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
Using tiles in interiors has been common practice for decades, from our bathroom floors to our kitchen walls. In fact, the use of tiles stems back to Ancient Egypt! Today, as interior designers are always looking for new ways use materials and innovate their designs, the specification of floor and wall tiles is getting more and more creative. Newly SBID Accredited specialists in tiles for specifiers, Craven Dunnill share their story; from a longstanding heritage, to how they work with interior designers to supply unique and bespoke tiling solutions for their projects. Discover their insight on the latest trends for interior tiles!
What are the origins of Craven Dunnill?
We have been manufacturing and supplying ceramic tiles for commercial and residential projects for 150 years, since 1872; and we use every bit of that experience to ensure that our clients are always provided with professional, market-leading and passionate support. Our vast portfolio is stocked here in the UK, showcasing the very latest of British and European produced ceramic wall and floor tiles. Our specialist production factory, based in Ironbridge UK, still operates as the oldest surviving purpose-built tile factory in the world.
With a deeply rooted history in providing tiles for interior design specification, we offer distinctive designs inspired by our longstanding heritage, with an unrivalled reputation for quality, style, and service. With experience stretching back 150 years, we pride ourselves in our flexibility, technical support, fit for purpose guidance, and high product quality standards.
How do you work with interior designers?
Craven Dunnill stock the widest selection of ceramic tiles from the leading manufacturers around the World. Our vast range provides interior designers with limitless possibilities according to their project needs and requirements.
We appreciate that every project is unique and we have extensive experience across a wide variety of projects and installations. With the knowledge and experience of what is achievable, we work closely with interior designers to ensure we select products which fit the performance, quality and longevity demands for their projects.
We can provide a truly bespoke solution for even the most challenging of projects. If you can’t find the tile you need in our vast portfolio of wall and floor tiles, we have the facility to produce ceramic wall or floor tiles to almost any shape and/or size. All custom design and manufacture solutions are provided through our own specialist factory. Craven Dunnill Jackfield have been hand-making ceramic tiles for over 150 years and now combine modern and traditional production techniques to create bespoke wall or floor ceramics to almost any design and specification!
What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?
Tiles are an integral element for any project and offer a wide variety of materials, finishes and styles with versatile laying options which can bring the vision of interior designers to life. They can deliver stunning aesthetics, unify indoor and outdoor spaces with a seamless transition and offer everyday solutions to meet the challenging creative and practical demands of contemporary projects.
Creating surfaces for many projects involves not only meeting requirements in terms of practicality, durability but also aesthetics. Tile materials can guarantee comfort, elegance, very high-quality performance and longevity for long term use to meet more eco-friendly specification approaches to sustainability.
Today, hygiene and safety is more important than ever. Everyone wants to live and work in healthy environments. Ceramic surfaces with antibacterial protection, an anti-microbial shield integrated into the tiles, eliminate up to 99.9% of surface bacteria, 24 hours a day, forever.
How do your services/offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?
Specialists like no other. Craven Dunnill is renowned for the production and supply of ceramic wall and floor tiles to all market sectors, including specification, housebuilder, commercial, retail and specialist, for both the UK and global markets.
Product: Craven Dunnill prides itself on its choice and selection of best-in-class ceramic wall and floor tiles, sourced from the leading manufacturers around the World. Our products represent quality. And more than that, it is an ethos throughout the organisation. We have an appreciation and understanding of high-quality products, and that is recognised across everything that we do.
Sampling: Fast and efficient sampling is an important part of our specifier support service. Smaller tiles can be despatched as full tiles, and larger tiles can be sent either as 100×100 colour swatches – perfect for mood boards – or delivered as larger tile samples.
Service: We take our service and support very seriously – putting your needs first, and continually striving to exceed expectations. We aim to deliver an experience worth talking about, every single time. We have an experienced team of customer service advisors who are always on hand to assist with your specific enquiry, whether its face-to-face, online, or on the phone.
