This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series strives to fulfil the archetypal ideal of the perfect ‘dream home’. These properties offered the prospect of designing a full interior for a show home that would work in conjunction with the original features that form part of the history, uniqueness and beauty of these houses. From the sweeping staircase in the entrance hall, to the elegant Georgian windows and luxurious high-spec kitchen and bathrooms, the property exudes an air of period decadence synonymous with an era of English prosperity. These period features sit comfortably against the more contemporary furniture and furnishings with which the property has been dressed. The muted palette is drawn out through the whole house, with contrast colours used on the furniture to bring depth and richness to the colour scheme.
Company: Suna Interior Design
Project: Ancaster Gate, Richmond
Project Location: London, United Kingdom
What was the client's brief?
To provide an interior that would appeal to the potential purchaser for such a beautiful property. It was imperative to enhance the incredible spaces within the property and ‘sell’ how best to utilise the space. This is a luxury property and has been designed as such but we also made sure the interior felt welcoming and like a real home. It was important for us to retain the inherent features of the building, ensuring all aspects of design complemented the historic building and its charming setting overlooking the beautiful Richmond Park.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
We were lucky enough to work on the whole of the interior, designing every aspect of the space such as the bathrooms, kitchens, flooring etc. The interior specification was created well ahead of dressing out the FF&E and formed the back drop to the rooms so this was a massive influence on the completed interior design. Throughout the whole project we worked with the Heritage officer, architects and client on how best to preserve the essence of the original building. This meant we wanted to respect the original features and enhance and embellish the design rather than create strong contrasts. The soft colour palette combining soft neutrals, touches of deep charcoal and vintage oak timbers with the classic marble felt like the best way to achieve this. Where possible we refurbished parts of the interior back to their original glory such as the ceiling rose and cornicing in the kitchen/dining room. We also fabricated replicas of the original door knobs for each of the internal doors. These touches brought an honesty and respect for the original building which is evident throughout.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
We were keen to use real marble on the floor and walls of the bathrooms but as this was an old building we had to work closely with the architects to make sure the weight of the marble would not damage the property. Reinforcing the structure without damaging the interior was an essential part of the process. We also worked closely with the marble supplier to enable us to use the thinnest slabs possible to reduce the weight. We even designed a bespoke mosaic floor in the Master en-suite which avoided the need for large slabs of marble on the floor.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
I know this is a bit obvious but we really love how the whole design has come together. We sometimes work on the specification but not have the chance to dress out the space (and vice versa) so having the chance to do both on this project and see the fully implemented scheme was a joy. If I had to pick a favourite area it would be the large first floor living room and through the incredible large double doors into the kitchen/dining room with its incredible high ceilings. If that isn’t a place to entertain, I don’t know what is!
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
We have been members of SBID for some years and we have always valued the accolades that come with such a prestigious brand so we are always keen to enter the Awards when we have a project we deem worthy. This design is right up there, so we felt it was more than capable of competing with all the other incredible submissons.
Questions answered by Helen Fewster, Director of Suna Interior Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a sky-high commercial property defined by sustainability, its energy-saving ability and modern design, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Suna Interior Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a neutral and luxurious city apartment, designed to accommodate frequent stays in London with the upmost comfort and style. The elegantly designed, three-bedroomed duplex apartment located within a development moments from the Thames, catches your attention from the second you enter with its impressive floor to ceiling panoramic views of the City. The neutral design scheme is punctuated with elements of colour using tonal accessories, brass features and the client’s own collection of artwork.
Company: Onyx London
Project: Duplex Apartment
The client’s brief was a neutral colour palette, complimented by brushed brass details, statement lighting and Carrara marble. The joinery creates a distinctive look, with dark veneers mixed with nude wallpapers and fabrics, giving a contemporary and luxurious feel to the space.
The client lives in China and travels to London regularly. The brief was to create a space that is both practical and comfortable for their stays, but also a place they can entertain friends. The interior scheme had to be both neutral and luxurious - the mixture of statement pieces, rich textures and comfortable living create exactly this.
I worked on a similar scheme in One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge which is still one of my most favourite projects, this project also used neutral tones and dark veneers to create a contemporary luxury in a city apartment.
It is always a challenge having international clients. We only met the client once in London for a morning, from this meeting we were able to grasp exactly what the client wanted to achieve and deliver it within a couple of months. The client had a confidence we were the right designer to work with them and we surpassed their expectations, which made for an incredibly successful handover.
