This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a stunningly stylish kitchen design in Alderley Edge, Cheshire curated by ArtHouse Creative Interiors. With an exciting full house renovation taking place, their client wanted an elegant SieMatic kitchen that would harmonise with the new open plan living space. Not your typical kitchen designers, ArtHouse are an interior design company who specialise in luxury kitchens. As an exclusive SieMatic dealership the focus is on kitchen design which not only provides a solution to your needs from a performance point of view, but is an investment for your home and looks fabulous too. The client lived locally to the SieMatic showroom in the affluent Cheshire village of Alderley Edge and worked closely with the designers at ArtHouse for the kitchen design, from the client’s first consultation, through the whole design process, to the installation and aftercare of the SieMatic kitchen.
Company: ArtHouse Creative Interiors
Project: Alderley Edge
Project Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
When we work with residential clients, we need to take into account their individual needs, style and the architecture of their home. The brief from this particular client needed to ensure that the kitchen design synchronised well with the modern architecture of their newly refurbished home. Large, double height windows at the front of the house welcome you in to the open plan living space of the kitchen, dining and lounge areas. The kitchen area needed to be family friendly and we had a deadline to keep to as the client was due to have a baby, therefore the project needed to be finished before the arrival of their little girl.
What inspired the design of the Project?
As a starting point, we needed to be mindful of the architecture of the property. The external glazing which ran all the way up the property created a dramatic design which also complemented the farmhouse style building. The proposed interior design of the ground floor also influenced the key features of the kitchen design, with the dark wooden floor that was going to be installed throughout the kitchen space was a clear break point from the rest of the open space. The full height ceiling in the dining area allowed for dramatic lighting and a feature wall detail which is a contrast to the rest of the cosy lounge area.
Balancing SieMatic’s handle-less style in the Lotus White Lacquer finish with subtle elements of smoked oak in the open shelving units and the interiors of the tall nickel gloss cabinets create style elements of symmetry and asymmetry which harmonise together with seemingly opposing styles. During the design process we were concerned that the main back wall may look too heavy and over power the room. So we came up with a design where we incorporated two long slim windows either side of the sink run. This was greatly received by the client as it broke up the expanse of the wall and created specific zones for: refrigeration, sink/ dishwashers, larders and cooking area. The introduction of the grey mirrored glass to the back wall of the sink run was another specific design feature that concealed away the TV behind and the grey mirror to the left hand side of the sink.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
During the installation of the kitchen, we came across a few obstacles along the way with the Neolith Estatuario worktops, which brings a stylistic connection between past, present and future that combines the classic and the elegance of marble with the revolutionary Neolith technology. Due to the size of the island we needed this to book match the main worktop, vein match the side panels and table top and the 50mm downturns to all areas, this was a difficult detail for our fabricators but these fine details really add an element of luxury and symmetry.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Now that the project has come to an end, ArtHouse Creative Interiors are proud to see the finished kitchen design in its element, taking centre stage to the open plan living of the family home. We are immensely proud of the work that we have created and we pride ourselves on customer service and building excellent reputations and relationships both in the industry and with individual clients.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
We believe that the SBID awards are one of the most influential Awards as they have high expectations and a wealth of industry experience in all areas of design. We entered this project into the KBB- SBID Design Awards because we knew that it was something special, not only to the client but to us as interior designers as well.
Questions answered by Julie Otulakowski, Managing Director and Emma Furber, Designer at ArtHouse Creative Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the refined and sustainable hotel experience with QO Amsterdam, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
ArtHouse Creative Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
1st - 30th June
The world’s largest annual architecture festival. Occupying the month of June, the London Festival of Architecture has been hosting over 500 events across the city. Exhibitions, family events, walking tours, debates and stunning architectural installations were designed to explore the theme of ‘identity’. Nadia Broccardo, Team London Bridge Chief Executive, commented on this year's thought-provoking theme.
"Becoming a hub for the London Festival of Architecture 2018 provides the perfect opportunity for the city to reflect on the identity of this important, historic area and celebrate the capital’s ability to interpret local character and contexts..”
APE Architecture and Design hosted a tour for 'A Case of Mistaken Identity' as they explore iconic London buildings that have appeared in film as buildings in other cities including Moscow, New York, Milan, Gotham City, and Hong Kong. Through a series of conversations, debates and workshops, 'Decolonizing Architecture' by The 204 Design Collective confronted societal conflicts of identity. Exploring new and alternate forms of urbanisms that challenge the direct and indirect effects of colonialism to help to "reconstruct/restructure conventional approaches to urbanisation, in an effort to dismantle inequality in our cities, and promote cultural integration and social cohesion."
