As we approach the deadline to enter the SBID Awards 2018 on Friday 15 June 2018, our attention turns to last year's event as we take a look back across some of the category winners from 2017. With a total of 14 categories designed to encompass the broad spectrum of the interior design profession and welcome diverse projects from all realms of interior design, we're sharing last year's worthy winners from the residential side of the industry whether you're looking for project inspiration for your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.
Company: Bernard Interiors
Project Title: Park Terrace
Bernard Interiors was appointed by a private client in 2014 to oversee all interior renovations of a Category A Listed building in the heart of Glasgow’s Park District. The imposing five-storey sandstone townhouse, situated in one of Glasgow’s most sought after areas, majestically overlooks Kelvingrove Park with stunning views across the city. The townhouse had lain derelict for over 5 years, used as office space throughout the 90’s, and fallen into disrepair. Bernard Interiors were challenged to create a design, which was contemporary yet sympathetic to the historic and period features which run throughout the building. Bernard Interiors also worked alongside the developer for three years to win planning permission to convert the building back to a residential dwelling.
Company: DAR Designs
Project Title: Parkview Residence
DAR Designs completes the interior design of a luxury apartment in New Cairo, successfully integrating home automation technology with a sophisticated modern design. Seeking to create harmony between the traditional and contemporary worlds, the apartment prides itself on its high-end ritzy look while maintaining its cultural connection with its Arab roots through displaying local handcrafts. This residence is also made to cater to its client’s active social lifestyle by creating an interactive public space which includes the kitchen, guest living room, and dining room all as one zone. Overall, the apartment was designed to be a huge step forward in the sustainability and energy efficiency, with its advanced home automation system designed to automatically shut off lighting and air conditioning when occupants leave a room
Company: Fenton Whelan
Project Title: Greybrook House Penthouse
Fenton Whelan designed a multi-unit, boutique, residential development in Mayfair blending the art déco style of the building with contemporary living to deliver a timeless legacy. Entering into the living space, bespoke furniture is framed by stained glass windows. Adjacent, the Bulthaup kitchen juxtaposes with the cool green breakfast room upholstery creating an iconic entertaining space with a sumptuous bar area with backlit onyx. The refined elegance of the master suite can be seen in the lacquered finished wardrobes and the Alcantara upholstered headboard. The master ensuite is framed by the Noir Saint Laurent book matched feature wall and marbled pattern flooring. A beautiful marble staircase leads to access to a private roof terrace with views of London’s iconic skyline framed.
Company: Oakeve Interiors
Project Title: Hurlingham
Oakeve Interior Architect Design Practice were involved in every aspect of the interior design of Hurlingham in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. This imposing, new build ‘Manor House’ style country home married together a traditional façade with a contemporary and sumptuous interior, comprising of over 9,239 square feet of living space. This magnificent residence of grand proportions effortlessly combined opulence with practicality and comfort, responding directly to the design brief. The integration of sensible, user-friendly technologies, combined with a luxurious interiors scheme, which included statement pieces of iconic artwork and sculptures, created a home that sold to clients that bought into the ‘aspirational lifestyle choice’
Company: David Chang Design Associates International Ltd. (DCDA)
Project Title: Grand Influx Presentation Center
The Grand Influx Presentation Centre is located in the city of Foshan in the central Guangdong Province of southeastern China. This thriving metropolis is steeped in the history and culture bequeathed from the Ming Dynasty and Foshan’s renown ceramic artisans. Balanced symmetry, bold clean architecture and cultural referencing are fused together in this 1460 square meters Presentation Centre to captivate prospective purchasers. Artful contemporary duplications of iconic Ming Dynasty furniture, motifs and patterns are selectively distributed throughout the project, helping to establish “sense of place” geographically and historically.