Technical: At Craven Dunnill, we set ourselves apart through the quality and accuracy of our technical support and guidance. We aim to build confidence and earn the trust of our clients by providing correct and appropriate technical information, and finding a solution to meet your specific needs. We are on hand to give all the necessary guidance on selection, installation, maintenance and care.
Our technical experts sit on a number of standards and technical committees including BSI, UKSRG (UK Slip Resistance Group) and TTA (The Tile Association). This ensures that any technical advice given is absolutely in line with current standards and industry guidance.
Custom Design & Manufacture: Using our own specialist factory, Craven Dunnill Jackfield, we combine modern and traditional production techniques to create bespoke wall or floor ceramics to almost any design. If you can’t find the tile size you need in our vast portfolio of wall and floor tiles we have the facility to produce ceramic wall or floor tiles to almost any shape and/or size.
Sustainability: Respect for the environment is more critical now than ever. We are market leaders in the supply of ceramic tiles with a green agenda, sourcing only from manufacturers with responsible practices and certified credentials. We have an experienced team that can support you in specifying tiles with the appropriate eco-credentials for your project.
What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?
To find out how to join the SBID professional membership, click here
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential design by 2020 SBID Awards Finalist, XBD Collective. Located in Jumeirah Golf Estates, this luxurious 10,600 sq. ft. villa was designed for a young, new to Dubai European family of 4. The overall design brief was to create a family-friendly home in the signature XBD luxury style on a very restricted budget. By keeping a neutral palette but also introducing bursts of colour, XBD Collective fulfilled one of the main requirements to create a sense of serenity and peace with elegant accents.
Using an array of high, mid, and low materials, the design practice opted for high-end marble - but used clever veneer techniques and mixed metals and mirrors to create stunning reflection effects. Artwork from locally commissioned artists was also used and textured wallpapers were sourced from trusted suppliers. XBD succeeded in creating a gorgeous luxury home, perfect for entertaining both family and friends that went above and beyond the client’s expectations
SBID Awards Category: Resi House Under £1M Finalists Sponsored by Sans Souci
Practise: XBD Collective
Project: Jumeirah Golf Estates
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
What was the client's brief?
The overall design brief was to create a family-friendly home in the signature XBD luxury style. We fulfilled the main requirement to create ‘a sense of serenity and peace with elegant accents.
What inspired the design of the project?
The inspiration was to create the ultimate balance between ‘tranquillity’ and ‘elegance’ for our clients. With the villa situated on the edge of a luxury golf course, we created an indoor/outdoor feel to flow throughout the space and take advantage of the picturesque landscapes.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
We faced the challenge of creating a sophisticated masculine space for the office that blended softly into both family and formal areas. We used soft wooden flooring dressed with a pattern monochrome rug, to keep the room professional yet homely.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Working in partnership with Rosewood was a delight, largely thanks to our shared passion for creating. Exceeding our clients’ expectations was our highlight! Design-wise we love the use of elegant layers and contemporary finishes in the master bedroom which amplifies the opulent sensation in the room.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
Taking part in the SBID Awards is always a delight as it provides us with the opportunity to reveal our evolving style and inspire other creators in the industry through entering the SBID Awards. We enjoy taking part in such a well-renowned competition!
Questions answered by Rebecca Young, Executive, XBD Collective.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a Spanish villa design, click here to see more.
Award-winning and SBID Accredited fit-out specialist Portview, has unveiled its latest creation with the fit-out of an ultra-luxurious health and fitness facility in Southbank Place, London, where residents will be able to enjoy a luxury hotel-standard spa experience within their dynamic city-living environment.
A joint residential development venture between Canary Wharf Group & Qatari Diar, London’s South Bank has been transformed by a unique mixed-use development with the famous Shell Centre Tower at its heart. The super-sleek interior design by SBID Accredited practice, Goddard Littlefair, focuses on creating a serene city oasis where residents can escape to relax, unwind and reinvigorate.
