This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a warm and welcoming co-working space with a unique approach to office design and the structure of workplace environments. Beyond Design Architects designed a diverse space for a client who is in the business of operating co-working spaces. Although an office space at heart, the ambience feels more like one of hospitality. The use of beige, ivory and light brown, coupled with warm lighting throughout help to create this friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Elements such as the decorative white screen dividing the space, work-bays, plants, planters, wall graphics, artefacts and the use of Italian marble for column cladding enhance the warmth of the space. A meticulous mix of seating styles and various types of seating arrangements – conventional, pods, high tables, community tables and loungers – give a varied choice to the end user depending on their needs for the space.
Sector: Office Design
Company: Beyond Design Architects
Project: Redbrick
Location: Hyderabad, India
What was the client's brief?
The client wanted to have a contiguous space for reception, waiting, hot desking and cafe. This will mean that right at the entry space, the 'mood' of the place is set in the user’s mind which is then carried forward in the bays and workstation area that follows this space. Also, the space had to be welcoming and warm, not dull and cold.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
The design team came with with the idea of treating this space on the lines of a hospitality project look rather than a typical office reception space. Hence the entire colour scheme was based on a beige and light brown theme rather than the usual greys or whites. Also in terms of use of materials, it was Italian marble cladding, wooden flooring, use of decorative screens, texture paint on the exposed ceiling etc, giving it more of a cosy, welcoming feeling.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
Integration of the look and feel of the front, reception area with the back of the house area - which was the pure co-working space, was a challenge. However, this was achieved by continuing the wooden flooring in the passages connecting bays behind, thereby visually connecting two seemingly different functions.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The successful amalgamation of two distinct look and feel areas, was the highlight of the project for us.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
We won the Best Office Design Award in the SBID International Design Awards 2016 and we are aware about the immense recognition that it gets worldwide.
Questions answered by Alhad Gore, Managing Partner of Beyond Design Architects.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring an immersive exhibit designed to create sensory experiences to simulate a body's heartbeat, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's office design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
SBID International Design Awards 2018 Finalist | Office Design category sponsored by KI Europe
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a new office designed to be a place overflowing with inspirations to help spark the imaginations of clients who visit in search of creative ideas. DRAFT Inc, a Tokyo-based interior design company, relocated its Tokyo office due to the expansion of the business and its personnel. The vision was to explore materials, styles and concepts, not favouring any particular style or single taste, so that anyone who comes to visit the office could find inspiration in at least one design concept or theme. In addition, the design caters for various working styles, to achieve maximum performance outcomes, using bespoke furniture such as meeting benches and concentration booths. The result explores the scope of office interior design for the next generation.
Company: DRAFT Inc.
Project: DRAFT Office
Location: Tokyo, Japan
There wasn’t any specific client requirements because it was my own office project, but my aim was to create an office which provides a source of inspiration and insight about office design and interior design to our clients. As DRAFT is a Tokyo-based interior design studio, the office needed to create a design that makes everyone happy - including client, designers, and the people who visit the place in line our philosophy, all happy by design.
This place was envisioned to be an informative and inspiring place for clients. As we invite and welcome various clients to the office who seek ideas, from interior space to urban planning, we wanted to implement the use of different design themes and materials. I explore and experiment with the combination of materials, such as exposed concrete for ceilings with soft oak for floors and luxurious marble tiles so that clients can find at least one design element that aids their imagination. The design is a mixture of a rough and sophisticated look, which I call a neutral mix style. This style captured the ethos of our
We used to occupy the full top floor of a 12 stories building, but the new office is located in the second and third floor of a low-rise building. Therefore, I had to set about connecting people who work on different floors and consider how to map out departments and communal spaces with this in mind. To increase the level of interaction and generate social encounters between employees, I arranged the cafe space and all the meeting rooms at the very end of the lower level so that people would be encouraged to move around the office to get around. It turned out very well - offering designated meeting spaces for employees meant they can separate 'work time' and 'down time'. Seeing them gather around the cafe to communicate, relax, and socialise with others during lunchtime and meetings improves morale and keeps a positive atmosphere.