Company: BAR Studio
Project Title: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong - Ambassador Harbour View Suite
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong has a loyal following of guests and the hotel forms a part of many people’s history and memories. The brief required BAR Studio to retain what was great from the original hotel, thereby preserving the hotel’s appeal to the people who already love it, but also redefine the hotel in order to appeal to the next generation of visitors. The challenge of the brief was to weave the old and the new threads together. Consequently, the finished Ambassador Suite is a contemporary design but one that is underpinned by the spirit and history of Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
If you're interested in entering a project, make sure you enter before Friday 15 June 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 original CAD visualisation of an interior design scheme designed by YA Interiors to aid their clients visual understanding of the Art Deco inspired restaurant project which is currently in development. The Sheridan suite is a venue that hosts a diverse range of corporate and private events for up to 1800 people with 2323 square meters of space. Based on the ambience of Harrods food hall, the flexible venue was designed to capture the quirky, contemporary and traditional aesthetics which is a regional favourite for Indian Brides and Grooms located in East Manchester.
Entering through the brass curved reception area, the calm atmosphere of the cocktail lounge is the focal point with its illuminated columns. The 14 meter bespoke bar features a brass wine gantry and scallop fret work panels accessorised with teal blue velvet stools. Atom chandeliers hang above the lounge area by Portuguese designer Delightful, brass fret work screens separate the cocktail lounge from the formal dining area. The fine dining room walls are clad in beaten copper panels with space-age pebble lights suspended on the ceiling by Italian designer Artemide.
Company: YA Interiors
Project: Sheridans
Project Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
Our interior design brief was to capture the essence of the original Art Deco inspired style of the iconic Harrods food hall whilst creating an elegant, modern and stylish fine dining destination.
What inspired the design of the Project?
For the interior design, furniture selection and styling we looked at the fashion plates of Couturier Paul Poiret at the turn of the 19th century. The French couturier was the most fashionable dress designer of pre-World War 1 Paris. Poiret was particularly noted for his Neoclassical and Orientalist styles. One of his great achievements was to free the female form from the rigid corseted structure. Inspired by the designers illustrations in the Gazette du Bon Ton (below) we decided to incorporate the opulence of the sketches into the interiors styling. Creating a stylish and feminine design aesthetic with signature touches alluding to Mr Poiret’s orientalist fantasies.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
Winning the client over with our proposal of Paul Poiret and his orientalist fantasies was the biggest hurdle - eventually a Poiret/orientalist light aesthetic got the client on board. In addition the budget constraints for the project have been challenging as we're having to maintain design integrity and also manage the clients expectations.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Seeing endless discussions and design development finally coming to fruition. Sheridans is going to be unique to the area - there really is nothing quite likes it in Manchester.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
The SBID award is a fantastic platform for designers to showcase their work to the industry and to other fellow creatives. We felt the design and visualisation for Sheridans is a proud moment for us as a design practice, we feel we have designed and cultivated something very unique here and wanted to tap in to our fashion backgrounds in designing and implementing this beautiful scheme.
- Questions answered by Aseef VAZA, Creative Director at YA Interiors
To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest design inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram @sbiduk
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring aquatically inclined Australian luxury spa inspired by the serene blues and tranquil textures of underwater landscapes, 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!
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
YA Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
It has recently been difficult to escape the current high profile trend for fashion brands to enter the homewares market. From Dior to Zara, the high street and the luxury boulevards are showcasing textiles, accessories and furniture alongside jackets, shoes and skirts. The integration of the home divisions of these globally recognised marques is tremendously variable in terms of the level of connection to the DNA of the brand. Much like fashion, the addition of a badge or logo to a simple shape or silhouette may be the only distinguishing feature of a brands influence. The best known names in the industry, those with a heritage of over twenty years or so have established a precedent of ready made “trend” or “taste” simply by the addition of the brand to an interior. Fashion is a fast paced, transient and reactive sector whereas furniture has traditionally been firmly rooted in heritage, time and to a certain extent, craft. The speed of change in the fashion marketplace is greater than ever before and the homewares sector has had to raise its' game to keep up.
