Telling Stories: Creating Narratives in Hotel Design with Nicholas Hickson
In this Digital Discussion, SBID CEO & Founder, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE is joined by Nicholas Hickson, Founder and Creative & Technical Director of THDP Design.
With over 34 years of experience in interior design, Nicholas has worked on high-end interior residential and commercial projects both internationally and within the UK. Nicholas has extensive experience with hotel interior architecture, schematic planning, FF&E selection, as well as custom design and procurement strategies, with a unique contemporary approach.
An award-winning design practice, THDP specialises in creating concepts that evolve into compelling hotel spaces. At the core of its creative approach, THDP works to uncover and represent the underlying story behind each project.
In this discussion, Nicholas discusses the breadth of projects he has worked on across Europe, and how THDP came to exist.
Authenticity is at the core of THDP’s design approach, whether it be the culture, location or history of the space. Nicholas describes what the creative process looks like for the design practice and how he is able to transform and revitalise commercial spaces by intentionally incorporating the context in which they exist. He explains how narrative building is an essential part of the design process involving collaboration and research that is bespoke for each project.
Tune in to the whole conversation to discover more.
Women In Entrepreneurship: Considerations For Impactful Change with Giovanna Melfi
In this Digital Discussion, SBID CEO & Founder, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE is joined by Giovanna Melfi, Founder of Metamorphosis Biz, in a discussion about women in entrepreneurship.
With over 20 years of experience managing top luxury brands worldwide, such as Marc Jacobs, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry, and Yves Saint Laurent, Giovanna offers a unique perspective on entrepreneurship.
In 2016, Giovanna founded her consultancy firm, Metamorphosis Biz, and has since guided many start-ups and SMEs to success. She is also a strategic advisor for the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society in Asia; she sits on the Asian University for Women Support Foundation’s Mentoring Steering Committee in Hong Kong.
In this discussion, Giovanna shares her experiences working for global luxury brands, how the corporate landscape has evolved in relation to women and what changes she hopes to see moving forward.
Giovanna also describes her association with The 30% Club, a global campaign led by Chairs and CEOs taking action to increase gender diversity at board and senior management levels. She shares her insights on how impactful change can be made, and which considerations are vital in order for progress to be achieved.
In this SpeakEasy digital discussion, Legendary designer, and founder of Ledbury Studio, Charlie Smallbone sat with SBID CEO & Founder Dr. Vanessa Brady OBE, to discuss the world of kitchen design. With over 40 years in the industry, Charlie places the emphasis of his designs in smooth functionality and space.
Filmed in The Ledbury Studio showroom in Notting Hill, Charlie takes us through some of the materials that are used, as well as giving insight into how each step in the creative process is carefully considered. From inception, Ledbury Studio was intended to offer a truly bespoke experience, working very closely with the client to create a custom final product.
Vanessa and Charlie reflect on the evolution of kitchen design, discussing how the collaborative process of working with a client has transformed over time. “We always like the process of working with people that are sensitive and passionate about the designs that they’re doing” Charlie explains, “because, they’re going to live in them at the end of the day.”
A Unique Global Outlook on the Interior Design Profession with Chris Godfrey
In this episode of the SpeakEasy podcast, SBID CEO & Founder, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE welcomes Chris Godfrey, the Global Principle of HBA Residential, and newly appointed President of SBID, in an exclusive one-to-one.
As a British-educated Architect and interior designer based in Singapore with an expansive portfolio of design experience from the UK to the Far East, Chris shares a unique global perspective on the interior design profession.
From his early design influences and origins in Glasgow School of Design as an aspiring Architect, to the evolution of his design philosophy overseas, Chris reveals his professional insight on working cross-borders in the Asian market as a British designer, where he set up the residential division of Hirsch Bedner Associates in China.
Chris talks about the new ways of connecting in the context of a tactile industry, as well as the common misconceptions the industry faces about what interior design is, and how a professional interior designer adds genuine value for the clients and ultimate end-users.
He shares his advice for young designers entering the industry and highlights his plans and vision for SBID as its new acting President.
Chris Godfrey
Chris is an award-winning Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chartered Architect with over 22 years experience producing highly-considered and finely-crafted residences. In 2014 Chris moved to Asia to set up HBA Residential for Hirsch Bedner Associates. HBA Residential is HBA’s boutique highly-specialised residential design operation conceived solely to create distinctive residences for the world’s most discerning clients. As Principal, Chris oversees all Architectural and Interior Design operations, combining his expertise in both disciplines to cultivate a holistic design approach.
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
By subscribing, you agree to be added to SBID’s mailing list. As an industry’s standard bearer organisation, we strive to bring you the most up to date news and access to exclusive industry content through our various newsletters.