This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the ultimate luxury man cave! The dark, sultry and masculine design of this glorified garage was built to house the client’s invaluable collection of sports cars. The space now embodies the essence of a moody underground club, doubling up as a sanctum of entertainment where the client can play pool in the glamour of a subterranean bar. The project evolved to include a plethora of cutting-edge technology. Every carefully considered curve and specially selected surface, combined with the un-apologetically flashy and unmistakably contemporary design, has managed to transform what used to be an uninspiring driveway into a gallant showcase of masculinity, impressive enough to rival any Hollywood-style superhero garage. We think this project would give the likes of Tony Stark a run for his money!
Company: The Design Practice by UBER
Project: Man Cave
Project Location: Manchester, UK
What was the clients brief?
Following the completion of the main house and its enjoyment for a year or two the client realised that there was a fundamental piece of the jigsaw missing from the lifestyle he had created. Looking out onto the driveway hinted at the missing component. The client’s collection of sports cars sat on a driveway in the affluent south Manchester suburb where the weather was not always as pretty as the cars themselves.
The cars were isolated, hardly ever garaged as a result of an awkward entry point to the garage itself which involved reversing back up a steep driveway to get the cars out. From within the blank canvas space there was the usual hoarding of garage paraphernalia and wheelie bins to negotiate and for remodelling consideration there were some fundamental construction obstacles to overcome. Not least there were two huge structural columns which were positioned awkwardly in the space. The floor to ceiling heights were already on the low side and yet we needed to get air conditioning and fresh air into the space. We then had the challenge of allowing for the cars to turn and enter and exit the space comfortably (rather than reversing up the drive) as well as providing a break between the garage space and living space that met with building regulations.
The wish list then evolved to include a moody underground club feel entertaining space where the client could play pool in the glamour of a subterranean bar and watch the football with his mates. He wanted the space to feel like an exciting break from the every day and quickly caught the technology bug desiring to push the boundaries within a tight pre-built space wanting luxury, intrigue and showmanship.
What inspired the design of the Project?
The Design Practice by UBER set about creating a car ‘trophy cabinet’, to take the very finishes from inside these stunning vehicles and translate them onto the walls of the garage together with some bespoke hotel inspired materials. The client loved our initial concept including a turntable to showcase his showcase sports cars and allow them to be rotated in a small space, making it also extremely practical. The brief quickly evolved to include a plethora of cutting-edge technology to rival superhero garages from a Hollywood blockbuster.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
The circular ceiling feature that sits above the turntable was a masterpiece in design and engineering in itself. Weighing over a ton and being suspended from a heavily clustered ceiling full of pipe work and cabling, it needed a great deal of thought. In the design intent it was critical that we achieved a glow from the amber back-lit precious quartz that we had set our hearts on using together with a smoked mirrored central section to show the car off and reflect across the roofline.
However, the weight of the stone was substantial and proved a problem for use in the ceiling detail as well as the fact that the waste material would have been enormous. We managed to get the slabs of the precious stone to site and once correctly illuminated we photographed the pieces and then printed the high resolution image onto lightweight acrylic to use on the ceiling section. This was highly successful and the faux material works harmoniously with the real precious stone in the bar and wine cabinet areas, something that would have been almost impossible to achieve had we not photographed and used the same pieces.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The enthusiasm of the client was evident throughout pushing us to bring together services at the very cutting edge of technology. The car turntable was designed to be controlled by custom designed Crestron wall panels to create a bespoke “man-cave” feel. The system shows the exact rotational position of the car on the turntable. With a simple swipe, the car can be rotated to specific angles to show off its best side in a pre-set positions or simply spin 360° for “look at me” appeal. And when the system is not in use the vehicle will always come to rest pointing outwards, towards the garage entrance for fast drive away convenience.
Due to sensors in the car and driveway, as the homeowner simply approaches the home’s lighting, heating and music systems fires into life matching the predetermined preferences of the particular car that has arrived.
There are sensors on every door within the man-cave, which not only enhance safety (the turntable won’t operate if the door is open), but also notifies the owner if the wine cellar door is left open.
The lighting scheme has been carefully considered to work with all the contrasting surfaces to give the most dramatic impact possible to this moody space. From the shiny and reflective surfaces of floors and polished plaster ceilings, to the soft leather paneling and backlit quartz pops of colour. Along with the industrial decorative drop lights, each aspect of the lighting was crucial in bringing this theatre spectacularly to life for the most incredible impact possible.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
As an esteemed society within the industry, the SBID awards are hugely influential for awareness and recognition to a global audience. As a long-standing member we look forward to submitting our projects which allows us to realise, each year, how our esteem peers push us forward to achieve greater things.