Changes in technology, the supply chain and distribution have allowed the interiors market to become more in tune with the cycles of the fashion world and this is where the newest additions to the list are beginning to take advantage. The major barometer of the interiors market comes every April in Milan at the Salone del Mobile. There may be bigger shows in terms of sq ft in the USA but in terms of fashion and trends in the industry, Milan is still the overarching benchmark. The number of high end luxury fashion brands working either directly with or in association with manufacturers is steadily growing. Certain furniture manufacturers have also even taken their leads from the fashion industry and re-branded using the same methodologies as clothing brands
Kings of Chelsea has the great pleasure of working alongside Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors as the sole UK dealership. Launched as recently as 2013 the furniture and furnishings division is inextricably linked to the fashion side of the business. At the head office in Florence Paul Surridge, the incumbent creative director, works alongside a team of specialists who provide technical detail of how to apply print, shape and form to furniture, tableware, linens, tiles and wallpapers. The Roberto Cavalli Home division offers a fully immersive lifestyle experience, directly linked back to the DNA of the brand. Unlike other fashion furniture brands the creative process is fully rooted in the design studios of the Maison itself.
Of course this creates huge pressure on the process, as keeping up with the fashion seasons cycle means being ahead of or at least equal to the collection launches. The solution is to create capsule and classic collections so that the ranges are available to both those who value contemporary trends and those who require something more timeless. Within the ranges are the possibilities to specify finishes, leathers and fabrics until the piece is unique to the individual. When a brand is new to the market this invariably means this will be the very first time each order has even been produced. Just like the very finest fashion, these orders are in effect “couture” furniture. With an increasingly demanding, knowledgeable market, this is an incredibly valuable feature. Bespoke and fully personalised goods and experiences can now be found within most luxury categories (watches, automobiles, holidays, hotels) and it was only a matter of time before interiors stepped up and took their place at the table. Recent additions to the roll call have included Bottega Veneta, Hermes and Gucci so it is clearly a trend that is unlikely to end soon.
Fashion brands carry enormous value to a global HNW (high net worth) community and add both an increase in selling and rental values to real estate. Cavalli is currently working with developers in both Dubai and Saudi Arabia on fully branded projects, and the trend seems to show no sign of slowing down with Versace, Fendi, Bulgari and Bentley amongst a number of brands also involved in current schemes. Predominantly, from Middle Eastern and Asian interests, the arrival of these type of developments in the UK is a growing market and likely to be more and more noticeable in the next few years as the purchasing power of these nations investing in real estate in the UK shows little signs of diminishing. Fashion brands are seemingly craving the way for prosperous future in the realm of interior design as the two worlds are continuing to merge at an unprecedented rate.
Written by Theo Mance, Managing Director at Kings of Chelsea.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a luxury Australian spa inspired by traditional Roman bath houses where circular vestibules connected the private and public spaces; the feature vestibules punctuate the journey through the spa at key nodes providing feelings of connectivity and flow offering different treatment zones designed to help guests unwind with indulgent La Prairie and Subtle Energies treatments in sumptuous rooms rehydrating the body and soothing the soul in a selection of deeply relaxing Aqua Retreat facilities which include a sauna and steam room, therapeutic rain shower and luxurious vitality pool. The interior design scheme was based on the concept of an imaginary underwater landscapes with subtle, serene hues of blue throughout to evoke feelings of tranquillity, resonating with the calming connotations of a rippling sea surface or gently running water.
Company: Blainey North Interiors
Project: Crown Spa Perth
Project Location: Perth, Australia
To create the Best Spa in Australia.
The interior design plan was inspired by the interactive planning of traditional Roman bath houses where circular vestibules are connected to private and public spaces, providing a social connection between different functions. The linking of these spaces creates beautiful intimate thresholds carved by the joining of the geometric forms. The concept has been based on the idea of creating the feeling of an imaginary underwater landscape. It is inspired by those refractions of light you see on the surface of the water when you look up from underneath. The interior has been created in concentric shades of blue, like those of the sea and is structured around a central axis.
The complexity of working within a space with little to no natural light meant we had to shift the focus to create visual intrigue and connectivity via highly detailed special moments whilst in tandem creating a very calm yet sophisticated place to relax.
The Foyer. It makes people gasp as enter this very sublime and glamourous space creating an entirely unexpected feeling sparked by the level of detail and quality, unseen within any other Australian hotel to date.
As we are traditionally recognised as a leading Luxury Interior Design Firm within Australasia much of our work is highly secretive and exclusive. Working with super high-net worth individuals means confidentiality is crucial therefore press coverage is often limited. That said our involvement with several international hotelier brands has enabled luxury travellers and international press an inside look into the World of Blainey North Interiors, which is always very exciting!
