This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a project about transformation and interaction. London architectural studio, Bilska de Beaupuy, refurbished a bathroom in central London, exploring the theme of indoor-outdoor space. By studying characteristics of nature and translating them into the language of design, the architects aimed to create an in-between zone with an interior design scheme which creates a space that becomes a metaphor for nature.
The plants serve to not only as decoration to engage the Client as she witnesses their growth and evolution, but also act to filter the air through their leaves, roots and soil microflora system. The reflective, smooth texture and versatile patterns of the walls and ceiling seem to change depending on the lighting conditions and time of the day. The central design piece is a 3-dimensional fluid trellis made of gold-plated jewellery chains that function to support the climbing pants.
Company: Bilska de Beaupuy
Project: Indoor Outdoor Bathroom
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
The project is a refurbishment of a 6 square meter en-suite bathroom in central London. The Client wished to have a space where she could feel like she was being ‘outside’ while being inside her bathroom. The interior design brief listed replacing the bathtub with a walk-in shower, a design that will allow for low maintenance, with multiple built-in storage and plants easy to grow.
What inspired the design of the Project?
We took the Client’s brief literally and decided to explore ‘what is outside?’. In the design research we associated the ‘outside’ with ‘nature’. We continued to explore the theme through asking ‘what does nature look like? How does nature function? What does nature feel like?'. This gave us a range of ideas on which we based the formal concept of the project. We studied characteristics of nature such as different forms of water and how water is materialised in nature, from waterfalls and glaciers to underground water caves. Furthermore, Indoor Outdoor bathroom was actually designed for a video artist who creates short, magical videos portraying close-ups of water.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
The main challenge was to create the bespoke shower wall. To find a supplier willing to manufacture a curved glass wall with such radius was challenging. It required many testing and came out as a stunning focal piece. The manufacturer told us this was the only curved shower glass wall that existed with such a radius and was made from recycled glass. The installation was also a challenge, but we found an incredible team of professionals who made it all happen.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Finding a solution to a metal for the cables that would not be affected by age, temperature, humidity and splashing water. The Client wished to have a feeling of femininity in her bathroom, so stainless steel was not an option, and after much research we found that brass and copper without toxic treatment would not last a week without changing appearance or being damaged. Thanks to a friend of ours who is a fine jewellery specialist in Paris advised us on the predicament, so we were able to source gold platted jewellery chains with a rose gold tint. Overall, the chains work beautifully in the bathroom with the lava grey Tadelakt and lush dark green plants. Gold is the less reactive of all metals. It endures well heat, air and humidity and ages gracefully without the need of adding any coating or treatment.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
We heard it was the place to be recognised by the highest standard of designers and professionals in the interior design industry.
Questions answered by the design duo, Monika Bilska and Arabella de Beaupuy, co-founders of Bilska de Beaupuy
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week with the charming Regent Street window display which reveals the ever-enchanting secret garden of Jo Malone London, 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
Bilska de Beaupuy | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This year, Arper will be opening the doors of its London home to present latest collections and new additions at Clerkenwell Design Week 2018. For the third year running, the showroom will also be hosting the official Bloggers Lounge of the festival, a dedicated space for bloggers and media - the ideal place for working and networking, within an inspiring and engaging environment.
Arper Bloggers Lounge Opening Hours Tuesday 22nd April: 11.00 am - 2.00 pm Wednesday 23rd May: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm Thursday 24th May: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm
Bloggers Tour: Tuesday 22 May: 10.00 am - 11.00 am Meet at the Arper Bloggers Lounge for a dedicated Tour of CDW. Open to bloggers only. Booking required.
Opening Party (Invitation Only): Tuesday 22 May: 6.30 - 10 pm
The Design Museum Live: Wednesday 23rd May: All day Meet the Design Museum team who will be documenting its highlights from Clerkenwell Design Week.