Questions answered by Jim Evans, Director at The Design Practice by UBER
To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest design inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram @sbiduk
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with a lavish and tranquil family home based in Kuwait City, inspired by a vast collection of Middle Eastern treasures, click here to see more.
Entries were received, finalists deliberated and the winners of the SBID International Design Awards 2017 were announced! Click here to see the full list.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
The Design Practice by UBER | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a stunning property based in Kuwait City, perched on the cusp of the Arabian Gulf, in Kuwait. Amidst this beautiful little nation, Katharine Pooley helped to forge a lavish but tranquil family home where the family can entertain and showcase their extensive collection of artefacts and antiques, amounted over the years from all across the Far East. Katharine’s extensive travels inspired many of the spaces in this villa, along with the client’s own authentic Middle Eastern treasures.
Company: Katharine Pooley Ltd
Project: Kuwait Villa
Project Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait
Katharine Pooley Ltd was appointed in 2010 to design all elements of a new build 40,000 square feet project for a Kuwaiti family wishing to create a bespoke 4 story home with internal courtyard and beautifully landscaped, oriental-inspired gardens. Along with the interior design of the house, the team were heavily involved in the design of the architectural detailing which included the design and coordination of the external architectural elements, bespoke cornices concealing AC units, intricate external and internal doors, glass cladded curved central staircase, balustrades, bathrooms designs and all marble selection throughout.
The client’s incredible collection of antiques and artefacts were a great source of inspiration for the furnishings and joinery of the property. These really helped to deliver the overall unique feel for the project and always gave the team an element of surprise and discovery to incorporate into the final build and design of this stunning family home.
With over 5m high ceilings on the ground floor and extra-large proportions to a number of the rooms, most of the spaces needed to deliver both comfortable and impressive accommodation for all the family and friends to use. Great care was spent on the furniture layout and design which helped us to achieve both an elegant and impressive ambiance.
For decorative inspiration, the team looked to the places and materials I’d enjoyed while living in Asia. The resulting scheme is layered, fresh, and studded with remarkable bespoke pieces. These include the central staircase column, which has a specialist finish inspired by the turquoise cladding of the Kam Tin cabinets in the entrance hall, and a copper and hold-leaf wall divider in the family entrance that echoes the movement of the rice fields in Vietnam.
The International Design Awards are well-respected within the industry and Katharine Pooley Ltd has had a long association with the SBID, previously supporting the Student Awards and even receiving the Joint Overall Winner Award in the International Design Awards 2012.
Questions answered by Katharine Pooley, Director at Katharine Pooley Ltd
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the boutique style retail design of luxury accessory and lifestyle brand, kate spade new york, in Paris, click here to see more.
Katherine Pooley | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the modern luxury accessory and lifestyle brand, kate spade new york, in Paris. The market leading specialists, Portview Fit-Out, were called upon to complete the interior design work on the brand’s new flagship store to mark kate spade’s celebrated arrival into France, following the successful launch of their Regent Street store in London last year. Located at 418 Rue Saint-Honoré and measuring 185 square metres over two floors, the design scheme created by kate spade new york and Hyphen radiates opulence, with contrasting white and grey terrazzo tiles, polished brass inlays and railings, and high gloss counter tops. The sophisticated white colour palette cleverly draws the eye towards the colourful assortment of product categories including handbags, ready-to-wear and fashion accessories whilst boasting an air of Parisian finesse.
Company: Portview Fit-Out
Project: Kate Spade, Paris
Project Location: Paris, France
The design of the flagship sought to embrace mid-century modern influences while maintaining the authentic aesthetic of the neighborhood. The store’s two-level façade was inspired by a traditional Parisian storefront, incorporating painted wood and dark stone accents. Furniture from the kate spade new york home collection is blended into the overall store design, allowing customers to immerse themselves in the world of kate spade new york.
Our goal was to make the clients’ creative vision a reality and that’s exactly what we’ve done here. The integrity of the kate spade new york brand is present throughout, with subtle splashes of colour and signature Sputnik lighting, and is integrated with Parisian elements to give the store individuality and cultural context.
