MAWD: Creating a Contemporary and Sustainable Office Space

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a contemporary and sustainable office design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, MAWD.

March and White Design (MAWD) were commissioned to help refurbish No.1 Knightsbridge, an office building that brings together six floors of multi-tenanted space with sustainable functionality at its core.

What was the client's brief? 

The client's brief for the No.1 Knightsbridge emphasised the importance of an exceptional arrival experience, encouraging social interaction, and providing functional spaces for both formal and informal gatherings. Furthermore, sustainability and well-being were key considerations, with a focus on achieving WELL certification through conscious design and material selection.

What inspired the design of the project?

The design of No.1 Knightsbridge was inspired through MAWD’s knowledge and research into the surrounding area and the audience we envisioned as tenants and guests for project. The central inspiration was the prestigious Knightsbridge location itself, where the convergence of Knightsbridge, Mayfair, and Belgravia creates an unparalleled address. The opulence of this locale, characterised by London's finest hotels, members' clubs, and upscale retail, set the tone for the project's luxurious aesthetic. The design was also influenced by the evolving trends in workspace design, particularly the merging of living and working spaces. The concept of experiential spaces that foster social interaction and flexibility was inspired by the dynamic nature of modern work.

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

When designing No.1 Knightsbridge, the biggest hurdle was to create a workspace where luxury and forward-thinking design converge. This was achieved through blending our experience of interiors at the highest level with the research and thought we have been undertaking as a company to incorporate conscious design principles into all of our projects.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

A standout highlight for our team throughout the project was the creation of the vibrant atrium space with an F&B element. This central hub epitomised our design philosophy, seamlessly blending luxury, innovation, and functionality. The suspended greenery installation and the integration of green elements not only added a touch of biophilia but also contributed to the project's commitment to well-being. Witnessing this space come to life and become a focal point for social interaction and community-building was a gratifying achievement for our team, reflecting our dedication to creating transformative and harmonious environments.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Our submission of the No.1 Knightsbridge project for the SBID Awards is driven by its exceptional qualities that epitomise our design philosophy. No.1 Knightsbridge occupies a prestigious London address, it blends the sophistication of the area with the warmth of hospitality, ensuring privacy, focus and impeccable quality. No.1 Knightsbridge is a testament to our commitment to conscious design. It weaves form and function harmoniously, creating an impressive, transformative space that lingers in memory. This project's essence captures the heart of our expertise and vision. For us as designers the SBID Awards symbolises the sharing of designer’s abilities to set new standards and make a lasting impact on the industry. It's an invitation to join an elite community of design visionaries, amplifying our voice and influence on a global platform.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being an SBID Award Finalist helps showcase our commitment to high quality design and innovation, leading to enhanced visibility and recognition within the design community. It's a validation of our expertise and a testament to the quality of our work, paving the way for exciting new opportunities and collaborations.

Questions answered by James White, Co-Founder of MAWD.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a luxurious and modern penthouse design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, SHH.

SHH was invited by Developer Henigman to transform an empty shell space into a modern slick penthouse with interiors that amplify the luxurious nature of the private gated London development where the penthouse apartment is located. The design team drew inspiration from the penthouse’s leafy location, the best of British craftsmanship and London’s culture in creating an ultimate living and entertainment pad. Smart technology which controls everything from light to sound and a combination of carefully selected and unique, bespoke designed pieces of furniture, lighting and artwork contributed to creating stylish interiors tailored to entertaining guests.

What was the client's brief? 

Our brief was to transform an apartment from ‘shell and core’ into a modern slick penthouse with interiors that amplify the luxurious nature of the private gated development where the penthouse apartment is located. Our interior design effort focused on shaping a unique lateral space with balance and a subtle feel of luxury for modern living. A careful selection of unique, bespoke designed pieces of furniture, lighting and artwork helped us create a stylish living and entertainment pad.

What inspired the design of the project?

We drew inspiration from the penthouse’s leafy location, the best of British craftmanship and London’s culture. By introducing artisans such as Anka for bespoke bronze panels with leaf imprints, we created unique moments throughout the property and links between the interior and the beautiful exterior surrounding.