Questions answered by Blainey North, Founder of Blainey North Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the 21 bedroom Georgian Manor House boasting extraordinary views of the Devonshire countryside, click here to see more.
Blainey North Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
Meet one of our esteemed judges for the prestigious SBID Awards, Carlo Camillo. The Global Director of Store Design and Visual Merchandising at Christian Louboutin Beauté talks to SBID about creating luxury experiences and the creative opportunities that the new retail landscape brings.
Interior designer Carlo Camillo directs the store design and visual merchandising process, which includes prototype development and implementation of beauté boutiques; wholesale beauté counter design; pop-up and new market event design; new product in-store launch distortion; product display and packaging design. His previous clients include the boutique hotel brand BD Hotel, L Brands (Victoria Secret Beauty and Accessory, La Senza) and Parfums Christian Dior. He has also run his own design consultancy, where his clients included Armani, CK, KOHLS and Vera Wang.
You have a background in both retail and hospitality design; what differences have struck you?
When I was working in hospitality design, each project brought something new. You had to be very strategic in terms of what you were designing, for example when I worked on the Pod Hotel, a New York hotel for BD Hotels based on the Japanese capsule model, we had to work with the legal limits of how small we could go. In retail, you can be a bit more experimental and work on a faster timeline. When I was at l Brands, we worked with five key brands and were able to test in non-flagship locations, so we could try something and see how the customers reacted and how they shopped – we learned so much from doing that. Here at Christian Louboutin Beauté, we have our own counter built into the office where we can prototype new displays and maintain a stream of creation and ideation.
Your role extends beyond store design to areas such as merchandising, packaging displays, graphic design and photoshoots; has that been a challenge?
My role is so much fun and I’m faced with challenges I never had to consider before as an interior designer. Christian Louboutin is so creative and open-minded that I am often challenged to think outside the box. from day to day I can be working on a multitude of projects, from a new store design to a blogger gift box for a global launch. The way in which we introduce our brands has to be seamless so we take a 360-degree approach. Commerce in retail is driven so differently now; more people are shopping online and events have become a driving force in retail. It’s a great opportunity for a designer.
How do you ensure the design between the fashion brand and the beauty brand, remains seamless?
I partner with colleagues such as the global Director of architecture & Store Design, Marianne Lévesque, and the Visual Identity Director, Sarah Boston. I also work with Mr. Louboutin, who is very much part of every design process. We work really hard to ensure we’re aligned – and aligned with Mr. Louboutin’s vision. I have always worked with [beauty] brands that have a fashion side but I have to say this is the most generous and supportive team I’ve worked with. everyone shares new ideas and collaborates – and this starts from the top down. Mr. Louboutin is one of the coolest people to work with and he’s very open to hearing other ideas. one of the most inspiring people in the company is my boss, Catherine Rogerro Lovisi, general manager, whose scope of work and experience is exceptional. I consider her to be a pioneer of the luxury beauty industry.
How does working at Christian Louboutin Beauté differ from your previous roles?
I’ve worked in the beauty industry for some time, across six different brands. There’s a typical format but at Christian Louboutin Beauté we don’t follow that format, largely because it’s such a personal brand for Christian. for example, we don’t do visuals in-store, so we have to think of other ways to bring animation and excitement into the stores. We’re so different from every other brand and our design is so out there that it’s hard to pigeonhole us. for example, if you look at how we present our lipstick products, it’s unlike anyone else in the industry. When I came here, I realised that this brand is the epitome of luxury and quality. We have few competitors at this level so we have to present the products in a different way.
As a designer, what are you aiming to give the customer in terms of the store experience?
I want the client to get a sense of who Christian Louboutin is. He’s multicultural and his products have a broad range of motifs that he likes to incorporate. We also want women who come into our stores to feel like an empress. We are focused on enhancing the beauty of our customers by creating environments with the best lighting and that feel beautiful. We want to bring happiness into the customer experience and we include that in different ways. At the moment, we’re looking at how we do
that by incorporating technology that allows the customer to bring that experience online. We are currently working on bringing something very new to the in-store experience that will allow customers to Christian Louboutin perspective which is unlike any other.
How do you stay inspired?