The entrance features a concrete ceiling with oak flooring, while the corridor laid in a diamond pattern of black and white marble tiles that conveys a sense of depth. The meeting rooms combine extended glass sashes with a leather-upholstered door with entrance door lighting that evokes the feeling of exterior design into the interior. The office area, which divided by three meters high wooden doors, succeeds in capturing the natural light and the beauty of the exterior views by glass partitions. Combining the luxurious marble floor tiles with aluminium spandrel walls and wood stamped concrete pillars, we have expressed a neutral design that does not lean towards any single design taste. The raised floor area is equipped with concentration booths and sofa seating that can be freely used by members of staff.
I kept secret about the design details except very few design team members. At the night of the moving, I took every staffs on the other side of the road of the building, and lights up the interior after the countdown. I was so glad to see that everyone surprised and enjoyed the new office.
SBID is one of the greatest international interior design awards as far as I know. The design level of the nominated projects are very high and inspiring, so it is a privilege for me to attend the yearly award ceremony as a finalist.
Questions answered by Taiju Yamashita, Interior Designer at DRAFT Inc.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a prestigious residential design in the heart of Mayfair with classical yet contemporary interior, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the bold architectural statement that is Discovery’s new head office which now stands as a prominent landmark located on the highest point of Sandton in Sandhurst, South Africa. Internally, the building is divided into three carefully designed spaces, namely a central atrium, and one each on the left and right side. Each area is designed to foster an environment of creativity, innovation and collaboration. The main entrance is open and welcoming, to reflect the mores of discovery. The central atrium allowed Paragon Interface to explore the concept of a concourse, driven by Discovery’s requirement for the building to be active. This was not only translated effectively into a dynamic design aesthetic, but also into an active public street populated with seating areas, cafés, streetlights and tree canopies. It served not only as the main thoroughfare of the building, but also constituted a welcoming space for visitors and clients. The development has also scored a 5-Star Green Rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). According to the GBCSA’s report, Discovery’s new home is a clear reflection of the company’s core values, ambition and purpose with emphasis on its rigorous environmental and waste management processes during construction, the building’s “green roof” (partially covered in vegetation), CO2 based demand control of fresh air, and the harvesting of grey and rain water for irrigation and flushing of water closets and urinals.
Company: Paragon Interface
Project: Discovery Place
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
The decision to consolidate all of Discovery's different premises into 1 Discovery Place was based on their commitment to bringing their people together, within a dynamic and collaborative lifestyle driven facility that reflects Discovery's core values. The swooping, curving patterns and shapes that define the architectural identity of the building not only influenced the interior design, but has resulted in it becoming one of the most progressive workspaces in South Africa.
A proud history. A bright future. The start of a new journey, not the culmination of a dream Simple beauty. Iconic, yet simple and beautifully elegant Tangible energy. A hive of activity created by people moving through spaces that encourage unplanned interactions. Instilling a culture of collaboration. Activity-based workspaces that nurture optimum conditions for innovation, balance and personal rejuvenation. Embodying wellbeing and movement. Encourage and enable a people-led culture of wellbeing and engagement. A global player, proudly South African. Our vision is global, while we stay true to our South African roots. Environmentally responsible.
A 5-Star Green building that is energy-efficient, resource-efficient, and environmentally responsible.
This doesn’t make for good media coverage, but the building was so big, with so many variations that the entire team worked tirelessly to complete the project on time, on budget. Taking a base building and evolving it from just a base building that was tailored in a bespoke manner, that became so much more than was originally expected.
I think one of the most memorable highlights from completing this project was winning the SBID Award 2018 for Best Office Design! It really underpinned all the hard work our team had put into this project and showcased our work to a global audience.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
We were very proud of the project and with the support of the client, we thought that it offered a world class solution to a South African scenario in office design.
Questions answered by Claire D’Adorante, Project Leader at Paragon Interface
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a historic high-rise which was transformed into office space with striking elegance, click here to see more.
Paragon Interface | SBID International Design Awards
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a historic high-rise given new life with contemporary design concepts. The new office space is designed with sleek, contemporary elegance and the creation of unique angular dimensions. The design was developed with the preservation of historical monuments in mind as the building was placed under preservation for its historic, architectural quality. The elegance and generous proportions, together with a mix of unusual, high-quality materials and a striking lighting design concept, distinguish the office areas and conference zones across the four floors. With regard to the architectural quality of the building and the demands of the customer, the combination of materials used was inspired by the building's original era - with modern interpretation. Black marble, brass, carbon and glass runs throughout the entire interior design scheme.
Company: Landau + Kindelbacher
Project: Real Estate Office of Landau + Kindelbacher
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
The Swiss branch of a property developer wanted us to take on the interior design for their new representative office. Including office areas and a conference zone over a total of four storeys with an area of about 100 square meters, and at the same time to take monument conservation into consideration.