The daughter of the family is moving to London to study and she wanted somewhere she could write. We created a study area for her on the upper floor of the Duplex, on the 17th floor, with the desk positioned between three walls from floor to ceiling in glass, with the most spectacular panoramic views of London.
Questions answered by Elizabeth Cook, Director of Onyx London
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a sales centre designed to revitalise the traditional aesthetic values of Chinese architecture, click here to see more.
Onyx London | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a 90 square metre apartment, set on the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Alicante. This quirky holiday home is located in an apartment block surrounded by lush greenery; the formidable foliage appropriately inspired the distinctive tropical-style interior design scheme used throughout the property. During the early design stages, the client was open to all creative and out-of-the-box ideas which lead them to using a bold and striking green as the apartment's signature colour theme. The palette evolved to include a sunrise shade of pink, together with luxurious brass elements and earthy wood tones. This apartment truly comes to life with an eccentric blend of palm prints, tropical leaves and exotic birds on the wallpaper!
Company: INTRO by Chak
Project: Power of the Colour
Project Location: Altea, Spain
The apartment block is surrounded by lush greenery; prompting the designer to propose a daring tropical-style solution for the interior design. In the process of design planning, the client was open to all ideas and absolutely loved the suggestion of using green as the main feature colour. Initially the client wanted to refresh the walls and renovate the kitchen; in the end the project turned into a significant reconstruction.
What inspired the design of the project?
The client did not want to change the doors. This set the start of the project. If we are not going to change them, let’s have them painted. A bright shade of green was suggested. It fascinated and inspired the client. From then on the project could not be limited to simple repainting of the walls. The green doors called out for more. And so a sunrise shade of pink appeared, together with the luxurious brass, tropical leaves and birds on the wallpaper.
It was our first project in Spain. Being a Russian design studio, it was difficult initially to start and build communication with the suppliers and local workers. We are familiar with working using mostly English and Russian languages, so to work in the Spanish language was a big challenge for us! That’s why at the beginning of the constitution, it was difficult to avoid misunderstanding so naturally, some errors arose because of it. Finally, we got through these communication issues and we couldn't be happier with the result - and now we are fluent in all specific construction, architecture and design lexis in Spanish!
We did run into some technical / construction difficulty during the build; fixing the 6-sided tiles in the bathroom called for very careful work. Also, the owner of the flat only wanted to renovate the apartment, so in some instances we couldn’t touch or structurally change some aspects of the property (e.g heating in the floor and air-conditioning) which we could probably have moved to develop the design further.
Working on this project gave us a lot of pleasure and overall we didn’t meet too many difficulties. The owner of the apartment was participating with enthusiasm at every stage of the working process!
Our idea was to use the mirrors to create the feeling of more space. We can see the best example of this in one of the bedrooms, where the entire wall behind the bed is made of mirror. We were happy with the visual impact of this, and how effectively it seemed to generate the illusion of space. There is a portal in the living room which is also made of mirrors which is used to separate the living room area from the dinning room area. In the middle of this portal there is a painted green column; visually, this gives the impression that it levitates above the table! Additionally, this portal offers the opportunity to create geometrical proportions of the space in which is very pleasant and comfortable to spend time in.
It was an honour for us to take the chance and participate in the SBID Awards 2018. We are very happy to have been listed as a Finalist in these Awards!
Questions answered by Nadya Chak, the Founder and designer of the design studio, INTRO by Chak
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a fabulous family apartment merging luxury design with elegant simplicity by the River Nile, click here to see more.
INTRO by Chak | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a fabulous family apartment situated by the River Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt. The young family of four desired a luxurious, yet simple and practical space. The property, around 290 square metres, is divided into a reception area with clear glass windows, drawing the sight line outside and capitalising on the expansive Nile views. A customised bar cabinet with brass sheets welcomes guests as they enter and is complemented by Nihal Zaki's masterpiece; the Magnet Banquette which separates into four mini banquettes, only to regroup again using hidden magnets. The sofas, all the furniture and Asian fusion wall panels have been tailored to match the pièce de résistance of the house; the Golden Tibet Panel. The dining room adopts a subtle Art Deco concept in black and white, featuring paintings by contemporary Egyptian artists and a Murano-glass chandelier.
