A Bar Design Was Created from Recycled Materials Collected Around the City

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a unique bar design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Adam Hunt Ideas and Gemma Lin.

At the start of the Covid Pandemic, the Australian Government sealed its borders shut - even to Australian Citizens - for more than 2 years. The Australian/Taiwanese Artists & Interior Designers Adam Hunt & Gemma Lin were visiting family in Taiwan when they became two of the tens of thousands of Australians unable to return home.

With their Sydney Bar/Restaurant locked down for nearly 8 months & no prospect of going back, they decided to keep themselves busy by creating a unique venue based on their Interior Design Philosophy: that the future is best served by reimagining the past. They call it “The Art of Extreme Sustainability”.

The Plan was to have no Plans. Once the location was secured - a 150 year old derelict building - a 3 month journey began to collect recycled building materials from the beaches, the rocky coast, abandoned dwellings & fishing villages around the ancient Port City of Keelung. They harvested wood from old fishing boats, rope & plastic floats from fishing nets, rusty old anchors, driftwood, buoys & abandoned broken furniture from the streets.

The Interior Design evolved from whatever they found - all furniture, light features, vanity units, decor & art was recycled, up-cycled, repaired or created from scratch. It sure beat doing nothing.

What was the client's brief? 

The Art of Extreme Sustainability.

What inspired the design of the project?

The ancient Port City of Keelung on the wild North Coast of Taiwan has been inhabited by The Ketagalan Tribe of Aborigines (who share DNA with the Samoans) for over 6,000 years. And they’re still here - despite having been invaded, occupied & pillaged over the centuries - starting in 1544 by The Portuguese, followed by The Spanish, Dutch, French, The Qing Dynasty Chinese, and then the Japanese Colonial Era from 1895 until the end of WW2.

The Japanese began the historic Kànzǎidǐng Night Street Fish Market in Keelung over 120 years ago, and our location is right in the middle of its fully chaotic midnight to dawn hustle & bustle - sandwiched between the Red Light District and the 17th Century Temple to The Great Goddess Mazu - Patron Saint to Seafarers everywhere.

So we decided to build our Bar out of an old Fishing Boat - to honour the Great Goddess Mazu, who was particularly Badass. According to Legend the Demons Qianliyan ("Thousand-Mile Eye") and Shunfeng'er ("Wind-Following Ear") both fell in love with her - so she conceded that she would marry the one who defeated her in combat. Being a supreme Martial Artist, Mazu easily dispatched them both & thus remained single. That’s Girl Power right there. Our portrait “Wall Of Bad Mamas” celebrates strong, fierce, independent Women - from a local Female Pirate, to Frida Kahlo, from the first Woman in Space, to Amy Winehouse - because let’s face it… well behaved women seldom make history.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Anyone can have a crazy idea like: “Let’s build our Bar out of an old Fishing Boat” - but you have to be truly mad to believe you can actually pull it off.

The challenge was not only to find a Fishing Boat exactly the right size for the room, but also to somehow fit it up the incredibly narrow alleyway behind the enormous 17th Century Mazu Temple, that’s literally just 38 inches across from our front door.

I could literally write an action adventure novel about that 2 day journey to get the boat… or… you could just watch this.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

We found God! Our ‘Rescue Deity’ was discovered sitting in an abandoned derelict Seaside Hotel. He seemed pretty happy to see us, so we built him a plinth out of old wood from a fishing boat, as well as his very own Bamboo forest & garden of ocean-tumbled rocks in a light well.

Now anyone who visits Bad Mama can also find God - whenever they need to find the bathroom.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We wanted to see if a Husband & Wife Team - with zero education or Training in Interior Design - could mix it up with the big guys on the Global Awards Stage.

We are Artists, Painters, Sculptors, Designers, Builders, Furniture Makers, Chefs & Cocktail Specialists. We have a passion for Sustainability & a fresh vision for the Future based on how we reimagine the Past. Cheers!

Questions answered by Adam Hunt, Founder, Adam Hunt Ideas.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious hotel suite design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Jeffrey Beers International.

Uniquely situated in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Hard Rock Hotel New York offers a backstage pass to the city's historic Music Row, honouring its legacy through intricate design, curated amenities, and award-winning guest experiences. Sitting atop the 36th floor is the jewel of the Rock Star Suite, a glass-enclosed penthouse with expansive city views, original contemporary artwork, bespoke music memorabilia, and one of the largest terraces for entertaining in New York City at 1,600 sq. ft. The sleek interior design includes double height ceilings and rich tones and textures creating an inviting and timeless space. On its first level, the suite features an open-plan living and dining area with a bar and butler pantry, an outdoor bar, VIP direct access to the RT60 rooftop bar & lounge, and more. Guests can retreat upstairs to a luxurious bedroom area with a walk in closet and contemporary bathroom featuring a red free standing bathtub.