The Hochhaus zur Bastei, designed by the famous Zurich Architect, Werner Stücheli and completed in 1955, is considered the first high-rise building in the city of Zurich. Situated directly on the Schwanzengraben, the tower block sets an urban development accent and acts as a gateway to the city. As an example of high architectural quality, the Hochhaus zur Bastei was placed under a preservation order a few years ago.
With regard to the architectural quality of the Bastei tower and the representative demands of the customer, a unique material combination of black marble (polished Nero Marquina), brass, carbon and glass was selected for use across the floors, walls and ceilings. As a reminiscence of the architecture of the 1950s, the classical materials are newly interpreted in their use, colourfulness and gloss value. Like a passe-partout, the resulting spatial effect frames the view and allows the low room heights of the existing building to retreat into the background.
Designed with a sleek, contemporary elegance and generous proportions, the mix of unusual, high-quality materials and accentuated lighting systems help to distinguish the office areas and conference zones. In contrast to the black space continuum is the high-gloss furniture, highly polished brass elements and golden lighting channels to make the design features stand out and illuminate against this dark, black backdrop.
The greatest challenge in this project was to combine the conditions presented by the existing situation with the requirements of a contemporary office world.
The furniture and fittings were mostly designed and individually installed on site by Landau + Kindelbacher. A speciality is the floor pattern with the brass seams as a visible, high-quality separation. The subject of ‘seams’ is mirrored again and again in the whole design – from the integration of direct and indirect lighting in the cooling ceiling to the special furniture.
We consider the SBID International Design Awards to be an excellent platform for presenting us and our projects to an international audience.
Questions answered by Gerhard Landau and Ludwig Kindelbacher, Managing Partners at Landau Kindelbacher
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a show home which blends artistic, Oriental concepts with modern design, click here to see more.
Landau + Kindelbacher | SBID International Design Awards
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an impressive new office space for a large Chinese gaming company based in Shanghai. For BNJN Design, designing an office is about creating a space that is interesting but not theatrical, efficient but not dreary. Concerns about spatial identity, the mental wellbeing of employees, and social interaction were all important areas to address in the design. No longer simply a workspace, the office features an art gallery, studio and music room which serve as spaces to socialise, relax and stimulate the mind. Other social spaces are scattered throughout the building to propagate interaction, allowing for a more pleasant working environment.
Company: BNJN Design
Project: Giant Interactive Group Office
Location: Shanghai, China
The Giant Interactive Group is a Chinese gaming company for massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. The company is located within the Shanghai SongJiang Giant Campus and is otherwise known as the “Mini Silicon Valley.” Thus, when BNJN was approached to design an office to house the company, they envisioned the corporate space to be one filled with marvel and wonder and one that corresponds to the present gaming culture of the world.
For a working environment, light is of uttermost importance. This project, which encompasses everything from the ground floor to the skylight on the fourth floor, transforms the atrium into a lens that lights up the entire office space and creates a space of serenity. This “gray space” blurs the boundary between inner space and outer space, allowing the two to merge into a single unit of reality.
The space is carefully divided into compartments that ripple rhythmically throughout the building. Connecting the four levels of the building is a floating conference room. This gravity-defying room is analogous to a castle in the clouds. The pockets of positive and negative space surrounding this hanging castle become individual islands. Each pocket frames a different area: the open patios, the intersecting flight of stairs, and the singular tree that penetrates through the space and juts out on the top floor similar to a landmark. By simply looking at the tree, anyone in the building can orientate themselves accordingly. Its roots spread across the second floor, the stem penetrates the third floor, and the treetop blooms on the top floor. Every individual pixel of a virtual tree is brought to life here in the form of real foliage and bark that fill the space with creativity and novelty. Serving as a symbol for life and wisdom, the tree is also where one can look to for contemplation and meditation.
Unimpeded by the modest budget allotted for this project, the designers used this chance to introduce the theme of nature into this space by using environmentally friendly materials to create an unpretentious space free from extravagance. The design is centred around the use of ivory lacquer panels, lush green carpets, and lightly-coloured wood patterns. While the certain details vary more in colour, the interior stays clean, bright, and transparent.
