Maison O Brings the Nile River into the Apartment

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a unique and spacious apartment design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Maison O.

The design approach for the apartment in the heart of Cairo is contemporary, with a concept of maximizing the Nile view in the space through using a reflective ceiling. This way you’d get a full view of the Nile River and its sailing boats anywhere inside the apartment – even in the dining area, which is located away from the windows, at the back-end of the apartment.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client had a problem with the low ceiling and wanted to incorporate a sense of openness to the space, as well as modernize the apartment. Quality and speed of delivery were of great importance to the client.

What inspired the design of the project?

The Nile river was the main source of inspiration as we at Maison O made sure to extend it into the apartment and make it visible from any part of the space. The river even inspired the selection of colours, with emerald green being an accent colour symbolizing the agriculture around the banks of the Nile river.

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

The whole process from design planning to execution and furnishing was completed in a record of six weeks. On-time delivery was made possible thanks to amicable team effort and project management skills.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Striking a balance between coming-up with a creative design that fulfils the client’s request and ensuring quality execution and delivery in record time.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The awards celebrate creativity. They present a venue for brilliant global designers to come together from different walks of life and compete. In particular, being shortlisted as a finalist ensures an international recognition and makes a difference in how participating designers and design firms are positioned out of their home markets, while also paving the way for building global connections for future international collaborations.

Questions answered by Omar Gemei, Founder and Chief Designer, Maison O.

Interprotección is a Mexican group of companies that are distinguished experts on insurance, bond and reinsurance brokerage. With more than 40 years of experience in integrated risk management and consulting, their business model is based on flexibility, decision making, responsiveness and creativity to solve risk problems.

Offices are beginning to be analysed away from the mere “employee container” mentalities, and closer to being recognised as competitive tools for organisations. Interprotección understands that during this period of forced isolation organizations have been affected by the impossibility to physically share ideas and have the processes of co-creation among collaborators that shape the office experience. spAce has detected the new needs and functions of the corporate space in pandemic and thus reinterpreted the requirements of Interprotección.

The importance of a well designed office space

A new approach to designing workplaces

About the design scheme

The finishes make up an integral part of the project, by combining them in a complementary way, we discovered coloured carpets, glass, wood, vinyl and furniture that emphasises the connection between collaborators and leaders. In general, neutral colours predominate throughout the project, but in some key points (walls, columns and carpets) bright tones were used according to a colour palette that uniforms the image and helps reinforce the identity of the corporation.

The atmosphere and sensations emanating from this space were strategically generated with architectural elements that refer to a place very different from that of a traditional corporate. With the aim of encouraging socialisation in a relaxed, fresh, natural and totally welcoming atmosphere, a large cafeteria is designed as the heart of the company—the nodal point that connects the three levels of the company in different atmospheres to achieve different levels of privacy and collaboration. On a cafeteria wall, shaped with black lines on a white background, different faces that the graphic artist interprets as “short stories to live today, because tomorrow who knows” have been shaped with the intention of activating creativity and inspiring.

Interprotección wanted to integrate an iconic element within its offices: a slide. Considering that it is an innovative, futuristic and avant-garde organisation, the company vision is projected through this different and fun component that connects both levels. It is important to fuel the concept of the importance of play and fun in a workplace as part of the experience, just as it is advocated in The Resilient WorkPLAYce. A visit to Interprotección, both from collaborators and visitors, will be hard to forget.

Interior design by Juan Carlos Baumgartner/Gabriel Téllez (spAce Arquitectura).

If you’d like to feature your project news here, get in touch to find out more.

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This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a luxurious family apartment design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, V.Concept by Victoria Vitkovskaya.

All the details of the Almond apartment from the V.Concept studio in Kiev stem from the originality and ambition of the designers.

Throughout the design we used the best combination of colours and textures. Recognizable “modern chic” style can be seen everywhere: in the combination of marble and eucalyptus facades of the Italian kitchen Cesar, cabinet furniture Poliform and Misura Emme, contrasts of leather and glass in tinted wardrobes from Sangiacomo, backlit rare stone panels and unique lamps in Serip Murano glass. Luxurious fabrics from the Loro Piana and Hermes complement the composition of the interior and add a special comfort to each space.

Lighting, heating and audio – all can be controlled with one wireless smart home system from Gira. All solutions are convenient and economical, and a subtle concept of beauty is evident in all the spaces of this apartment.

What was the client’s brief? 

Our clients were a married couple with two teenage children. They understood exactly what they wanted and made decisions quickly. Our customers realised what comfort was and knew the value of things.

What inspired the design of the project?