What was the client's brief? 

The double story suite is to be used as both a guest room and an event space as well. We therefore designed the separate bedroom on the upper level, as well as created a direct access to the public bathrooms on the floor below. Last but not least, the space exemplifies what the guestrooms are about: to make the guest feel like a rockstar.

What inspired the design of the project?

The rich history of New York’s Music Row, as well as the culture of the Hard Rock brand. The city’s energy at dusk, when the Marquee lights of Times Square come out, also inspired our design.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Creating maximum impact with a reasonable budget. Also every material has to be high quality and resistant without feeling commercial. Being the only Rockstar Suite it has to be ADA accessible.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The red bathtub with a view feels very unique.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

It is a wonderful honour to be recognized by an internationally focused design award. We also greatly enjoy the opportunity to visit London for the awards event.

Questions answered by Pierre Josselin, Associate Principal, Jeffrey Beers International.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an interactive and vibrant primary school design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Lineworks Studio.

Founded in 1870, Huishi Primary School of Xuhui District, Shanghai is one of the most historical schools in Shanghai. At the end of 2021, the institution commissioned LINEWORKS to renovate several STEAM classrooms at its midtown campus.

The school aims to customize its learning space for a STEAM curriculum experience, and to better suit the preferences of the young students. Therefore, spatial function, color palette and visual geometry are the key elements that our design team have taken into consideration during the design process.

Design team have selected and refined certain elements from the children's drawings, and employed different color schemes that resonate with each specific course of the school’s STEAM curriculum. Aside from that, the designers have retained and optimized the large windows of the original space. Thus, the renovated STEAM teaching space has become more student-friendly, interactive, and layered in visual presentation.

What was the client's brief? 

The school aims to customise its learning space for a STEM curriculum experience, and to better suit the preferences of the young students, so as to stimulate their imagination and formulate creative learning methods.

What inspired the design of the project?

Numerous designs within the project were inspired by the school students’ drawings of a futuristic tech campus. From rainbow-colored ceilings, data pipelines across the floors, to well-arranged space observation capsules, children's colorful imagination and infinite curiosity are materialised through design in reality.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The toughest hurdle for our team was figuring out how to break the boundaries of traditional schools, making the existing teaching space more adaptable to future teaching concepts and trends, facilitating the inclusion of new curriculums, and encouraging children to enjoy the learning process and grow in an innovative environment.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Our design team have selected and refined certain elements from the children's drawings, and employed different color schemes that resonate with each specific course of the school’s STEM curriculum. Aside from that, the designers have retained and optimized the large windows of the original space. Thus, the renovated STEM teaching space has become more student-friendly, interactive, and layered in visual presentation.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

First of all, most of our team members graduated from design schools in the UK, so we know that SBID is a well-known and authoritative design organization. It has always been our goal to participate in SBID Awards.

Secondary, evaluated by a panel of distinguished, industry-leading experts for design functionality, innovation, creativity, and technical execution, an SBID Award is considered one of the most coveted accolades for design excellence. Success in this GOLD-rated Awards programme demonstrates the highest level of design skill and professional mastery across the interior design profession.

Questions answered by Chen Song, Associate Design Director, Lineworks Studio.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a dynamic restaurant design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, DesignLSM.

Situated in the heart of London’s Islington, Jiji Restaurant is a new concept that is inspired by a fusion of two international cuisines; Asian and Middle-Eastern.

Curating the aesthetic DNA of the brand, our design worked to reflect and harmonise the clash of cultures, to create a dynamic and welcoming space that plays with the guests’ senses, delivering a standout culinary experience. Careful design consideration was not only given to the restaurant space but also to the display of the branded merchandise that Jiji offers to seamlessly blend into its surroundings.

With a real personal connection to the owners, their refreshing and unique personality was translated not only in the interiors but in the innovative food on the menu too.

What was the client's brief? 

The restaurateurs behind the award-winning restaurant group, Sumosan, were looking to create a new concept based around the inspiration of the owner’s passion for Middle Eastern cuisine fused with Sumosan’s famed sushi.