Company: Nihal Zaki Interiors
Project: Apartment by the Nile
Project Location: Cairo, Egypt
My clients were a young couple with two toddlers and they were very keen on an elegant contemporary house with elegant interiors, functional use and a safe environment for their children. They wanted cheerful colours but mostly, big glass windows in order to showcase the breathtaking view of the River Nile.
The River Nile, Cairo’s vein and pulse is one of the most beautiful features of this city and this lovely apartment was situated right on the banks of the river.. My clients wanted to capture the serenity of the lovely views and the Cairo sunlight shining throughout the day…
Another pièce de résistance was the vintage Tibet, gold leaf engraved paravan my client had inherited from her family. We were smitten by that piece and transformed it into a wall-hanging mounted on the wall of the main reception area right above the octane blue sofa.
My client was pregnant with her second child and couldn’t move out of the house! As a result we had to work strategically on a strict time schedule, ensuring we caused minimal noise, pollution and chemical hazards. Ensuring safety throughout the project being a top priority.
A collection of priceless paintings by some of the most prominent 1950’s Egyptian artists hung on the walls of the dining room hence our selection of subtle Art Deco black and white wallpaper.
The SBID have become the most lucrative and prestigious Design Awards in the region! Entering, let alone being nominated as a Finalist is quite an honour. The SBID Awards have become a hub for internationally renowned designers to meet and exchange ideas, business contacts and drive future innovations.
Questions answered by Nihal Zaki, CEO at Nihal Zaki Interiors
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring an urban resort that offers sweeping lake views located on the shore of Lake Chao, click here to see more.
Nihal Zaki Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features an American neoclassical design concept which lays a keynote of both comfort and function, executed with grandeur and sophistication at its helm. Borrowing the traditional Chinese ideas of aesthetics depicted in the Tang Dynasty poem, 'with lengthening daytime, the scenic landscape emanates plant aroma amid the spring breeze,' the design adopts modern, fashionable elements to brighten the space and create the feature of squareness and beauty. The villa has a spacious and grand structure, which strives to represent the classic Western approach of axial symmetry in a 3D view, as well as a balance of size and proportion. The lifted building structure and the supporting framework deliver a sense of bold heroism exclusive to the first-generation pioneers. It can be traced back to architectural form in ancient Greece since it highlights clear lines and graceful decoration. Meanwhile, it integrates the concept of European luxury and elegance, American freedom and progressiveness, and Chinese solemnity and exquisiteness – all of which showcase a fresh, smooth and bright style.
Company: David Chang Design Associates International (DCDA)
Project: China North Island B Type Villa
Project Location: Tianjin, China
The client’s belief was to build a villa which reflects an exquisite and elegant lifestyle.
The inspiration came from the verses of an ancient Chinese poet named Du Fu, 'over a beautiful scene, the sun is lingering, alive with birds and sweet with the breath of early spring'. The design is based on the traditional Chinese aesthetics, combined with the neoclassical interior architectural elements. Wallpaper with hand-painted flowers and birds and modern oil paintings, portraying mountains and rivers, are extensively applied in several areas of the villa. Together, they translate a beautiful Chinese vision of reunion in a nice season, set off in an elegant style.
At the early planning stage, the existing villa structure needed to be studied and modified thoroughly to have the floor layout optimised on the basis of the traffic circulation and flow. This includes swapping the elevator and the main staircase location, and adding a service elevator to the existing villa.
Although urbane residences bayside, seaside or in the mountains are among the beloved lifestyle choice for the famous and the rich, this no longer meets the need of high-end customers. A new 'island of residence' lifestyle has emerged to attract the attention of these elites. The villa surrounded by a 520,000 sqm lake in the heart of Tianjin city, with a well developed ecological environment and neoclassical architecture has become an excellent paradigm of a new lifestyle in the city. This project is the only downtown island-style villa development in northern China and one of the world’s most luxurious island-style developments. The villa is configured in a classical symmetrical layout to achieve harmony of the space. The archway and the powerful interior architectural framework convey the sense of luxury and comfort. Tracing back to the Greek architecture, the design not only emphasises the application of lines and elegant details, but also displays the sense of European luxury as well as the touch of Chinese elegance and delicacy.