Undoubtedly it was the surrounding Parisian architecture that played a huge part in the design of the store. The design of the two-storey boutique is distinctive and individual, with features ranging from neon signage and iconic patterned wallpapers, through to crown mouldings and crafted pilasters. The overall look combines kate spade new york’s trademark playful aesthetic with classic Haussmann-esque mouldings and detailing that are typical of Parisian architecture.
The joinery and cabinet work were designed in the U.S. and fitted by ourselves. The unique lighting scheme sourced “Sputnik” fittings from the U.S. which were rewired for local currents, giving the store a distinctive American ambience.
This store was a unique site in a landmark location, and the team overcame a number of challenges to ensure a successful delivery. Working on one of the most exclusive streets in Paris, came with complex local regulations that contrast vastly with those in the UK. For example, when it came to navigating the Parisian planning processes we needed to work closely with the local authority to adapt the shopfront design to meet their requirements. This involved a lengthy 16-week consultation process, which resulted in the commission of a black, high-gloss painted lacquer finish with gilded detailing, which gives the shopfront a signature look that is both classic and chic.
To work our way around the language barrier, we have a number of multilingual employees who are fluent in French and were able to communicate effectively with the local representatives.
Working in partnership with kate spade new york and Hyphen was a delight, largely thanks to our shared passion for creating exceptional spaces, experiences and solutions for people to enjoy.
This is the second retail project we’ve fitted for kate spade new york, with the completion of the Regent Street store in London in 2016 and the Paris flagship location last summer. It was a real team effort from our outstanding employees and we take great pride in having completed another standout project in one of the world’s fashion capitals.
The SBID Awards sets the precedent for design excellence and are hugely influential in curating new trends and industry standards, which we should all aspire to.
At Portview we pride ourselves in delivering exceptional interiors that are world-class. To be recognised on such a global scale by the industry’s most respected organisation, would be a huge achievement for us and one which we would cherish. Last year we were shortlisted for our fit-out of Harvey Nichols’ Menswear and Beauty Lounge departments in Knightsbridge, which was a brilliant experience and one which we hope to emulate again this year.
Questions answered by Simon Campbell, Managing Director at Portview Fit-Out
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the charmingly opulent, French-inspired eatery by DesignLSM, click here to see more.
Entries were received, finalists deliberated and the winners of the SBID International Design Awards 2017 have been announced! Click here to see the full list.
Portview Fit-Out | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the latest venture from Michelin-starred chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin. DesignLSM were tasked with introducing the opulent eatery, Demoiselle by Galvin, to Dubai’s newest urban living destination – CITY WALK 2. The interior design concept expands upon their flagship restaurant located within Harrods department store, London. The 6,039 sqft restaurant is set across two floors featuring an artisan patisserie counter, juice bar, modern tea parlour and two intimate terrace spaces, which offer patrons resplendent views. The overall scheme combines a modern and stylish aesthetic with a delightfully warm ambiance, radiating elegance at every turn, and giving Dubai a taste of the artistic and enchanting French charm we all adore.
Company: DesignLSM
Project: Demoiselle by Galvin
Project Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Having worked with the Galvin brothers on a number of projects over the years, we were delighted when they approached us to design the interior for their first venue within the Middle East. Our brief was to encapsulate the essence of the original Demoiselle in the Harrods department store in London, creating an elegant, modern and stylish all-day dining destination.
The interior design scheme was originally inspired by an ornate collection of paintings illustrating beautiful birds of paradise, and Parisian women in a pastel-hued palette, which Chris Galvin stumbled across on a trip to Champagne. We decided to curate the opulent artwork into the interior and branding of the scheme; creating a stylish and feminine design aesthetic with signature touches that allude to Galvin’s authentic French character.
The budget constraints on the project were very challenging and as a consequence there was a constant effort and policing on our side to maintain the design essence and DNA of the Galvin Brand.
Seeing several years of discussions and development coming to full fruition. Demoiselle is unique to Dubai…there really is nothing quite like it!
The SBID awards are a great platform for designers to showcase their work to the industry and other fellow creatives. Demoiselle by Galvin was a big moment for us as a design practice, we feel we have achieved something very unique here and really wanted to showcase our hard work and success on this beautiful scheme.
Questions answered by Simon Spiteri, Architectural & Projects Director at DesignLSM
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the illustrious Mayfair apartment by 1.61 London, click here to see more.
DesignLSM | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an illustrious Mayfair apartment, seamlessly integrated with premium quality textures and materials, then finished with high-end furnishings to create the ultimate luxury aesthetic. Akin to the exceptional gentry and opulent nature of its neighbouring properties in the exclusive and sought-after territory of Mayfair’s Park Lane, this ultra lush pad is definitely on par with the beau monde of London’s residential elite and has encapsulated the essence of luxury with distinction; boasting the latest in interior technology.