The most eagerly anticipated event on the interior design industry’s calendar once again drew in a myriad of designers, architects, editors, specifiers and enthusiasts alike as they descended upon Milan Design Week last month for the annual international furniture and design fair, Salone del Mobile. The shroud of primed interior designers and industry professionals culminated to a remarkable attendance record, hitting new heights of 1,841 exhibitors and 434,509 visitors from 188 different countries across the 6-day stint. Whether attendees were there to showcase or to survey, there was plenty to discover from the global plethora of products at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition, EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition. If you weren’t among the Milan-bound masses to attend this year to indulge in the latest design inspirations, discover the furniture of the future, and stay in the know for all the up and coming trends across the realms from furniture and lighting, to decor and accessories and much more - don’t panic. We’re sharing a few of our favourite furnishing finds, top trends, and new innovations right here...
Founded by Marcel Wanders, Moooi is an innovative design brand brimming with personality, designed to curate iconic and timeless collections across lighting, furniture and accessories which possess the unique charm and character of antique furnishings, combined with the modernity of current times. Creating unique interior environments with a bold amalgamation of design elements to explore and embrace unusual patterns, textures and colours. This fusion of inspiration from juxtaposing eras of design is upheld in their latest collaboration with Arte, to an exotic and existential degree.
Moooi x Arte unveiled their new wallcoverings collection which brings the exoticism of the extinct triumphantly back into the 21st century with a menagerie of bygone creatures of the past. The Museum of Extinct Animals pushes the boundaries of design with an exquisite and daring series of wallpaper, inspired by 10 recently discovered drawings of extinct animals which Moooi found in the depths of historical museums. The sketches were imbued with the unprecedented beauty of these forgotten, untamed creatures and their distinctive characteristics brought a wealth of inspiration which the collection bravely reinvented to curate this wildly provocative, yet strikingly poetic design of luxury wallpaper. We think this is an alluring and captivating homage to the dark fragility and humbling history of creatures lost to the harsh realities of existence and evolution.
Read more about some of the designs in the series, here.
In the realm of tapware, there is an increasing preponderance of metal finishes that have moved on from classic chrome, shifting towards the preciousness of old gold, the warm tones of copper, and the silky effects of burnishing.
Boffi and Fantini combined forces to forge their Aboutwater collection. The partnership is based on the concept of creating faucets and shower systems with a conceptually timeless, modern and elegant design, whilst also ensuring products are manufactured with materials that respect the environment; assuring the best duration over time. The AF/21 series designed by Naoto Fukasawa is made from an eco-compatible material, which guarantees maximum hygiene and resistance to corrosion. The collection ensures longevity and is therefore mindful of preserving the planet and the reduction of unnecessary waste.
The Living Nature installation is a small, intelligent and sustainable universe containing four different ecosystems, which encourages us to look inwardly at the ecosystem we inhabit, and more specifically, an issue which has increasingly plagued the industrial design industry and the built environment. Sustainability will only continue to grow in significance as the struggle to maintain an ecological balance becomes a prominent global concern. Salone del Mobile thoughtfully and interactively ponders the possible reconciliation of man and nature with an emotive installation that sparks the debate on the value of sustainable living. Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA) produced an evocative and experiential pavilion in which to allow visitors to explore fundamental concepts relating to the eroding relationship between nature and the city; and ultimately, the effects of climate change and continuing industrial development.
‘in the 20th century, cities expanded outwards to conquer nature and the countryside ... we believe that today’s challenge is the opposite: how can we bring nature back to the city and into the home?’ - Carlo Ratti
A single 500 m2 space located opposite Palazzo Reale in Piazza del Duomo and receiving over 2,000 visitors a day, the Living Nature installation acted as a continuation of the Salone in the city as a glass encased laboratory combining design, engineering and botany. Conceived with energy saving criteria in mind, the installation housed plants under a 5-meter-high selective crystal membrane that dynamically filters the sun based on input from light-reactive sensors and uses organic photovoltaic panels to create four natural, climactic microcosms that enable the four seasons of the year to unfold at the same time. Visitors were immersed in nature and experienced its changes as they made their way through each of the zones – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.