11th - 13th June
The world’s largest and most important event for the commercial interiors industry was brimming with captivating events, activations, and cutting-edge displays to mark the milestone 50th edition. NeoCon 50 was a particularly vibrant, featuring a week of dynamic experiences and festivities, dozens of engaging installations, and stunning lounges in celebration of presenting half a century of commercial design. The annual event, held at The Mart in Chicago, has served as a launchpad for innovations that have influenced how we live and work. When NeoCon started back in 1969, the U.S. office furniture industry was roughly $830 million. In 2017, it was estimated at $13.4 billion. (U.S. Dept of Commerce, Bureau of the Census and BIFMA).
This year saw a host of textile and workplace design offerings which indicated essential new directions in commercial designs from noise reduction and privacy, to comfort and aesthetics, with an emphasis on ergonomics to encourage wellbeing and efficiency in workplace environments. For example, furniture specifically designed to anticipate and accommodate users needs - acknowledging the coexistence comfort, relaxation and productivity.
To find out more about next year's 51st edition on 10th - 12th June 2019, click here.
21st - 23rd June
With the theme of 'Blueprint for Better Cities', the AIA Conference 2018 attracted 23,000+ attendees and harnessed some of the most creative architects, designers, and firms, all sharing how they’re creating their own blueprint and making a difference in cities all over the world. With the discourse leading to more critical thought regarding health and resilience, and about taking care of each other and the environment, the event was designed to deliver actionable insights designers can use on their next project or to make a difference in to communities, by covering core contemporary topics:
Diversity, equity, & inclusion; everything designers create should be for everyone. Affordable housing, green spaces, healthy places, and safe neighbourhoods can all contribute to the creation of access and opportunities.
Materials; every material has an impact. Knowing where materials come from, what’s in them, and their life expectancy gives us greater control over projects and product decisions.
Energy & carbon; buildings are the biggest carbon polluters, but what if they weren’t? If designers can work together, new buildings, developments, and major renovations can become carbon neutral.
Resilience; rapid population growth, climate change, intentional attacks, and natural and manmade disasters require new design approaches.
Design & health; forward-looking design can profoundly impact the health of people and communities. It’s time to move past the “do no harm” design ethos to focus on holistic health, by design.
26th June
In an event supported by Interface and Orangebox, the SBID Education Council hosts a discussion about how improving wellness in learning environments can improve attainment. The Head of Design and Wellbeing at Orangebox, Jim Taylour, talked about the findings from his recent publication, ‘Mobile Generations’, exploring Agile Smartworking and the emerging health and productivity challenges affecting the workplace. Discussing the 'wireless well working' initiative, a workplace strategic design tool to help organisations shape their environments to support their own wellbeing and collaborative initiatives, Jim shared his recommendations and basic rules for selecting furniture for classroom environments to improve the quality of interior design in education.
Interface Partner and Biophilic Design expert, Oliver Heath, focused on the human’s innate attraction to nature and natural processes. Biophilic Design uses these ideas as principles to create a human centred approach that when applied improves many of the spaces that we live and work in today, with numerous benefits to our health and well-being. Oliver spoke about studies which demonstrate the benefits of Biophilic designs and how Biophilic educational spaces have the ability to improve performance and the wellbeing of both staff members and students.
The product picks for June 2018 showcases some of the newest launches to market from distinctive faux leather-lined bath tubs to add an exotic edge to your bathroom design and new versatile seating concepts which can be tailored to any space, to innovative breakthroughs in surface design using new technology with premium quality quartz and a kitchen sink range which caters to all of your kitchen needs!
Bring the exotic into your bathroom with a fabulous new leather effect freestanding bath available now from Heritage Bathrooms. Combining a rich deep brown hue and sumptuous crocodile skin texture on the outside, with a smooth white interior, this beautiful acrylic freestanding bath offers something truly unique. You can sink into luxury with this ideal statement piece for a bedroom or set your bathroom suite apart to create an interior design scheme which is truly distinctive.
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Caesarstone leads the industrial trend with its new Metropolitan Collection. Rough and unpolished, this bold look forms part of the revival of modernism, a rethinking of brutalism and the rekindling of industrial architecture. Robust industrial, construction finishes have become a popular choice amongst consumers, inspired by factories and lofts and translated for residential or commercial interior design. Via innovative cutting-edge technology exclusive to Caesarstone, weathered patinas have been achieved in quartz for the very first time – a breakthrough that can be felt as well as seen. Five new products within the newly launched collection include; 4046 Excava; 4011 Cloudburst Concrete; 4024 Airy Concrete; 4023 Topus Concrete (pictured) and 4601 Frozen Tera.