SBID is the most competitive, prestigious, and unadulterated international award in the global interior design award field. The jury panel consists of gurus from a wide array of professions from design and fashion, to hi-tech. In addition, we love to share our design with people from different parts of the world. SBID both serves as a direct channel and an influential medium to expose our talents and creative designs to the world. The ability to be shortlisted in SBID is an honour, whereas the ability to win in SBID is a prestige.
Questions answered by the David Chang, Founder and Chief Design Director of DCDA
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a luxury residence which echoes the Renaissance elegance of the Château de Chambord, click here to see more.
David Chang Design Associates International | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a luxury residence with an exterior which echoes the Renaissance elegance of the Château de Chambord. The interior design scheme draws its inspirations from the history of the Silk Road and the cultural interactions it enabled; this ancient network of trade routes was essential in connecting the East and West, so an interplay of Asian influences and European Renaissance style details became a recurrent design theme throughout the property. From imperial gold, elegant blues, translucent glass, refined silk and sumptuous satin… Every interior decision aims to convey a language that speaks of both a classic era and that of the modern day.
Company: Chains Interior
Project: The Silk Road
Project Location: Chongqing, China
The client’s career map is spread all over the country, so he hopes to combine and elegantly blend different kinds of cultures in his new residence, as well as showcase the most exquisite tastes, designs and the character of himself.
Nestled in the city, the project’s symmetrical arch windows and angled roof resonate with the Renaissance elegance of Castle Chambord in France. Inside the castle are glass-cuts and curtains whose patterns derive from Chinese octagon motifs and a fascination of Chinese textile, an evidence of cultural interactions nurtured by the Silk Road. The project concept, with silk being an integral design element, is therefore inspired by those reciprocal exchanges between Eastern and Western thinking as well as aesthetics brought about by the ancient trade route.
This project is a huge villa in China. The first problem we faced was how to perfectly express the image of the trade which is a symbolic part of the owner. How to show the concept clearly and integrate into modern Chinese lifestyle? Second, our company is located in Taipei and the project is far away from us so we can’t always supervise the decorating process. We search local professionals for help to complete this difficult project.
The satin, shimmering like pearls on the vertical façade, is like the golden sand which whirled across the Silk Road by sweeping winds. The arches decorate the basement like ribbons as well as divide it into spheres serving various functions, a light bar and recreational use, mahjong and games, guzheng performance… The extravagant gold colour imbues the bar with a contemporary charm, while the glass mosaic unfolds into continuous, symmetrical damask patterns that emanate aristocratic elegance.
The fine silk conveys a tinge of allure in the grand living room. The glass railing winds up the staircase as if dancing to a tune with the air current. The dome-shaped ceiling hovers above like a scarf in midair, forming a collage of hexagons in three metallic shades that allude to French glamour. Walking up to the second floor, intricately embroidered flowers, birds and mountains in resplendent colours in the master bedroom show magpies perched on plum trees. This motif, symbolic of everlasting happiness, is an offering of goodwill to the owner.
Thin as cicada wings, the silk screen that divides the space seamlessly is resplendent, yet light and cosy, as if veiled by ancient blessings. Meanwhile, refined glass and metal reflect the morning light as they caress the European broad-leaf plants on the carpet and curtain. Life, can be a delightful dream. Imperial gold, elegant blue, translucent glass, refined silk… felicity is woven into warps and wefts to convey a language that speak of both a classic era and the modern day.
SBID is one of the most representative Awards in the world. Our project is highly acknowledged in Asia competitions and we want to know if it is also appreciated by an international audience.
Questions answered by the Lien Wu Chen, Design Director at Chains Interior
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a heritage conversion property rich in original detailing and upscale interest, click here to see more.
Chains Interior | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a luxurious, 1920's style apartment in South Kensington. Creating a sophisticated interior for a young family within their historical Grade II listed, six bedroom home, Hill House Interiors lovingly restored key period features including classical cornicing, panelling and moulding, working on both the interior design and architecture to create the art deco inspired scheme. Located just a stone’s throw from the Royal Albert Hall, the palatial home enters onto an extensive hallway, with custom polished stone flooring inlayed with nero marquina black marble and bronze metal, above which sits a made to measure 2.7 metre bronze china leaf chandelier, suspended via a mirrored ceiling plate. With a focus on entertaining, a bespoke bar with detailed inlays creates a show stopping backdrop to the formal dining room, showcasing the grand proportions of the home.