Well, I live in New York and we’re surrounded by culture so one of my favourite things is to visit galleries and museums, plus I get to travel to Europe. At the same time, you can’t always travel so I’ve adapted my social media streams such as Instagram and Facebook to connect with museums and art galleries so I’m always aware of any events I should attend. Instagram is one my most prized tools, not just for following museums and galleries but also to see what other creative people are posting. It allows me to see what other people are seeing and doing; when you see the same thing more than once you understand there’s a trend.
For more information about how to enter for or attend the glittering Awards Ceremony, visit the website, here.
This feature originally appeared in the Q&A section within Volume 7 Issue 1 of the official SBID interior design magazine, eSociety.
Click here to read the full issue
We've cherry picked the latest, must-have products that should be on any savvy interior designer's radar for this month - whether it be recent product releases, the latest innovations, new designs or exclusive collection launches, we've done the hard work for you.
Satisfying growing demand for stylish interior design storage solutions within the bathroom, Heritage is increasing its offering with a new vanity unit designed especially to co-ordinate with its best-selling Granley basin. The Caversham Freestanding Vanity Unit offers even more distinctive design options within the Granley range, and sits beneath the Edwardian style Granley basin; mirroring its angular edges and iconic shape.
We particularly love this piece because - in this day and age - space truly is of the essence! Heritage bathrooms have not only combined classic, understated designs with convenient storage solutions, but also made the collection available in a modern colourway with a selection of four on-trend colour options including Dove Grey, Graphite, Oyster and White Ash to give any bathroom a fresh, contemporary lift.
Click to shop
While we've still got bathrooms on the brain, let's take a look at what Bette has in store. Bette exhibited at Clerkenwell Design Week this year, showcasing some of their most innovative products in the Design Fields exhibition space to offer even greater design freedom; introducing product lines, new functions, additional features and extended colour ranges. As extravagant styles and bold colours are becoming increasingly popular within interiors and the interior design industry, Bette has created a new ‘effect’ colours range which opens up a multitude of possibilities for eye-catching bathroom design.
The first of these is the sparkling new effect colour, Midnight: a new shade of anthracite that has been combined with sparkling particles, featured on the geometrically embossed BetteLoft Ornament freestanding bath. The new effect colours join the array of colour options offered by the Bette World of Colour. Hundreds of gloss and matt colours are available, as well as 22 exclusive matt colours that give bathroom designers the freedom to choose a Bette bath, washbasin or shower area to suit colour trends in tiles, natural stone and wooden floors.
YTM Group, a leading provider of contract furniture to the care home industry, prepared to launch their first new range in over six years. Often neglected in the interior design industry and not conventionally associated with the most cutting-edge designs, YTM is proving the drab and dreary perceptions of care homes to be outdated by introducing their new, innovative and design-led range.
“We began this project more than a year ago with the intention to design furniture that would look just as at home in the country’s finest hotels as they would in a care home environment. It is our belief that care residents deserve every bit as much luxury as homeowners and hotel guests. Indeed, the benefits of improving design standards in care homes can be wide reaching and play a clear role in resident health and wellbeing.” - Damien Duffy, YTM Managing Director
We always find it refreshing to see companies push traditional boundaries of design and creating hotel-standard luxury furnishings for care homes definitely represents a step towards change for the interior design industry as a whole. President of SBID, Diana Celella comments that "it is our role to celebrate interior design that reflects the highest level of competence. By bringing style and sophistication to the care environment whilst retaining functionality, YTM certainly achieve this.”
Combining IOT-ready technology, the power of plants and sustainable materials within a sleek, compact design to clean indoor air. The positive-social-impact company Clairy raised over $300,000 in only one week in a Kickstarter campaign for the new-to-market smart indoor air purifier, NATEDE. This simple but effective product looks like a plant holder, but serves as a sustainable air purifier, designed and crafted in Italy.
Plants placed in NATEDE metabolize a significantly higher amount of pollutants compared to plants potted in regular vases. The embedded technology allows NATEDE’s air flow system to quickly and quietly recycle air from a plant’s soil, helping to improve indoor air quality using its' advanced sensors. It also has a photocatalytic filter, which doesn't require regular replacement - reducing waste and expenses to replenish. Possessing the ability to eliminate 93% of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and 99% of viruses and bacteria, this smart little system is a prime example of how technology can be integrated elegantly into a home to promote healthy living and provide solutions for purifying the air we breathe!