A common concern in office spaces such as this is the wellbeing of the employees. The average person working at Giant is a computer geek under thirty-five. Their day to day activity is unchanging: they sit in front of computer screens typing out sequences of coding all day. Now, right beyond their screens lies a vast stretch of space that frees their mind from the numerical constraints in front of them.
The office is no longer simply a workspace. On the ground floor by the entrance is a media wall spanning 10 meters in length, composed of photographs of the individuals who make up Giant. Each figure towering and unwavering, a reminder of the company’s growth. Behind the wall is an art gallery where people can socialise, appreciate art, and relax. Furthermore, there is a music room as well as an art studio that serve as spaces to stimulate the mind during the average working day. Other pockets of social spaces are also scattered throughout the building to propagate the interaction between people to allow for a more pleasant working environment.
When designing an office space today, efficiency and organisation are simply the most basic principles to keep in mind. From a psychological point of view, designing an office is about creating a space that is interesting but not theatrical, efficient but not dreary. Concerns about spatial identity, the mental wellbeing of employees, and social interaction all become issues that must be addressed, and they most certainly are in Giant’s new office. This is the new standard.
Upon first entering the office building, a stream of light trails behind in the form of a ten-meter-long ribbon of light embedded in the ceiling, leading to an open atrium that has been carved into the middle of the four-story building and finally culminating into a skylight on top. This atrium acts as a focal point in a building that consists of individual floor areas that measure more than 4,000 square meters each. As the heart of the building, the atrium naturally becomes the centre of attention where all points of view in the building converge.
The SBID Awards are recognised by architects and clients alike, and winning an award would mean our work gains international exposure to help us make global connections.
Questions answered by Ben Goh, Chief Designer of BNJN Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a glamorous and modern California-esque show home in Poole with colour and character, click here to see more.
BNJN Design | SBID International Design Awards
This July, our product highlights for the month offer design solutions for a range of spaces; from kitchen to bedroom, bathroom and home office! With sustainable storage and furniture solutions to add practicality to home offices, or functional modular wardrobe systems to create stylish spaces for organising bedrooms, we've got the latest recommendations for every room! Scroll to find out more.
Since USM’s very beginning, sustainable development has been a keystone of its business
As a furniture company, that means two things. Firstly, it holds itself to the very highest standards when it comes to the materials and production methods it uses and the energy and emissions it produces. Secondly, USM does everything it can to provide its customers with furnishings that allow them to live in a sustainable manner. USM build and frequently redevelop its factories and workshops to meet a high standard of environmentalism. The steel at the heart of its products is highly recyclable, and its manufacturing processes are carefully built around the goals of energy efficiency and almost total recyclability at every stage.
In 2007, USM became the first European company to be certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute for the low particle and chemical emissions of its products. Low emissions make home and work environments healthier by reducing indoor air pollution. In 2018 its continued dedication to sustainability awarded USM the Cradle to Cradle® certification for its USM Haller and USM Kitos M ranges.
USM build products that endure: wear-resistant materials, fine craftsmanship, durable designs, and timeless style all ensure that USM furniture lasts a lifetime.
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A functional, designer model with a strong contemporary accent: Martini presents the Essenza wardrobe
Choosing the right wardrobe plays a fundamental role in the organisation of the bedroom. Martini offers flexible, modular systems to meet every need, creating the ideal solution for keeping clothes, shoes, accessories and jewellery in order, and the new Essenza wardrobe has been conceived to allow the project designer to create furnishings with no limits, with or without doors. For a functional, designer setting with a strong contemporary accent, the Martini programme of walk-in and closed wardrobes in Titanium Oak and Platinum White is given an extra touch of elegance thanks to the leather coverings and metal details. The light-coloured interiors are completed with an endless variety of accessories and LED lighting.
With shoe and clothes racks, accessory compartments and shelves available, the Martini wardrobe can be customised for both him and her. The composition designed for him is in India Rosewood, with dark leather and metal profiles with a brass finish. Dividers, rasters and shoe holder elements help optimise space and keep clothes and a whole range of different clothing accessories in perfect order. The wardrobe for her is light and sophisticated, with Platinum White lacquering that highlights the brushed steel details. The spaces are equipped with painstaking detail, and the island features an elegant, supremely practical make-up area. The matte, satin-finish steel adds a vintage touch to the whole structure, and the pull-out columns and parts fitted with doors offer a stylish environment for belongings.