Our main inspiration was our client. We started by getting familiar with their desires and vision of their ideal apartment and then worked to make this vision a reality.

With this project we wanted to show that modern style can be ambitious and satisfy sophisticated connoisseurs of beauty, and at the same time be simple and efficient.

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

I think the toughest thing was to implement the project during the quarantine. To be honest, a turnkey project from A to Z during a pandemic is not easy. We completed it in 9 months — I believe that this is a success!

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

For the Almond apartment project we used a combination of colours, textures and materials, integrating furniture and appliances from luxury manufacturers. The project is filled with stylish, technological and ergonomic solutions.

We also implemented the project exactly according to our initial plan. The only thing that differed from it were the dining chairs.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Getting to the finals and potential victory in a competition of this magnitude is an indicator of quality and skill level. This is not the first year that we have been participating in the SBID Awards; for us it is a kind of tradition and a chance to make ourselves known.

Questions answered by Viktoriya Vitkovskaya, CEO & Founder, V. Concept studio.

Designed for multifunctional living, whether cooking for the family, entertaining friends or simply catching up over coffee, this kitchen from My Fathers Heart features stunning Dekton® by Cosentino worksurfaces on both the central island and the surrounding cabinetry within this large, open-plan space.

Created by Sheffield-based kitchen designers My Fathers Heart, the room combines stunning SieMatic S2 handleless cabinets in the Umbra velvet-matt finish with Dekton® in Kira, an earthy toned ultra-compact surface that has the look and feel of natural brownstones. Highly resistant to UV rays, scratches, stains and thermal shock, Dekton® is the ideal choice for homeowners looking for a durable, hardwearing worksurface solution and it can also be used for flooring and wall cladding both indoors and out. What’s more, carbon neutrality has been achieved for the entire life cycle of Dekton, so homeowners can rest assured that their surface of choice is sustainable and helps build a better future.

Within the central island, Dekton® blends effortlessly with rich walnut, which creates visual contrast and provides a warm tone for the breakfast bar area with its high stools for snacks and coffee. The BORA Professional extractor hob in an all-black steel finish sits neatly within the surface while antique brass pendant lights from Italy drop stylishly from above. The slim profile of the worksurface beautifully enhances the elegance of the appliances and kitchen furniture, while the colour palette is warm and inviting, creating a relaxed, contemporary look.

Chrissi Batey, Senior Kitchen Designer for My Fathers Heart, explains the process behind the design, “We spent a long time with the customer and their interior designer choosing a door finish from the SieMatic palette that would perfectly balance the wider scheme of the room and settled on Umbra. Dekton was the natural choice for worktops due its superior hardwearing qualities and Kira, with its warm earthy tones and elegant fine veining, was chosen to seamlessly complement the doors whilst adding subtle drama to this impressive open plan space.”

Added features such as the black Quooker tap, which provides boiling, sparkling and chilled water on demand, an antique mirrored splashback and bespoke metal framed shelving provide the perfect balance between practicality and beautiful aesthetic.

Dekton® by Cosentino is available in a range of designs, from industrial inspired to marble look.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week series features a rebranded gym design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Adimari Studio.

What was the client’s brief? 

The client wanted us to convert an old abandoned communist restaurant underground into a new, inviting and playful fitness space. The interior had to have a dual function – once as a gym and then as the official showroom for the Balkans/Eastern Europe of the Italian handmade gym equipment brand – Panatta. Fitness Flex is a chain of gyms and our purpose, upon the client brief, was to completely rebrand it, so we adapted the space guided by the concept of ​​”Flex Goes Green and Gold” and split the two floors into a “Green” Cardio Floor with lighter colours, wood and mirrors and a “Gold” Floor for heavy weight-lifting with black and gold accents.

What inspired the design of the project?

Many elements came into play when creating this design. The key for us was to create bold transitions and juxtapose the “Green” and “Gold” floors through contrasting colours and textures yet still create a cohesive experience and unified, balanced design. A tunnel with a vertical garden takes you to the “Green” floor with all the cardio and lighter training equipment. We combined warm wood and moss walls with cold marble-effect tiles for the first floor. In contrast, the entrance to the lower “Gold” level is highlighted by tall vertical gold elements, which you can also see on the walls and ceiling. The different lengths of the golden elements on the ceiling, the mirrors and also the lights that continue from them create interesting visual dynamics.

