Modern Kitchen Stands as a Piece of Art in a Private Residence

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and contrasting kitchen design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Extreme Design.

The monolith kitchen sits within a newly built private residence on the outskirts of London. Our clients purchased the original property in 2010 with a bold vision to replace the existing structure with a new unique and ambitious dwelling.

After being introduced to the project in 2017, Extreme were commissioned to create a kitchen design that not only compliments the architectural cues of the property but also reflects the client’s vision that was to run throughout every detail of the interior.

The angular shapes of volcanic rock formations and contrast of glowing lava flowing through fractures within the earth’s surface had formed the basis of the client’s bold design narrative. Inspired by geographical features, they wanted the kitchen design to not only reflect this distinctive concept but also be a welcoming and warm environment for the family.

What was the client's brief? 

For this client, it was clear that their love of art would be present in every detail of their newly built home. Drawing influence on architectural cues of the property, such as poured concrete, monolithic columns and organically shaped metal, the client wanted this unique kitchen to stand as a piece of art in its own right, whilst also becoming a pleasant environment for the family to enjoy every day.

What inspired the design of the project?

Extreme’s unique approach to design gave us the freedom to design every element of the client’s kitchen, creating an environment with its own identity that works harmoniously with the rest of the home. The angular shapes of volcanic rock formations and contrast of glowing lava flowing through fractures within the earth’s surface had formed the basis of the client’s bold design narrative. Inspired by geographical features, they wanted the kitchen design to not only reflect this distinctive concept but also be a welcoming and warm environment for the family.

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

Our ultimate challenge was to bring the angular stone island and floating breakfast bar detail to life. Starting with a conceptual sketch the island as designed to feature angled stone sides and back panel which also had to be calculated and engineered to work as a support to the cantilevered breakfast bar.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Our favourite aspect of the project was working with such a bold design brief that allowed us full creative license to create an entirely original design. Drawing upon the properties architectural cues and introducing geographical elements into the project allowed us to elevate the design and create a living space which not only fulfilled the clients’ requirements of a warm and welcoming environment, but also showcased specialist skills in the stone angular features and array of beautiful materials and finishes.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID awards represent outstanding achievements and celebrates design creativity and excellence worldwide. The awards are a great opportunity to bring recognition to those within the design industry. At Extreme, it is our vision to make an impact on design in this country and the awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase our work.

Questions answered by Jade Jones, Design Manager, Extreme Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a bright and colourful retail design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Seen Displays.

What was the client's brief? 

Following the launch of the Bally Haus Concept Store in Milan, we were briefed to create a space for Bally in New York’s Meatpacking District that transcended the traditional purposes of retail, acting as a creative grounding force for the area. It was important to us and Bally that their traditional design pillars of art, architecture and craftsmanship were included in the design, celebrating their Swiss roots and forward-thinking practice.

What inspired the design of the project?

Our creative narrative was inspired by the angular lines of Manhattan’s grid, which uniquely pivots in the Meatpacking district, causing Gansevoort Street to be bathed in a warm hard light during the spring and autumn equinox. Bally’s values of combining nature with the contemporary ensured that our approach to materialism was innovative, circular, and quintessentially Bally, using materials from Tessa Silva and Paper-Factor.

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

Designing and supporting the delivery of the project in a very short time frame, whilst collaborating remotely during covid lockdowns, certainly came with its challenges but the team weren’t deterred from achieving our vision for innovative materiality and experience from the very start. Our ongoing support of circular artists and relationships with bio materialist, Tessa Silva and PaperFactor, enabled us to achieve unique finishes and qualities rarely seen in retail design.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The realisation of our design detailing demonstrated how a luxury environment can remain both finely finished and offer an adaptable brand environment. Details included accurately placed curtain seams and material clad wall plugs, meaning our fixture system was seamlessly disguised, offering a premium finish overall whilst giving the brand flexibility to adapt the environment from a store to a community-based event space. Delivering this level of detail from start to finish with the challenge of using exciting and innovative materials in such a short time frame was probably one of our biggest highlights.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

One of the most prestigious, international design awards in the calendar, we entered as we appreciate the importance SBID places in celebrating unique design solutions across various disciplines. Thank you for having us!

Questions answered by Andrew Quinn, Lead Designer, Seen Displays.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a minimal luxury hotel suite design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, LW Design.

What was the client's brief? 

LW Design was tasked to create this extraordinary new flagship hotel in this vibrant city and overall hospitality industry in the Middle East. The iconic hotel boasts minimalist luxury and already has intrigue in the local community with its subtle appeal. Location and people are paramount to the brand.

What inspired the design of the project?