Company: Hill House Interiors
Project: Albert Court Apartment
Project Location: London, UK
Within a historical Grade II listed building, the large duplex apartment is located just moments away from the Royal Albert Hall. Albert Court is a beautiful red brick, portered mansion block, well positioned for Hyde Park and the amenities in South Kensington, Knightsbridge and Kensington.
The extensive 5000 sq ft project was commissioned by a young couple with two children, who had been living in the home for a few years previously, and who were looking to carefully restore yet update their six bedroom home.
Brought on to complete both the interior architecture and design, Hill House Interiors were briefed to ensure a strong emphasis was placed on entertaining, creating a suitable space for both the couple and their children, with the drawing and dining rooms a key focus within the home.
Unhappy with the former layout of the apartment, the clients worked closely with Hill House Interiors' highly skilled and creative architects to create a more harmonious flow, completely redesigning the internal layout by moving the staircase to the upper floor. The design scheme was based on the key period features of the historical Grade II listed building.
Retaining key features within the home was a challenge the Hill House designers and architects rose to, sympathetically restoring the classical cornicing, panelling and mouldings and intricate details throughout, to the strict guidelines associated with its listed status.
To restore the original panelling and ceiling detail of the home, many layers of paint had to be delicately removed. The beauty of the detailing was all but lost beneath the many redecorations of the historical home, and the Hill House design team worked meticulously to ensure no damage to the original fittings occurred.
Working within such a historical building, Hill House Interiors effectively chose to go down a complimentary design route, focusing on a classic and elegant art deco inspired scheme. The attention to detail is consistent, from the custom polished stone flooring inlayed with nero marquina black marble, to the bespoke 2.7 metre almond gold bone china dancing leaf chandelier, and perfectly reflects both the home’s history and the family currently residing within.
Highly respected within the interior design industry, the Awards are continually growing in popularity. It’s inspiring to see such a wide variety of skills and styles represented, showing the diversity within the interior design industry.
The projects and companies awarded the prestigious accolades are truly the best in the business, and Hill House Interiors continue to be delighted to take part in these Awards.
Questions answered by Helen Bygraves, Co-Founder of Hill House.
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring the transformation of Grade II listed property into a contemporary Bachelor Pad, click here to see more.
Hill House Interiors | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features the transformation of a Grade II listed terrace house which has been renovated and reconfigured into a sleek and contemporary Bachelor Pad in London. Receiving careful attention to detail, works were carried out to preserve and enhance the existing features which characterised the property. The original timber flooring was lovingly restored and the bespoke dark oak joinery, together with the panelling, was designed to be a sympathetic nod to the buildings historic stature. The tall ceilings allowed Prestige Architects to play around with light by incorporating large, statement chandeliers and experiment with a light, neutral colourway to inject an elegant, luxurious feeling into the new layout and create a great setting for the existing fireplaces.
Company: Prestige Architects
Project: London Bachelor Pad
The client is was developer, hence the brief for the interior design was centred around efficiency to complete the project in time and on budget. This gave us a 3 month window to achieve the design vision with particular attention to the quality of the final product.
The existing property is a Grade II listed building with original features such as windows, cornice, fireplaces and parts of the flooring. The inspiration had to start from these elements and the careful attention it took to bringing them back to life in harmony with the newer, more contemporary works.
The balance between delivery time and budget was a challenge, especially with the aim of delivering such a high quality end-product with this high spec interior design scheme, nevertheless we managed to have a great synergy with the client and delivered the project on time and within budget!
As always, for me the highlight of the project lies within the details of the deliverable. The visual connection between the elements characterise the scheme - like the oak bead around doors and the details on the joinery. These finer aspects of the interior create an important design connection.
As our buisness is primarily based on word-of-mouth and repeated clients, entering an International competition such as the SBID International Design Awards and being selected as a finalist reassures us that we are constantly improving our design ability. It also gives us exposure with colleagues and the public, which is always rewarding!
Questions answered by Marco Braghiroli, MD and Founder of Prestige Architects
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a hotel brand with the heart of a boutique hotel and an appetite for adventure, click here to see more.