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

Our main challenge was to completely demolish the interior of the existing underground restaurant, raise the ceiling as much as possible and create different functional zones for training within the very irregular shape of the interior, filled with columns, sharp angles and concrete beams. The space is completely underground and our main goal was to take the consumer’s attention away from that so we brought the outside in. We introduced wallpapers with natural scenery, walls clad in artificial greenery and moss and plenty of lighting and reflective surfaces to maximize the light and space, including dressing each column and beam we considered unnecessary in mirrors.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

We all fell in love with the black and white marble chevron tiling by Marazzi at entrance. Creating different zones within the space by switching up the colour or the material of the flooring altogether was a very fun design approach for us which would not have been possible in a different space. The flooring is all special non-porous, antibacterial virgin rubber by Paviflex which no water, liquid or sweat can penetrate, making the space safer, more hygienic and ease to clean. We wanted our design to be captivating but also functional.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

Our studio is relatively young and small. We pride ourselves in our work and we wanted to exhibit it at an international stage. Bulgarian interior design is growing and we believe there’s many impressive, well executed designs which should be presented to the world to show that. SBID awards is a great place for that.

Questions answered by Marina Marinova, Senior Interior Designer, Adimari Studio.

Turning the finishing touch into a focal point of the bathroom, RAK-Sorrento from RAK Ceramics is a brassware collection that offers a solution for every installation. Available in four finishes to meet every design requirement, this latest brassware range offers the opportunity to bring individual flair into the bathroom.

RAK-Sorrento has a timeless elegance, with a long body and spout combined with single lever control for a modern twist. As well as Polished Chrome, the brassware can also be chosen in on-trend Brushed Gold, Brushed Nickel or Matt Black.

The RAK-Sorrento basin mixers are available in three sizes – standard, medium and tall – enabling the brassware to be combined effortlessly with any washbasin, with a wall-mounted basin mixer also included in the range. For the bath, RAK-Sorrento offers an abundance of choice, including deck-mounted, exposed and freestanding options.

The sleek styling of RAK-Sorrento is carried through to the shower, with a choice of thermostatic valves that complete the streamlined look.

Giving any bathroom a stylish makeover, RAK-Sorrento delivers an excellent performance and is backed by a full manufacturer’s warranty.

If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more.

To become an accredited member of the SBID, click here. 

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week interior design series features an art deco inspired design for hotel rooms and public spaces by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Atellior.

Atellior was appointed by Starboard Hotels to design the interiors of the Hampton by Hilton Park Hotel Royal. The project scope involved the design of 164 rooms and all public spaces of the hotel. The specially commissioned furniture and artworks by local manufacturers and artisans contribute to a relaxed and stylish ambience. Atellior’s design respects the building’s heritage and imaginatively references its situation, while demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.

What was the client’s brief? 

To create a contemporary and fresh hotel interior that made connection with the original Art Deco building and West London location. The client was particularly keen to create comfortable ground floor open lobby, bar and restaurant with guests relaxing, working, socialising, eating and drinking in the space throughout the day and late into the night.

What inspired the design of the project?

Inspiration for the design has been taken from the nearby Art Deco Park Royal tube station and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and are revealed in the stylish geometric and botanical touches found throughout the interiors.

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

There was no particular hurdle that we would single out. Like all projects, there were challenges on site, when some things didn’t quite work out in line with the drawings and design intent. But we worked really close with the contractor to ensure that all hurdles were overcome successfully and without any detriment to the client and the end result.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The client specified an ‘open lobby’ and to achieve this Atellior’s innovative solution was to remove the loadbearing walls on the ground floor while retaining the historic façade. There was also the challenge of the ground floor windows, which, once the entire floor had been lowered for access, were now too high. As the façade was listed the windows could not be enlarged. To solve this issue, Atellior worked with Jackie Callingham, a local artist to create five backlit stained-glass panels which were mounted beneath the existing apertures, giving the illusion of larger windows and adding light and interest to the space.

Atellior is particularly proud of the accessible public restrooms, and in consultation with the client, it was agreed that rather than being an afterthought, these should be generously sized and pleasurable to use, with Tektura feature graffiti wallpapers in bold colours. Brass and sanitaryware by Hansgrohe and Vitra was carefully selected to showcase the best product design, including stylish grab rails by Hewi to aid accessibility.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We are really honoured to be shortlisted for the SBID Awards as they are a real benchmark of forward-thinking design within Interior Design industry. Even to be shortlisted is a huge accolade and recognition!

Questions answered by Una Barac, Executive Director, Atellior.

Cumberland Group is a principal contractor working across all sectors of the fit out and refurbishment industry. Founded in 1977 by our MD Dave Park, and along with the second generation of Directors, Cumberland has built a reputation as the go-to contractor for the highest standard of finishes and bespoke joinery manufacture.

“We are an award-winning contractor and pride ourselves on our ability to deliver for our clients consistently, through our customer-focused friendly approach, high standard of finishes and always with an attention to detail that is second to none.”