Read more about the project, here.
Once again, the attention of guests at Milan Design Week is directed to the future of sustainable design as architect Kengo Kuma, together with 3D experience company Dassault Systèmes, uses a stunning, dynamic and architectural display of Japanese ancestral origami techniques, incorporated with innovative advancements in technology to combine the fields of tech, design and sustainability. An intelligent air-purifying installation called Breath/ng which due to its sheer scale, immersive structure and intricate construction wowed audiences across a spectrum of design specialisms but also carried an important message at its root. To encourage designers to combine technology and design as a means of contributing to the resolution of core environmental issues.
Made from 175 square meters of a cutting-edge new mesh fabric called the ‘breath technology’ developed by anemotech, this material possess pollution-neutralising qualities as it contains a nanomolecule-activated core that separates and absorbs toxic molecules. This allows the fabric to filter the air as it captures and disaggregates polluted molecules, allowing the clean, unsoiled air to continue it's natural flow which systematically lowers the bacterial load of the air that gets in contact with the material's fibres.
This installation not only provides a smart, ecological means of purifying the air we breathe in a deviceful and meaningful way, but also offers a realistic solution for reducing air pollutants and harmful emissions which is an insightful and pivotal step in directing a discourse towards a feasible method of tackling global environmental issues.
In light of this, with one of the most preeminent design events of the year exhibiting overriding themes which relate to notions of existence, balancing design with environmental responsibility, and demonstrating how the ever-merging relationship between design and technology can be utilised to implement sustainability initiatives, it is clear that designers and manufacturers are continuing to adopt a deeper consciousness for the wider sociological impact of their role within the industry. The challenge for the design industry and professionals as a whole therefore, is to come up with innovative, sustainable, practical and applicable design solutions by harnessing existing technological advancements in an intelligent manner.
To see more from Salone del Mobile 2018 or find out about next years event, click here.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features Thomas-McBrien Architect's installation for the Jo Malone London shop window on Regent Street. This beautifully executed and well orchestrated display of visual merchandising, attention to detail and craftsmanship is epitomised by the 100,000 handmade, individually creased, shaped and folded paper used to transform the entrance to the boutique into Jo Malone's very own Secret Garden, inspired by ingredients from their signature scents. The design scheme of this project aims to celebrate the quintessential British garden through elegant details, and incorporate ideas of enchantment and surprise to capture the whimsical and fragrant essence of the Jo Malone brand.
Company: Thomas-McBrien Architects in collaboration with Paper & Wood
Project: Jo Malone London
The project is part of the Royal Institute of British Architect’s (RIBA) annual Regent Street Windows competition. Our window is one of seven entries on display. Our client, Jo Malone London, selected us, Thomas-McBrien Architects in collaboration with Paper & Wood, as the designers for their competition entry. We were given an open brief, but it was important to us and our client that the design reflected the ethos of the brand.
Our installation celebrates the quintessential British garden, a constant source of inspiration for Jo Malone London. In addition to this, we used the ideas of enchantment and surprise to create the Jo Malone London Secret Garden. The garden offers a serene environment and respite from the city, aiming to capture the immersive experience offered at the Jo Malone London, Regent Street boutique.
Each of the 100,000 paper elements of the garden has been creased, shaped and folded by hand. The handmade aspect of the paper garden reflects the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into the creation of each one of Jo Malone's refined fragrances.
Our toughest hurdle was time. We had 8-weeks to design, make and install the window display in the Jo Malone London Regent Street boutique.
Our highlight of the project was the level of commitment and trust our client showed us throughout the entire process. The Jo Malone London team were fully invested in our design from the outset. A special mention must also be given to our team of makers and volunteers who helped us. Our contractor, fabricators, suppliers and craftsmen were all integral in making the project a success.