DesignLSM were tasked to create a dynamic space that felt relaxed and sophisticated yet with a sense of home and place, creating a destination that guests felt loyalty towards. Energy, anticipation and interest was to be generated by the culinary theatre from the open kitchen pass coupled with vibrant interiors to encourage guest engagement and visual intrigue.

What inspired the design of the project?

The interior design aims to reflect and harmonise the glorious clash of cultures that Jiji’s celebrates. The Asian influence can be seen in the sophisticated joinery of the repeat vertical elements to the gantry beautifully curving around the open bar and the natural timbers selected, whilst the custom, 3-dimensional, stylized portraits introduce energy and personality into the space paying homage to Tel Aviv’s electric nightlife scene. The design intends to create an informal, highly sociable setting; incorporating theatrical elements to reflect the dynamism of the twinned cultures.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Set in an area that is rich in character and period properties, the building holds historic heritage having traditionally been used as a Royal Mail sorting office in the early 1900s. Whilst it is now redeveloped as a multipurpose building, playing home to residential complexes and other restaurants, within the building itself, there were some constraints that we had to adhere to and externally there were limitations with the signage due to the historic nature of the architecture and the sensitivity to the residents within the building.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Jiji has been very exciting to work on from a design perspective, even more so as it has been such a personal project to the owners. We worked closely with our client to create and develop their vision which was born from their passion of food and travel, resulting in the delivery of a stunning restaurant that represents their refreshing and unique personality, translated not only in the interiors but in the innovative food on the menu too.

Our creativity flowed extensively with this project – from carefully curated atmospheric neon lighting to several bespoke items featured, including the striking custom 3D artworks, blue hued geometric floor tiles and the intricately detailed wooden bar front with its patterned relief of circles interspersed with the iconic Jiji logo.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We put a great deal of strategic planning and creativity into our design for Jiji, and when we saw our vision come to life and the positive response it received from the public (as well as restaurant critics such as Giles Coren), both our client and the DesignLSM team felt incredibly proud of what we have achieved. The SBID Awards are renowned for celebrating the best of interior design and this restaurant has earned it rightful place in the running as one of London’s most vibrant new openings. To be in the company of the other finalists is an honour in itself.

Questions answered by Tom Munson, Senior Designer, DesignLSM.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious hotel suite design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Hirsch Bedner Associates.

Canopy by Hilton Hotel in Qujiang Xi’an conveys the splendid leisure and carnival entertainment of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

The central premise of the design stems from the Chinese idiom 鲜衣怒马 xiānyī nùmǎ, which loosely translates to “wearing beautiful garments and riding powerful horses”. With this concept in mind, the interiors celebrate the vibrant fashion and design of the prosperous Tang Dynasty that for centuries has been integrated into the spiritual language of Xi’an’s neighborhoods, and now blends exquisitely with the opulent aesthetics of the Canopy brand.

The xiānyī nùmǎ motif is unraveled throughout the hotel style through the use of joyful colors and patterns inspired by Tang-era fabrics and artwork. By fusing the ancient with the modern to create a unique design story, the hotel creates a fresh perspective on historical elements, allowing people to enjoy traditional culture in a rejuvenated, vibrant, and fun way.

What was the client's brief? 

The initial brief received by clients was to bring the rich historical, traditional and cultural background of the place into the project renovation, and to align it to the hotel brand style and feeling.

Canopy by Hilton conveys the brand lifestyle that offers the guests comfort, thoughtful details, an energizing atmosphere and a uniquely local experience, as extension of the local neighbourhood.

Storytelling has been used to design the hotel allowing guest to discover the delightful neighbourhood as an ‘explorer’, and reinterpreting the traditional design language for modern appreciation.

What inspired the design of the project?

Canopy by Hilton Xi’an is located in the Qujiang New District, a new cultural hub and economic center of the historic city.

The hotel is connected to the Grand Tang Mall, a fabulous pedestrian street with myriad cultural sights and recreational activities.

The central premise of the design stems from the Chinese idiom “鲜衣怒马 xiānyī nùmǎ”, which loosely translates to “wearing beautiful garments and riding powerful horses”. With this concept in mind, the design team set out to celebrate the vibrant fashion and design of the prosperous Tang Dynasty that for centuries has been integrated into the spiritual language of Xi’an’s neighborhoods, and now blends exquisitely with the opulent aesthetics of the Canopy brand.