LW Design has created arguably the best looking EDITION hotel in the world to date; it is the first hotel of its kind in Dubai with elevated style, materials and design language. The Dubai EDITION is also the first hospitality project LW Design has completed for both architecture and interiors. The EDITION collection celebrates the diversity of cities across the world, reflecting the best of cultural and social environments and a new generation of understated luxury.

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

Having started on the project almost five years ago, Pooja Shah-Mulani, design director at LW Design, describes the journey as the most intense but rewarding experience, making its completion the pinnacle of her career to date. “The fusion of working with an international brand such as The EDITION, in one of the most prestigious locations in Dubai, and for a client that trusted us to deliver an exceptional product, meant that expectations were only ever going to push creative boundaries into delivering something very special.

The result of ideas being challenged throughout the entire process has led to some of the most iconic moments in the hotel today, namely the arched ceiling. LW Design conceptualised The Dubai EDITION almost five years ago; the doors are now open to a design that's ahead of its time, yet timeless and current.

It was more complicated than we thought to create something effortless while still creating something that would have the biggest impact in the market by being completely different. Having maintained our philosophy of designing to current trends through organic simplicity, the result has exceeded expectations, and we are incredibly thrilled with the outcome”.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Dubai is a world capital for design and is used to setting the bar for outstanding service and luxury hotels. It is the brave that will survive and set the tone for travel into the future. It is the first five-star luxury property that we have managed both architectural and design projects. Our vision has allowed us to successfully launch and manage many game-changing concepts such as the Vida Downtown, Zabeel House in the Greens and Media One Hotel”.

The long-awaited Dubai EDITION opens its doors as the extraordinary new flagship hotel in this vibrant city and overall hospitality industry in the Middle East. The iconic hotel boasts minimalist luxury and already has intrigue in the local community with its subtle appeal. Location and people are paramount to the brand.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

International platform and recognition this project deserves.

Questions answered by Pooja Shah Mulani, Partner & Design Director, LW Design.

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

The Alyx at EchelonSeaport is a defining contemporary landmark designed by internationally lauded Kohn Pedersen Fox architects of New York. The impressive stepped tower design takes inspiration from Boston’s Victorian neighbourhoods full of brick and brownstone row houses, and puts a modern spin on it, showcasing oversized windows with city, courtyard, and water views. On the interior, the design team at world-renown Jeffrey Beers International, crafted the lobby and amenity spaces to feel like an extension of one’s own living room; warm, inviting, and comfortable. Designed with a sense of community, the amenity experiences encourage residents to gather and socialize.

What was the client's brief? 

We identified with the client’s vocation to create the property’s DNA as artistic, innovative, authentic, and communal.

What inspired the design of the project?

Boston, specifically it’s history, culture and innovation! We have drawn inspiration from Boston’s colonial past, rich academia, and its cultural heritage, as well as from the city’s sense of authenticity and community. We are also drawn to the surrounding views of the water; the geography, design and lifestyle of the waterfront.

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

Budget and timing always should be managed carefully for every project.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

We are honoured to be part of the progressive plans to transform the area of Boston Seaport into a neighbourhood that will balance the soul of the city with innovation and modernity.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We wanted the opportunity to highlight the project on an international stage.

Questions answered by Tim Rooney, Principal, Jeffrey Beers International.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and minimalistic family house design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, ND Studios.

Natascha Dartnall, Founder & Director of ND Studios: We completely reconfigured an existing property, retaining only the listed front façade while building a modern house behind. It was important that we had lots of options when it came to marbles, stones and woods. For our client, the materials were just as important as the furniture, fixtures and fittings themselves.

Our clients shared our own commitment to sustainability and wanted to, where possible, make environmentally conscious decisions during the design, build and install. ND Studios will always seek to employ sustainable practises where possible. One of the main ways we achieved this on this project was to install a ground-source heat pump which is more environmentally friendly than alternative options because it recycles heat between seasons and it releases fewer carbon emissions.

What was the client's brief? 

Our client wanted their new house to be a family home suitable for both relaxation and entertaining – with a spa, cinema room and home café all on the client’s shopping list. We were asked to create fresh and contemporary interiors with a nod to minimalism. Our clients were keen that we embraced an aesthetic that had longevity and that would age well while also ensuring that it was as sustainable as possible.

What inspired the design of the project?

Given that this was to be family home but with a modern, minimalist aesthetic a main priority was to ensure the house would work, practically speaking. How could we ensure there was a sense of home while staying true to the very pared back concept?

