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
What was the client’s brief?
To create the Best Spa in Australia.
What inspired the design of the Project?
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.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
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.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
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.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
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
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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.
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
Blainey North Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Bilska de Beaupuy | SBID International Design Awards 2018
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
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
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
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features London-based design and build company Oktra who took on the challenge of transforming a Victorian building at King’s Cross Station into a remarkable ultra-modern workspace for 300 people. The brief was to create a forwarding-thinking collaborative workplace without affecting the original architecture of the building. The Oktra team inserted contemporary design using intriguing landscapes and modern shapes into the industrial period building. The space includes 300 fixed workstations, open plan desking and several meeting pods over an expansive café area. Biophilia is used throughout to create a relaxing natural environment and bring a sense of the outdoors in. The space allows NewDay to choose how, when and where they work by offering a range of work settings. Each area is designed for a different type of task.
Company: Oktra
Project: NewDay
NewDay appointed our team to design a bold and modern 30,000 sq ft workspace in a magnificent Victorian building. They required a design which would grant more working space to help promote collaboration. NewDay wanted a mixture of formal and informal meeting places, including 300 fixed workstations to encourage productivity and communication.
Our vision was to achieve a contemporary design whilst retaining the building’s original mid-18th century features. To achieve this we inserted intriguing landscapes and modern shapes against the period brickwork backdrop to create an interesting and engaging juxtaposition which created a complimentary contrast between modern features and the characterful components of the previous architectural structure. We therefore had to come up with a design which was sympathetic to the buildings original features but also able to inject a lively and contemporary spirit into the property.
Working with and around the Grade II Listed building, and connecting the 2 parts of the building together visually was definitely the most challenging aspect of the project. The site has close proximity to rail tunnels below the ground floor and an acoustic floor separates the demise at first floor level so there were various reasons to tread carefully which we had to navigate as the project developed in order to complete the work without compromising on our original vision.
The project’s most remarkable feature is a floating 60m long mezzanine suspended over an acoustic floor, leaving a striking impression on everyone who enters the space. This complex piece of engineering is completely independent of the existing building fabric, and maximises use of the space while offering a different perspective. This involved lengthy coordination of services from our team alongside a series of structural gymnastics within the raised floor.
Being one of the most prestigious awards in the design industry, we were honoured to be finalists in the 2017 SBID International Design Awards. To be recognised by SBID is a true testament to the work we do as leading design and build specialists.
Questions answered by David Bishop, Senior Designer at Oktra
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with a sleek and faceted interior concept, inspired by the striking linear architecture of the Dollar Bay development in Canary Wharf, 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!
Oktra | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the interior specification design for the Dollar Bay Penthouses located in Canary Wharf, London. Suna Interior Design was selected by Mount Anvil and Citystyle (One Housing) to translate the faceted and linear qualities of this unique building in different ways throughout the property. Complimenting the striking architecture and creating a harmony between the exterior and interior elements were integral to the style and design of this luxury residential development. Dollar Bay sits in a glamorous enclave where elite fashion brands, high-end dining, leisure and charismatic nightlife come together to offer a cultured and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Suna Interior Design carefully considered every design decision to reflect this aura of affluence and style, typified by the building’s opulent surroundings.
Company: Suna Interior Design
Project: Dollar Bay Penthouse
When we work with developers on any specification work, we take into account many contributory factors.
In this instance, we were working on only two apartments but they were the jewel in the crown of this development as they were the triplex penthouse units atop the striking Dollar Bay development for Mount Anvil. The penthouse apartments offered a truly unique space as the interior was spread across four floors finishing with an impressive multifunctional area consisting of a spa, dining and lounge area with triple height glazing and views across the docklands landscape.
As with all penthouse designs, the client needed us to come up with a design for the interior which would impress their potential buyers and maximise the space within. When specifying interiors that need to stand the test of time it is important to select finishes that will not date and choose products that have a long aesthetic lifespan. We combine this with adding in individual design details to add some identity to the interior and touch points to link it to the architecture.
The fundamental starting point for all of the design was the architecture of the building. The external glazing facets in and out which ran all the way up the structure created a truly impressive and dramatic design aesthetic. This influenced many key features of the interior design. Specifically the internal doors and ironmongery were bespoke, designed to incorporate the same faceted and angled designs to mirror the rest of the property. Having a direct correlation between the interior and the exterior creates an intelligently curated overall aesthetic with synergy between all areas.