The use of unique and innovative fittings include a light and calming palette of sensitively selected natural materials that have been paired with ambient lighting to create a cocoon-like space within the contemporary wellness facility. Martin Goddard, Co-Founder of Goddard Littlefair said:
“When we started looking at the concept for this amenity we realised that there were very few spa and fitness spaces that addressed a luxury residential development. This gave us many questions that had to be answered. Through extensive research, we recognised that facilities of top luxury hotels had the closest synergy with what we felt residents would want to have access to.”
The 2,000 sqm spa is set across various zones with the guest journey being a key focus of the design layout. To facilitate the needs of users who will want to be energised with a hard-hitting workout, in addition to others who want to relax, the two elements can be accessed separately to heighten the experience.
The spacious reception area acts as a social hub for residents to meet one another, therapists or trainers. One fully equipped gym is available along with two separate studios which can be heated for a hot yoga workout or cooled for a dynamic spin class. The alternative wet and relax route takes residents through plush changing rooms, the gentlemen having a dedicated sauna area while ladies can enjoy their own vitality pool, sauna and steam room.
On the pool deck there is a stunning 25m heated swimming pool, accompanied by a further vitality pool, sauna and steam room, along with social relaxation spaces for residents to enjoy. In addition, calm yet luxurious treatment rooms are available, where selected therapies including beauty treatments can be enjoyed.
A key challenge of the design was the basement location. The design creates an immersive feeling of light and space through carefully concealed architectural lighting that casts warm glows across rich surfaces while decorative lighting provides beautiful accents through the space. The glowing feature lighting in the pool area was crafted by London-based Nulty Bespoke with each glass drop specifically crafted to allude to the flow of water.
Sustainability was a key factor in the design and delivery of the space, with greener fabrics and finishes installed throughout. One such example is that the pool hall area is maintained at a temperature 1C above the pool temperature, which in turn minimises heat and water loss from the considerably large lap pool, while a high-performance water treatment system keeps the water in the pools to an exceptional quality - keeping water and chemical use to a minimum.
The bespoke, exclusive nature of the details of the spa design is evident in many areas. Despite the challenges and rigours of working in a hot and humid environment, tactile luxury has not been ignored. Panels of marine-grade faux leather have been embroidered and stitched by artisans such as Mollie Regan Textiles, with Portview ensuring the detailing of the high-specification design and custom joinery throughout the entire area was converted to reality. Paul Scullion, Contracts Director of Portview, said:
“This project was very demanding in terms of setting out the wall panelling, door frames, stone floors, ceilings and bulkheads to zero tolerance. However, our talented team of in-house architects and designers delivered just that by chasing the millimetres around every corner to ensure we achieved the absolute perfect fit - on time and in budget - It’s hugely rewarding to see it all come together and go together right.”
Providing users with a sense of privacy and exclusivity through cleverly zoning spaces was also key to integrate into the design. One example of this is the use of beautiful custom-made burnished rock crystal screens in the reception area.
Overarchingly timeless and refreshing in its aesthetic appeal, this best-in-class wellness amenity unites form and function to deliver an exceptional spa for this new neighbourhood on London’s Southbank.
About
Portview is a leading fit-out specialist that has been transforming ambitious design concepts into reality since 1975. From humble beginnings as a local contractor helping to restore the Belfast community throughout the Troubles, Portview has evolved into a world leading fit-out specialist, renowned for delivering exquisite interiors for the world's top brands in the business, retail, stadia and hospitality sectors.
If you'd like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more.
Over the past year, our homes have become a sanctuary, playground, and office all at once. Nights out have become nights in. More than ever before, we have been confronted by the notion of “how does our home make us feel?”. That visceral feeling is at the heart of Timothy Oulton’s captivating furniture designs.