It is a highly respected celebration of design excellence and an honour to be even considered for an SBID Award!
Questions answered by Barry McBrien (Founder & Director), Daniel Gullan (Project Assistant Architect) at Thomas-McBrien Architects, and Zack Mclaughlin, Artist & Founder of Paper & Wood.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with the timelessly stylish redesign of the iconic ‘Living Room’ bar brand in Manchester, click here to see more.
Thomas-McBrien Architects | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the redesign of the Stonegate Pub Company's iconic 'Living Room' bar brand based in the vibrant city of Manchester. Fusion by Design crafted and delivered an elegant interior design scheme which provides a timelessly stylish atmosphere to uphold the brand's desire to create a 1920's art deco environment for their customers to dine, drink and dance, whilst also capturing the longevity of the brand since it's establishment almost 20 years ago. The addition of a mezzanine balcony provides new vistas from the once restricted first floor and links the ground floor and first floor bars to create a seamless fluidity to the floor plan and encourage the spirited atmosphere to circulate around the venue. The main ground floor bar is upholstered with a nude fluted leather front which intermittently interrupted by antique brass details which echo the back-bar drink displays and other brass features found throughout the scheme to create a further sense of synergy, whilst maintaining a subtle distinction between the different interior zones.
Company: Fusion by Design
Project: The Living Room
Project Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Our brief was to create a well-crafted elegant space that acknowledges the long-standing heritage of The Living Room brand whilst also re-establishing the venue within the ever-expanding glamour of Manchester's developing hospitality circuit. The client emphasised the need for the interior design scheme to provide quality detailing and finishes, a luxurious palette of materials and a fresh and stylish atmosphere that would provide long lasting sense of style.
Glamorously elegant interiors were our inspiration. The Living Room is an established brand where guests expect quality, so we wanted to expand on this and make the spaces enjoyable, fresh and sexy, yet still in touch with the heritage of the brand. Detailing and using quality materials to their maximum effect helped us to create a decorative but simplistic scheme. Marble and leather feature heavily alongside brass and velvet in a fresh and invigorating selection of colours.
Working to a tight programme and with a short project lead in was the toughest hurdle. It challenged our specification network and ensured that we worked closely with our UK based suppliers. As a result, all tiling, wall finishes, furniture, sanitary ware etc were all sourced from UK stock.
Our highlight was working in collaboration with Haig Club Whiskey to create a distinct interior on the 2nd floor. The interior was sponsored by them with David Beckham, who is an ambassador for the brand, attending the opening.
Unveiling the new balcony was a successful highlight. With spaces that were previously very segregated the scheme required that we connect these spaces both from a visual aspect and from the perspective of the customer and their journey through the space. The connection is achieved through the introduction of a mezzanine balcony accessed by a feature central staircase, allowing vistas from the first floor to the ground and linking the spaces. The nature of the separate second Diageo bars allowed us to introduce very different identities to these spaces creating snugs and unique dens with brighter more distinct atmospheres.
This project was a successful and exciting development. It made an impact on the Manchester hospitality scene and we were proud of the outcome. Having entered the interior design awards in previous years, we felt this project would make a great contender!
Questions answered by Paula Jepmond-Senior, Design Director at Fusion by Design.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week where the concept of surrealism was used to enhance the dynamic architectural form of a property inspired by Rem Koolhaas, click here to see more.
Fusion by Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
In the Volume 6 Issue 4 edition of eSociety, SBID spoked to ergonomics specialist Jim Taylour about his recommendations and basic rules for selecting furniture for classroom environments to improve the quality of interior design in education.
Here's what Jim had to say about the current standards of classroom furnishings...
As an adult, have you ever been to a conference and felt restless because of the uncomfortable chairs, dined out where there's minimum legroom and the acoustics prevent you from hearing your fellow diners properly, or sat on a sofa and thought how deep, low and ill-fitting the experience was, and how it impeded your concentration?