The xiānyī nùmǎ motif is unraveled throughout the hotel style through the use of joyful colors and patterns inspired by Tang-era fabrics and artwork. By fusing the ancient with the modern to create a unique design story, the hotel creates a fresh perspective on historical elements, allowing people to enjoy traditional culture in a rejuvenated, vibrant, and fun way.

By adopting the easy-going lifestyle of Xi’an and the cultural elements of the city’s historic legacy, the hotel acts as an extension of the local neighborhood.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

As most of the projects, the team had to deal with a tight timeline on redesigning the whole hotel without compromising the construction programme.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Canopy by Hilton Xi’an conveys the splendid leisure and carnival entertainment of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

The hotel creates a new perspective that allows people to reveal the traditional culture in a way that is vibrant, fun and young, it adopts the easy-going Xi’an characteristic that enhance the vibe of the area it resides in.

The hotel has 125 guestrooms in the guest tower, including exclusive suites and lofts, leveraging little-bit difference with standard of Hilton group, the design of the guestroom tends to create different experience for the guests.

Guests are initially greeted by a room identity sign that echoes the design concept idiom and takes inspiration from a journey via horse and camel along the silk road. Upon entering the guestrooms, the design calls to mind a Tang-era scene of women pounding and making palace silk. During this time, women used mineral pigments to dye silk, and wrapped stones with wet raw rice paper or cotton to slowly seep the color into the silk. A nod to this ingenious process can be seen in the stylish canopy painted on the wall and ceiling surrounding the bed in each guestroom. The canopy is framed by clean black lines and features a strip of color in the center that fades from turquoise on the ceiling to a bright orange - a color spectrum cherished in the Tang Dynasty.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID International Design Awards are a prestigious recognition of excellence within the interior design industry across products, interiors and fit out.

Over a decade on, the Awards has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious interior design Awards in the global design calendar. It represents the outstanding industry achievements and top quality design services that continue to inspire the profession.

Questions answered by Flavio Patino, Associate, HBA Hong Kong.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern residential development design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ENJOYDESIGN.

What was the client's brief? 

The theme of client’s brief: The Garden on the Loess.

The city of Yinchuan, where the project is located, is situated in the Ningxia Plain, an arid region in western China. Unlike other arid regions, there are two major wetland parks that are ecological features of the area. In order to protect the precious wetland resources and this important transit point for migrating birds, the city of Yinchuan is also aiming to become a 'city of lakes'. In addition, the survey shows that there are few commercial forms around the project site, the quality of life is not high and the convenience of living is improving.

Therefore, ENJOYDESIGN, as the interior design for this case, wanted to create a "multi-life experience hall" for the residents with the theme of "The Garden on the Loess", integrating plants and greenery, floral art, cultural creation, trendy games, reading, beauty, tea and other diversified businesses, and creating a "multi-life experience hall" with both aesthetics and fireworks in the form of a community. A third space outside of work. At the same time, it also serves to promote the ecological characteristics of the area.

What inspired the design of the project?

What inspired the design of this project is the local efforts made over the years to protect the wetland resources. Using flowers and greenery as a medium, nature is allowed to surge like flowing water, irrigating not only the desert sands, but also the hearts of the people of Yinchuan.

We have tried to tell the other side of the city in a lifelike way, leading people to experience the unique face of Yinchuan, not only the yellow earth and barren smoke and ravines, but also the prosperity and vibrancy of The Garden on the Loess.

We hope that community residents will feel the romance of the sun surrounded by flowers and embark on a journey to nature to find the oasis their hearts desire.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

During the project, the toughest hurdles to overcome were the construction of the design facade and the local people's acceptance of the novel style.

Large curved wood finish walls require a high degree of workmanship and stability in terms of grain and colour. Yinchuan is one of the more remote cities in western China, where finding workers who are skilled in construction and high quality building materials is more difficult than in the metropolis.

Secondly, the style of the scheme is relatively new to the occupants of the area and has undergone a process of trying to tell the concept from scheme to landing and then to pre-acceptance by the general public.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

I think it is: we strive to turn dream gardens into real, functional spaces that are both beautiful and functional, making them a part of the lives of the community.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

First, of course, the professionalism. SBID Awards is a highly professional, fair and influential award in the design industry. Every year, we choose excellent works to compete. For example, last year, we won the only award for interior design in the Asia Pacific region, which was affirmed and recognized by the jury from distant overseas and design countries. The designers were greatly excited and encouraged after winning the award because it proved the design ability of the studio.

Questions answered by Jie Guo, Founder & Creative Director, ENJOYDESIGN.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious bar-restaurant design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Albion & East.