The bedrooms are an ode to modern comfort: clean lines, muted shades and plenty of light thanks to floor to ceiling windows. The guest bedroom includes a plump, fabric headboard which extends all the way across one of the walls, serving as a backdrop to the nightstands as well as the bed itself. This adds some softness to the room. The abstract paintings above the bed with vivid cerulean blue and scarlet red markings also adds vibrancy – just another example of how we made this modern house a family home.

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

The first hurdle for us was ensuring we had planning in place to knock down much of the existing property and build its modern replacement. The façade of the original property was listed and as a result it had to remain intact. This didn’t jeopardise our client’s vision or our execution of the project: we all felt it added character and a sense of history to the new home. While this held us back, it was only a matter of time before we got the go-ahead. It was a chasing and waiting game.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the most exciting spaces to work on was the home café which has an industrial vibe with a sculpted slab of White Fantasy marble serving as the bar area. We kept it neutral but monochrome with lots of angles and lines which made for a contemporary socialising space you’d expect to see in a busy metropolis but is a brilliant surprise to find within a leafy suburban home.

The cinema room was another exercise in making a space both relaxing, physically comfortable but also chic. There is plenty of softness thanks to the silk carpet by Loomah and the abundance of cushions, but we ensured the space has plenty of hard lines and angles too, so that the room has a sense of structure.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

To have recognition for our work from an established industry body is an honour, and one which we hold in high regard.

Questions answered by Natascha Dartnall, Founder & Director, ND Studios.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a Rome inspired hotel design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, THDP.

DoubleTree by Hilton Rome Monti is interiors and decorations and the lushness of an internal lobby garden – where guests can immerse themselves in the light of the eternal city from morning to evening.

The main entrance is located on the main façade of the historic building overlooking Piazza Esquilino, on the corner with Via Urbana. The hotel features a rooftop bar and terrace, bar and café with an entrance on Piazza dell’Esquilino, three meeting rooms, a fitness centre and Mamalia restaurant, serving reinterpreted traditional cuisine.

What was the client's brief? 

To convert the two pre-existing buildings, with the aim of combining the Roman rhythms and lifestyle with the functionality of a hotel and establishing a continuous dialogue with the city.

What inspired the design of the project?

Rione Monti, once popular and dilapidated, today it is a place to discover, a central and young meeting point that live in harmony with the ancient, made of narrow medieval streets and hidden trattorias, alternative shops, and trendy bars. Without a doubt a cosmopolitan area where the atmosphere of an ancient community and the boutiques and clubs not to be missed during your stay.

The Monti district is an authentic area where working-class Rome once stood, where the elderly maintain tradition and where young entrepreneurs open trendy galleries.

This atmosphere with a retro flavor, combined with the climbing on the terracotta facades, the pots of plants left simply along the sidewalk of the streets with the typical Roman San Pietrini, was the greatest inspiration for the interior design concept, created by the THDP studio with Italian roots and designers.

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

Designing case good furniture by carefully sampling all custom finishes for the project and project managing the execution on site was challenging during 2020 because of the first Covid lockdown.

Another challenge was planning the entrance of the hotel, which follows the Esquilino hill, gently rolling down. The lobby and the bar are at two different levels, which required to insert staircases and a lift.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

This was the first THDP’s project in the Italian Capital. It was also a new way to push the boundaries of the Double Tree brand, by creating a more authentic experience for the guest where there was an accurate research of the neighbourhood areas, thanks for part of the internal local THDP team.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The SBID awards are unmissable, as they select original projects from around the world. It is quite an exciting award as there is a combination of projects and a very glamorous award ceremony in London, where our company is.

Questions answered by Manuela Mannino, Partner and Founder, THDP.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a complete refurbishment of a family home by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, Novo Design.

Abbie Smith, Founder and Creative Director of Novo Design: We started discussing this project back in 2018, the masterplan was designed and the planning applications commenced. Knock back after knock back and 2 years later approvals were finally given and we could start working on developing the interior concept and specification. The family would be moving in with clothes and toys only and everything from bed linen to champagne flutes and potato peelers had to be specified and procured. The building was stripped back to the shell and then put back together meticulously, no corner was cut on quality of finish and the client continuously pushed for unique bespoke items so the home would be truly unique.

What was the client's brief? 

To create a beautiful family home and maximise the potential of the space by reconfiguring the internal layout, converting the unused loft space and adding a large kitchen extension and orangery to gain more space that can be enjoyed and utilised.

What inspired the design of the project?

Contemporary styling fused with lots of texture and natural materials. Vibrancy was brought through in artwork and furniture to represent the characters of the family living there.