Now consider revisiting these scenarios on a daily basis for a period of 14-plus years and that's beginning to paint a picture of the unintentionally hostile environments we expect children to survive and thrive within school.
Dimensional misfit between children and the equipment provided often causes poor posture, which in turn increases the risk of error, accidents, discomfort, loss of concentration and poor productivity.
At secondary school age, classroom physical activity drops year-by-year, concentration demands increase and the reliance on technology locks students into motionless postures - all on furniture that is non-adjustable and considered non-compliant in the contemporary office.
How to select furniture responsibly
Jim lays out his set of recommendations ranging from the selection of suitable chair sizes and the importance of providing variety and choice, to assessing the adjustability and flexibility of chairs to ensure they are fit for purpose and even considering unique features to suit specific tasks which will aid comfort and posture for the activity at hand. Find out what suggestions Jim made reading the rest of this feature!
Read this feature →
Jim Taylour, a member of SBID's Education Council and Head of Design & Wellbeing at Orangebox
Contact: [email protected]
This feature originally appeared in the Education section within Volume 6 Issue 4 of the official SBID interior design magazine, eSociety.
Click here to read the full issue.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series employs the concept of surrealism to enhance the dynamic architectural form of a property inspired by Rem Koolhaas. The Mansion's interior design concept portrays the bold and daring characteristics of the architecture, building and spatial quality of the project. Main areas such as the Living and Dining space are designed to draw the eye, whereby interior details flow in line with the building's form. Every element is designed 3-dimensionally with differences in height, thickness and overlays, particularly in the ceiling design between the Living and Kitchen area; the Island is used to give the impression of surrealism by skewing its' form to reflect the ceiling's angular direction. The interior scheme intends to expand on the impression of depth evoked by the strong and dynamic design features whilst maintaining practicality and utilising the available space. Nick Fong, Co-Founder & Director at Nu Infinity tells us more.
Company: Nu Infinity
Project: The Mansion
Project Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The brief was set to optimise the available space and make sure the interior, furnishings and accessories of the design scheme fit comfortably and seamlessly into the property to complement other more structural design elements such as the angular walls, abstract shapes, unusual layout, and distorted spaces. The interiors needed to be captivating in order to wow guests and owners alike.
The exterior of the house took inspiration from the provocative works of the contemporary Dutch Architect, Rem Koolhaas. With this in mind, we wanted to pay homage to the Architect's signature style by creating an interior design concept that would reflect the bold tenor of his work and embrace the abstract forms that were created by the unsymmetrical and angular characteristics of the build.
Due to the architectural structure and form of the house, it was extremely difficult to "fill" the interior spaces as the rooms were cut into by angled walls and sharp corners, essentially creating dead, unusable space. Hence one of the main challenges throughout this project was creating pleasant viewpoints and furnishing the property to navigate unconventional layouts to achieve a comfortable volume of space, whilst maintaining the identity of the interior design ideas.
We were able to play on the idea of dynamism as designed at the Foyer, Living Area and Dining Area. We highlighted angular walls by using different finishes and colours to enhance this idea. Moreover, the ceiling design could direct the eye to the appropriate focal pieces of the space and create a sense of harmony and purpose between the furnishings and structural design features, increasing the impact of the property's dynamic spatial quality.
We previously joined SBID in 2016 and attended their famous Award Ceremony. It was an amazing feeling with a properly organised itinerary, helpful personnel, brilliant event space and most importantly, the quality of the competitions and participants were out of this world. In our opinion, SBID International Design Awards is one of the top Architecture / Interior Design competitions in the world.
Questions answered by Nick Fong, Co-Founder & Director at Nu Infinity.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a glamorous Swiss resort perched amidst a breathtaking backdrop of mountainous landscapes in the heart of Switzerland, click here to see more.
Nu Infinity | SBID International Design Awards 2018
The launch acknowledged the SBID IP Register as a first-of-its-kind management tool to help designers ensure their work is legally protected, which in the case of a breach, gives IP crime experts, TM-Eye, the basis to quickly initiate an investigation.