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the phenomenal 21 bedroom, Grade II listed Georgian Manor House boasting extraordinary views of the Manor's exquisite gardens with its' rolling lawns and blooming flowerbeds across the Devonshire countryside. Meraki Design helped Michael Caines MBE bring his dream into fruition and create the physical realisation of his vision of 21st century country house hospitality; the Lympstone Manor. The 21 stylish guestrooms and suites at Lympstone Manor are all individually designed and inspired by the birds that inhabit the local estuary, making each room unique with a true sense of place and belonging with its' surrounding environment. Meraki plays with finishes, textures and tones; from luxurious velvets, sheer linens and sturdier cottons to Estrema marble, oak wood flooring and aged brass detailing from St James Collection.
Company: Meraki Design
Project: Lympstone Manor
Project Location: Devon, United Kingdom
The refurbishment and conversion of a grade II listed country house into a 21 bedroom hotel and fine dining restaurant of Michelin starred quality. The scheme was to include the refurbishment and conversion of all front of house areas; 21 bedrooms, corridors, three fine dining rooms, lounges, bar area. We were required to provide the interior design for all front of house areas working with the Client and subsequent trade contractors providing them with the design and specification for all building works elements (tiles, paint, floor finishes, ceiling finishes, etc) of the interior design and personally carrying out the procurement on behalf of the Client and managing the installation of all interior designed fixtures, fittings and equipment to ensure the hotel and restaurant and front of house areas are ready for occupation.
The interior design was guided by a philosophy of restoring and preserving the integrity of the original Manor house. It respects the history of the building and celebrates it by reinstating architectural elements that were damaged by doing extensive research, using old photographs and moulds to reconstruct and restore the property. The history and the context of the Manor deeply influenced all the interior design decisions. The Estuary and Jurassic coast led the colours of the public areas and have created a serene mood throughout the hotel. The interiors draw the eye out to commemorate the view instead of competing with it. The colour of the tide continuously changes from golden hues, to soft dove blues to champagne. The client had already settled on using the birds of the estuary as room names which again informed the basis of the colour schemes of all the rooms. We referenced classic furniture as a basis for the style of furniture then deconstructed it into simpler more contemporary forms in plain fabrics that converse in a textural play. Then the objet d'art further reinstate the uniqueness of the property with found antiquities that are all hand selected and thoughtfully displayed creating a sense of escapism in luxury that is welcoming and calm.
Preserving the authenticity of the building and staying within the budget given. We kept a very tight watch on the figures and had everything planned and signed off from the start but with any building of this nature there are always surprises. Our team had allowed for this and small compromises had to be made but overall we managed to deliver on time and on budget.
Michael Caines (the Client) hand selected 3 designers from the 40 who bid. Our practice was 1 year old at the time and didn’t have such a large project under its belt. It is was incredible to even be selected then but once we got the full job it was a great accomplishment for us . The second highlights was handing over the project exactly as per our 3D visuals on time and spot on budget.
The SBID awards are internationally acclaimed and we felt this was a great place to showcase this unique project that relies heavily on British heritage and design.
Questions answered by Eris Koutsoudakis, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Meraki Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week inspired by nature with Bilska de Beaupuy transforming an indoor space with the characteristics of outdoor living, click here to see more.
Meraki Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
Following the design extravaganza that was every designer's dream at Salone del Mobile in April last month (read our Salone round-up here), we take a snapshot look at what design events May had to offer and still has in store for all the design professionals, students and enthusiasts among us who are keen to keep the momentum going after such a triumphant exhibition of the design industry's latest products and trends in Milan.
Vectorworks are committed to developing the world’s best cross-platform CAD and BIM software, providing powerful tools to help designers capture their ideas, communicate effectively, and realise their vision with their innovative creative solutions.
They hosted a free seminar to teach designers how to utilise the Vectorworks software and produce high quality visuals; covering the use of VectorworksArchitect and Renderworks to create plans, sections and elevations, as well as visualisations of interior design schemes. If you're keen to continually develop your skills as an interior designer, making the most of free, valuable seminars like this is the best way to stay relevant and keep your finger on the pulse of an ever-evolving industry which is increasingly relying on technology to aid project development from concept to construction and improve the design process.