Introducing the THG Paris West Coast Collection with Timothy Corrigan
With offices in Paris and Los Angeles, Timothy Corrigan’s timeless design philosophy combines European elegance with California comfort. Timothy comments on his recent collaboration with THG Paris:
“I have always been so impressed by the beautiful design and extraordinary attention to detail that one finds in all of the THG Paris products, that one cannot but compare them to jewellery for the bathroom. The intricate details and pleasure that one feels when touching the handles turns a routine and often mundane experience into one that is special. For me, beauty and detail are a basic part of the THG Paris DNA. With that thought in mind, I looked back at a period when jewellery and decorative objects became a greater part of a everyday life: the 1920’s and 30’s. When some of the most beautiful silver and jewellery pieces were created by such leading French and American jewellery makers as: Cartier, Christofle, and Tiffany’s."
Cosentino's Dekton® Stonika blends with nature to create 4 classic colours of a hyper-realistic beauty
Vibrant veined patterns and textures with the highest technological performance of a revolutionary surface. Dekton® Stonika upholds Cosentino's high quality standards with its thermal and scratch resistance; belonging to the XGloss collection, it retains the same scratch properties as other polished colours. Base and surface react in the same way to temperature changes, avoiding common cracks caused by the difference in expansion between the two elements.
Inspired by the quartzite of the Taj Mahal, the Dekton® Stonika Taga is an interpretation adapted to current trends while maintaining the character of natural stone. The general greyish tones with marble and crystalline veins enhance its natural structure. Its splendid sheen and aesthetic quality contribute to making this a premium model.
Bisque launches competition to find the next generation of stylish radiators
Named one of The Observer’s CoolBrands three years in a row, Bisque paved the way for a radiator revolution. Notable models include the Leaf and Cactus radiators, while partnerships with the likes of Paul Priestman have kept Bisque at the forefront of cutting-edge radiator design ever since.
The pioneering British design brand has announced an exclusive competition to find the ‘next big thing’ in luxury radiators and celebrate its landmark 40th anniversary. Budding designers and Bisque fans alike will be invited to join the movement and make their mark on the design industry by creating the brand’s newest model. Eagle-eyed Bisque fans may recall the last time Bisque invited the public to design a new model to join its repertoire. The prize model, the Archibald – designed by Italian Leo Salzedo – went on to win the 2006 designboom competition and is still one of the brand’s most iconic and instantly recognisable radiators today.
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This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a project with a core focus on sustainability and the future whilst using complex, architectural elements to create multi-dimensional spaces and structural intricacy. From the architectural planning and design through to the rational planning and design of the layout of the building, it was key to prioritise aspects of sustainability such as achieving low energy consumption, high energy efficiency, less pollution and minimising the use of non-renewable resources. At the same time, in the design process, new material technologies such as various types of membrane that meet EU environmental standards, have been used to achieve harmonious co-existence between man and nature.
Company: MYP Design
Project: Chengdu Zhongzhou Mileage Sales Center
Project Location: Chengdu, China
The brief was to design a great space which is creative and in line with the high-end positioning of the project. What's more, the purpose of the project is to serve as a sales office which the client hopes can play an effective role in helping the sales of real estate, so this is a space to create trust with the buyer, effective communication, and host positive interaction between people.
This project has the ultimate advantage of high elevation with vast open spaces and high ceilings. The concept of interior 'architecture' was used as the preface in the initial conception. Using structural elements to fill empty spaces with curved lines and rectangular structures, a streamline metope unfolds as the central feature at the entrance to create depth and interest. At the bar area, an array of acrylic rods and deep bronze installation in the middle enhance the visual extension and bring about a new attitude. With the geometric modelling of the truss structure, the bar acts as a focal point which abstracts another meaning to connecting within the space.
The biggest hurdle was to make sure our design paid respect the space itself whilst aiming to introduce more creative thinking into the space with complex dimensional structural elements to inspire guests and reflect the highest quality of design intricacy.
The change of facade brought about by the interlaced stair skin creates a change in the abstract nature of the project, with a warp and weft effect. Through such expression, the treatment of stair entrance is strengthened. An 'experience' is felt as guests are passing through with the changes in light, entering into a giant, dimensional model and experiencing the raw sculptural tension which surrounds them. The streamline shape hanging high in the air not only forms the carrier of light, but also guides the space. The stark contrast between this space and the next creates a more powerful impact as guests move through the building, using the injection of vibrant furniture and bright colours in other zones to inspire a different mood and atmosphere.
