Sue Whimster Curtains, the specialist providers of bespoke window coverings, have assisted in the creation of beautifully designed, hand-made curtains, blinds and accessories on behalf of interior designers, private clients and property developers across London, Kent and Surrey since 1989. SBID spoke with Sue Whimster herself as she offers her valuable advice to designers when it comes to installing curtains into their interior design scheme.
"We work with interior designer’s day in and day out and our vast experience in creating custom curtains for their projects means that we’ve come across the many ups and downs that can affect their work, not to mention ours. As much as it’s helpful to give top tips for success, it also pays to bear the potential pitfalls in mind that can seriously hinder the success of any project. With that in mind, we thought we’d share our top mistakes that could cause problems or setbacks, and hopefully help us all work better together to get the very best results for everyone!"
Here are Sue Whimster's top 10 mistakes that interior designers should try to avoid when ordering curtains. . .
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This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a lavish villa apartment in the coastal province of Southeast China which strives to harmonise people, space and nature by connecting the interior and exterior environments for the ultimate luxury vacation. A design which balances indoor and outdoor space; plays with light and shadow; combining neutral tones with dark accents; whilst juxtaposing decorative, oriental style elements with clean, modern lines and simple, yet sophisticated structures to incorporate themes of contemporary design, embody Southeast Asian craftsmanship and evoke a sense of exotic elegance.
Company: Daosheng Design Co.
Project: Poly Beiluo Villa C1 Apartment
Project Location: Guangdong, China
What was the client's brief?
The Client's main hope was to create a luxurious villa apartment which generates a relaxing vacation environment which connects people with nature in a simple and well balanced way, embracing the relationship between people, space and nature.
What inspired the design of the Project?
As the project is close to the seaside, the sound of the sea breeze can be heard in the distance and the smell of salty water hangs in the air, so visitors instantly get the feeling of returning to nature. Combining a simple, neutral colour palette throughout to evoke a calm atmosphere, with dark accents of wood and marble on selected surfaces and furnishings helps to balance the neutrals to exude a deep natural flavor. The project abandons complex decorative lines, replaced by simple structures and neat styling, balanced with subtle inclusions of more exotic elements such as Thai inspired cushions and oriental ornamental features.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
1.Using a small selection of simple, natural materials and a harmonious layout throughout the project to create a comfortable life between people and nature; people and space; and also between people and people. Striking a complimentary balance of each of these core components of space, nature and people was the main challenge. Each space needed to be in touch with nature, create communal areas for socialising, as well as spatial divisions for privacy, allowing visitors personal time to reflect and connect with nature.
2.Because the project is near the sea, selecting the right materials required careful consideration to prevent any corrosion from the salty atmosphere.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Seeing the careful marriage between indoor and outdoor, as architecture and garden combine to become an organic whole. Creating a space that will be in sincerity with Southeast Asia, through elements of solid wood and rattan to express and bring a heavy sense of culture, whilst incorporating themes of modern life with the essence of freshness and simplicity to reconcile the whole space and create a haven away from the hustle and bustle; returning to nature, inside and out. Every detail considered, even down to the white drapes hanging on the bed frame to give a therapeutic, dream-like vision of the gentle sea breeze fluttering as the space appears light, lazy and gorgeous. Also, seeing the play of light and shadow change room by room, so that each space transforms with the phasing of the day from dawn to dusk.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
The SBID International Design Award is the World's leading design award and enjoys wide popularity in the design world at home and abroad. We participate in the SBID International Design Awards in the hope that our design can be seen and shared with more people, so that ideas can collide across the continents and inspire globally with beauty and design excellence.
Questions answered by YongMing He, Design Director at Daosheng Design
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a stunningly stylish SieMatic kitchen design in the opulent Alderley Edge, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Daosheng Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click to shop
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
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 . . . .
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.
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