This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a hotel public space redesign. Virserius Studio completed the second phase of the redesign of the Renaissance Paris La Défense in Summer 2018. This involved a partial renovation of the lobby, removing the existing executive lounge, and creating a destination restaurant. Virserius Studio took into consideration the owner’s concerns by blending of older existing elements like the classical towers while incorporating more contemporary design elements. The aim was for the hotel to not just be for guests but for it to be a place the public in this busy section of Paris can incorporate into their busy day, whether it’s grabbing a coffee from the brasserie kiosk or a glass of wine on the way home or meeting on important matters during the day.
SBID Awards Category: Hotel Public Space Sponsored by Viva Lagoon
Practice: Virserius Studio
Project: Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel
Location: Paris, France
What was the client's brief?
The brief for the project was to reflect the La Défense neighborhood and its surroundings through carefully curated art and lighting. This involved a partial renovation of the lobby, removing the existing executive lounge, and creating a destination restaurant. We wanted the hotel to not just be for guests but for it to be a place the public in this busy section of Paris can incorporate into their busy day, whether it’s grabbing a coffee from the brasserie kiosk or a glass of wine on the way home, or meeting on important matters during the day.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
First, we wanted to pay homage to the art and fashion of Paris. However, we wanted to add elements reflecting the landscape of the beautiful French countryside, located not too far away.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
Renaissance Paris La Défense belongs to 3 political districts, which presented a logistical and construction challenge. We had to file permits in each district; some were liberal, and some were more lenient. There were many stakeholders, complicating the process.
What was your highlight of the project?
Light sculpture that spans 3 floors, focal point 50 ft, visible from everywhere, custom designed by V/S to connect all three floors to penetrate all three level. It’s handblown glass representing algae, but more like snowflake or flower.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
A design excellence award distinction from SBID is one of the most prestigious a firm can receive in this industry. With each completed project, we want to present our work to a jury of peers, and recognition is always appreciated.
Questions answered by Therese Virserius, Founder and Lead Designer at Virserius Studio.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's hotel design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a residential design making use of its surrounding nature, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a lakeside residence designed for an active couple approaching retirement. The client sought to create a home that celebrated the environmentally protected nature surrounding them, where they could enjoy aging in place while granting space for another generation to visit and entertain around lake life. Nature is brought indoors through the extensive glass and is emphasised by the mixed material palette including reclaimed wood, granite, and earth-toned walls. The home’s incorporation of sustainable and accessible design elements ensures that Arcadia House will be the heart of the family for generations to come.
SBID Awards Category: Residential Design Over £1 Million Sponsored by THG Paris
Practice: Visnick & Caulfield
Project: Arcadia House
Location: Massachusetts, United States
The client wanted a home that would act as a gathering place for family and close friends. They felt the home should celebrate its natural surroundings and experience nature indoors. Most importantly, the clients, an active couple, are nearing retirement and wanted their space to accommodate aging in place.
The space is inspired by its immediate surroundings, by being immersed in nature, and by the site’s relationship to the water.
Working within the constraints of the environment proved challenging. The design and construction of the home contended with multiple setbacks surrounding the water, undeveloped land, and sloping topography throughout its uniquely shaped lot. The team overcame the environmental protections in place by using them as interest-driving constraints to derive the form and placement of the house.
Seeing the client fully immersed in their home is immensely rewarding. The highlight of the project is seeing it become a setting that we as designers envisioned – one which brings together family and friends.
We were inspired by the variety and quality of work at the SBID Awards, and hope to take part in the field with such international talent.
Questions answered by Cora Visnick, Architect at Visnick & Caulfield.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a 1960’s inspired hotel, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a 1960's inspired Hotel Public Space. 2019 SBID Awards Finalist, Smallwood, had the challenge of ensuring a strong arrival moment for guests, given that the hotel entrance shares a lobby with the office tower and the residences. It was therefore important to give the guest a strong visual impact and to zone the arrival experience of a Waldorf Astoria that could easily compete against the multiple design languages of the adjacent office and residential lobby spaces.
Practice: Smallwood
Project: Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The client’s brief called for a mid-modern approach, and unusually for Dubai, without any cultural references to the locale but a design that reflected the styling of the exterior architecture.
The client gave the styling of the American television series “Mad Men” as the design direction, so a strong New York sixties feel to the interior architecture and FF&E was used throughout.
To create a series of zoned spaces across Level 18 that prevented square meterage from being lost to circulation. With a total interior width of 25metres and a length of over 80m, Smallwood created ‘rooms within rooms’ so that the spaces interconnected, obviating the need for multiple circulation routes.
The opportunity to design an interior of a hotel in the Middle East with a cool aesthetic very different from the more typical hotel projects in the region.