What was the client's brief? 

To create a 300 cover bar-restaurant with a grand, centre-piece bar, a very open kitchen integrated into the space and two iconic outside terraces.

What inspired the design of the project?

The building is the former 1930’s Forum Theatre, designed by Mr Stanley Beard who specialised in cinema architecture, but had long since closed and remained abandoned for 15 years until we resurrected it as Teatro Hall. The original interior had an Italian Renaissance style design with high ceilings and large columns. Our inspiration was to resurrect the building in ‘Stile Liberte’, an Italian variant of Art Nouveau and named after Arthur Liberty and the store he founded Liberty’s. We were rediscovering, resurrecting and reawakening and building of grand proportions in a subtle, not slavish, mind to its history.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

With new Brexit laws, delivery of bespoke items made for us in Europe needed careful planning and challenged budgets. Coupled with increases in raw material costs we had to focus hard on design elements which were stand out. Having to work harder than ever before, we didn’t compromise on design and hit budgets through planning and extending our network of suppliers of bespoke and hand made items.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

A grand island bar takes centre stage with a tall backdrop of etched blue Venetian Glass housed in cherry wood, marble bar top and pale parchment under tiled counter. Our Clock Tower is reminiscent of seating in the Waldorf Astoria lobby in NYC. Banquets, with rich midnight velvet seats and pale cream linen curtains, create intimacy. Four handmade Murano glass chandeliers, with over 100 glass columns each, create grandeur that the space demands.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Having followed the awards for several years, I have always been impressed at the quality and diversity of the finalists. It has been a source of interest and inspiration for me over the years as I have been developing my company. SBID is a well recognised and prestigious organisation and it’s an honour to be a finalist with you.

Questions answered by Sarah Weir, Lead Designer and the Founder & Managing Director, Albion & East.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an elegant and sophisticated residential design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, CHIL Interior Design.

The romance of discovery is found in all aspects of life if you are willing to explore. Travel, culture, design, music, fashion all inspire life, and none are more influential than seeing these aspects through the refined cultural lens of a city like Paris. Through the distinct European architecture, fragrant French gardens, and the overall appreciation of the finest details in living, CHIL Interior Design created a design for Chloe Kerrisdale that celebrates these unique Parisian and European details within.

With soft palettes and sophistication, the result is unforgettable spaces that express the effortless elegance, grace, and joie de vivre of Paris itself. A balance between indulgence and restraint, between measure and proportion and between structure and abstraction, the Chloe Kerrisdale display suite is an exquisite jewel standing out within the community.

What was the client's brief? 

The client wanted us to create an aspirational living space that is inspired by the classical architecture and Parisian lifestyle. It was also important to the client that the show suite is a direct replica of a purchasable unit to showcase luxurious living through high end materials, furniture, artwork that appeals to the a well-travelled and affluent demographic.

What inspired the design of the project?

We began with the classical architecture of the building that is reminiscent of established European cities like Paris. We wanted to pay homage to the well-recognized details of these buildings while still providing a clean and modern perspective as a balance. The design for Chloe Kerrisdale celebrates the Parisian lifestyle in the heart of Vancouver.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The toughest hurdle for this project is fitting a unit floorplan into a pre-existing space and avoiding as many columns in the display unit as possible. While we were successful in avoiding some, unavoidable columns were used to the design’s advantage with added floral arrangement displays.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Every material, furniture, accessory and lighting selection reflects to the luxurious Parisian living concept with a modern take on traditional details. The locally commissioned hand carved 3D rose artwork that adorns the reception area tells the Parisian story right when the buyer walks in, transporting them into the state of mind immediately. Attention to various levels of lighting to create a soft ambient atmosphere in the space. We are also proud of the way we overcame unavoidable columns by beautifying them with floral arrangements.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards is one of the most prestigious international interior design awards. It is always an honour to be recognized by such a high calibre of industry expert panel and we look forward to submitting our entries every year. This year is also our first time submitting to the Show Flats & Development category and we are immensely grateful to be shortlisted as a finalist!

Questions answered by Danielle Clarke & Adèle Rankin, Design Director & Principal & Global Design Lead, CHIL Interior Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and relaxing jetsetter design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Greenpoint Technologies.

Greenpoint curated the Retreat interior for a distinguished jetsetter focused on health and self-care priorities. The client requested a modern, serene, and nurturing interior. Greenpoint Design drew inspiration from biophilic design and wellness trends to create the experience of a luxury spa retreat. The Retreat interior seamlessly balances sustainable details, live greenery, and progressive, intuitive technology. The result is a wellbeing haven wherever you are in the world!