SBID is a design competition that is widely spread and has substantial influence around the world. Of course, it is also a high-quality competition. We hope to achieve recognition of our design works from SBID and enhance our brand awareness to some extent. In addition, I also hope to see and appreciate more international cutting-edge design concepts, works and designers with interesting ideas from this platform, so that we can have the opportunity to communicate and make progress together.
Questions answered by Horizon Ma, Creative Director of MYP Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a neutral and luxurious city apartment, designed with the upmost comfort and style, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
MYP Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a development project with a philosophical concept, designed by Medhat Nehad. The concept revolved around guiding the client through an inspiring visual journey, from the moment they park their car to when they sign the contract to buy the property. The hierarchy starts with walking through the open landscape to the semi-transparent glass cube. Next, the dynamically designed main reception hall is approached through a ceremonially-long corridor, before the focus of the project – the parabola-shaped room – is reached. The luxurious and modern touches of natural wood and glass enhances this unique project. Special lighting effects, for both the day and the night, strengthen it further. The architect took the challenge to negotiate the design concept with the client, convincing them to go through with these ideas in the Egyptian market.
Company: Archiform Consultants
Project: Almarasem Sales and Marketing Showroom
Project Location: Cairo, Egypt
The client was at that time a new developer, embarking on a new project developing his fifth complex compound on a 158-acre plot area in a premium location in new Cairo, Egypt. The developer name is Almarasem International Development. They introduced themselves to us as they needed to enter the market as a developer with a unique new sales centre on a plot area of 4600 m2. The project scope included the following:
From the first meeting, they requested that Archiform to design the development with the concept of creating an outstanding new identity for the sales centre. The sales centre will be used to sell the client's exclusive properties through and must therefore make an impact as their prime sales location in the market. The aim of the build will be to impress the visitors and clients with the luxurious standard of the interior and exterior spaces to reflect their superior reputation whilst capturing the new 'look' and 'experience' offered by the showrooms and offices.
As the lead designer on the project, I was inspired by organic shapes and geometrical forms. In particular, the way these forms can be intersected to create unique spaces which connect to each other in a fluid and inspiring way; offering a welcoming environment for the visitors and clients. The main idea was to create a long 'path' or journey for the visitor to feel like they are being invited through the building for a ceremonial welcoming. As the name of the company in Arabic language 'Almarasem' means to make a special process with a formal event to welcome the VIP visitors and clients through these prestigious spaces and exclusive surroundings.
We experience three main challenges throughout this project. Firstly, the project was ran under a very tight schedule as the client needed to finish the project in maximum of 100 days from design to build. The tight time lines had the team working day and night for more than 15 days continuously in order to produce the first conceptual drawings package; including photo realistic perspectives.
Secondly; as the designer I had to ensure I was effectively explaining the concept, parameters and parabolas geometric shapes to the team and the visualiser so it can be drawn correctly and illustrated clearly for the client, so they could better visualise our design ideas and approve it!
The third issue we faced, and arguably the toughest, was to convince the client that we can achieve these complicated shapes, be executed through the contractors and completed on within that very short time-frame we were set.
Being able to deliver on a project of this magnitude, whilst achieving a high quality finish; capturing the essence of the client's company as well as executing the design and build according to plan within the time-frame we were given. This has to be the most important highlight for me.
From the time I had developed the concept of this project and as a member of the respectable SBID, I was quite sure that this project could bring great inspiration to enrich the industry of Architecture, interior design and landscape design. Also it served as a great opportunity to share my thoughts with fellow designers from all around the world, so I can be more inspired and do more in the years to come. I was so proud to be finalist for this particular project, especially as I was feeling confident that this project would measure up well against the world of design.
Questions answered by Medhat M.Nehad, President and Founder of Archiform Consulants
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a sustainable and luxuriously designed African lodge for Wilderness Safaris' Premier Camp, click here to see more.
Archiform Consultants | SBID International Design Awards 2018
On SBID's journey to discover more about the personal experiences and careers of interior and design professionals throughout the industry, we interviewed the CEO at Panaz Holdings, Tony Attard. Tony shares his approach to that all-important work-life integration, the latest on his design agenda, as well as his thoughts on the predominant issues faced by the industry as a whole.
Can you describe your current job?
I am CEO of Panaz Holdings, Chairman of Alusid, Chairman of Marketing Lancashire, Director of BCFA and currently High Sheriff of Lancashire. My jobs are primarily strategic although I get involved with many of my company initiatives to ensure they are delivered OTIF (On Time In Full).