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

It was unknown if the property would be sold or offered to the rental market. We had to be mindful to design beautiful interiors that would appeal to a client purchasing the property but also finishes that would withstand the rental market.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the key aspects of this project is the creation of contrast between the different zones of the apartment. We wanted to introduce the feeling of a private members’ club to the interior of the living space. The living areas of the penthouse are shared between the top floor and the lower ground portion of the building which hosts a multi-purpose entertainment space including a games and dining room, a private screening room, a pool table and bar as well as a dance studio and yoga room.

On the upper level SHH’s interior design effort was focused on shaping a unique lateral space to bring balance and a subtle feel of luxury for modern living. The upper floor benefits from ample light coming through the wrap around glazing and a large outdoor terrace which circles around the entire apartment. The terrace offers an ideal space for entertaining guests with 360° views to the gardens. The Lower Ground space sits in a complete contrast to the upper level and features warm and deep tones around the furniture and walls which are enriched by details of bronze, marble and glass.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

By showcasing our work alongside other talented designers, we contribute to the collective innovation and evolution of the field. And in the end, the most fulfilling aspect is seeing the positive impact our designs have on people's lives, making all the effort put into these awards truly worthwhile.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being a Finalist isn't just about business accolades—it's a commitment to raising the standard of interior design as a whole. The decision to enter professional awards isn't just about recognition, but about pushing the boundaries of our creativity and expertise. These awards serve as a great platform to showcase the culmination of hard work, innovative design solutions, and meticulous attention to detail that goes into every project we work on.

Questions answered by Bethany Prince, Associate Interior Designer at SHH.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a high-tech, Formula 1 inspired bar design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Anamo Design Studio.

Anamo Design Studio was briefed to design a unique, one-of-a-kind environment that beautifully blends the premium and glamorous Formula 1 lifestyle with the high-tech, energy infused Formula 1 racing. The result: F1® Arcade – the world’s first official premium F1 experiential venue. The immersive, state of the art F1 racing simulation experience comes with 60 motion F1 simulators enabling guests to live the thrill of racing, complemented by a best-in-class food and beverage offering created by the executive chef and expert mixologists.

What was the client's brief? 

We were involved from the early brand strategy and concept creation stages all the way through construction, FF&E installation and handover and we had full creative freedom. The Client also trusted us with the Interior Design budget comprising of finishes, joinery and bespoke seating, FF&E, lighting, sanitaryware and accessories to ensure the overall scheme reflected the design core values established at the beginning of the project. This allowed us to prioritise certain design elements in the 16,500 sqft (1,500 sqm) venue, such as the impactful 13m long, 4m tall main bar, full-height backlit partitions, bespoke circuit-inspired kinetic chandeliers and the plush upholstered cocktail seating. Given the size and scale of the venue, we had to think creatively about how we approached the procurement of all loose furniture and lighting. We opted to tender each part of the project to guarantee the best quality for the available budget. Although challenging from a coordination perspective, this way of running the project resulted in working with and supporting various small local businesses / suppliers.

What inspired the design of the project?

Prior to commencing the concept design stages, we focused on creating an abstract language with elements inspired from Formula 1 heritage and iconography that were re-interpreted as interior design elements. This included the ‘F’ radius becoming a repeated feature throughout the design from back bar arches, to cocktail seating and washroom doors. These re-interpreted iconography elements were layered over the core design pillars: assault of the senses and raw glamour to create a unique design strategy.

From concept to execution, we worked closely with all project consultants to ensure the design impact was retained even after layers of value engineering. We aimed to create an environment where, right from the entrance, the guests are transported into a world where all senses are suspended with the exception of sound and sight. A roaring F1 engine fills the small ground floor space with an electric energy and the black mirror-effect staircase flooded with arches of light acts as a portal leading to the main guest experiences.