Organised into a spectrum of different energies, the 2021 Collection is designed to imbue a space with a distinctive mood and feeling, from the deep chill of quiet moments alone, to a relaxed hub of family life, to more energising spaces that spark ideas and augment the unbridled joy of life’s celebrations. The Timothy Oulton Collection enriches these experiences through the use of beautiful materials, finishes, forms and craftsmanship techniques which connect deeply through the senses and through stories of meaning.
At the most laidback end of the energy spectrum are those special moments of reconnection, of letting the mind unwind and chilling out with those close to us. These moments nourish us and enrich us. With this in mind, Timothy Oulton’s Noble Souls range helps create a realm of reconnection in any home. New this year, the Sanctuary sofa hugs the body in the softest goose down and natural vegetable-dyed linens, while the epic Icebeam coffee table anchors a room with its mighty reclaimed timber beams topped with ice-like planks of glass.
Enriching the comfortable and relaxed energy of everyday living, the new Whitecliff sofa embodies a casual sophistication in soft Pennines linen, while the Bay Swivel chair is perfect for modern work from home settings, gliding back at the touch of a button for the ultimate comfort while you work.
The Tactile dining table juxtaposes cool, crisp marble with richly textured timber, while the Fibi dining chair takes it cue from modern Japanese design, imbued with a universal elegance that complements any style of dining table. For a more invigorating energy with which to engage the world, the new Iceberg Glow coffee table pairs sleek black steel with glass, casting a mellow yet captivating glow. Transporting the senses to somewhere otherworldly, the Kyron coffee and side table collection is crafted from softly illuminated moonstone, inspired by the famous Chiron comet.
Finally, for sheer unbridled celebration and joy, setting the scene for parties or other occasions, Timothy Oulton unveils exciting new additions to its iconic Art-Deco inspired Rex collection. The new rectangular Rex dining table, handcrafted from over 550 precision-cut glass prisms, together with the Rex coffee table and Rex sideboard, transform any space with a perpetual dance of shimmer and sparkle.
New leather innovations include the Vintage Jet Black, a true black leather distressed by hand to achieve a vintage look and opulent hand feel. Vintage Jet Black is showcased on the super-soft Squidgy sofa, a contemporary, buttoned-up style with bold proportions.
On the inspiration behind the new collection, founder and creative director Tim Oulton says, “This past year, we have all experienced our homes in a completely different way. From home-working and homeschooling to swapping nights out for nights in, ‘home’ became the epicentre of daily life. So the question of how your home makes you feel has become more meaningful than ever. Our ethos has always been rooted in the realisation that we only have one life, so we should elevate every moment to the utmost. Everything we create is about enabling and enriching these moments.”
With over 40 galleries worldwide including a flagship at Bluebird in Chelsea, Timothy Oulton continues to expand its global portfolio. Recently opened stores include Glasgow, Hamburg, L.A., San Francisco, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Barbados. Further openings are planned this year.
The story of Timothy Oulton started back in 1976 with a small antiques shop, owned by Tim’s dad. Profoundly influenced by his love of antiques, his father’s military background, and an inherent affection for British heritage, Tim created an authentic, visionary brand with the deepest integrity and a passion to deliver extraordinary experiences. Handcrafted with only the best traditional techniques and fabrications, each Timothy Oulton piece in the furniture collection is inspired by the past, but reconceived from a modern perspective, producing uniquely authentic collections, which push the boundaries of furniture design.
If you'd like to become an SBID Accredited member, click here to find out more.
Senanu Arkutu is the director of pan-African interiors company Daar Living. Here she shares the best ways to incorporate African elements into existing décor and tells us about the burgeoning interiors scene in her home city of Accra, Ghana.
Hi Senanu, tell us a bit about your interiors business…
Daar Living is a specialist interior design online store and styling service located in Osu, Accra. Our style is vibrant and fun, and also really Pan African because things come to us from all over the continent. I love our colonial furniture, which I refinish, and it sells in the online shop. Due to rising demand – including international enquiries – we recently pivoted from a physical shop to e-commerce.