We believe SBID is a highly prestigious design awards competition and it is a great way to showcase our new projects across the region to both operators and developers.
Questions answered by Joshua Rayner Roger Judd, Interior Design Director at Smallwood.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's Hotel Design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a charming Chicago Hotel, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a hotel public space designed by Studio K Creative to feel like a beautiful, private estate. Hotel Zachary is inspired by Wrigley Field’s original architect, Zachary Taylor Davis. The charming floor plan includes a central bar, which creates an intuitive path that takes guests on a walk reminiscent of Davis’ own home by incorporating his family heirlooms, repurposing his architectural sketches into key art pieces and paying homage to his love story with details that honour his wife, Alma, and their children. Hotel Zachary is an authentic design that represents a piece of Chicago history.
Practice: Studio K Creative
Project: Hotel Zachary
Location: Illinois, United States
With a location across the street from Wrigley Field, the client envisioned a hotel inspired by the original architect of the ballpark, Zachary Taylor Davis. They approached Studio K with the desire to create a lobby that would act as a warm and inviting community space that felt authentic to Chicago’s history. The goal was to establish an approachable, versatile home base for visitors looking for a classic Chicago neighbourhood experience.
Hotel Zachary is inspired by Wrigley Field’s original architect, Zachary Taylor Davis.
The greatest design challenge was creating a space adaptable enough for guests to enjoy a cozy breakfast, important business lunch or hip happy hour all within the same central area. The lobby had to move seamlessly from day to night. To achieve this transition, we worked meticulously with lighting designers to get the levels correct for different hours and functions, effectively creating varying atmospheres depending on the time of day.
Since this was a legacy project, our team worked very closely with Zachary’s family to ensure the design was genuine and deeply personal. It was very touching working on a project that involved a person with historical significance.
We met with his family descendants, went through their photographs, his original sketches, his original blueprints and assorted artefacts that were passed down, including love letters between Zachary and his wife, Alma. All of these pieces were either incorporated into key art through the space or inspired various design choices. There was a lot of storytelling weaved through the process which made the outcome truly authentic.
Hotel Zachary means a great deal to the city of Chicago since it celebrates a piece of history and elevated the neighbourhood around it. We are very proud that our first completed public space in a hotel has received such an overwhelmingly positive reaction from locals and visitors alike, and wanted to bring it into an international market.
Questions answered by Karen Herold, Principal and Alicia Kelly, Senior Designer at Studio K Creative.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a luxurious Italian Villa, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a luxury interior design which reflects the elegance and exclusiveness of its location. Since the end of the 19th Century, Gardone has been one of the most exclusive places on Lake Garda. Landau + Kindelbacher, used a range of colours rich in contrast, drawing influence from traditional stimuli: the aquamarine of Lake Garda, the painted timbers of the elegant Riva boats as well as the lemon-yellow touches from the surrounding lemon orchards.
The high-class furnishings and fittings and the incomparable setting beside Lake Garda, assure the attraction of the project. From everywhere on the site, one has a fantastic view of the lake. Both the architecture and the interior design have succeeded, with their individual designs for the luxury villas, in meeting the highest demands of the future owners.
Practice: Landau + Kindelbacher Architekten - Innenarchitekten
Project: Villa at Lake Garda
Location: Brescia, Italy
The brief was to design a modern luxury Villa on this breathtaking building site at Gardone Sopra overlooking the Lake Garda catching in all those beautiful views over the landscape. The goal was to fuse interior design, architecture and landscape design into one consistent Project.
The inspiration came from all the southern colors you will find around the Lake Garda, the lemon trees with their Limonaia structures and the mahogany RIVA Yachts and finally the color of the water and the sky.
The very short timeline and just to get the design team physically on the building site, taking the James Bond proven Gardesana route on the east bank of Lake Garda.
The whole design team was invited to join the Grand Opening Party of the Villa and we could see that all our ideas had worked out perfectly.
The quality of the SBID Awards is really outstanding and we think it is one of the most prestigious awards within the interior design community.
Questions answered by Gerhard Landau, Managing Partner, Landau + Kindelbacher.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's luxury design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a minimalist residential extension, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a light and airy residential design. This large and comfortable house had already been extended 10 years earlier, but this was demolished to provide an even larger replacement, featuring a study area, extra living space and a small service kitchen hidden behind a full-height sliding door.
In keeping with the calm and minimal tone requested by the client, SBID Accredited Design Practise, Richard Dewhurst Interior Architecture chose a muted colour palette was used throughout the house. The odd burst of colour was, however, tactfully used in the smaller spaces of the house, such as the bathroom and study.