What is your background and how did you get into interior design?
I was always interested in the integration of Art, Design, Marketing and Business. I therefore applied to study Fashion Design at St Martins, and Design Management at the University of Manchester (formally UMIST). I eventually opted for Manchester as it was a little more technical (BSc) and I was offered a University scholarship by Courtaulds which ensured a fast track career in Industry. Design is to me about the delivery of a brief, and should be manged like any other management decision. Of course there is inspiration, but that should not be at the expense of delivering on time. The more stress, the more creative the solution!
Describe an average day in your job role..
My life is not about balance, it's about life work integration. I wake at 6.30 am and either go straight to my computer to check emails and prepare for the day, or go to the gym. Either way I then shower and have a cup of tea. I have given up on Breakfast as the healthier option and do not eat until lunch time. I get to my first meeting either at 8.30 or 9.00 am, dependent upon who else needs to get there. As I have no children at home any more, child care is not an issue for me as it may be is for others. I am usually in meetings most of the day, however as I am now High Sheriff, I could have a number of other priorities. I represent the Queen for the Judiciary, therefore I could accompany a High Court judge on the bench for a trial, I could also be out with the police force or fire brigade, or even an ambulance. Meeting people in the voluntary sector has a been a great part of being High Sheriff; the work that they do in the community is invaluable to so many vulnerable people and must be encouraged and rewarded. If I am in London I usually eat out with friends or customers and then get to bed about 12ish. If I am at home in Lancashire, I have dinner with my wife Patricia, usually on our laps and watching an episode of a program we are following (Killing Eve is our latest one!). Then, I retire to my study to write an article (like this one) or catch up on the news, prepare a report or read a board meeting agenda. I usually go to bed at 11.30 pm and read for a bit before turning off the light as my eyes start to drop.. Kindles are great because I do not need the big light on!
Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most and/or find the most rewarding?
The most rewarding aspect for any creative is to see one’s work in the marketplace. I love creating collections with my Head of Design, Sarah Lloyd and her team, but unless anyone buys it, we have not been successful in interpreting what our customers require. It's always very gratifying to see our fabrics in an interior either great or small, and to see that our vision can become reality.
Is there anything new you are working on?
There are so many different things. We are constantly working on new collections at Panaz, releasing 10 – 12 per year. But the new Alusid Silicastone brief is particularly interesting. Alusid is a very new company that is making a new material called Silicastone that was developed for solid surface and tiles out of a sustainability project at the University of central Lancashire. It uses two waste streams from broken pre-consumer ceramics (baths, toilets, shower trays, tiles) and post-consumer glass that would usually go into landfill. We crush it and then make great solid surfaces for table tops, work surfaces, and wall tiles. The effects we can achieve have been quite amazing. There are a number of furniture companies now using the product as a standard working surface for tables and we have installed it in a number of Architectural projects. The tiles can be used inside or outside – are frost resistant and have high colour fastness to light. We have just been granted a Design Guild mark for it!
What do you find the most challenging aspects of your job?
Keeping creatives working on time!! No seriously, I juggle a lot of balls and try not to drop them. It makes for an interesting life!
What do you wish you knew before working in the field?
I got great technical training from the University so I was able to contribute quickly to Industry. I would have liked to have known more about how to start a business, however maybe naivety in that area helps you become fearless. You cannot be frightened about what you don’t know!!
What would you tell your younger self if you had the chance?
Don’t say no to an opportunity because it may never come around again.
What has been your favourite project to work on?
I am very fortunate to have had a great creative life, I have great customers who work on some amazing projects with us, including Palaces, Cruise ships, Restaurants, Night clubs, Hotels, healthcare facilities, Hospitals and work spaces. Each project is different with many interesting solutions so to pick one out is very difficult.
What do you think is the biggest problem the interior design industry faces?
I think that Interior design is very undervalued. There is the MD’s wife syndrome where somebody that does up a home thinks that they can create a commercial interior. Dreadful mistakes can occur when this happens. The Industry must ensure that professional integrity is maintained and standards upheld. I also think that people should value intellectual copyright.
Which people do you admire the most in the industry and why?
Anybody that works that extra hour or goes that extra mile to ensure a customer is happy and satisfied.
If you were inspired by Tony’s story and want to learn more about interior design, click here.
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
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
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.
What inspired the design of the Project?
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
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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
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