Company: 1.61 London
Project: Park Street, Mayfair
Project Location: Greater London, United Kingdom
The brief was to create a fluid interior design scheme with effortless transition, whilst adhering to symmetrical elevation structures. Luxurious finishes were also a necessity given the apartment was next to Park Lane with the best technology integration that was on the market. Structurally we were required to open up the floorplate and increase the ceiling heights throughout to achieve the best possible design result.
The interior design of the property was inspired by a few key principles. The location was a key driver in the aesthetic. We needed to create an opulent and luxurious look in a modern way. We also wanted to set a benchmark on the design principles of 1.61 London with all of our years of experience in the industry. We wanted to combine and tie together the very best elements we had seen in the interior design industry and create a breathtaking apartment.
In any Central London building, working in tandem with buildings surveyors is always tough. You are always having to push the marker to get them on board with a unique design request. There were so many tough hurdles we overcame to deliver the end scheme from rebuilding the floors structure to achieve a 3.1m ceiling height, adding intricate ceiling details, including the master bathroom polished plastered arch. The duo sync FR glass sliding doors hidden in front of back lit onyx end panels were a particularly unique and difficult design creation because we had such limited depth to achieve everything we wanted in a fire rated manner.
I think it was all the amazing textures and materials we managed to incorporate into the project. In the kitchen, back lit onyx panels stand opposite to elevationally identical doors, finished in mirror, polished plaster and metal. The reception room main elevation of rebated metal bead lines the polished plastered TV wall and sits centred above a remote controlled marble clad ethanol burner. Either side are book cases with 50mm thick walnut open shelving and triangular chain mail upholstered doors. We mix natural stone with polished plaster, paint against wallpaper, engineered wood flooring against metal profiles and carpet inserts. In the kitchen a mixture of liquid metal doors, ostrich feather lacquered bass units and black glass wall units were chosen. These materials are interchanged and re-implemented throughout to keep continuation but to make each space distinct and interesting.
Also worth mentioning that Alexa controls the entire house!
They are a very important institute which pushes the very boundaries of innovative and new design. They give designers a platform to showcase their achievements and show you what you are competing against. Each year the standards increase and each year you have to up your game. They also showcase design to a wider audience which gives your work the necessary critical platform for all to see and discuss.
To see more inside this lavish Mayfair apartment watch the video tour, here.
Questions answered by Michael Christou and Alexander Christou, Directors of 1.61 London
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the fiery and exotically-inspired Bankside abode by Hill House Interiors, click here to see more.
1.61 London | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a punchy penthouse apartment which flirts dangerously with the colour red. Inspired by the exoticism of the wild tiger, this apartment exudes excitement and sophistication through the bold blend of bright colours. The carefully selected furnishings give this property its electrifying, yet illustrious edge to capture the imagination of all those who visit this elaborately eclectic abode. Leading guests on an exciting journey as they are lured through this enticing jungle of vibrancy and undeniable style to soak up the stunning 360 views across London’s Bankside. We’re sure it’ll receive flaming reviews from anyone lucky enough to explore this tastefully contemporary oriental oasis.
Company: Hill House Interiors
Project: London Bankside Penthouse
The clients, a professional couple with global business interests, gave us a detailed brief, confidently underlining their love of strong colour – particularly red, their passion for the exotic wild tiger, and their need of a few quirky surprises to entertain guests as they explore the main reception areas of their fabulous new London home.
When a brand new 22nd floor bankside penthouse was introduced to us as a blank canvas, we felt duty bound to deliver an interior design scheme as stunning as the 360 degree views, delivering interiors worthy of this iconic landmark building, famous for its dramatic glass pitched roofs.
Our team managed to turn this project around in record time – from start to finish we managed to be in and out within just three months, which, considering the long lead time for a lot of the bespoke interior design elements within the home, is no mean feat!
The Sharon Marston chandelier above the super-sized one off table was custom made, each strand measured to a specific length to line up with the ascending height of the overhead lofty glass ceiling. Each strand was hung separately to ensure a sleek and perfectly level finish above the table.
Additionally, stretching across two walls are hand carved metal panels featuring a vibrant jungle scene, complete with prowling tigers. Soaring to the ceiling of the upper internal gallery, the framed and lit bronze artwork creates the ultimate show stopping backdrop to this impressive living space.