Check out other Vectorworks events, here, or catch one of their free webinars! Click here to find out more.
Whether you directly work in, are involved in, or simply interested in the built environment, whether it be through interior design, architecture, engineering or the wider construction industry, we all have a responsibility to make sure the profession is more diverse, inclusive, and representative of the societies and communities this line of work functions within.
"Inclusive design is a process of designing, building, managing and populating places and spaces that ensures that they work for as many people as possible." - Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
The BDP Birmingham studio’s Kieren Majhail hosted a cross institute event to discuss diversity in the built environment with other hosts including Pinsent Masons, Birmingham Architectural Association, and Women in Property. The subject is particularly topical as recently published gender pay gap figures suggest the construction industry needs to significantly improve in recruiting and retaining women, particularly at senior level, and that racial equality is potentially an even more prominent issue. A panel of guest speakers were brought together to discuss these issues and look at ways of improving diversity across the industry as a whole.
You can help support diversity in the built environment too by attending, engaging with and talking about events like this! Support BDP's next event to promote and celebrate women in engineering on Friday 22nd June 2018. Click here to find out more.
The SBID Business Breakfast Meeting interior design events aim to bring together relevant industry professionals. Connecting prestigious designers or specifiers with high quality manufacturers to facilitate networking opportunities and encourage the development of professional partnerships to generate mutually beneficial business opportunities. This Breakfast Meeting was hosted the experts in handmade and ethically-sourced beds and bedding, Hästens Beds. The events are designed on a monthly basis so if you missed out this time, make sure you register your interest for the next Breakfast Meeting on 13th June 2018 with Poggenpohl to avoid disappointment.
SBID networking opportunities are exclusively available for SBID members. If you would like the chance to attend, find out how to become a member, here.
This month will see the ninth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), one of the UK's leading design events, take place from May 22-24th 2018 in EC1; the heart and home of design. As the annual focus for London’s leading design district, the festival programme has been created to reflect the unique nature of this vibrant London hub which is home to a plethora of creative businesses, design consultancies, showrooms and architectural practices. 2018 will again play host to hundreds of design events including design-led fringe events, a programme of showroom presentations, product launches, workshops, talks and public-facing installations. Activities will run over three days and follow a distinct trail from North to South, beginning at Spa Fields and stretching down to Farringdon.
In partnership with Mapei UK, Conversations at Clerkenwell has become an integral arena to introduce and discuss new products, raise industry issues and network with fellow A&D professionals. Our SBID Colour Council Co-chair, Carolina Calzada Oliveira, will be among the high-calibre of speakers exploring current industry topics on 24th May 2018. She will be leading the conversation in a colour trends session about the influence of colour in different spaces and the practicalities of the colour blue through applied colour psychology, with a focus on interior designers and commercial projects.
Click here to find out more.
Maison Images D'epinal and six other creative french workshops open a new showroom. On May 24, a new exhibition space dedicated to interior decorators and architects will open in the Marais in the former space of the renowned Zürcher contemporary art gallery. Seven French creative houses are joining forces to showcase their complementary savoir-faire and French craft excellence at the service of interior decorators and architects. Called the MANUFACTURE GALLERY PARIS and distributed throughout various different rooms, the showrooms offer visitors the opportunity to discover beautiful creations, tailor-made furniture, upholstery, table art, layout and decoration for hotels, palaces and private residences.
Discover more about the 7 exhibiting creative brands...
Interested in textiles and prints? If so, you can join this CPD talk and guided tour on the origin and history of the Textile Design Archive held by the John Lewis Partnership in their Heritage Centre based in Maidenhead. Starting at 11am, this talk focuses on historic textile printing techniques, the work of reputable designers and how they have inspired more contemporary designs and products. This is followed by a Q&A session with a John Lewis Partnership Archivist, then a guided tour of the Heritage Centre including the textile gallery, where the original artworks for many designs from c1800 onwards are displayed. Educate yourselves on the designs from the past, to give you inspirations for the future.