Practice: Richard Dewhurst Interior Architecture
Project: Balham House Extension
Location: Balham, United Kingdom
The brief was to design a light and airy rear extension that didn’t simply feel like a white box grafted onto the back of the house and that was both calming and minimal. She also wanted a very impressive and modern kitchen, but one that was easy to use and could hide the mess as she readily admitted that cooking wasn’t really her thing!
In general, my client had quite a conservative approach to the project, but thankfully she was very happy for me to get creative with the guest loo, which proved to be fun.
The main driving factor behind this design was my enthusiasm for clerestory windows and the calmness and clarity of light they bring to a space. Having seen plenty of them in other buildings, I was excited to finally get the opportunity to build one.
The clerestory window feature was more complex to design and detail than I'd originally thought, meaning that I had to work closely with the window manufacturer and structural engineer to ensure that it functioned well and looked good.
Also, I desperately tried to convince my client that she should replace her sixty-foot long fake grass lawn with the real thing, as I’m getting increasingly frustrated and upset by the environmental damage this stuff causes to the local ecology, especially when considering the role city back gardens play in creating wildlife corridors in urban areas. Unfortunately, this was a battle I couldn't win.
I was so pleased that my client loved the clerestory window and the guest loo as it always surprises her guests; they simply don't expect to see the stretch ceiling and seamless walls!
Questions answered by Richard Dewhurst, founder, Richard Dewhurst Interior Architecture.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week, featuring a unique facility designed to surpass all expectations of a traditional care home, click here to see more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a four-bedroomed, new-build residential property in Berkshire. Allison Pidgeon Interiors worked together with the developer on the specification design throughout. Using their many years of expertise to uniquely tailor the interior design to flow seamlessly with the specification, reflect the aspirations of the purchaser profile, and also the Client’s vision for the development. This resulted in the delivery of a super stylish, yet exquisitely comfortable interior through a stress-free and enjoyable process enhanced by the collective commitment of trusted tradespeople, meticulous project management, and outstanding service. These carefully managed interiors were delivered on time and within budget without compromising on quality, craftsmanship or superior design.
Sector: Residential Design
Company: Allison Pidgeon Interiors
Project: Oak Apples Drive
Location: Berkshire, United Kingdom
We offered a uniquely personal service to our Client, drafting suggested furniture layouts for all plots on the development. These enabled him to plan functional heating, lighting and electrical layouts for all plots. We also assisted in specification selections throughout, ensuring a nice flow of palette and a high quality of finishes. We joined our Client in numerous meetings at various show rooms to select kitchen and bathroom products and finishes, floor and wall tiling, carpets and hard flooring, paint colours and internal doors and door furniture. We even selected paint colours for the front doors.
Once all these selections were made we used our extensive expertise in residential design, and our research in understanding the target market, to curate timeless interiors which reflect the high quality specification on the development.
The choice and quality of the specification, the purchaser profile, local competition and the Client’s own vision inspired the remainder of the project. We avoided whimsical trends, garish patterns and colours, and instead focused on providing tactile, comfortable interiors in a muted soothing palette, which are aspirational and sophisticated. We believe this direction was correct for the target market.
Many of the items we supplied were made bespoke for the project including upholstery, soft furnishings, window treatments, furniture, artwork and florals, and we sourced beautiful objects with which to complete dressing of the property.
To be honest the project was a dream with a delightful Client and we didn’t have any major hurdles.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
We were delighted to see the property installed and complete, but this was surpassed by our Client’s sheer delight when we handed the property over to him (a day ahead of schedule). The positive feedback we’ve received from the selling agents and interested buyers and the fantastic testimonial our Client has written have all been highlights of the project.
Questions answered by Allison Pidgeon, Director of Allison Pidgeon Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a lavish interior for an new residential development, click here to see more.
Image Credits: Photography by Chris Snook
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.
Sector: Office Design
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.
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 prestigious residential property in the heart of Mayfair with the restoration of a grade II listed townhouse in one of London’s most illustrious addresses for the rental market. Working in close collaboration with Schiller Beynon Interior Design, Shape London, and Cumming Corporation, Portview applied their artisan skills in craftsmanship to uncover a plethora of classical, period features that complement the chic, contemporary interior. Spread over five floors, the spacious property is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city living, with large, expansive rooms that boast opulent ceilings and ample natural light. Positioned just 0.1 miles from Hyde Park and 0.6 miles from Bond Street, the property offers the city’s most popular leisure destinations just around the corner.
Company: Portview Fit Out Specialists
Project: Mayfair Townhouse Restoration
Location: London, United Kingdom
The brief was to inject the house with a new lease of life by restoring the beautiful period features throughout the property and combine them with new, premium quality finishes and a contemporary colour palette. Essentially, our task was to mix the old with the new to create a very understated, yet luxurious interior that is compatible with modern living.