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

Given the size of the venue, the 10-month timeline from feasibility and brand creation to on-site completion was a challenging target. This got increasingly harder to achieve due to the outside economic factors happening in the world at that point. We started the design stages in January 2022 and by the time we were given possession of site, the political conflict in Eastern Europe heightened. This resulted in increased lead times and prices of raw materials coming from Ukraine and neighbouring countries, which put more pressure on the project timeline and budget. The entire consultant team had to work creatively to find alternative design solutions from both an aesthetic and construction perspective to ensure the project was still feasible and could be delivered as promised. This resulted in several, lengthy value engineering stages running in parallel to the main build where drastic, but smart and creative budget related decisions had to be made. Another challenging factor was the location with the building sitting opposite St Paul’s Cathedral in London. We worked on layout options that maximised the views to the cathedral, and opted for various reflective finishes, especially in the Private Room, to celebrate the iconic London landmark.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

One of the most important project successes was the creation and delivery of the F1 Arcade flagship location on time and on budget, against all external factors at play, without decreasing the high level of finishes and design initially proposed. In parallel, putting lighting at the forefront of the design was a successful creative decision that achieved the desired wow factor. We did this by incorporating creative and bespoke lighting solutions into all project elements from the very early concept stages, rather than looking at lighting after the design was signed-off.

Additionally, we found rewarding working with a client that shares our ambition to push the boundaries of F&B design and social entertainment. We believe we were able to create an incredible venue that honours the core design pillars set at the beginning of the project: assault of all senses and raw glamour. With all those iconic features of the design in the venue alongside the panoramic views of St Paul’s Cathedral layered over the well-considered lighting scheme create a captivating and memorable environment all guests can enjoy whether they are a F1 fan or not. We very much enjoyed returning to the venue post-completion and experiencing the space at full capacity.

The success of the project helped us win more experiential hospitality concepts, allowing us to push more boundaries in our upcoming projects, which is something that excites all of us here at Anamo Design Studio.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Our unwavering commitment to innovative and exceptional design has always driven us to push boundaries and redefine the possibilities within the realm of interior design. It is with this passion that we proudly decided to apply for the SBID Awards.

The SBID Awards does not only celebrate design excellence, but also serves as a distinguished platform to showcase our creative thinking on an international stage. As a studio that thrives on collaborative design, we believe that participating in the SBID Awards also provides us with a remarkable opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow industry experts. Through our participation, we aim to emphasize our dedication to delivering design solutions that not only captivate, but also enrich the lives of those who experience them.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being named an Award Finalist for the SBID Awards holds a great significance for us at Anamo Design Studio. It serves as a resounding validation for our tireless efforts to create designs that transcend conventional boundaries and evoke profound emotions. This recognition not only highlights our studio's dedication to delivering excellence, but also positions us among the industry’s leading studios who share our commitment to constantly challenge the standards of creative expression.

The prestigious SBID Awards platform provides us with an invaluable opportunity to showcase our work to a global audience and solidifies our reputation as a go-to destination for cutting-edge and impactful design solutions. As an Award Finalist, we are filled with a sense of accomplishment that propels us to continue striving for greatness, setting new benchmarks, and consistently delivering designs that inspire and captivate.

Questions answered by Ana Moisin, Creative Director & Founder at Anamo Design Studio.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a lavish exhibition design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Metropolitan Space Art Design.

Future Times Chunquan Culture and Art Center conceives its spatial form from the spring, which is rich in the cultural context of the urban landscape, creating a space that not only serves as an exhibition space, but also provides the viewer with a pure architectural force and aesthetic. The space is thus different from the everyday spatial scale and viewing style, allowing the visual experience and exhibits to be interwoven into a unique cultural memory, providing a richer connotation of the site.

What was the client's brief? 

Shenzhen Metro Real Estate Group Co., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as "Shenzhen Metro Real Estate"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Shenzhen Metro Group, is an important link in the group's "four-in-one" industrial chain of rail construction, rail operation, property development and asset management. It shoulders the historical responsibility of comprehensive development of land along the rail transit line and feeding back the construction and operation of rail transit. We have explored and formed the leading "track + property" model in China and accumulated more than ten years of comprehensive development experience in track cover. Project leaders of this project from Shenzhen Metro Real Estate: Zheng Yongkai, Zhao Lijing, Liu Feifan and Lin Ang.

What inspired the design of the project?

We take "Circle Garden" as the design inspiration. With the infinite circulation and eternal upward spirit of the "Möbius strip" throughout the design, we connect the integrate harmony of the building, the figures of hallway and corridors, with the eternal upward spirit of Shenzhen Metro Real Estate; we link the nature, spirit, architecture, landscape, interior and creatively design a carrier, a new order of space philosophy without boundaries.