What are the hallmarks of African interior design?
Because African interior design is yet to be defined by African designers themselves, I believe there is a lot of flexibility. Generally speaking, there is a bared back aesthetic. I like to think of African interior design as product or element-based so that I can essentially create any already known style I want – for example, Afro-minimalist or Afro-eclectic.
What are some simple ways to add African style to your home?
It’s easy to add African elements to any interior space. I believe you could put an African piece into anything, whether you’re incorporating it into modern styling or a more traditional look. The best place to start is accessories. For me, what really injects African character into the room would be textiles and basketry.
In West Africa, we all have a woven fabric, such as Kente and Baoulé, and these can be used for making cushions and throws, or in the upholstery of stools, chairs and sofas.
African interior design also leans heavily on natural elements and textures including raffia, straw and wood. Certain types of wooden elements are easily recognised such as our handwoven baskets and bowls, and these are a nice easy first step if you’re looking to inject African style into an existing space.
What are the trends you expect to see in 2021?
To some extent, we follow US trends, and given the pandemic era we are in, I sense that clean and minimalist style is becoming even more popular. It’s interesting that the colour Brave Ground was chosen as Colour of the Year by Dulux in the UK, and they’ve brought this out along with an earthy palette of shades. People in Ghana have been using the equivalent of Brave Ground for years, so trends-wise we are already there!
If people are following this colour trend in the UK or US they will find it easy to achieve an African aesthetic, especially through adding fabrics and textures. The traditional African colour palette is neutral/ natural and earthy, so the colour palette fits right in with our traditional and original interiors and most of our handmade handcrafted pieces that can be used for decor fit in beautifully.
What process do you follow when you work with clients?
Residential interior design is still relatively new here in Ghana. Unless it’s for a hotel or an office, or for a film or television set, the architect has typically handled the interior design. Hiring your own interior designer is just starting to become more common.
When I work with a new client, I begin by booking a one-hour consultation. What’s most important is that I discover how the clients want to feel when they are in that space. How do they want their visitors to feel in that space? We dig deeper and deeper, then I’ll propose a mood board, and I also give a list of stores to shop in Accra, as we work with people having wide-ranging budgets.
How important is natural and artificial light to your design concepts?
When it comes to lighting, there’s obviously a lot of natural light pouring into the room all day. We need to take full advantage of this light but balance this with the need to reduce heat indoors. Letting natural air come in to create that cross breeze is important too.
Artificial lighting is another thing that is done as part of the build, and homeowners might find that it’s too late to make significant changes to the lighting scheme once the build is complete. Sometimes the designer is called in far too late into the project, so for me, it’s a question of building awareness of how a designer can contribute to the look and feel of the home, and when to bring them into the project.
In my own home, and when I complete interiors projects for clients, I like to create a soft, warm, intimate feel. I always encourage my clients to use the city’s artisans, who refurbish old items into lampshades.
What I help them to create, through thoughtful design and one-off pieces from my shop and from local artisans, is something truly unique that delivers that visually interesting yet homely environment – a style that will make them feel really good about the space they’re living in.
We hope you enjoyed this interview with Senanu! If you'd like to check out the previous article, featuring a design-led hotel specification project, click here.
Custom carpet and rug manufacturers TSAR Carpets worked in collaboration with Melbourne-based design firm GOLDEN on a residential luxury penthouse. This project consisted of installing approximately 30m2 of TSAR's award-winning Saltwater carpet in the living room of the Lake View Penthouse, a luxurious and sprawling lakeside penthouse built for a modern family.
With Lake View Penthouse, GOLDEN sought out to merge and reconfigure three existing apartments overlooking Melbourne’s Albert Park Lake into a modern and spacious penthouse befit for a young family. Located on the 17th floor of a high-rise building on St. Kilda Road, the penthouse is functional, spacious and features a selection of high-end art and furniture.