As this was a residential refurbishment for the rental market, we used our experience in restoring listed properties to deliver an interior that retained its historical integrity to uncover and develop period features into a number of unique selling points.
The house comprises of two reception rooms, a large dining room, and a ground floor drawing room that is located just off the main entrance hall where a stunning console table made of marble, metal and painted wood, awaits. The vestibule area on the first floor - dressed minimally with beautiful basket weave oak flooring - is particularly impressive as an ideal space for entertaining guests.
The master bedroom occupies the second floor and benefits from a separate dressing room and marble clad bathroom that has been finished with a bronze trim and matching brassware. An additional three bedrooms are located on the third floor, each tastefully dressed to the same exacting standard.
From top to bottom, elements of surprise await guests at every level. A great example of this is a roof terrace which boasts stunning views of the surrounding area, ideal for relaxing in the sunshine or socialising casually with friends.
For the lower ground floor, a further bedroom (and bathroom) can be found. In addition, the family kitchen offers a more informal dining space and features a rear, private entrance via the patio garden.
Working with a listed building presents a number of unique challenges. In this case our biggest challenge was the grand nineteenth century staircase, which was actually installed in the mid-1800s from another building. To make it structurally sound, we had to work closely with our engineers and the listed building officer to position the staircase in the correct place, level it out and make it fit for purpose.
In addition, the basement comprised of a lot of small, tiny rooms that needed to be opened out to create more classically proportioned spaces that are in keeping with the architectural style of the building.
The transformation has really been quite remarkable and it’s all largely down to the great relationships we have with our project partners. The Portview team work tirelessly to ensure every detail is carefully considered and that every finish is crafted to the highest standard. The biggest highlight by far is the fact that we exceeded the client’s expectations and that they are very happy with the finished look.
Questions answered by Simon Campbell, Managing Director at Portview
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring Discovery’s new, inspiring and 5-star green rated head office which stands as an architectural landmark in South Africa, click here to see more.
Portview Fit Out
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the original CAD visualisation of an interior design scheme designed by YA Interiors to aid their clients visual understanding of the Art Deco inspired restaurant project which is currently in development. The Sheridan suite is a venue that hosts a diverse range of corporate and private events for up to 1800 people with 2323 square meters of space. Based on the ambience of Harrods food hall, the flexible venue was designed to capture the quirky, contemporary and traditional aesthetics which is a regional favourite for Indian Brides and Grooms located in East Manchester.
Entering through the brass curved reception area, the calm atmosphere of the cocktail lounge is the focal point with its illuminated columns. The 14 meter bespoke bar features a brass wine gantry and scallop fret work panels accessorised with teal blue velvet stools. Atom chandeliers hang above the lounge area by Portuguese designer Delightful, brass fret work screens separate the cocktail lounge from the formal dining area. The fine dining room walls are clad in beaten copper panels with space-age pebble lights suspended on the ceiling by Italian designer Artemide.
Company: YA Interiors
Project: Sheridans
Project Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Our interior design brief was to capture the essence of the original Art Deco inspired style of the iconic Harrods food hall whilst creating an elegant, modern and stylish fine dining destination.
What inspired the design of the Project?
For the interior design, furniture selection and styling we looked at the fashion plates of Couturier Paul Poiret at the turn of the 19th century. The French couturier was the most fashionable dress designer of pre-World War 1 Paris. Poiret was particularly noted for his Neoclassical and Orientalist styles. One of his great achievements was to free the female form from the rigid corseted structure. Inspired by the designers illustrations in the Gazette du Bon Ton (below) we decided to incorporate the opulence of the sketches into the interiors styling. Creating a stylish and feminine design aesthetic with signature touches alluding to Mr Poiret’s orientalist fantasies.
Winning the client over with our proposal of Paul Poiret and his orientalist fantasies was the biggest hurdle - eventually a Poiret/orientalist light aesthetic got the client on board. In addition the budget constraints for the project have been challenging as we're having to maintain design integrity and also manage the clients expectations.
Seeing endless discussions and design development finally coming to fruition. Sheridans is going to be unique to the area - there really is nothing quite likes it in Manchester.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
The SBID award is a fantastic platform for designers to showcase their work to the industry and to other fellow creatives. We felt the design and visualisation for Sheridans is a proud moment for us as a design practice, we feel we have designed and cultivated something very unique here and wanted to tap in to our fashion backgrounds in designing and implementing this beautiful scheme.
- Questions answered by Aseef VAZA, Creative Director at YA Interiors
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring aquatically inclined Australian luxury spa inspired by the serene blues and tranquil textures of underwater landscapes, click here to see more.
The 2018 edition of the SBID International Design Awards is now officially open for entries! Click here to register or enter your project!
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
YA Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
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