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

This project is completed by reconstruction of an old building. The overall building spaces and facades are three-dimensional and irregularly shaped. The building curtain wall and the ring corridor space leakage is serious. In the process of this design, each floor space is shaped by the irregular oval of the building, presenting different semi-open and enclosed spaces. Each wall is curved or three-dimensional in response to the architecture itself. For the decorative materials of the interior space, to ensure the overall continuity of the space, we have done a lot of material research. For example, for the large area of art paint on the second floor, we use gradual change, flying sand, pull pattern and other comprehensive manual finishing treatment, so that the space is complete and at the same time we can see changes in the texture of details. The expression of the seam relationship between the material and details of the large-area curved wall is almost the biggest obstacle of the whole project.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The most outstanding aspect of the team of the project is that the creative process of the whole design solution was very smooth. Including the plan function logic, space rhythm, furniture, lighting & artwork and other steps, the whole process was very coherent, as well as the construction of the project. Specialised designers were on site every day to guide the details, and the seamless connections between different sections of staff was very close. Even in the very limited time, the team members united and cooperated sincerely, and finally completed the whole project very well.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The SBID International Design Awards have become one of the most prestigious interior design awards in the global design community. Our whole team is very young and energetic, and we need more encouragement and support for the design path we are currently exploring.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Both my company and I feel very fortunate and honoured to be a finalist and hope to receive the SBID International Design Award Crystal Trophy at the annual awards ceremony. Because it represents a unique opportunity to connect, celebrate and showcase my company with a professional audience of professional peers, potential business partners and potential customers. At the same time, it will inspire our young team to move forward and contribute more and better design expressions to the world.

Questions answered by Li Dai, Design Director of the project at Metropolitan Space Art Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a bold and magical apartment design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Mane Design.

Bright colours and pied-de-poule prints, interesting architecture and the design of the duplex apartment immediately evoke memories of the heroine of the book by Lewis Carroll. The height of the ceilings in some places reaches 6 metres, the huge windows in the kitchen/living room area let in a lot of light. And of course, a spacious dressing room in the master area with a window in the ceiling, makes you fantasise… The second floor is allocated for a child’s room. It is made in a discreet style, in the spirit of classic English cabinet interiors.

What was the client's brief? 

The apartment belongs to the designer of our studio. Since the designer had seen many different apartments thanks to her work, she chose an apartment with interesting and unusual planning for herself, but the most interesting thing is that it was difficult to understand what the designer would like for herself in terms of design, as we always work with a client and enter mentally into his project, she never thought about what she would like for herself. As a result, it turned out that many details of designs that we previously had done for clients came together and created such a non-standard interior.

What inspired the design of the project?

We were inspired by the apartment itself and, of course, complete freedom of action. Here we could unleash our creative potential without restrictions and let ourselves to have fun. It was only necessary to remember about the limited budget. The interior became so unusual and cozy that an association with the book Alice in Wonderland was soon born. We are sure that Alice would live in such a magical and bold interior.

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

The designer wanted not only unique and unusual combinations in the interior, but also unique sanitary ware, wallpaper, door handles etc that were not used in other projects.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Main highlights I have already described above, and of course also it was to find a balance in mixing bright colours, prints, styles.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Our interior design studio has been participating in the SBID Awards for the fourth year and we reach the final every year. It is important for our studio to see the view to our projects from the outside and we are very happy receive high reviews. Last year, our sport club project was awarded the Grand Prix.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Of course international recognition expands the possibilities of the studio. We proudly announce our achievements to the World.

Questions answered by Mane Mehrabyan, Founder of Mane Design.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an interactive and nostalgic public space design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Tinker Imagineers.

In the Media Museum visitors experience more than 50 interactive exhibits on media culture and media literacy. Tinker imagineers was responsible for the integrated spatial, graphical, and media design. A unique Media Reactor installation of 300 metres of LED screens connects the themed zones in the museum, and represents the infinite stream of media that comes our way every day. Upon entering the experience, visitors create their own profile. The use of facial recognition in combination with their smartphone, creates a personalised media journey. Visitors get to play interactives, explore iconic media objects, and rediscover nostalgic footage from their youth.