"The Metropolitan Collection, as well as comprising perhaps the most visually arresting surface designs available on the market today, is highly commercial and keenly priced. Many of our leading partners that already have display materials in their showrooms are seeing significant interest.” - Jon Stanley, Caesarstone UK VP Marketing
danfloor UK Ltd are leading manufacturers and suppliers of commercial carpets. Designed for the demands of all commercial installations, danfloor’s impervious carpet collections are soil and stain resistant, hard wearing and come with a number of comprehensive wear warranties. Recently launched is the stunning new Evolution Collection; danfloor’s first collection of patterned carpets, consisting of 6 new designs aptly entitled Origin, Glaze, Manhattan, Forest (pictured), Geo Form and Scape.
Manufactured using innovative tufting technology and incorporating Aquafil’s Econyl 100% regenerated nylon yarn, The Evolution Collection not only has outstanding performance features but also has a strong environmental focus. The Evolution Collection offers a range of designs; from subtle to bold statement pieces in a selection of on trend colours, providing the ideal foundation to create a stunning interior design scheme within any commercial installation.
THG Paris represents resolutely timeless luxury and the art of living with their range of high end bathroom fittings and accessories. To create this new collection, the designers Patrick Gilles & Dorothée Boissier found their inspiration in the Aurore lamp revisited for the Baccarat crystal manufacture. Its faceted crystal sides recall the perfect transparency of water. The brassware 'Les Ondes' originates from this very creative process. It is made of a 10-faceted base on top of which sits a trident-shaped brace reminiscent of the attribute of Neptune, god of seas and oceans. This collection, both classical and modern, is a perfect fit for a timeless decoration suffused with French elegance. Watch the video to see more.
At Clerkenwell Design Week, Arper presented to the UK market its' new Kiik modular system by Iwasaki Design Studio. Designed to meet the needs of modern life; for the spaces between entry and departure; between waiting and doing, Kiik addresses the needs of waiting rooms, university lounges, workspaces, meeting areas, and mixed-use spaces. This modular collection of seating, tables, ottomans and consoles creates moments for working, gathering, or relaxation in graphic forms with a myriad of configurations. Find out what inspired the collection, here.
The modular nature and material finish specification options make it a complementary addition to any context. Kiik’s fundamental structures can be created using seats with and without backrests, having tables in triangular, circular, square or rectangular shapes, and be completed with low or raised ottomans and consoles. Offering upholstery options in a variety of textures and colours help to create a unique expression appropriate to any space. The versatility of this new furniture design releases the sofa from old-fashioned definitions and contexts, offering a modularity designed to react to contemporary lifestyles.
Visit the Arper showroom:
11 Clerkenwell Rd EC1M 5PA
+44 (0)20 72530009
Introducing its unique and high-quality kitchen sinks range, GROHE, a leading provider of sanitary fittings, now sets new standards, making every use of the sink less of a chore – the ideal interplay of form and functionality in modern kitchens. GROHE sinks are designed to be a PerfectMatch; not only do they fit every type of kitchen scheme but they can also be paired effortlessly with GROHE’s kitchen taps and water systems, both in terms of design and practicality.
Well thought-out solutions make many tasks in the kitchen easier. Whether one needs various sink sizes from compact to extra-large or integrated sink strainers, GROHE kitchen sinks provide many innovative details. Patented surface technology enables easy cleaning and is extremely resistant stainless steel; Water drainage functions allow the sink to quickly empty without needing to reach into the dirty water; Whisper insulation minimises noise caused by run-off water or handling of pots and pans; the overflow avoids any spillage of water in case the mixers are inadvertently left on, plus ample drainage is ensured by the elegant diamond-shaped creases that make the water flow away more easily.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the refined and sustainable hotel experience with QO Amsterdam. The QO represents a departure from most hotels, at its heart is an ethos focused almost entirely on curating and working with the natural environment. Aiming to be one of the most sustainable hotels on the planet; at every stage of design, the environmental impact was considered the forefront of the decision making process. The building itself actually breathes, with exterior panels that automatically open and close to keep heat in and out to ensure as little power is required to heat the building! Conran&Partners were responsible for designing the QO's Guest Rooms, curated by the IHG Interior Design Department, to create a space that felt pure, clean, minimal yet timeless, luxurious and hugely appealing.
Company: Conran&Partners
Project: QO Amsterdam
Project Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
To create a hotel with a difference that provides contemporary luxury with a social and environmental conscience. The hotel is a ‘circular’ design that produces its own energy, grows its own plants and cares about its community. Our concept was to combine materials that bring a feeling of luxury with others that reflect the industrial spirit of the area, the building itself and the philosophy of the QO.
We looked at what luxury means today to develop what the guest would enjoy spatially – taking into account the amazing views through the full height windows and the size of the rooms available to us.