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

Obtaining planning permission. 2 years of rejected applications were hard for morale but the client wasn’t willing to compromise so kept persisting and it finally paid off.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The grand reveal, welcoming the family back into the home once we had completed (they didn’t come to site during the build). There were lots of tears of joy and disbelief around the transformation and finished results. It exceeded their expectations and they couldn’t have been happier.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We feel this is by far our most considered and most beautiful residential project we have ever delivered. The client gave us complete ownership of the design so it represents our company style perfectly. A great project to showcase what we can deliver and would be amazing for the team to get recognition for all the hard work that went into this project.

Questions answered by Abbie Smith, Founder and Creative Director, Novo Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features nine distinctive bar designs by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, 4SPACE.

What was the client's brief? 

4SPACE was tasked to design nine very distinctive bars for PAPA Dubai, each with different offerings. The Bar Village is made up of little ‘boulevards’ including the Rum Station, Champagne Avenue, Gin Point, And Vodka Lane, Tequila Road, Mezcal Street, Sake Alley, Wine Square, Whiskey Square, and a VIP Lounge called High gate.

What inspired the design of the project?

PAPA Dubai is an exciting 1,580 square meters dining and entertainment destination in the vibrant Atrium complex, the dining and entertainment epicenter of riverside Al Habtoor City. PAPA will take its visitors on an extraordinary culinary and mixology journey through nine glorious bars, each themed with a unique concept. Comfort and soul food are at the very heart of the dining experience. The fascinating bars have been developed in collaboration with Moscow and Dubai's top bartending figures.

The transformational venue transforms from a sophisticated and immersive dining experience to a chic nightlife venue with DJs and entertainment as evening moves to night. Move from a quiet dinner with friends to one of the city’s best vibes. Feel the energy of this unrivaled sensory-driven experience in Dubai. PAPA Dubai will host some of the world's most courageous bartenders vying to show off their avant-garde skills throughout the year. Each of the nine bars has been carefully considered and designed by inimitable 4SPACE in a collaboration with Papa's founder Natalia Freys.

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

There were several challenges that 4SPACE had to overcome. Eight different terrazzo surfaces were designed and installed throughout Papas. Cleverly, designers sourced authentic materials and graffiti artists to allow for fully cohesive individuality. 4SPACE presented the clients a 3D design which they executed to perfection. The piece de resistance is the nine thoroughly different concepts within one narrative. The arches unify the overall design.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Unique key features:

Rum Station - Tiki bar concept with tiki-style totem poles and art on the walls and bamboo surface accents with greenery on the ceiling.

Champagne Avenue - terrazzo highlights, bubbly texture with organic patterns used on the arches and moldings and printed on the banquette seating fabrics, and four classic chandeliers,

Gin point and Vodka Lane - retro bar that features an impressive disco ball centered in the arched ceiling and UV paint graffiti on mesh screens.

Tequila Road and Mezcal Street - designed to capture the spirit of South America with sugar skull centered in the archway and lighting inspired by Mexican sombreros.

Sake Alley - the wooden structures over the bar are designed and built based on the Japanese Kumiki joinery method and careful lighting that was chosen to represent a peaceful zen garden.

Wine Court - designed as a wine cellar with four prominent arches and an oversized mirror to reflect the arches into eight, a mixture of bricks and mirrors on the arched ceiling, and copper details inset into the bar and furniture.

Whiskey Square - feels secluded from the other bars, is central in the symmetrical space with sensual onyx lighting and was inspired by Art Deco style, including lighting and detailing on the fascia of the bar.

The Entrance - impressive and eccentric with red pipe and greenery installation that hangs from the ceiling and customized carpet below.

VIP Lounges - the red one serves as an extension to the entrance, represents the brand colour of PAPA and boasts three oversized lighting pendants, while the other is centered with an enormous arch and copper mesh on the wall, black marble on the floor, and gorgeous lounge seating.

DJ Booth - a space that can easily convert into a dance floor because of its entertainment lighting, circular kinetic mirrors, and led lighting.

Female Toilet - designed with banquette seating and comfortable poufs where ladies can take a rest while waiting in the queue, the wall feature is made from triangular screens surrounded by mirrors for Instagrammable selfies and the exciting ceiling feature is made from a pink ball installation with stretched mannequin legs.

Male Toilet - inspired by fun house-style mirrors with led lights and a black ball installation.

Terrazzo is well-known in the industry for its sustainability and eco-friendly properties. Due to its natural composition, terrazzo does not contain any volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs are organic compounds that vaporise by temperature changes and high pressure. This leads to emissions, the leading cause of air pollution in urban areas, harming the environment. Architecture is becoming environmentally friendly, and durable, long-lasting materials such as terrazzo are a huge advantage today. 4SPACE is keen to encourage change that benefits the environment and circular economy.