Bespoke joinery manufacturing workshop

As a time served joiner with a wealth of knowledge and experience in crafting bespoke joinery pieces, Dave established the Joinery Workshop as an integral part of the services Cumberland Group offers. The company’s Directors are all professionally qualified, traditional craftsmen who have over 100 years of combined experience in carpentry and joinery, so their clients can be ensured that their project is in very capable hands.

Cumberland Group have been manufacturing vast ranges of bespoke joinery throughout the years and they have many services available. State-of-the-art machinery keeps them up-to-date with modern joinery manufacturing methods and complements the traditional skills and knowledge that they have built up over the decades of experience in the joinery trade. Cumberland’s exceptional traditionally trained craftspersons provide a unique, highly skilled and guaranteed service with an emphasis on attention to detail to their valued client base.

Cumberland Group offer a fully bespoke joinery manufacturing service including:

• Special Veneering
• Solid Surface Fabrication
• Prototype workshop
• Bullet Resistant Doors and Frames – (Used to in banking premises)

Modern all-in-one technology

In 2018 Cumberland Group installed a new top of the range CNC machine which provides answers to all the problems associated with woodworking and with advanced materials processing. Just a few clicks to design and manufacture pieces of any shape, the machine is run by the Suite Maestro which has specific modules for every production cycle. Unique on the market in having an unrivalled price-performance ratio and it can be configured according to the clients needs.

This new machine provides the team with 60% time saving in drilling cycles and no downtimes for setup operations, while the exceptionally trained machinists and joiners provide a unique, highly skilled and guaranteed service with an emphasis on attention to detail.

• Unmatched finishing
• 5-axis direct-driven spindle head which ensures the total absence of vibrations even with huge material removal at high speed.
• High-performance drilling heads

Machinery that is intuitive, reliable and customizable

Single-blade beam saw controlled by PC/PLC control system, designed to cut solid wood panels or panel stacks. This new machine has increased Cumberland’s productivity by 30% and made a space saving of almost 20%. It is fast, precise and has powerful software to programme and create all panels imaginable.

Sustainability

Cumberland Group understand that adopting a sustainable stance is a critical element to their ability to operate effectively. Their sustainable ethics include accountability, transparency, ethical behaviour and respect for people. Internally they understand that fostering a healthy and safe working environment brings out the best in their staff. Cumberland Group also understand that they have a duty to reduce their environmental impact and contribute to the local community. They are committed to upholding their position as a leader within the industry, creating an environment where the principles of sustainability are understood, embraced and practised.

As a responsible company Cumberland have for many years taken their impact on the environment very seriously and make it their objective to get their manufacturing processes as green as possible. They do this by:

• Using reclaimed wood
• Using sustainable Eco-products
• Sourcing products locally
• Disposing of waste dutifully

Leading the way with a renewable energy source

Cumberland Group’s state of the art environmentally clean waste recovery facility at their Joinery Workshop has dramatically impacted their energy consumption. They ensure all their waste wood is recovered and used as fuel to heat their workshop, which diverts almost all of their production waste from landfill.

As well as the impressive performance and cost-saving benefits, the Group are burning one of the few remaining sustainable fuel sources, enabling them to operate a more environmentally responsible manufacturing facility.

Spray shop

Based on the same site as their joinery manufacturing workshop, is the fantastic purpose built spray finishing workshop where Cumberland’s in-house team provide a professional and high-quality spray paint finish to all of their bespoke joinery.

The spray booths are equipped with the latest technology in spraying providing the team with a controlled environment monitoring airflow and temperature at all times allowing for them to have a dust and defect-free final result. Cumberland Group can guarantee that everything they produce is done to the highest standard by using the latest high-quality paints and lacquers. They only use the finest materials to guarantee a resilient, hardwearing finish.

Liquid metal spray coating

Cumberland Group can now offer a new process – Liquid Metal coating that can be applied to almost any surface to produce a genuine metal finish. The trained sprayers use one of the toughest and fastest drying cold applied liquid metal coatings available today.

Whether it’s subtle modernity, or statement-making decadence, the unique range of liquid metal coatings can help to create the finish you’re looking for. The coating is available in different metal finishes: from Copper to Gunsmoke, Bronze to Aluminium, the team is certain that this new technique will help bring your ideas to life.

The quality of Cumberland Group’s work speaks for itself and everything they supply is guaranteed to be visually stunning, professional in appearance and painted in the most durable and reliable materials.

Because the company owns and operates both the joinery workshop and spray workshop, they are not let down by unpredictable supply chains. They are fully in control of their production process which means they can produce quality products on time, every time.