Prestige Architects | SBID International Design Awards 2018
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a lavish villa apartment in the coastal province of Southeast China which strives to harmonise people, space and nature by connecting the interior and exterior environments for the ultimate luxury vacation. A design which balances indoor and outdoor space; plays with light and shadow; combining neutral tones with dark accents; whilst juxtaposing decorative, oriental style elements with clean, modern lines and simple, yet sophisticated structures to incorporate themes of contemporary design, embody Southeast Asian craftsmanship and evoke a sense of exotic elegance.
Company: Daosheng Design Co.
Project: Poly Beiluo Villa C1 Apartment
Project Location: Guangdong, China
The Client's main hope was to create a luxurious villa apartment which generates a relaxing vacation environment which connects people with nature in a simple and well balanced way, embracing the relationship between people, space and nature.
What inspired the design of the Project?
As the project is close to the seaside, the sound of the sea breeze can be heard in the distance and the smell of salty water hangs in the air, so visitors instantly get the feeling of returning to nature. Combining a simple, neutral colour palette throughout to evoke a calm atmosphere, with dark accents of wood and marble on selected surfaces and furnishings helps to balance the neutrals to exude a deep natural flavor. The project abandons complex decorative lines, replaced by simple structures and neat styling, balanced with subtle inclusions of more exotic elements such as Thai inspired cushions and oriental ornamental features.
1.Using a small selection of simple, natural materials and a harmonious layout throughout the project to create a comfortable life between people and nature; people and space; and also between people and people. Striking a complimentary balance of each of these core components of space, nature and people was the main challenge. Each space needed to be in touch with nature, create communal areas for socialising, as well as spatial divisions for privacy, allowing visitors personal time to reflect and connect with nature.
2.Because the project is near the sea, selecting the right materials required careful consideration to prevent any corrosion from the salty atmosphere.
Seeing the careful marriage between indoor and outdoor, as architecture and garden combine to become an organic whole. Creating a space that will be in sincerity with Southeast Asia, through elements of solid wood and rattan to express and bring a heavy sense of culture, whilst incorporating themes of modern life with the essence of freshness and simplicity to reconcile the whole space and create a haven away from the hustle and bustle; returning to nature, inside and out. Every detail considered, even down to the white drapes hanging on the bed frame to give a therapeutic, dream-like vision of the gentle sea breeze fluttering as the space appears light, lazy and gorgeous. Also, seeing the play of light and shadow change room by room, so that each space transforms with the phasing of the day from dawn to dusk.
The SBID International Design Award is the World's leading design award and enjoys wide popularity in the design world at home and abroad. We participate in the SBID International Design Awards in the hope that our design can be seen and shared with more people, so that ideas can collide across the continents and inspire globally with beauty and design excellence.
Questions answered by YongMing He, Design Director at Daosheng Design
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If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a stunningly stylish SieMatic kitchen design in the opulent Alderley Edge, click here to see more.
Daosheng Design | SBID International Design Awards 2018
Today, the design industry can take a sigh of relief as the SBID Awards has just announced its' official deadline extension! Designers now have until Friday 6 July 2018 to get their projects submitted for the chance to receive international recognition of design excellence. Continuing on from last week's Category Winners Part 1 from 2017, we continue to reflect on last year's worthy winners from the more commercial aspects of the interior design industry, whether it be an ultra luxurious spa, a Michelin-starred restaurant or a high-end medical centre.
Company: Wanda Hotel Design Institute
Project Title: Wanda Reign Chengdu Hotel
The hotel is situated in the heart of Chengdu's exclusive CBD, at the affluent intersection between Renmin South Road and the Jin River. This spot was also historically a point of convergence for goods and merchants setting off on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. The hotel's sky lobby is located on the 41st floor, overlooking Chengdu's landmark Tianfu Square to the north and boasting pleasant views of the Jin River to the south. Guests are treated to a panoramic view of Chengdu's urban landscape. The hotel's interior design concentrates on giving voice to local characteristics. Another name for Chengdu is “Confederate Rose City” so, from the very beginning, the designers were intent on having the city's official flower as a theme running throughout the hotel space.
Company: LXA
Project Title: Intersect by Lexus
Conceived in Tokyo, Japan, Intersect by Lexus is a concept store located in DIFC, Dubai. The space offers a relaxing yet stimulating space for people who are seeking diverse luxury lifestyles enriched by design, art, fashion, culture, film, music and technology. Devised by renowned Japanese designers Wonderwall for Toyodo, the concept is described as ‘neither a dealership, nor a traditional retail space, INTERSECT BY LEXUS is a third space between home and work for our guests to experience the Brand without getting behind the steering wheel of one of our cars.’ LXA successfully partnered with Wonderwall Inc, and Al Futtaim Motors to deliver the second Intersect concept, in DIFC, Dubai.