What was the client's brief? 

Develop the spatial and media design for a national museum focusing on media usage and media literacy in the 21st century. The brief was laid out in a master plan created by the project director, Pieter van der Heijden (Xpex).

What inspired the design of the project?

Everyone talks about cyberspace these days, but no one has ever been there. The ambition that Tinker set forth was to create a place where you can physically walk through cyberspace and observe how we, as a society, define media, and more importantly, how media defines us in the present day.

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

Integrating historical media content with live content proved to be a significant challenge. On one hand, we were dealing with a vast media archive, one of the largest in the world. On the other hand, we aimed to seamlessly integrate live content, as real-time interactions are a defining feature of today's online communities. Balancing both aspects was a formidable hurdle.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The collaboration with all creative and technical partners, such as Xpex, Bruns, Kiss the Frog, Elastique, and Beam Systems, stood out as a highlight. Together, we successfully crafted a state-of-the-art museum that could possibly be the most interactive museum in the world today.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

Winning an award in the design industry signifies recognition for exceptional creativity and innovation. It underscores the quality and impact of one's work, enhancing reputation and credibility. Personally, winning an award is a validation of our expertise and a testament to the team's dedication.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

We are waiting for the final ceremony where we will find out if we won that award, but already are very satisfied with this nomination. Our studio scores a lot of awards, and you would think we get used to it. But every time, it's like a surprise party we didn't see coming. It shows we're on the right track, keeps us on our toes, and sure keeps us hunting for that top-tier mojo in exhibition design.

Questions answered by Stan Boshouwers, Director of Tinker imagineers.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and neutral family home design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Inside Studio.

Inside Studio was tasked with the brief to transform a dated space into a home that reflects the needs of the clients’ growing family. The design had to have full impact of a transformation whilst retaining the existing kitchen, flooring, sofa and gas fire. Regardless of the many elements that remained, Inside Studio wowed the clients with a complete transformation of the space, introducing classic details to point back to the original architecture of the house, whilst keeping the balance with the modern elements. Enriching the space with a colour and materials scheme that is luxurious, timeless and family friendly.

What was the client's brief? 

We were tasked with the brief to transform a dated space into one that meets the needs of how the clients’ growing family uses the space, without compromising on the aesthetics.

What inspired the design of the project?

We introduced classic details in the design to point back to the original architecture of the house, whilst keeping the balance with the modern elements that the space already had installed, such as the kitchen and fireplace. To keep the aesthetics warm and inviting, whilst suitable for a young family, we used layered with textures with a neutral base accentuated with rich warm colours.

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

The design had to have full impact of a transformation whilst retaining the existing kitchen, flooring, sofa and gas fire.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Regardless of the many elements that remained, the design wowed the clients with a complete transformation of the space. The final end result turned out just as we had designed, every detail was followed and the end result exceeded our clients’ expectations.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We are very proud of the results on this project, to win an SBID Award would be such an honour for our team who worked on this project and for our clients who trusted us with their home.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

We are so thrilled that our project is recognised amongst so many amazing and inspiring projects - we feel so honoured!

Questions answered by Alisa Bowen, Director at Inside Studio.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a moody and opulent hotel suite design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Twenty-Two Twelve Design Inc & You Should Stay Here.

Canadian design firms, Twenty-Two Twelve Design Inc & You Should Stay Here were commissioned to design a 9 suite boutique inn in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, a quaint theatre town modelled after Stratford-upon-Avon. They preserved the historic qualities of the building and were endlessly inspired by Shakespearean drama and eccentricity. Draped in rich velvets and tangled in serpent motifs, moody and opulent describes this space best. Each suite is unique featuring completely different bold colour palettes that are tied together with common themes.

What was the client's brief? 

The clients wanted to transform the space into a destination for theatre goers in time for Stratfords festival season. They trusted ours (Twenty-Two Twelve's) and You Should Stay Here's ability to come up with our own vision.

What inspired the design of the project?