We overlaid this with research on natural, sustainable and local materials to bring in the context and make very conscious decisions about the materials we were using, for example using engineered brick for the bathroom enclosures, exposed concrete ceiling, and a local limestone for the vanity. Keeping the palate paired-back and natural helped to reflect the story. We wanted to be true to how the building is actually built. So we enhanced and celebrated what it’s made from. Then we brought them together within a space which we deliberately designed open-plan so you immediately experience the light and incredible views as you enter.
Tight timelines and restrictions in the layout and services – but challenges are opportunities in our view!
Working with a team passionate about the end result and having the opportunity to create a very modern version of luxury. For example, the rooms as a whole are all controlled by an innovative iPad control systems, and ingenious touches of hidden technology that make a stay surprising and effortless. By simply putting your foot out of bed, a gentle nightlight detects this movement and glows outside the bathroom to calmly direct you without the need for switches or buttons, or the risk of accidentally switching on the master switch in the middle of the night!
This project is very special with numerous passionate different parties involved working together to create a hotel that shows the industry that hospitality can be sustainable.
Questions answered by Tina Norden, Director at Conran&Partners
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the tranquil tearoom nestled amidst a verdant bamboo grove in Shenzhen, click here to see more.
The 2018 edition of the SBID International Design Awards is now officially open for entries! Click here to register or enter your project!
Conran&Partners | SBID International Design Awards 2018
With June being Employee Wellbeing Month, our focus turns to interior wellness and how interior design can aid in mental and physical wellbeing. We’ve brought together views and opinions from across interior design to discuss the thought process, its importance at the early stage of planning and how these processes create positive environments for employees and in-turn generating better business.
Design factors such as colour, lighting, acoustics, air quality, furnishings and architectural design can have an impact on the health, performance and engagement to those occupying the space. “Designers are masters of subliminal communication” says Michaela Jones, Director of Chroma Flooring . . . .
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Every once in a while, an old problem, a new technology, and a big idea turns into an innovation!
Technology has been imperative in the relentless drive to increase efficiency whilst saving time and money. It has left no industry untouched, and that includes interior design - albeit a little later to the party. Online mood board creation, virtual reality and easier access to products from around the globe has changed the landscape of the interior design industry. Of course, there was a danger that new innovations could prove to be something of a double edge sword when it came to this creative industry. A service once reserved for those of higher social standing, would now become more widely accessible with cutting edge interior services offered at low cost prices. However, it proved to be a creative curveball that industry professionals were not only ready to run with, but use to their own advantage. As a result, we at Abitant are changing the game again, with an online procurement hub, designed to streamline purchasing, payment and everything in-between.
Smarter homes need smarter interior solutions!
Design Online: The rise of online design apps and electronic pinning boards has fuelled the consumer appetite for professional interior design services. By sharing aesthetic desires over well known platforms, clients can access interior services from all over the globe and enjoy privileged prices on products passed on from the industry professionals.
VR: Virtual Reality enables consumers to see how their room will look before work even begins. VR is a tool which needs specific computer programmes with powerful capabilities. Whilst one day it will be accessible to everyone, currently it is largely reserved for those working within the interior industry in a professional capacity. A coveted service that consumers want to access.
3D Print Tecnology: Communicating design ideas and concepts to consumers has been a frequent challenge for interior designers. 3D technology solves that problem, as clients can get touchy-feely with their new interiors in miniature form.
Every successful new business solution starts with a problem. For interior designers, one of those problems is procurement. The process has been traditionally arduous and there has been a growing need for a streamlined solution which acts as a hub, allowing easy communication between manufacturers, logistic companies and payment platforms. This is where Abitant comes in. A one stop solution to the problem.
From the comfort of a shabby chic Chesterfield sofa, consumers begin their interior design process and now, so can you.
"Abitant is the procurement solution made for interior designers, by interior designers." - Abitant UK
With extensive industry knowledge, the Abitant creators understood the need to develop an efficient platform, which not only plays host to the largest online catalogue of EU manufacturers, but also facilitates price negotiations and manages payments and logistics. With over 500,000 plus products to browse through, the user can create product wish lists and easily generate product specifications for their clients. The system promotes ease of communication and allows interior designers to spend more time doing what they enjoy... designing!
For more information about Abitant.co.uk, click here.
Written by Mr Michael Danieli
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features Bamboo Pavilion, a tearoom located in Honey Lake, Shenzhen, situated in a secrete setting hidden in a verdant bamboo grove in the bustling city. Based on the concept of a poetical life which contemporary literati and scholars dream of, the Bamboo Pavilion presents a natural art form by adopting new Chinese garden techniques, to help visitors relax and put them in touch with a deeper sense of harmony and serenity with the natural world and their spiritual selves. The designer understands that in order to achieve the value of culture in life, the project should be a place to relax from body and mind with all redundancies being cast away.
