

In the refined lake-view bistro, the Tricot modular floor in Ca' Melli finish creates an evocative geometric composition. The tones of the smoked oak wood create a pleasant play of chiaroscuro, giving the surface and the room dynamism and character.

Foglie d'Oro - Spina Jazz in Ca' Gabriel finish
Foglie d'Oro - Spina Jazz in Ca' Gabriel finish

The Spina Jazz in Ca' Gabriel finish brings the rhythm of the herringbone parquet to the bedrooms, revisited by Foglie d'Oro with a contemporary soul: its serial interlocking corners create an airy, embracing design, perfect for creating a synthesis of comfort and luxury.

Foglie d'Oro - Matita modular system, in Ca' Bollani finish

Our know-how allows us to meet the demands of customers and designers even beyond the wide range of floors in our catalogue, and Foglie d'Oro has created custom-made products for this project too.

Visit the Projects section of our website to see the complete gallery dedicated to EALA and discover, in the Bespoke section, how we can customise floors and panelling in a completely original way.

About Foglie d'Oro

Foglie d’Oro is Europe’s leading manufacturer of sophisticated design wood floors, XL wide planks, and American walnut floors. Based in Italy, the company has been chosen by A&D to work on turnkey projects for over 50 years, developing a reputation for excellence all around the world.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Designing a luxury hotel in one of the most vibrant metropolises means creating functional environments with a refined design, finding solutions capable of ensuring guests the best conditions of comfort, with a focus on sustainability.

Frammenti - Foglie d'Oro

It is with these premises in mind that for the Nobu Hotel Shoreditch, in London, the modular flooring Frammenti was chosen, made of oak from well-managed and responsible forests.

Frammenti - Foglie d'Oro

Thanks to its extraordinary versatility, Frammenti is the perfect solution for every type of environment. The geometric design of the modular floor, which makes it resemble an abstract, contemporary mosaic, is reminiscent of the creative flow and dynamism of the metropolis.

Frammenti - Foglie d'Oro

The customised finish was realised by Foglie d'Oro to indulge the creative intuition of the designer and contribute to building the aesthetic identity of the spaces of a luxury hotel, whose attention to detail is one of its most distinctive aspects.

Frammenti - Foglie d'Oro

The ability to create customised floors, starting from the designer's drawing and the client's needs, is one of the reasons why Foglie d'Oro is chosen by architects and interior designers all over the world.

Would you like to choose a Foglie d'Oro floor or realise your own customised solution in both finish and format? Discover more here.

About Foglie d’Oro

Foglie d’Oro is Europe’s leading manufacturer of sophisticated design wood floors, XL wide planks, and American walnut floors. Based in Italy, the company has been chosen by A&D to work on turnkey projects for over 50 years, developing a reputation for excellence all around the world.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

The spirited, high-end lifestyle hotel located in Kentucky is an upscale, independent property housing 125 rooms, featuring restaurant and dining spaces, lobby lounge and bars, rooftop with sprawling views of downtown Lexington and the Distillery District, as well as an accompanying event space and bespoke gym.

The Manchester Hotel - Paragon Studios
The Manchester Hotel - Paragon Studios

Working with the hotelier and his design team, Paragon Studio were delighted to be involved in this boutique gym project right in the heart of Lexington’s famous Bourbon district.

The gym replicates the incredible finishes incorporated throughout the hotel; built to mirror Kentucky’s unbridled enthusiasm, warm Southern light, and full-galloped feeling.

The Manchester Hotel - Paragon Studios

The team worked on the gym layout design, and created a kit list including Paragon Studio adjustable gym benches and boxing equipment with the hotel logo debossed into the leather pads. They also specified Diabolo Dumbbells with the logo laser engraved into the end plates, matching racks and cork yoga equipment.

The Manchester Hotel - Paragon Studios
The Manchester Hotel - Paragon Studios

Lastly, Peloton and Precor were brought in to the project to complete the gym’s cardio and strength offering.

The Manchester Hotel opened on 2nd June 2023!

About Gym Marine Yachts & Interiors

Gym Marine Yachts & Interiors is a specialist wellness design for the superyacht and prime property sectors. Their experienced team have an unrivalled understanding of the complexities of gym and space design, both on land and at sea. This together with our vast experience in the health and wellness industry helps create an unbeatable service.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

As a team, sofa.com always find it interesting to look back at the successes of the year so far, delving into the data to look at what clients are seeking when it comes to luxury design.

Material of choice:

The past few years had seen an increase in sales of upholstered seating and bedroom furniture in colourful fabrics. However, 2023 so far sees a shift, as neutral tones overtake to reign supreme once again. Comprising the largest percentage of sales, two beautifully cool-toned beiges share the top spot – Pumice house basket weave, and Cashew viscose linen.

Sofa.com Piper Dining Chair in Pumice House Basket Weave, £300
Sofa.com Audrey double bed in Olive Cotton Matt Velvet, £1,600

A palette which has always been well-suited to high-end hotel and residential design, this move to a more muted, modest scheme sits in line with a wider consumer trend seen this year – minimaluxe, or quiet minimalism. A focus on a few pared-back hues used together to create a streamlined aesthetic. Often you’ll notice that it is no longer colour that is used to showcase personality - the detail is all in the unique shapely elements of furniture, or the texture of the fabric selected.