At Twenty-Two Twelve my sister and business partner Haley McDonough and I believe you need to start with three questions: what does the property want, what would the client love and how can we push the boundaries. When Autumn Hachey from You Should Stay Here asked us to collaborate on the project we knew Hotel Julie was going to be a boundary pusher. The clients Jake and Paula love vintage, bold design and were not afraid of colour. The building is a Georgian style row house built in 1890 located in the heart of Stratford which is the theatre hub of Ontario and based on Shakespeare's hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon. We wrapped the walls and ceilings in heritage paint colours and chose finishes that could have always been there like dark oak floors, classic black and white checkerboard, applied mouldings and unlacquered brass fixtures. We added rich velvets as a nod to theatre and layered in Shakespearean motifs such as serpents and ruffles. The goal was "play"ful and sophisticated".

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

The Project was turned into a TV show by Alibi Entertainment which added a layer of complexity and added pressure for deadlines. It was beautifully shot by Matt Braun and produced by Joanne Virgo so while it made it more difficult to pull off, it is amazing to be able to look back at the process.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight of the project was seeing the clients faces when we walked them through the first time. We kept the design a secret along the way so they did not know what to expect. Paula was brought to tears she was so overwhelmed with joy. They said it far exceeded their expectations and that is an amazing feeling.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We have been accredited professional members of SBID for 6 years now and believe in the value and importance of setting standards in the interior design industry. We are proud to be associated with SBID, we are proud of this project and are delighted that SBID has identified it as a finalist in our category.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

We feel being an award finalist for SBID is a prestigious accomplishment in its own right.

Questions answered by Jillian Smith-Moher, Interior Designer and Co-Founder at Twenty-Two Twelve.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a rustic and cosy residential design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Katja Kessler Kreation.

The entire building was carefully gutted to gain space. Downstairs all walls were removed creating an inviting lounge-like kitchen-living room. Recycled brushed pine flooring, old grain sacks as couch covers and brick walls stripped of plaster give the place a unique fingerprint. Old and modern elements were carefully arranged in order to link the landmark nature of the building with the amenities of a modern family home. In the first floor a master bedroom and two guest rooms each of it with own ensuite bathroom found their place.

What was the client's brief? 

The client approached us with a daring idea: to revitalise a 19th century sleazy Baltic Sea villa that for decades had been inhabited by bats only. He had discovered the ruin during a stroll along the coastline of the German island Usedom and fell in love at first sight. Not only that he wanted us to preserve the vastly deteriorated landmark nature of the building, but at the same time he envisioned a welcoming warm cosy family nest, a place to host family and guests comfortably.

What inspired the design of the project?

The proximity to the Baltic Sea, seagulls screeching, wind blowing, endless sound of the waves – that all created a strong impression of freedom and the power of untamed nature which to us felt had to be translated into an interior design that echoed all these emotions. Moreover, we discovered that from 1906 to 1916, Engelbert Humperdinck, student of music legend Richard Wagner and composer of the world-famous opera “Hensel & Gretel” lodged in the VILLA MEERESSTERN, then a guesthouse, to compose the opening music theme for Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. Therefore, our mission was not only to renovate a spectacular old house but to worship the place and treat it with respect to its historic significance. We decided to reuse whatever we could: old wooden floorings, ancient brick walls, weathered cobblestones – all these components were carefully obtained and secured to be used again later or reinforced to its original grandeur.

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

The original interior design of the building was designed by Dracula – or was at least deeply inspired by him. On the ground floor: tiny rooms cramped by cold walls, and not a glimpse of sunlight. In the attic and basement: the same. There was no way that we would be able to remodel this into a cosy, sun-drenched, warm family beach home making some minor adjustments here and there. Instead, the whole layout had to be rethought. Where to fit the kitchen, where the living-room, and how would it all work together? It needed some crazy dramatic solutions for these problems.

While the building’s outer surface was kept untouched (more or less), for the inside we came up with a design called “the no wall policy”: the entirety of the ground floor was gutted. This created an open room that nurtured the sense of togetherness. Kitchen, living room, study, conservatory, and dining place merged into one spacious lounge-like loft that allowed light to enter from all sides through 3-meter-high windows. This opened unbelievable visual axes and revealed the full beauty of the surrounding landscape including the endless blue of the sea and the blossoming garden.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

To arrive at the sight for the first time seeing that the ground floor had been stripped of all inner walls, the outer walls freed from plaster, the old pine flooring recycled and brushed, and the sun shining into the house all the way through – that was kind of a solemn breath-taking moment.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

I've been following the SBID Awards for a long time and have repeatedly been inspired and impressed by the submitted projects. This year, I thought now or never and submitted my own application.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

So many people congratulated us for the nomination via social media. It feels like participating in a kind of interior Oscar. That alone has been a great compliment for me and the rest of my team.