Company: Tsingda Environmental Art (Shenzhen) Design Consultants Co
Project: Shenzhen Nord Club
Project Location: Shenzhen, China
Shenzhen Nord Club is a tearoom located in Honey Lake, Shenzhen, which situates in a secrete setting hidden in a quiet and verdant bamboo grove. Representing natural art and beauty, its' surroundings help to create a refreshing little sanctuary amidst the busy, bustling city. Based on the concept of a poetical life which contemporary literati and scholars dream of, the Bamboo Pavilion's brief was to present a natural art form by adopting new Chinese garden techniques, taking people back to the distant poetic realms where they can relax their bodies and souls.
The project and the project's name - Bamboo Pavilion, is inspired by the great ancient Chinese thinker Zhu Xi’s 'New Bamboo': "In front of the window, there are bamboos that I planted, while now they have sprouted. Being freed from the troubles of secularities, I just sit quietly and enjoy the secluded forest." Reading between the lines, we can find the kind of aloofness and loftiness which were typical to many ancient scholars.
Opposite to the tearoom is the restaurant which is squarely shaped in a balanced manner. The beauty and elegance of bamboos is presented in front of the dining table by way of creativity and the utilization of wood materials, exquisite details and lightweight design, which is unexpected but natural and harmonious.
The highest form of culture is art. Artists create a line, within which everything can express itself with no restraint. According to Zhong Yao, a famous calligrapher in ancient China, “beauty comes from mind”. Beauty comes from “mind” reflects the rhythms implied in the images of everything. The designer understands that in order to achieve the value of culture in life, this should be a place to relax from body and mind with all redundancies being cast away. Balancing these notions of Chinese traditional literacy, culture and art whilst maintaining the designers vision and meeting the project brief to create a space to bring these sentiments together was the biggest challenge.
The tearoom is laid out in the traditional way of enclosing. Modern-style dark-hued sofa and finely ornamented tea table render balance and comfortability in proportion and sentiment. A Chinese ink and wash painting with poetic and lively imagery introduces artistic quality into the space. Through the hollowed-out back ground wall, bamboos appear in sight, dancing in the wind airily. All of these help to present the gracefulness and aesthetic charm of new Chinese landscape styles so that both the environment and the soul achieve an inspiring and peaceful state and are fulfilled to artistic endeavor.
With borrowed view (a landscape technique usually used in traditional Chinese garden) introduced, uniquely shaped scenery is checkered with sunlight and shadow, by which the designer creates the artistic conception of “layered doors stand still in deep court, grass grows green in front of the steps”. Seeing the design vision come to fruition to embrace the poetic nature and serenity of the property's unique landscape was the most rewarding aspect of bringing this project to life.
As an impartial international interior design award, SBID has a worldwide effect on interior design industry including China. We firmly believe in SBID and the profession and hope to make our design known to more people in and outside of China.
Questions answered by Bin Long, Chief Creative Director of Tsingda Environmental Art (Shenzhen) Design Consultants Co.
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the contemporary workspace with a fun, fresh and flexible co-working concept in Paris, click here to see more.
Tsingda Environmental Art (Shenzhen) Design Consultants Co | SBID International Design Awards 2018
Today, the design industry can take a sigh of relief as the SBID Awards has just announced its' official deadline extension! Designers now have until Friday 6 July 2018 to get their projects submitted for the chance to receive international recognition of design excellence. Continuing on from last week's Category Winners Part 1 from 2017, we continue to reflect on last year's worthy winners from the more commercial aspects of the interior design industry, whether it be an ultra luxurious spa, a Michelin-starred restaurant or a high-end medical centre.
Company: Wanda Hotel Design Institute
Project Title: Wanda Reign Chengdu Hotel
The hotel is situated in the heart of Chengdu's exclusive CBD, at the affluent intersection between Renmin South Road and the Jin River. This spot was also historically a point of convergence for goods and merchants setting off on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. The hotel's sky lobby is located on the 41st floor, overlooking Chengdu's landmark Tianfu Square to the north and boasting pleasant views of the Jin River to the south. Guests are treated to a panoramic view of Chengdu's urban landscape. The hotel's interior design concentrates on giving voice to local characteristics. Another name for Chengdu is “Confederate Rose City” so, from the very beginning, the designers were intent on having the city's official flower as a theme running throughout the hotel space.