SBID are consistently at the forefront of both new trends and interior design, while championing exciting and innovative suppliers. As well as the fabulous awards, events and networking opportunities they organise, the SBID accreditation give us an edge as interior designers, it’s also great to work closely with such a wonderful team.
Questions answered by Helen Bygraves, co-Founder of Hill House Interiors
To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on our new Instagram page @sbiduk
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the artfully designed family home in Amman, ‘Jordan House’ by Iggi Interior Design, click here to see more.
Hill House Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an architecturally strong property with a bold and artful design. This large family home is located in the warm climate of Amman, Jordan, a city known for it’s ancient ruins which are steeped in history. The formal rooms in this property were inspired by Middle Eastern design and the relaxed family areas were influenced by UK culture, including red telephone phone boxes, Union Jack curtains and UK stamps emblazoned on rugs! The property features contemporary and bright aesthetics with influences from pop culture and pop art. The home had a lot of separate areas which enabled the designers to create formal spaces juxtaposed with a mix of informal and family spaces, the focus was on creating dynamic spaces that bring a large family together using art, strong patterns and bold design. Susan White Interior Design & Iggi Interior Design create unique spaces for large properties around the globe.
Company: Iggi Interior Design
Project: Jordan House
What was the brief?
To create a luxurious home for a VIP family in Jordan. This house would be their main residence while in Jordan and need to both entertain VIP’s as well as act as a relaxed family home.
The family lived between the UK and Jordan, so it was important to incorporate both cultures into the design. The formal areas have been inspired by the Middle East and the relaxed informal areas looked towards the UK for inspiration.
Installing this large 27000 square foot project was a real highlight, it was a labour of love, but to see it all come together was such a magical feeling.
At Iggi Interior Design, we believe that community is so important and design awards give us the chance to share our work with the wider community so that we can all learn and be inspired by each other too. Plus, it’s nice to win every now and then and be recognised for your work.
Questions answered by Susan White, Founder of Iggi Interior Design
To ensure you are kept up to date with the latest inspiration sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the flamboyant retro interiors of Clare Gaskin’s ‘Surrey Fun House’ click here to see more
Iggi Interior Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the retro flamboyance of the Surrey Fun House. With a minimal brief which requested the inclusion of a video game/chill out room, a gym, sauna and outdoor basketball court, Clare Gaskin Interiors transformed a Georgian lodge into a truly unique and mind boggling fun house, designed to entertain the client’s children and teenage friends whilst retaining a charmingly quaint exterior facade. The client stated ‘surprise me’ and that’s exactly what Clare Gaskin did! Like a mysterious secret wonderland, no-one would suspect the kaleidoscope of colour hiding behind the doors of this quaint Surrey residence.
All bedrooms were removed, the kitchen minimised to essentials. Clare Gaskin commissioned graffiti artists to create a space invader themed den, a wet room with mosaic tiles in homage to pac-man, and a neon artist to create a multicoloured neon gaming room. A full-spec gym and sauna were installed, and in place of the basketball hoop, a multipurpose court was created – with lines that change colour to allow different ballgames to be played. The finished project was a realisation of every teenager’s fantasy ‘play’ house – a myriad of colour, neon lights, games and cultural references.
Company: Clare Gaskin Interiors
Project: Surrey Fun House
The client’s son had asked for a basketball hoop in the back garden. Instead, as a surprise, the client bought a Georgian Lodge adjacent to the main house with the idea to install a full basketball court in place of a hoop.
Perhaps leaving behind our heritage designing family homes with their characteristic requests for clever storage and instead, to create a unique, fun and surprising space tempering the traditional with the crazy. It was challenging to start with a blank canvas and re-imagine a perfect entertaining space for teenagers with a hint of Dad thrown in. With regards to the lodge, it had been subjected to some ugly rear extensions – including unattractive uPVC windows – we decided to use Crittel style doors and windows to improve the rear façade – they work perfectly unifying the traditional elements of the property whilst blending with the contemporary style of much of the interior (and exterior) design.
The Graffiti room – watching CEPT, the graffiti artist at work, the tiling of the PacMan bathroom and ultimately the final handover to the client – At his very trusting insistence, he wanted to be as surprised as his children and was kept in the dark as to the final designs. This led to a very nervous grand reveal…
The SBID International Design Awards give designers, like ourselves, an opportunity to celebrate our industry whilst acknowledging a large range of projects, budgets and styles. Our hope was to submit a different type of project from our usual work that could be showcased to our peers.