In light of this recent development with SBID forging the pathway for designers to seek IP protection, SBID spoke to a legal expert from Mishcon De Reya LLP. Suzi Sendama, Associate at Mischon, who challenges the myths surrounding IP rights to ensure you don't find yourself inadvertently on the wrong side of the law!
At a recent SBID 20:20 Event at The Dorchester, Suzi spoke about a number of common misconceptions relating to intellectual property rights. While many designers have a good idea of what intellectual property is - indeed, is is a company's most valuable asset and exploiting it can be the key to maximising the profits of a business - there are so many commonly believed IP myths that could land you on the wrong side of an expensive claim for IP infringement.
Many of these misconceptions surround what a designer can and cannot do when inspired by the work of others. From product design and written content, to the legalities of using trademarks. It is said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. But not all designers would consider it to be a compliment to see their design copied by a competitor. To avoid inadvertently infringing an earlier design, make sure you are clued up on what you can and cannot do if you are designing a product which is similar to one which is already on the market.
Find out what Suzi suggests are the most common misconceptions, what the legal implications of these misconceptions would be, and how you can best protect your work by reading the full feature.
For further information on Intellectual Property Protection and what we are doing to combat the issue, visit our website.
Suzi Sendama at Mishcon De Reya LLP
[email protected], +44 (0) 203 321 6794.
Have you missed Suzi's most recent article on the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules that will be enforced and how they could affect your business? Click here to see more.
This feature originally appeared in the Business section within Volume 6 Issue 4 of the official SBID interior design magazine, eSociety.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a glamorous 5* Swiss resort with captivatingly panoramic views, uniquely positioned in Canton Nidwalden. Perched amidst a breathtaking backdrop of mountainous landscapes in the heart of Switzerland, the resort is strategically and seamlessly nestled beside the summit of mountain Bürgenstock. Taking full advantage of the profoundly awakening scenes bestowed by this scenic peninsula, the complex sits 874 m above sea level, surrounded almost in its entirety by the vast, deep-blue expanse of Lake Lucerne and winding Alpine foothills.
MKV Design took on this extraordinary project with the aim of creating a luxurious hotel resort which sits harmoniously with the serene natural landscapes that subsequently envelop this lavish retreat, where each uniquely tailored space brings about a synergy between the resort's guests and the encompassing natural environment. Maria Vafiadis, Managing Director at MKV Design, tells us more.
Company: MKV Design
Project: The Bürgenstock Resort
Project Location: Switzerland
For over 100 years, Bürgenstock was one of Europe’s most legendary resorts, the glamorous destination for celebrities, a place of immense design vision and a location that offered complete immersion into the natural world. Our task was to restore its iconic status by drawing on this inheritance to create a new legacy for the future. We achieved this by creating several of the resort’s highlights, including the Bürgenstock Hotel, the 108,000-square-foot Alpine Spa, The Palace Hotel and Conferences, The Grand Residence Suites and the Sharq Oriental Restaurant and Shisha Lounge. Our design provides a guest experience that is specific to each part with buildings that nevertheless create a homogeneous destination.
Our interior design concept celebrates the heritage of this iconic resort dating from the 19th and through the 20th Century from Belle Epoque to ‘Palm Springs’ in the 1950's, which helped to make the resort synonymous with glamour and sophistication. Nevertheless, the resort is very much designed with today’s high guest expectations in mind and is aimed at a geographically diverse clientele.
We also took inspiration from the resort’s unbeatable location atop the mountains overlooking Lake Lucerne. Meaningful engagement with the natural world is everything. In the Bürgenstock Hotel for example, the interior design is deliberately held in check to allow the natural world to be the star. Materials are natural, textural and local – stone from the mountains for instance – achieving a sense of uninterrupted transition from the world outside to the environment indoors.