For the living room, GOLDEN’s aim was to incorporate warm and natural elements to provide its clients with a sensorial experience — and TSAR’s design-forward Saltwater carpet proved to be the perfect fit.
Featuring a playful and layered scene of sand, sky and deep-sea creatures and corals, TSAR’s Saltwater carpet is meticulously hand-tufted using different pile heights, beveling, carving and various material methods. The curious mindset of TSAR’s in-house senior designer, Teresa Cerebek, allowed the brand to explore a variety of construction techniques, producing amusing details.
GOLDEN’s designers first discovered Saltwater during TSAR’s Melbourne Design Week X-MATERIALITY installation and instantly fell in love with the carpet’s high concept design and unique textural variation.
Based upon GOLDEN’s brief, TSAR’s goal was to supply the client with a custom-dyed Saltwater carpet in a mustard-and-blue tone. The integration of this distinctive carpet in Lakeview Penthouse provides a soft and tactile feeling underfoot, while the custom colourway proves complementary to the project’s polished fixture and finishes.
“Lake View Penthouse was designed to reflect the client’s urban lifestyle by bringing in rich tones, texture and personality,” says Alicia McKimm, GOLDEN Director. “In collaboration with TSAR, we designed a rug for the large living room that tactfully exemplifies the essence of the home. TSAR was able to work with GOLDEN to ensure every last yarn could be customised to tie all aspects of its surroundings together.”
By balancing aesthetics, budget and performance, all TSAR designs can be adapted for large hospitality, commercial and small residential projects. TSAR maintains total control over every step of manufacturing within its own production campus—including the dyeing of yarns from 100% New Zealand wool — thus ensuring complete consistency throughout the entire production cycle.
“We are so pleased that both GOLDEN and their clients are extremely satisfied with the Saltwater carpet installation as a standout design factor in the Lakeview Penthouse,” says David Sharpely, TSAR Carpets CEO. “The lively beauty and playful motifs found within Saltwater — combined with the carpet’s material strength and durability — make it the ideal choice for a residence of this calibre.”
About Tsar Carpets
TSAR Carpets is a design-led business with the confidence to take a unique point of view and the technical expertise to deliver.
The creative department has become the premier source for tailoring the products and designs to meet the individual needs of clients, by balancing aesthetics, budget and performance in every project. TSAR is a proudly Australian owned company with a global outlook. TSAR’s flagship showroom can be found in Melbourne with design studios and offices in Sydney, New York and London.
Now in its fifth year, SBID's international franchise in Ukraine recently announced the winners of its latest student design competition for young designers. The Get Me 2 the Top 2020/21 award ceremony took place in the capital city, Kyiv. The main goals of SBID's annual youth competitions are to provide talented interior design students with opportunities to showcase themselves and gain valuable tools to help them kickstart their careers in the design industry.
The event was opened by Peter Wickenden, the First Secretary, Energy Policy & Acting Country Director, Department of International Trade (DIT), British Embassy in Ukraine and Julia Danilova-Meretska, Regional Director of SBID Ukraine, who made the welcome speeches and congratulated the winners.
Julia Danilova-Meretska, Regional Director of SBID Ukraine said: “The competition is an opportunity for a young specialist to meet the industry in practice, to get a valuable piece of advice from the best professionals in the industry. We are proud that for the fifth year in a row we are making our contribution in identifying the talents, as well as providing young generation with an opportunity to make their dreams come true."
Among the guests of the Award Ceremony were the contest partners and jury members; Ruslana Bessarab, founder of St Sophia Homes; Helen Khilkova, CEO of DonStream Education Group and official representative of the University of The Arts London in Ukraine; Serhiy Makhno, architect, designer, ceramist and founder of the Sergey Makhno Architects studio; representatives of the Delavega furniture factory and D8 engineering, as well as architects and interior designers authorised by SBID.