Sofa.com Cohen modular sofa in Royal Fern brushed linen cotton, £2,340

Furniture Shape and design:

Sales of furniture with multifunctional features have increased year on year. The flexibility of modular furniture allows us to rearrange and reshuffle to accommodate extra guests, to adapt for entertaining purposes, or to allow increased space for stretching out and relaxing.

The top preforming sofa first debuted in 2009 and has continued to hold the top spot – and for good reason. The timeless shape, and ever-expanding offering of configurations allows Bluebell to sit equally as perfectly within contemporary specifications as traditional schemes. Another classic which has hurdled a few other contenders and is now situated at second place, is our Otto. Sleek lines, yet unbelievable comfort make this the ideal option for all settings.

Sofa.com Bluebell 2.5 Seat Sofa in Taupe Brushed Linen Cotton, £1,980
Sofa.com Otto 3 seat sofa bed in Shell heathland weave, £3,630

Sofa.com have been lucky enough this summer to work on a number of hotel redesigns, and are pleased that the focus on creating bedroom furniture that is both designed to last yet has elements of key trends is popular within the hospitality sector as much as with residential shoppers. Sales of beds and mattresses in particular sit at 50% up on last year’s figures.

The sofa.com design and trade teams continue to work together ceaselessly to ensure new products are created in response to the needs of our customers, building on successes, adapting to meet any challenges and always bespoke.

About sofa.com

Passionate about outstanding interiors, sofa.com offers a diverse and design led collection of made-to-order sofas, armchairs, beds, footstools and home accessories. With an extensive range of styles and over 100 fabrics to choose from, as well as the option to upholster in your own fabric, the customisable nature of sofa.com’s products make each piece easily adaptable to any interior style – perfect for interior designers and specifiers looking for stand-out pieces for upcoming projects.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Hotel & Resort Design South, the premier event for hotel and resort design professionals working within the Southern States and LATAM, is excited to announce its Conference Program, supported by NEWH.

This year's program features a dynamic line-up of speakers and panel discussions covering topics ranging from travel horizons and design trends to shaping hospitality through regional influences. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to gain insights from, and network with some of the industry's most innovative leaders, while also earning continuing education credits.

Programme highlights

The conference will kick off with a keynote featuring; Francisco Jove, Principal Owner – Modus Operandi, Kavitha Iyer, Head of Design, Americas – IHG Hotels & Resorts; Emilio Perez, Senior Continent Leader Global Design – CALA, Marriott International.

Following this, marine and land-based design collide in the joint session ‘A tale of design – creating an emotional connection’, panelists include Christopher Stubbs, AVP Sailor (Customer) and Crew (Employee) Experience – Virgin Voyages, Trisha Poole, President – Design Poole Inc. and Kristin Cullen, Interior Design Director  – Dash Design.

Other highlights of the program include ‘Shaping hospitality design through regional influences’ and ‘What's new in fast design, guest loyalty and micro experiences?’.

"The Hotel & Resort Design South Conference is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the design and development of hotels and resorts in the Southern States and LATAM," said show organizer, Toby Walters. "The program reflects current topics and trends emerging from this vibrant region, and we are excited to bring together such a talented group of speakers and attendees for the very first time."

Visitors will also have access to the schedule of content at the co-located CSI Design Expo Americas providing even more opportunities to leave the show inspired.

Secure your complimentary conference and networking pass here to join the hotel & resort design community in Miami on 6 – 7 June.

About Hotel & Resort Design South

Hotel & Resort Design South is exclusively dedicated to connecting the suppliers of the global hospitality design community with the South and LATAM purchasers and decision-makers.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious hotel suite design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Jeffrey Beers International.

Uniquely situated in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Hard Rock Hotel New York offers a backstage pass to the city's historic Music Row, honouring its legacy through intricate design, curated amenities, and award-winning guest experiences. Sitting atop the 36th floor is the jewel of the Rock Star Suite, a glass-enclosed penthouse with expansive city views, original contemporary artwork, bespoke music memorabilia, and one of the largest terraces for entertaining in New York City at 1,600 sq. ft. The sleek interior design includes double height ceilings and rich tones and textures creating an inviting and timeless space. On its first level, the suite features an open-plan living and dining area with a bar and butler pantry, an outdoor bar, VIP direct access to the RT60 rooftop bar & lounge, and more. Guests can retreat upstairs to a luxurious bedroom area with a walk in closet and contemporary bathroom featuring a red free standing bathtub.

SBID Awards Category: Hotel Bedroom & Suites Design

Practice: Jeffrey Beers International

Project: Hard Rock New York Hotel: Rock Star Suite

Location: New York, United States of America

What was the client's brief? 

The double story suite is to be used as both a guest room and an event space as well. We therefore designed the separate bedroom on the upper level, as well as created a direct access to the public bathrooms on the floor below. Last but not least, the space exemplifies what the guestrooms are about: to make the guest feel like a rockstar.

What inspired the design of the project?