Guests enter the aircraft through a rotunda featuring a topographical-inspired accent pendant and an internally lit terrarium housing a tropical environment. Inspired by flowing water, the cabin features a ceiling panel system with a high-gloss metallic finish reminiscent of a river meandering throughout the interior.

Greenpoint’s Retreat interior achieves a modern, relaxing atmosphere ideal for the sophisticated world traveler. Each room offers an opportunity to unwind and relax, with advanced technology discretely concealed within the bespoke cabinetry. Whether traveling for business or leisure, the Retreat interior offers a sophisticated oasis for all owners and guests onboard.

What was the client's brief? 

Greenpoint curated the Retreat BBJ MAX8 aircraft interior for a distinguished jetsetter focused on health and self-care priorities. The client requested a modern, serene, and nurturing interior with live greenery and sustainable details. The process began with an undulating river-like floorplan catering to the client’s nature-inspired vision. Greenpoint Design detailed the interior architecture and furniture standards, then modeled and sketched all interior elements. Lighting and soft materials including fabrics, colors, and textures finish the interior and are presented to the client for final approval.

What inspired the design of the project?

Greenpoint Design drew inspiration from biophilia and wellness trends to create the experience of a luxury spa retreat. Greenpoint Design focused heavily on biophilic design; the creation of living indoor spaces using organic, natural design elements. The team studied the benefits of biophilic design including stress reduction and a positive impact on one’s mood, energy, focus and productivity. The Retreat interior is comprised of organic, sustainable materials throughout.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

One of the biggest hurdles was working the lighting on this project. This was the first airplane interior that we completely blocked the windows, and all natural light, in order to provide the cabin more adaptability of scenery through OLED screens. In blocking the windows, we lost the sunlight that so often provides shadow and dimension to the cabin. We solved the issue by providing layers of lighting, highly reflective materials, and depth with the use of backlit terrariums.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Seeing all the new ideas that everyone brought to the table. It really showcases our team’s willingness to push the boundaries to create such a unique interior. Greenpoint Design continues to imagine and conceptually design interiors with emerging and advanced technology, pursuing exploration and innovation.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards provide esteemed recognition to interior designers from all industries across the globe. The Awards encourage innovation by offering the opportunity to draw inspiration cross-industry and propel designs into the future.

Questions answered by Annika Svore Wicklund, Design Director, Greenpoint Technologies.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a kitchen renovation design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Celia Visser Design.

What was the client's brief? 

The expat owners of this 1990s architecturally designed home returned to New Zealand for their retirement and called upon the designer to renovate their kitchen living area. They wanted to ensure it would fit with the home’s existing architecture and, as avid cooks, needed a much larger space to comfortably use. The wanted to enhance the harbour views the room enjoyed which was constrained by walls on entering the space.

What inspired the design of the project?

The Clients brief & the house architecture. The home had quite industrial and native NZ timber features, especially the open stairwell which can be seen from the front and larder.

The clients had lived in a lot of Asian & Arab countries & had brought back a lot of treasures and special objects they had collected on their travels and wanted them to be displayed in the kitchen. The open shelves were designed to match the stairs, like a commercial kitchen having all products on display.

The colour Palette was chosen to blend all these elements together.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

One of the main challenges for this project was that the kitchen’s size in proportion to the house size and function was very small. There was also an unused room behind the existing kitchen that could be incorporated, but the three dividing wall and posts were a major structural support for the three-storied home.

The removal of the structural and supporting walls was a big undertaking, this meant employing an engineer to redesign the house foundations and constructing new supporting steel beams.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight was viewing the opened kitchen to the adjacent room for the first time. This increased the space to double in size while exposing the beautiful harbour views which had been hidden from many areas of the entrance & living room. It was a very special moment when the client saw what a difference the larger space would have on their lives & especially being able to see the harbour from all angles while she cooked – a moment to remember.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

I entered and won the SBID award KBB category in 2018 & love that these Awards have grown to be such a force globally & I feel they are so prestigious and recognised now. It helps my credibility as a designer both in New Zealand & Internationally. I can market my award as being at the top of my career globally so it’s a very special award for me.

If I have a great project I want to enter for the recognition it gives, even to be a finalist is a great accolade.

Questions answered by Celia Visser, FNKBA, CKD/CBDNZ PDINZ, Celia Visser Design.