Company: LXA
Project Title: Intersect by Lexus
Conceived in Tokyo, Japan, Intersect by Lexus is a concept store located in DIFC, Dubai. The space offers a relaxing yet stimulating space for people who are seeking diverse luxury lifestyles enriched by design, art, fashion, culture, film, music and technology. Devised by renowned Japanese designers Wonderwall for Toyodo, the concept is described as ‘neither a dealership, nor a traditional retail space, INTERSECT BY LEXUS is a third space between home and work for our guests to experience the Brand without getting behind the steering wheel of one of our cars.’ LXA successfully partnered with Wonderwall Inc, and Al Futtaim Motors to deliver the second Intersect concept, in DIFC, Dubai.
Company: Bluehaus Group
Project Title: Orbi Dubai
Orbi is conceptualised to offer an amazing digital experience to its visitors and the entire space revolves around interactive technology. The space is designed for people of all generations and different walks of life to share the fascination with nature, and Orbi will astound them. Orbi Dubai fuses BBC Earth’s world-renowned Natural History content with SEGA’s innovation and plunges visitors into the heart of the natural world! From the heat of the Dubai desert, visitors can experience the chilling temperatures of Mount Kenya at -25°C. This multi-part experience takes the guest who dares, into freezing Polar environments where they experience the sensation of Antarctic cold and blizzard conditions. The space is equipped with real time thermal image of guests as they react to the freezing Polar conditions, all displayed on a monitor.
Company: Virtual Resolution
Project Title: DeVere Tortworth Court Hotel Re-Development
Tortworth Court is an elegant and sophisticated hotel surrounded by enchanting scenery just outside of Bristol dating back to the 11th Century. Over 12 months the hotel had undergone a lavish refurbishment as part of the DeVere property refurbishment programme. Virtual Resolution was working alongside DeVerve and its design/development teams to visualise the proposals for Tortworth Court, Wokefield Estate, Latimer Estate and Wotton House.
Company: Elkus Manfredi Architects
Project Title: Potamus Trading
The design of the new, 15,000-square-foot Potamus headquarters supports the firm’s intensive, collaborative culture and serves as a recruitment tool, all while embodying the mix of sophistication, energy, and spirit unique to Potamus. At reception, a life-sized fiberglass hippo – the Potamus symbol representing strategic edge – greets visitors. The hippo’s sub-Saharan habitat inspired the materials, textures, and colors, which converge with safari-style furnishings to make a relaxed but professional environment. At the heart of the office, the trading floor – lined with oversized windows offering views to Boston Harbor – provides varied seating options near trading stations, from private conference rooms and offices to comfortable living-room-like seating areas, to support different individual work styles. The sunlit residential-style kitchen is in constant use for meals, impromptu parties, and client entertaining. A wall-size video screen, reception desk that doubles as a DJ booth, and acoustically separate gaming room help employees unwind.
Company: Hirsch Bedner & Associates
Project Title: Ultima
The designer was tasked with designing a clubhouse for a leading local developer as part of a package that also included standard provisions for lift lobbies, bathroom and kitchens in the six tower complex and adjacent houses. The clubhouse, a three storey, 3,995 square metre space, is situated in the podium below the towers. The programme encompassed front of house areas including a lobby, fitness centre, spa, indoor ball court, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, library, bar, billiards room, private dining rooms and all supporting back of house areas. The clubhouse’s position on a hill in southeast Kowloon commands unobstructed views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong island beyond.
Company: External Reference
Project Title: Alkimia
The restaurant, Alkimia, is located in the city center of Barcelona, on the main floor of a modernist building (dating back to 1864) left unoccupied for 40 years. The project design has been carried out taking into consideration two elements: the pre-existing architectural context (including its old patina and typology) and the specific gastronomic offer of the Michelin-starred restaurant Alkimia (which is 80% based on fish). The design was conceived of as a continuous scenography fostering a seamless sensory experience. The different parts of this scenography feature sea life-inspired skins, art installations and custom-made furniture which establish a unique relationship with the surrounding space.
Company: Csiszer Design Studio
Project Title: Apheresis Centre
The Apheresis Centre in Székesfehérvár was designed by Csiszér Design Studio to contribute to the welfare of countless people with severe illnesses. Platelets are collected here during a special type of blood donation called apheresis. The interior design of this 800m2 health care institution focused on hygiene and attracting donors. Spotless with a friendly ambience but without the rigorous atmosphere of usual health care spaces were the demands, which were fulfilled in the choice of colours, materials and spatial qualities. Colourful seats, glossy lockers arranged in a tetris shape, and the 28 therapy chairs of vivid colours are all in the service of welcoming and making people comfortable.
If you're interested in entering a project, make sure you enter before Friday 6th July for the opportunity to showcase your projects to an international audience, and receive global recognition for interior design excellence. Register to submit an entry or view all of our award categories before it's too late!