Questions answered by Clare Gaskin of Clare Gaskin Interiors
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with the striking interiors of the Berkshire Show Home created by Barclay Interiors. click here to see more
Clare Gaskin Interiors| SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features the striking interiors of the Berkshire Show Home created by Barclay Interiors. From concept to completion, the main objective for this space was to deliver a glamorous, unique and energised scheme whilst also achieving a fully functional environment within a fixed budget. Barclay Interiors layered colour, texture and interesting forms to create a smart yet unique interior. From pops of zesty orange to bespoke Eglomise wall art designed by Barclay Interiors themselves, it was their prerogative to deliver a smart yet interesting scheme that would make their development stand out from the many show homes in Berkshire. The intricacies such as upholstery studding and header selections for window treatments were just as vital as the overall continuity. In addition to achieving a refined aesthetic, it was imperative that the design was fully functional and not simply pleasant to observe. In line with this, all space planning ensured a comfortable traffic flow and all regulations were met.
Company: Barclay Interiors
Project: Berkshire Show Home
Project Location: Ascot, United Kingdom
As our client wanted a unique look, bespoke design and individuality within budget was both a huge inspiration and a great challenge. In the entrance hall, rather than specifying a print or an over-scaled mirror, we decided to design our own wall art. Through layering a selection of eglomisé mirrored trays, we created their own installation and therefore a unique stamp for first impressions. We also used some unique photography from the National Portrait gallery.
Typically, Barclay Interiors manage their projects from concept to completion. This of course includes managing all trades and contractors. For this project though, we worked alongside our client’s team so this dictated the time frame, which did slip slightly, which meant some juggling for us. However, it worked well.
It made us very happy to create an edgier show house with some 70s glamour. This was the first time we had worked with this client and, seeing how pleased they were with the end result, was fabulous. We are currently working with them on three further properties so it is definitely a huge sense of achievement completing a project that is slightly more challenging (in both style and budget) but where we are still able to bring a huge smile to our client’s face whilst establishing a lasting working relationship.
Actually, as this was the first time we had entered a competition, we decided to go big or go home, and chose the renowned SBID awards! We were so incredibly proud to be finalists – our budget must have been the smallest in our category so it goes to show what can be achieved! In reality, we felt it would be a great way to have our work recognised and to allow others to see what we offer as a practice. It has been a wonderful experience and we look forward to entering more in the future.
Questions answered by Sarah Barclay & Megan Loughborough of Barclay Interiors
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with click here to see more
Barclay Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire series features Orbi, Dubai an interactive visitor centre. Orbi was 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. 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: Bluehaus Group
Project: Orbi
Project Location: Dubai, UAE
To create an interactive, multi-sensory and educational virtual wildlife park for people of all generations. BBC Earth’s world-leading nature content was teamed with SEGA’s cutting edge technology to plunge visitors into the heart of the natural world and Bluehaus Group were briefed to develop the interior design and MEP engineering design to suit and integrate all technology to create an experience that replicates the reality of being among nature. This technology includes laser projected images and videos, a sophisticated 22 point sound system with 3D soundscapes, scent technology, wind, fog, strobe lighting and vibrations.
Nature! All elements within the design were developed to emulate the natural environment as closely as possible. Furniture pieces, such as organic-shaped benches, and carpet designs were bespoke.
One of the toughest hurdles to solve was the air distribution such that it does not interfere with the effects (fog) and fire alarm such that neither life safety nor the audience experience is sacrificed. In the two main theatre (‘Meet the Komodo’ and ‘Earth Theatre’) we designed displacement ventilation to minimise air-movement from interfering with the fog effects.
Knowing that our work is helping to educate about the natural world and encouraging people to take ownership of it for future generations.
The end-result has far exceeded our own expectations and this is testament to the collaborative approach by all involved to deliver what is a highly complex and technical project. Therefore, we wanted to enter to reiterate how proud we are of our team who continue to commit to Bluehaus Group and to build awareness of this success on an international scale.
Questions answered by Emily Wong, Technical Design Manager at Bluehaus Group.
If you missed last week’s Project of the Week with DAR Design’s bold, equine themed luxury residential project in Egypt. click here to see more
Bluehaus Group| SBID International Design Awards 2018
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
By subscribing, you agree to be added to SBID’s mailing list. As an industry’s standard bearer organisation, we strive to bring you the most up to date news and access to exclusive industry content through our various newsletters.