In contrast to wood, tile, and carpeting, terrazzo does not contain grout joints. As a result, there is no need for steam cleaning, energy-wasteful vacuuming, and grout cleaning. Terrazzo is water and highly stain-resistant, therefore easy to manage. Terrazzo is the number one choice for extensive facilities with high foot traffic, such as hospitals, airports, schools, and office buildings. By using terrazzo in construction, 4SPACE ensures exceptional indoor air quality, durable, eco-friendly and low-maintenance flooring and worktop surfaces.

PAPA's Instagram page has become hype and is attracting a lot of customers who are curious about the design elements in the female toilets. Social media influencers have described PAPA Dubai as one of the most Instagrammable night and bar entertainment venues in the United Arab Emirates because of its unique design. 4SPACE has an impressive network and enviable relationship with industry, lifestyle and entertainment magazines, blogs and influencers, generating vast exposure and traffic for the venue.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Putting our project in front of the eyes of professionals, we appreciate their opinion and the recognition.

Questions answered by Firas Alsahin, Founder & Design Director, 4SPACE.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an expansive seven bedroom villa design by 2022 SBID Awards Finalist, LW Design.

What was the client's brief? 

LW Design was tasked to redesign an expansive seven-bedroomed villa in an exclusive neighbourhood of Dubai. The owners wanted the designers to create an extraordinary space for their family and create a seamless flow from each room onto the large terraces and gardens beyond. The space was to be soft, feminine and understated so that the family felt at ease and comfortable at home.

What inspired the design of the project?

LW Design was tasked to create a soft, light and inviting scheme with neutral colours, warm timbers, and soft grey marble mixed with subtle accent colours to create the ultimate retreat. The spaces were designed to link and connect to the vast landscape. In particular, the majlis and formal dining feel like contemporary garden rooms as you are surrounded by full-height glazing with immaculate landscaping beyond. This connection to the outdoors also continues throughout the inside, with large plants placed in the corners of the rooms and some ground floor areas open onto the terrace giving an indoor-outdoor experience.

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

The main challenge was the sheer scale of the property, not just the number of rooms but also the various ceiling heights ranging from 4 metres to 9 metres in some key areas. The main goal was to ensure that all rooms felt comfortable and warm, each having their own identity but ensuring the design flowed from space to space. With the space being so vast, LW hand-selected and carefully placed unique pieces of furniture that filled the space rather than selecting additional furniture and accessories that would have caused over cluttering. The design team had to coordinate with multiple furniture suppliers who delivered their own finishings and fabrics to ensure they were all coordinated and aligned to maintain the eclectic and considered feel. With a property of this size, it was essential to identify the character of each room and ensure nothing too themed or obvious.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The general ceiling height around the villa is 4 metres while the entrance ceiling height is an impressive 9 metres. The sheer height creates a grand first impression when walking into the villa. The hallway leads into the living spaces that consist of a soft colour palette that creates a serene and bright feel throughout the villa and seamlessly connects the rooms to the surrounding landscape, adding life and depth to the space.

The his and hers master bedroom has oversized artwork shaped like a screen which acts as a headboard and provides a focus to the room. The master bathroom has wall-to-wall soft grey marble complemented by bronze metal screens and a feature freestanding bath. Intimate seating areas, a workspace, and a TV zone help fill the room with beautifully crafted pieces.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

To showcase the project on an international platform and get the recognition this project deserves.

Questions answered by Rachel Kidd, Partner & Design Director, LW Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a spacious feng shui-inspired house design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, 7K Design.

What was the client's brief? 

The client wanted to change the lifestyle of their home because it had not been changed in over 20 years. Their home was not built with the intention of maximizing space functionality and flow. The client desired a change and wanted to revitalize their spaces not just to make them more practical and flow better, but also to ensure that each space was created with feng shui in mind to bring the family good fortune.

What inspired the design of the project?

As the circle was an important cultural symbol, feng shui was an important component that we wanted to incorporate into the design. It represents yin and yang harmony, as well as the balance of nature.

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

There are precise feng shui principles for each house, and we must incorporate those criteria into our design while still maximizing space, flow, and staying within budget.

Feng shui goes beyond comfort and aesthetic. We had to have a very good understanding of what elements to bring into the space without causing the project's integrity to be disrupted.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The team’s highlight of the project is designing the custom spiral stair bookcase. The bookcase incorporates important elements of feng shui: the garden that signifies the growth of life, and the book case signifying growth through knowledge.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We are hoping that SBID will aid in raising awareness of the importance of incorporating cultural identity into designs.

Questions answered by Fianne Zi-Yan Yu, Principal Designer & PM, 7k Design.