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the first global co-working concept for new office brand, Deskopolitan, which has launched at 48 rue Chateau d’Eau, Paris. The space offers a diverse and progressive work environment to appeal to start-ups and small businesses – a revolutionary concept for the French market. MoreySmith were entrusted to establish the global design strategy for Deskopolitan’s new brand concept. The strategy enables the brand to evolve in different locations throughout Europe, and offers a range of workspaces to cater for its members. These include a range of assigned workspaces and flexible work settings to support drop in sessions, as well as artist studios, health & beauty suites, and spaces for open group collaboration and networking events. This contemporary approach to workspace design brings a fresh new look to the European market.
Company: MoreySmith
Project: Deskopolitan
Project Location: Paris, France
Deskopolitan, a new lifestyle focused serviced-office company based in Paris, selected MoreySmith to establish their global design strategy and concept, demonstrated in its first venture, Château d'Eau. At the heart of the brand is the vision to host a likeminded community of people, sharing both space and values, in a flexible and inspiring environment with a unique range of on-site facilities promoting work/life wellbeing.
The interior design brief included the following key challenges and opportunities:
Château d’Eau spans 13,500 sq ft over three floors (ground with mezzanine, first and second), with 120 hot desks, 45 open desks, six club offices, and five meetings rooms. MoreySmith worked closely with Deskopolitan to develop the company’s global design strategy and concept, and establish the branding for the building –a graphic inspired by the circular geometry found within Deskopolitan’s flagship venture, Voltaire (located in the 11th arrondissement and due to open in 2018) which translates throughout.
MoreySmith’s redesign has transformed the former factory building into a lifestyle focused co-working environment which challenges the traditional office concept, with innovative and interactive spaces supported by state-of-the-art facilities.
The main entrance at street level opens into a light and airy double height space featuring a vibrant café with access to an external courtyard and informal touchdown positions at mezzanine level. Each floor offers co-working members a range of flexible working environments including open-plan desk areas, private phone booths, touchdown work positions, video conference and AV meeting rooms, collaborative informal meeting and social spaces. The double height space is purposely designed to promote “collision” culture and allow members to interact across the community building networks and connections. Movement and transparency are also key to successful collaboration, so MoreySmith designed the space to maximise natural light and encourage the flow of people around the building.
The upper floors offer open, light and modern workspace, with flexibility to adapt to client requirements. The first floor provides dedicated enclosed spaces for small businesses, and the second floor provides an open plan environment. Quiet rooms and phone booths allow focused working and privacy for calls. The on-site facilities include a café, concierge, heritage style barbershop, nail bar, and bike store with shower and facilities.
MoreySmith enjoy the challenge of working with heritage buildings for the creative opportunities and sense of transformation that can be achieved. The interior design aesthetic is a contemporary take on the building’s industrial history, mixing materials such as glazed brick tiles, exposed concrete, reclaimed timber, plywood, terrazzo and burnished brass, and complementing this with fresh, bright colours. This is juxtaposed with the addition of plants throughout the space, which provide balance, calm and comfort.
This interior design scheme of this fresh space challenges traditional perceptions of office culture, successfully blending modern life/work and lifestyle aspirations.
Questions answered by Nicola Osborn, Design Director at MoreySmith
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the Art Deco inspired restaurant with a quirky, contemporary and traditional design aesthetic in Manchester, click here to see more.
MoreySmith | SBID International Design Awards 2018
An impressive 34,060 visitors from 73 countries descend upon the heart and home of London’s design destination in Clerkenwell for arguably the most important commercial design festival that the capital city has to offer. The ninth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), sponsored by Armourcoat Acoustic, delivered huge benefit to London’s creative hub with over 65,757 new business leads generated during the three-day festival – a 14% increase on 2017. With more than 200 brands exhibiting across the 7 venues and 100 showrooms, CDW injected life to the area from 22 -24 May and further cemented the festival as a key event on the international design calendar. We’re sharing a few of our favourite festival finds, initiatives, or new designs which emerged at Clerkenwell, starting with the most must-see installations.
The design industry at large is increasingly acknowledging the global sustainability crisis, so it comes as no surprise that sustainability initiatives became another hot topic at Clerkenwell Design Week as the pursuit of sustainable solutions becomes the focal point for many.