From the shortlisted students, the international jury selected winners in the following categories:
Private Space: Yulia Brazhnikova, Kyiv National University of Technology and Design
Public Space: Oleksandr Rekhlytsky, Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture
Product Design: Oleksandra Morgun, Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts
Retail Design: Demidenko Anastasia, Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts and Design
The overall winner this year became Daria Utkina, a graduate of the Salvador Dali Academy of Contemporary Art who will receive a six-month paid internship at the British architectural firm Jestico + Whiles, including costs of flights and accommodation in London, and Visa support.
Other prizes for the winners feature a trip to the Poliform LAB in Italy; gifts from Delavega furniture factory, D8 Engineering and Silpo supermarket chain; the Serif TV from Samsung Electronics TV; internship at St.Sophia Homes development holding; an annual subscription to ELLE Decoration Ukraine magazine; reproductions of works by famous contemporary Ukrainian artist Roman Minin from Abramovych.art; the training course "Marketing in Construction and Architecture" from the School of Construction Project Management PRO PM Construction, as well as a course from the University of the Arts in London (UAL) and DonStream education group.
In addition, two competition finalists - Alina Chen, KhDADM, and Olena Grechko, Lviv Polytechnic National University - were also invited for an internship at the Sergey Makhno Architects studio.
More detailed information about the competition, the international jury members and the works of this year's winners can be found on the SBID Ukraine website: www.sbid.org.ua/getme2thetop
The green oak building tradition of the Hogg family forms the inspiration behind Rachel McLane's crafted designs in the new 40-bedroom Sandburn Hall Hotel in the Yorkshire countryside.
Design-led and built to a country-style specification, the 1,000-acre Sandburn Hall estate was developed by the late Mike Hogg seven miles from York. The new adjoining hotel complements what is already one of North Yorkshire’s leading golf, wedding, events and business venues.
When Pickering-based Rachel McLane was contracted in 2018 to provide her innovative, specialist interior design work for the ambitious new build it was immediately clear that the Hogg family wanted to build on Mike Hogg's legacy.
"From day one we worked very closely with the client to incorporate the Hogg family firm's wonderful custom building heritage into the design, bringing that history, the shape, feel and emotion of that green oak frame building structure to the fore," said Rachel.
"Given the freedom to interpret their brief we have created a design that not only makes the most of the space and enhances the building, but understands and incorporates the Hogg family heritage, interests, and craftsmanship into the final design."
The new hotel's centrepiece uses natural green oak beams to frame a triple-height lobby as part of Sandburn Hall Golf Club, Grand Function Room and Tykes restaurant. Hand picked artwork is established on the walls, including photos of green oak frames and black and white prints going around the corridors and rooms. The designs also take some of their inspiration from the local area where York and the East Coast are evident in the natural colours, earthy tones, and real materials including vintage maps depicting the Sandburn Estate.
"In doing so, we were able to fulfil an important part of the brief that the rooms and spaces had to feel individual and not corporate," added Rachel.
Rachel's design vision created a unique cohesive feel across all rooms and into the common areas ensuring that the Hogg family connections to nature and craftsman trades were reflected in the room décor. Rachel commented: "The designs merge the traditional and the contemporary and aim to achieve a balance that bridges the core golf, wedding and business customer base."
The Rachel McLane team's design expertise is evident throughout the new hotel's range of 40 double and twin rooms all with dressing areas, including larger family, luxury and accessible rooms, and two luxury suites. They also all come with handcrafted built-in case goods. "We wanted the signature and family rooms to be fun, a bit urban and industrial where the raw richness of exposed brickwork and soft leather combine with cool-toned sawn grey oak flooring and built-in bespoke joinery."
Well lit, spacious and airy with eclectic pieces of furniture that differentiate between room types, the large windows of these signature and family rooms are of a natural oatmeal palette, soft grey and brick in a modern, fresh design that naturally marry the hand-crafted structure of the building.