Questions answered by Katja Kessler, Founder of Katja Kessler Kreation.

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a timeless and elegant apartment design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Angel O'Donnell.

Angel O’Donnell was tasked with interior designing an apartment inside The OWO Residences by Raffles. Once home to Britain’s military HQ under Churchill’s premiership, this neo-baroque Grade II* listed gem boasts a fine pedigree. Even so, their client was keen to eschew shouty emblems of luxury in favour of a quietly assured scheme that would appeal to a discerning, globe-trotting buyer. So the team set to work creating a warm and welcoming home – where craftsmanship, pin-sharp detailing, expert art curation and comfort work in concert with each other.

What was the client's brief? 

It was a gem of a brief borne out of several brainstorms with The OWO’s Design Director and wider sales team. Eventually we landed on, ‘A sanctuary in the heart of London. Understated yet beautifully crafted. A home from home for citizens of the world.’ The words ‘sanctuary’ and ‘home from home’ resonated with us. There’s an intimate, sort of cosy romance to this language, which conjured images of four-poster beds, elegant glass pendants, embroidered fabrics, and large, deep-seated furniture to luxuriate in. It’s one of the freshest, most single-minded briefs we’ve ever worked on.

What inspired the design of the project?

The building’s architecture inspired many choices. It’s quite the melting pot: Scottish architects, Edwardian construction, in a baroque style belonging to 17th century Europe. So we thought it would be fun to add our own heady mix of influences – everything from an Arabesque rug to cocktail chairs upholstered in Florentine bargello fabric to a Renaissance-inspired painting by a Columbian-born artist. What better way to appeal to a global audience?

Comfort was the other big design influence. Plush-velvet sofas, Savoir Beds, classic English silhouettes – designs that are timeless and elegant while at the same time robust enough to jump on and nestle into.

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

It’s all too easy to get swept up in the mythology of a building, especially one as grand as The OWO. This is where Churchill commanded the British armed forces, T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) compiled maps of foreign territories, and Ian Fleming dreamt up James Bond. A pedigree this fine could have easily muddled our thinking. But we kept our cool, exercised restraint, and wheedled out anything that evoked the building’s past too thirstily. This involved a lot of editing. Patterns, colourways, fabric choices, artwork, lighting, furniture, even bead mouldings for the walls – it was all scrutinised. The more we cut, tweaked, polished and developed, the more effortlessly designed and curated everything appeared. Sometimes, the things that can trip you up give you that extra drive and focus.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Getting to work with so many amazing talents was the most creatively stimulating and happy-making highlight of all. Dairo Vargas, the dizzyingly gifted artist whose brilliant colours and bravura brushwork created one of our all-time favourite paintings in the living room. Georgia Stoneman, our trusted art curator and friend, who spent months helping us to compile a serious collection of works spanning multiple decades and medias. Dan Green, Fabrili and CM Upholstery who executed our furniture and joinery designs to perfection. Then, of course, all the Great British brands like Savoir Beds, Porta Romana, George Smith and Tom Faulkner, whose creations elevated our schemes to new heights.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

We’ve entered the SBID awards because we’re proud to be SBID accredited, happy to number among its global community, and supportive of its tireless quest to protect, nurture and champion talent without bias.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being a finalist means the world to us because it involves so many people. Clients, suppliers, craftspeople, tradespeople, artists, gallerists, plant specialists, storage and installation experts – everyone who got us over the finish line owns a slice of this achievement. And from a PR perspective, it’s always fun to have awards news to talk about in social media and pitch presentations. It gives you licence to show off in a kind way. It’s the cherry on a very well-decorated cake.

Questions answered by Ed O’Donnell, Co-Founder & Creative Director at Angel O’Donnell.