Chelsea College of Art is no exception; conversely to the nationwide mission to combat the plastic pandemic which has been headlining the news since the government introduced a law for large retailers to charge for all single-use plastic carrier bags, the Your Tote Counts campaign instead attempted to address the overwhelming surplus of tote bags which are intended to replace the excessive and unsustainable use of plastic bags. Interestingly, and surprisingly, canvas bags may cause more detriment to the environment than the plastic ones they are designed to replace. In 2008, the UK Environment Agency (UKEA) published a study of resource expenditures for various bags: paper, plastic, canvas, and recycled-polypropylene tote bags whereby cotton tote bags exhibited the highest and most severe global-warming potential since they require more resources to produce and distribute. The study revealed that the ecological footprint of a cotton tote bag is actually 327 times worse than a regular plastic bag. A Screen Press installation at CDW encouraged the upcycling of tote bags and allowed visitors to bring unwanted totes to be customised with designs created by graphic design students from Chelsea College of Art, in collaboration with the Print Club London. Re-purposing unwanted totes with a fresh new design intended to enlighten audiences and address the issue whilst encouraging us to reuse and recycle when we can. Visitors could also make donations with the proceeds going to CDW’s official charity partner, Maggie’s.
In the theme of confronting misleading discourse about sustainability and shedding light on common misconceptions about what materials are considered sustainable and which ones are truly harmful to the environment, TDO Architecture, Studio 8Fold and Studio DA were commissioned to create way-finding sculptures in polystyrene to be situated around Clerkenwell during the week. The sculptures were produced by Bakers Patterns who specialise in polystyrene model making and manufacturing.
Creative Director of CDW Max Fraser says,“Polystyrene is considered one of the ‘bad’ materials of our time as it can’t be recycled through regular municipal recycling schemes. However, if the material is sent back to the manufacturer, it is 100% recyclable (98% of it is air). So we are commissioning these beacons at CDW with their end-of life destination fully diverted from landfill.”
The Dutch bespoke wood manufacturer Hakwood and Shape London collaborate to create an interactive installation. Hakwood’s ‘Behind Closed Doors’will be a 3.2m high installation designed and fabricated by Shape London. A miniature street-scape was constructed to that draw inspiration from the Dutch townhouses, with each house including a small door which reveals a series of miniature interiors designed by various architects from Shape’s Dragon Fly Place Collective. The installation was designed to demonstrate that any interior design or form of décor is an open door for creative inspiration.
For the third consecutive year, Scale Rule gave St. James’ Churchyard a new focal point by implementing a pavilion design conceived by GCSE students from around London. This year’s winning concept responded to the theme of sustainability by proposing a sensitive metaphor: layers representing past, present and future will create a kaleidoscopic oculus, inviting visitors to take a moment to direct their eyes up an become more aware of the key natural elements around them.
Loll Designs
Modern eco-friendly furntiure manufacturer, Loll Designs, showcased the most popular pieces, from the classic Adirondack lounge chairs to the new outdoor furniture Fresh Air collection. Not only does their modern outdoor furniture add a unique and contemporary aesthetic to outdoor spaces, but all of Loll's products are mindful of the environment, using 100% recycled and recyclable material – mostly from discarded plastic milk bottles. To date, Loll has helped upcycle over 70 million milk bottles!
The Cabinet
Mark Saward, founder of The Cabinet debuts 'The Sideboard' which takes it’s influence from nature, contrasted with contemporary materials and construction techniques. Raw smoked oak veneer is inlaid on to stone textured Valchromat to stunning effect. Adopting a minimalist approach with maximum impact by showcasing nature in it’s natural state. Each piece is bespoke as no one tree-cut edge veneer is the same. Utilising a soft close vertical lift hinge system, the opening of The Sideboard adds to the overall drama of this standout statement piece.
Light
London based Leather Architectural Ironmongery and Leather Products Design firm with a pro
This year saw a new, exciting exhibition dedicated to light. The brick vaults of nightclub, Fabric, featured an exhibition of top international lighting brands unveiling their latest cutting-edge collections and innovative new products presented as spectacular stand-alone lighting installations. Exhibitors included Bert Frank with a striking range of luxury, mid-century inspired lighting, which has already won a string of industry awards. Rich Brilliant Willing, Brooklyn-based studio that designs and manufactures LED fixtures for hospitality, workplace, and residential projects. Marc Wood Studio presented its debut lighting collection, Pleated Crystal which comprises of ceiling pendants, a side light and a floor standing lamp. Handmade in Bohemia and London, the collection draws upon Marc's love for Czech artisan glass work and British engineered detailing.
Elements
Also new this year, CDW brought together a leading selection of ironmongery, hardware, switch plates and architectural accessories within a street-market style pavilion on St Johns Square, becoming the go-to destination for designers looking for the perfect finishing touches. Brands included the London-based leather ironmongery and product design firm House of Eroju, and the specialists in decorative metalwork and door hardware solutions for luxury hotels and residences, Carrson International, among many others. British light switch company, Forbes & Lomax introduced the Aged Brass light switch to their existing Invisible range. The new collection which adopts an antique aesthetic has been left unlacquered, allowing it to patinate even more over time for an aged and rustic effect.
To see more from Clerkenwell Design Week 2018 or find out about next years event, click here.
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