One of the hardest areas to design was the master ensuite due to the layout of the room and the desire to create an impressive addition to the master bedroom. The area we were working with reflected the angled features of the architecture. The unusual space with large glazing panels displayed incredible views across Canary Wharf and linked the ensuite to the generous winter garden which wrapped around the perimeter of the rooms. The angled shape of the space ended up working to our advantage, allowing us to position the shower enclosure to the rear, hiding the WC between the smoked shower screen and a bespoke slatted divider beside the vanity unit. The double basin vanity was a truly impressive feature with a bespoke marble vanity unit and shelf that bisected a full height mirror with integrated Led lighting. We used the Agape Sen range of brassware that followed the linear lines of the vanity and finished off this area perfectly. We sourced a unique slash sided freestanding bath that butted to the angled wall and provided a luxurious bathing area with fantastic views.
The most impressive area within the apartment is the last one you come across. At the top of the building there is a 3 storey open spa which links the dining room and an upper open floor as a second lounge. We knew when we started looking at this impressive space that the large wall that forms the backdrop to the spa area needed to have impact. As it is such a large wall area we wanted to add product which would break it up and add interest. We selected a tile product that was available in multiple sizes and surface finishes so that each one would catch the light differently. In addition we added in recess strip lighting to the wall in specific areas so that the whole area would transform from day to night.
We hold the opinions of those at SBID very high as we know they have high expectations and broad industry experience. Achieving success at these awards would be an accolade we would be immensely proud off and a testament to the work we have produced.
Questions answered by Helen Fewster, Director at Suna Interior Design
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the virtual reality theme park inspired by the vibrant cityscape of Dubai, click here to see more.
Suna Interior Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series introduces a new age of theme park with a thought-provoking and awe-inspiring dimension that Dubai has never seen before. The design concept pays a very unique homage to the vibrant city that is Dubai, featuring a life-like replica of the infamous skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, from an entirely new perspective. 4SPACE Design took the brief of bringing the Dubai cityscape to life for this innovative theme park and made it a virtual reality to amaze and inspire the imagination of all its visitors!
Company: 4SPACE Design
Project: VR Park, Dubai
Project Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
EMAAR Entertainment wanted to create a one of a kind virtual reality theme park that has never been created in Dubai before. The design concept was to create a unique experience with a futuristic ambience which introduced visitors to the wonderful world of virtual reality. They were hoping for an innovative and thought-provoking design approach that would blow the minds of users visiting the space.
The project is inspired by Dubai city itself. The focal point of the entire theme park interior is a giant model of the Burj Khalifa hanging upside down from the ceiling to the floor. The initial concept sketch started with the upside down Burj Khalifa and we collaborated with the theming company to get the proper proportion, finish, look and feel of the real building.
The infrastructure of downtown Dubai is projected as a video map on the ceiling while the columns beside the Burj Khalifa are designed as building models to create the illusion of walking through the upside-down version of Dubai.
This reoccurring theme influences the design approach of the entire interior space. For example, the reflective blue epoxy flooring replicates the Dubai night sky while the handrails and staircase are designed to demonstrate the look and feel of Burj Khalifa itself.
The biggest challenge was achieving an upside down cityscape of Dubai. The scheme was to replicate the city so we teamed up with a theming company that was able to execute the life-like details of the cityscape.
The façade was the highlight of the project. It tells the entire story. We wanted to start the story from entrance which would be reinforced as you walked through the entire space. 4SPACE crafted an innovative, unique, and delightful design using modern technology. The large 90 degree curved LED display screen panel shows a complete cityscape of downtown Dubai bent upside down. It was designed with the intention of alluding to the user, the magnificent experience awaiting them inside. The LED screen showcases Dubai during the day and night with fascinating animations.
The SBID International Design Awards is one of the most prestigious, credible, and enjoyable events in the design industry calendar. It pays tribute to the projects and designers making their mark in the interior design industry. The awards attract the world’s top designers and potential clients around the globe.
Questions answered by Firas Alsahin, Interior Architect / Managing Director at 4SPACE Design
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the transformation of an uninspiring driveway into the ultimate luxury man cave, click here to see more.
4SPACE Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
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