Super-king beds and luxury, made in Yorkshire Harrison Spinks mattresses are a feature, and bathrooms are a mix of contemporary and traditional with the emphasis being on quality and timeless design. The hotel's premier rooms, including the courtyard premier, have been designed with a feel that is classic and calm with raw, untreated materials to give a fresh, bright, light and airy atmosphere. Reclaimed bricks are softened by natural cream and teal curtain fabrics with artisan hand-blocked characteristics. Elements of teal and natural weave have been picked up in soft woven tweeds and the carpet's muted tones, and the furniture has a comfortable country feel in a calm palette.
"The biggest challenge was the length of time it took from creating the fixtures and fittings specification to fulfiling the initial design with Covid-19 a constant hindrance. We found that not only were some products unavailable, but more than one company had ceased trading."
Despite the challenges of a long project Rachel says that the team has loved working on Sandburn Hall Hotel: "The client is a pleasure to work for, they appreciate high-quality workmanship, attention to detail, and above all understand the value of design and the difference having a designer on board makes to a project.
"It's also lovely being local to a project as you feel like you are contributing towards the good of the local area."
About the Author
Rachel McLane developed a wealth of experience designing for the retail sector for eight years in London and York before setting up her practice, Rachel McLane Ltd specialising in the design of interiors for professional clients with commercial interests.
With growing demand for zero contact bathroom solutions, manufacturers are increasingly introducing new developments for innovative touchless products to deliver the ultimate in hygiene. From basin mixers that activate automatically when they detect a user, to electronic flush plates with movement sensors, and mirrors with lights that are switched on with a simple gesture – Roca offers a range of touchless solutions which provide an extra layer of hygiene and safety within the bathroom. Infrared sensors allow users to activate water flow in taps, flush the WC or control mirror lights without the need for contact, avoiding the spread of viruses and growth of bacteria.
Roca’s range of electronic basin mixers, including the Loft-E range, feature an infrared sensor which activates the water flow when presence is detected and shuts off automatically when presence is no longer detected, avoiding direct hand contact. The lack of contact with the tap improves hygiene and prevents the build-up of droplets and fingerprints on its surface, resulting in a cleaner product for longer. Roca’s electronic basin mixers offer a highly hygienic and effective solution to fight the spread of viruses and bacteria and to reduce the use of water in the home.
Easy installation is guaranteed. The electronic mixers are available in a battery or mains operated system which means they can be installed in any bathroom, regardless of the availability of a power outlet in the area of usage. The battery operated versions are exceptionally durable with alkaline batteries which guarantee over 250,000 uses. A further innovation means both greater safety and more savings - the electronic device stops the water flow after a preset usage time to promote moderate use and prevent unnecessary waste of water.
Mirrors with integrated touchless technology, such as the Prisma Comfort model, allow users to activate functions such as the ambient light or the demister device through movement, which means less direct contact from hands, allowing the glass to remain clean and clear.
The EP-1 and EP-2 electronic operating plates make it possible to activate the toilet flush without touching it. With a stylish, contemporary design and very easy installation, they are automatically activated when moving a hand in front of them, ensuring maximum hygiene and avoiding any contact.
With a backlit surface divided into two stripes which are alternatively activated depending on the type of flush (partial or full), they can be set off by simply bringing the hand closer or by choosing the automatic option in which the toilet is instantly cleaned when the user approaches or when a specific time has passed after its use.
Roca’s Touchless solutions are suitable for both domestic and commercial use, providing an extra layer of safety within every type of bathroom.
About Roca
Roca began in 1917 as a manufacturer of cast iron radiators at its factory in Gavà, near Barcelona. From humble origins, the company has grown into a global business driven by a firm focus on improving the quality of life for its customers. Roca began producing innovate new designs, products and materials to provide the complete bathroom solutio. Today, Roca manufactures at 78 facilities around the world and is active in over 170 markets.
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