Company: Bluehaus Group
Project Title: Orbi Dubai
Orbi is conceptualised to offer an amazing digital experience to its visitors and the entire space revolves around interactive technology. The space is designed for people of all generations and different walks of life to share the fascination with nature, and Orbi will astound them. Orbi Dubai fuses BBC Earth’s world-renowned Natural History content with SEGA’s innovation and plunges visitors into the heart of the natural world! From the heat of the Dubai desert, visitors can experience the chilling temperatures of Mount Kenya at -25°C. This multi-part experience takes the guest who dares, into freezing Polar environments where they experience the sensation of Antarctic cold and blizzard conditions. The space is equipped with real time thermal image of guests as they react to the freezing Polar conditions, all displayed on a monitor.
Company: Virtual Resolution
Project Title: DeVere Tortworth Court Hotel Re-Development
Tortworth Court is an elegant and sophisticated hotel surrounded by enchanting scenery just outside of Bristol dating back to the 11th Century. Over 12 months the hotel had undergone a lavish refurbishment as part of the DeVere property refurbishment programme. Virtual Resolution was working alongside DeVerve and its design/development teams to visualise the proposals for Tortworth Court, Wokefield Estate, Latimer Estate and Wotton House.
Company: Elkus Manfredi Architects
Project Title: Potamus Trading
The design of the new, 15,000-square-foot Potamus headquarters supports the firm’s intensive, collaborative culture and serves as a recruitment tool, all while embodying the mix of sophistication, energy, and spirit unique to Potamus. At reception, a life-sized fiberglass hippo – the Potamus symbol representing strategic edge – greets visitors. The hippo’s sub-Saharan habitat inspired the materials, textures, and colors, which converge with safari-style furnishings to make a relaxed but professional environment. At the heart of the office, the trading floor – lined with oversized windows offering views to Boston Harbor – provides varied seating options near trading stations, from private conference rooms and offices to comfortable living-room-like seating areas, to support different individual work styles. The sunlit residential-style kitchen is in constant use for meals, impromptu parties, and client entertaining. A wall-size video screen, reception desk that doubles as a DJ booth, and acoustically separate gaming room help employees unwind.
Company: Hirsch Bedner & Associates
Project Title: Ultima
The designer was tasked with designing a clubhouse for a leading local developer as part of a package that also included standard provisions for lift lobbies, bathroom and kitchens in the six tower complex and adjacent houses. The clubhouse, a three storey, 3,995 square metre space, is situated in the podium below the towers. The programme encompassed front of house areas including a lobby, fitness centre, spa, indoor ball court, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, library, bar, billiards room, private dining rooms and all supporting back of house areas. The clubhouse’s position on a hill in southeast Kowloon commands unobstructed views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong island beyond.
Company: External Reference
Project Title: Alkimia
The restaurant, Alkimia, is located in the city center of Barcelona, on the main floor of a modernist building (dating back to 1864) left unoccupied for 40 years. The project design has been carried out taking into consideration two elements: the pre-existing architectural context (including its old patina and typology) and the specific gastronomic offer of the Michelin-starred restaurant Alkimia (which is 80% based on fish). The design was conceived of as a continuous scenography fostering a seamless sensory experience. The different parts of this scenography feature sea life-inspired skins, art installations and custom-made furniture which establish a unique relationship with the surrounding space.
Company: Csiszer Design Studio
Project Title: Apheresis Centre
The Apheresis Centre in Székesfehérvár was designed by Csiszér Design Studio to contribute to the welfare of countless people with severe illnesses. Platelets are collected here during a special type of blood donation called apheresis. The interior design of this 800m2 health care institution focused on hygiene and attracting donors. Spotless with a friendly ambience but without the rigorous atmosphere of usual health care spaces were the demands, which were fulfilled in the choice of colours, materials and spatial qualities. Colourful seats, glossy lockers arranged in a tetris shape, and the 28 therapy chairs of vivid colours are all in the service of welcoming and making people comfortable.
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