The magnificence and sheer power of the natural terrain has informed the design of the spa, which has been dramatically extended by tunnelling through the mountain and adding a cantilevered glass box that is perched on the side of the mountain above the lake, offering visitors panoramic, bird’s eye views. From the 35°C outdoor infinity hydropool – one of three pools on site – where you can gaze across to Mount Pilatus, to the treatment rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the lake, the location takes centre stage with views that soothe the soul.
The Palace Hotel and Conferences has been reinvented as a synthesis of grand fin-de-siècle architecture and state-of-the-art interior design. It opened originally in 1903 and is a magnificent example of classical architecture. While working in line with all the principles of historic preservation, we have essentially created a new hotel. The ground floor public areas have been recreated as faithful interpretation of the original, while the function areas and guestroom levels above are contemporary in style.
We were entrusted with the review of the original architectural master-planning for the new Bürgenstock Hotel. When we design hotels, we want them to work from the inside out. This is the only way to ensure that the narrative will be coherent and the experience compelling. After careful consideration, we came up with the solution of a smaller footprint, creating an L-shaped building that is the hotel today, that not only achieved the most amazing views from all the guestrooms and public areas, but also made space for a large outside terrace which enhanced the visual connection with The Palace Hotel next door and created an outdoor route from the Piazza through the wonderful elevated garden walk that connects The Bürgenstock Hotel with the Palace Hotel.
For me, I would say The Bürgenstock Hotel and the Alpine Spa. All the hotel’s 102 guestrooms project the guest towards the view as soon as they open their door with a perfect flow of spaces from arrival through the lounge area to the bedroom and then on to the full height window with integrated seating. The bathrooms offer a similar flow towards the window where, in the luxury of a sunken double-size tub, guests can soak in wonder. Similarly, every step of the journey, from the entrance procession through the ethereal glowing rock face walls of the tunnel, to the breathtaking panoramas from the pool and zen-like experience of the relaxation areas, celebrates the wonder of nature and the wellbeing of both body and soul. Spas are frequently introverted but we wanted the Alpine Spa to be extraverted – or look outward – because of the magnificently calming and rejuvenating views.
SBID is one of the most highly respected awards schemes in the interior design industry. We value the calibre of the projects entered and take pride in having our work judged by such an esteemed panel.
Questions answered by Maria Vafiadis, Managing Director at MKV Design.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week with London-based design & build company who transformed a Victorian building at King’s Cross Station into a remarkable, ultra-modern workspace, click here to see more.
MKV Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
However, even if you don't enter your project for an Award, we're always interested in sharing and celebrating impressive design projects from around the world. So much so that in every issue of our eSociety magazine we take a look at some of the most inspiring projects, from large-scale retail designs and global hotel projects to high-end luxury residential developments, to see how creativity in interior design is transforming the way we work and live our lives.
In this issue, we explored a new luxury destination nestled between Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Hotel Californian is idyllically placed in the Santa Barbara, coined the American Riviera for it's picturesque landscapes and Mediterranean climate. Designed by LA-based interior designer, Martyn Lawrence Bullard sensitively retained the façade of the original 1925 Hotel Californian, whilst incorporating the rich, eclectic vibrancy of traditional Mediterranean designs.
This 121 room seaside destination comprises of a rooftop pool, featuring panoramic views of the coastline. Brimming with Mediterranean influences and sultry Moroccan details, this project included the hotel's two restaurants and spa; the hotel's signature restaurant, Blackbird; the more casual dining option, the Goat Tree Cafe; and Spa Marjorelle, the hotel's resident luxury spa. Discover more about how Martyn Lawrence Bullard captured the authentic Moroccan character and imbued the essence of Marrakech throughout this stunning hotel design.
This feature originally appeared in the Portfolio section within Volume 7 Issue 1 of the official SBID interior design magazine, eSociety.
Click here to read the full issue or see more inspiring projects in the Portfolio section, here.
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