The rich history of New York’s Music Row, as well as the culture of the Hard Rock brand. The city’s energy at dusk, when the Marquee lights of Times Square come out, also inspired our design.

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

Creating maximum impact with a reasonable budget. Also every material has to be high quality and resistant without feeling commercial. Being the only Rockstar Suite it has to be ADA accessible.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The red bathtub with a view feels very unique.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

It is a wonderful honour to be recognized by an internationally focused design award. We also greatly enjoy the opportunity to visit London for the awards event.

Questions answered by Pierre Josselin, Associate Principal, Jeffrey Beers International.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring an interactive and vibrant primary school design by Lineworks Studio, click here to read it.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious hotel suite design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Hirsch Bedner Associates.

Canopy by Hilton Hotel in Qujiang Xi’an conveys the splendid leisure and carnival entertainment of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

The central premise of the design stems from the Chinese idiom 鲜衣怒马 xiānyī nùmǎ, which loosely translates to “wearing beautiful garments and riding powerful horses”. With this concept in mind, the interiors celebrate the vibrant fashion and design of the prosperous Tang Dynasty that for centuries has been integrated into the spiritual language of Xi’an’s neighborhoods, and now blends exquisitely with the opulent aesthetics of the Canopy brand.

The xiānyī nùmǎ motif is unraveled throughout the hotel style through the use of joyful colors and patterns inspired by Tang-era fabrics and artwork. By fusing the ancient with the modern to create a unique design story, the hotel creates a fresh perspective on historical elements, allowing people to enjoy traditional culture in a rejuvenated, vibrant, and fun way.

SBID Awards Category: Hotel Bedroom & Suites Design

Practice: Hirsch Bedner Associates

Project: Canopy by Hilton Xi’an Qujiang Hotel

Location: Xi’an, China

What was the client's brief? 

The initial brief received by clients was to bring the rich historical, traditional and cultural background of the place into the project renovation, and to align it to the hotel brand style and feeling.

Canopy by Hilton conveys the brand lifestyle that offers the guests comfort, thoughtful details, an energizing atmosphere and a uniquely local experience, as extension of the local neighbourhood.

Storytelling has been used to design the hotel allowing guest to discover the delightful neighbourhood as an ‘explorer’, and reinterpreting the traditional design language for modern appreciation.

What inspired the design of the project?

Canopy by Hilton Xi’an is located in the Qujiang New District, a new cultural hub and economic center of the historic city.

The hotel is connected to the Grand Tang Mall, a fabulous pedestrian street with myriad cultural sights and recreational activities.

The central premise of the design stems from the Chinese idiom “鲜衣怒马 xiānyī nùmǎ”, which loosely translates to “wearing beautiful garments and riding powerful horses”. With this concept in mind, the design team set out to celebrate the vibrant fashion and design of the prosperous Tang Dynasty that for centuries has been integrated into the spiritual language of Xi’an’s neighborhoods, and now blends exquisitely with the opulent aesthetics of the Canopy brand.

The xiānyī nùmǎ motif is unraveled throughout the hotel style through the use of joyful colors and patterns inspired by Tang-era fabrics and artwork. By fusing the ancient with the modern to create a unique design story, the hotel creates a fresh perspective on historical elements, allowing people to enjoy traditional culture in a rejuvenated, vibrant, and fun way.

By adopting the easy-going lifestyle of Xi’an and the cultural elements of the city’s historic legacy, the hotel acts as an extension of the local neighborhood.

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

As most of the projects, the team had to deal with a tight timeline on redesigning the whole hotel without compromising the construction programme.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Canopy by Hilton Xi’an conveys the splendid leisure and carnival entertainment of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

The hotel creates a new perspective that allows people to reveal the traditional culture in a way that is vibrant, fun and young, it adopts the easy-going Xi’an characteristic that enhance the vibe of the area it resides in.

The hotel has 125 guestrooms in the guest tower, including exclusive suites and lofts, leveraging little-bit difference with standard of Hilton group, the design of the guestroom tends to create different experience for the guests.

Guests are initially greeted by a room identity sign that echoes the design concept idiom and takes inspiration from a journey via horse and camel along the silk road. Upon entering the guestrooms, the design calls to mind a Tang-era scene of women pounding and making palace silk. During this time, women used mineral pigments to dye silk, and wrapped stones with wet raw rice paper or cotton to slowly seep the color into the silk. A nod to this ingenious process can be seen in the stylish canopy painted on the wall and ceiling surrounding the bed in each guestroom. The canopy is framed by clean black lines and features a strip of color in the center that fades from turquoise on the ceiling to a bright orange - a color spectrum cherished in the Tang Dynasty.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID International Design Awards are a prestigious recognition of excellence within the interior design industry across products, interiors and fit out.

Over a decade on, the Awards has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious interior design Awards in the global design calendar. It represents the outstanding industry achievements and top quality design services that continue to inspire the profession.

Questions answered by Flavio Patino, Associate, HBA Hong Kong.

We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!

If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a modern residential development design by ENJOYDESIGN, click here to read it.

Join SBID

Join SBID

Find out more about our flexible membership structure.

Apply Online