John Lewis for Business host their Talk and Tour CPD on multiple dates throughout the year. The next event will be held on the 20th June 2018. You can also see all the upcoming dates, here, or email [email protected] if you're interested in attending.
The Society for British & International Design and our partner Be Open, have collaborated to launch a new national student competition for final year creative students and graduates across Interior Design, Interior Decoration, Fashion Design, Art and Product Design to submit their final year projects for a chance to win £30,000.
In collaboration with recognised SBID universities, with the support of industry members, sponsors and competition partner; Be Open, students across the creative industries are invited to submit their end of year project and propose a Course Leader to be recognised as Visionary Tutor 2018.
SBID have created this new life changing, equal opportunity competition in a bid to showcase emerging talent in each of the creative design industries, as well as providing the vital link in nurturing relationships between those completing their studies and professionals working in the industry.
Judges and sponsors will present the overall winner with a cash prize of £30,000; as well as £1,000 to each of the five category winners, and the winning tutors across each category with a Visionary Tutor 2018 award at the exclusive awards ceremony set to be held on 29th November 2018.
Entries are now open and students have until Friday 31st August to submit their entry through the SBID website www.sbid.org/student-competition. Category winners will be announced on 29th October, and the overall winner which will be selected from all entries will be announced at the awards ceremony in London the following month.
Judges will be looking for qualities such as originality of expression, individualism, creative use of materials and presentation skills. Each student or graduate may email one submission per category in one of the following mediums:
SBID founder, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, says “We are delighted to launch this competition for the benefit of Universities, students and support of Industry members. SBID recognise the time, research and financial cost invested in esteemed university education, the outcome of this competition is aimed at increasing the opportunity to gain employment from the most prestigious, innovative and creative companies from local, national and global to established or start-up. As a core value SBID and Be Open strongly believe in highlighting student activities and the potential the experience brings”.
To find out more about the Designed for Business 2018 student competition, whether you are eligible, or how to enter your project, click here.
To throw spotlight on creativity around the world, we profiled the SBID Masters of Design. In the Volume 7 Issue 1 edition of eSociety, we talked to the contemporary Chinese sculptor, Qu Guangci, about his approach to merging art with interior design.
In 1994 Qu Guangci won the Sculpture Award at the 8th National Fine Arts Exhibition, becoming the youngest winner in history at the age of 25. As an artist he has attracted widespread attention for his contemporary sculpture language and his post-political expression techniques. Here's what he had to say about the role of art in interior design...
How do you believe you can have a positive impact as an artist?
As an artist, I measure effort and establish standards from the perspective of the spirit of humanity. I see art as being something like a 'home accessory' because we try to demonstrate that art can have a positive effect on the relationship between people and the home. This change in the relationship enhances the connection between people, objects, and spaces. It is a challenge as well as an opportunity to improve people's lives.
Have you always wanted to work in interior design?
It wasn't my first intention. When I was creating artistically, for me tracing the logic between my art and the spaces in which my artworks will be displayed became more interesting then the creation of new things themselves. I love the feeling when I decode that underlining connection. I founded X+Q Art in 2010 as an experiment in associating art with interior design. I've talked to many successful interior designers around the world to refine our artworks in order to perfectly incorporate them into their spaces and to measure how successful the connection is between the two.
Do you think that art and design can make the world a better place?
To me, art is perfection. It is a phenomenon of a well-balanced relationship among people, nature, and everything in the universe. Creating art is like creating such a relationship. The ultimate purpose is to show people where they can find that point in the relationship where their lives are perfectly balanced.
Read the rest of this feature to discover more about Qu Guangci. From his thoughts on the difference between Chinese and Western design and the project he is most proud of, to what influences him creatively and the advice he would give to the next generation of creatives.
Read the rest of this feature →
Qu Guangci, contemporary Chinese scultptor and Founder of X+Q Art
This feature originally appeared in the SBID Masters of Design section within Volume 7 Issue 1 of the official SBID interior design magazine, eSociety.
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
By subscribing, you agree to be added to SBID’s mailing list. As an industry’s standard bearer organisation, we strive to bring you the most up to date news and access to exclusive industry content through our various newsletters.
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
I accept the SBID Terms of Use