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week interior design series features a luxurious residential apartment design by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Mane Design.

An apartment with an area of 260 sqm is located in the very centre of Kiev, on the last 32nd floor. It has with terraces that offer stunning views of the city. The apartment is designed in a modern classical style, using expensive materials and furniture.

Blue Agate Stone – the heart of the apartment – was brought from India. It is a delicate stone that carries harmony, tranquillity and grace. The atmosphere in the apartment is soothing; pleasant colours and natural textures add elegance to the interior, while brass adds warmth.

The apartment is not only beautiful, but also has a comfortable and functional plan. Its divided into zones: public, children’s and the owner’s zone. The public area consists of a living room-kitchen where there is a bar, which is successfully hidden behind panels that can be pulled apart with a slight movement of the hand. There is access to a huge terrace with a barbecue, a seating area with a sofa, tables and chairs for eating. In the entrance part there is a guest toilet and a large dressing room, as well as a separate laundry. The children’s area has two bedrooms, a separate children’s wardrobe, a bathroom and an access to terrace from each bedroom.

What was the client’s brief? 

The clients are a young, successful and hard-working couple. They are modern, lively and value comfort and beauty. Therefore, the brief asked for a bright colours and non-standard, interesting solutions but at the same time a comfortable and functional design – the place where they can relax after a work day or have parties with friends.

What inspired the design of the project?

We were inspired by our clients themselves: by their lifestyle, ideas, attitude to design, and, of course, complete creative freedom given to us.

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

Our team did not encounter any special difficulties during this project.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

This entire project consists of highlights. In every corner you can find something interesting. There are a lot of details that you will want to examine, things that attract attention, such as: wonderful natural agate stone brought from India, an art object “Fishes” specially designed by us for this project, which glows in millions sparks, the TV which moves out from the stand by pressing the button on the remote control (because our client did not want to see TV in the interior), a hidden bar, a hidden projector and a screen coming out of the ceiling, a toilet in front of the window, delightful lighting everywhere… and, of course, an unforgettable view from the apartment.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

We respect SBID International Design Awards and consider the judges’ decisions to be fair.

Questions answered by Mane Megrabyan, Interior Designer and Head of Studio, Mane Design.

This week’s instalment of Project of the Week interior design series features a design for hotel’s exclusive spa suites by 2021 SBID Awards Finalist, Nielsen House.

The Gilpin Hotel, with a mix of luxury rooms, suites and detached lodges, sits in an idyllic location near Windermere in the heart of the English Lake District. Sarah Jane Nielsen of Nielsen House has worked on the interiors with the Gilpin’s owners for more than 25 years and the recent spa suites are the latest extension to the hotel’s portfolio. The project comprises five exclusive lodges, each designed as the ultimate retreat for two. Constructed from wood and glass, they are set in their own private space overlooking a tarn and are positioned to maximise the stunning Lakeland views. The five sanctuaries all have their own living space with a kitchen and dining area, master bedroom suite with spa with sauna, steam room, treatment room, a private sundeck with hot tub and a relaxing water feature within a growing natural wall. The interiors, created by Nielsen House, celebrate the beauty of the region’s native landscape, enabling guests to switch off and enjoy their surroundings, whilst at the same time providing the Gilpin’s owners with practical, durable solutions in a unique project designed to stand the test of time.

What was the client’s brief? 

Our brief was to create the ultimate wow factor, ensuring a unique and memorable experience for Gilpin Hotel guests with suites that are not only beautiful in design but also extremely durable. But even more than that, to go further and ensure that the interiors we designed would make for a stay that was so special, they’d leave at the end of their visit, hoping to return, again and again.

What inspired the design of the project?

Both the Gilpin and our studio are located in the stunning landscape of the English Lake District – so our natural source of inspirational for the spa suites was the great outdoors, setting the perfect foundation for our own interpretation of the biophilic approach that we felt would best meet the client’s brief. Each lodge sits majestically within its own Lakeland fellscape with a Lakeland tarn stretching out in front of them and from any 360 degree viewpoint, you find yourself surrounded by the best of the Lake District. As designers who love the location we call home, we wanted the interiors of these suites to create a comforting and luxurious cocoon for Gilpin’s guests but also, very importantly, to reflect the splendour of what lies beyond.

Obviously in taking a biophilic approach that was at the heart of our brief, our intention was to bring as much of the indoors outdoors, and vice versa, because really, the two are interchangeable. So, we looked to generous amounts of glazing to fuse internal and external spaces, whilst keeping flooring levels flush throughout to create a seamless transition from one space to another. This extended to inside and outside the viewing balconies but also to every part within the suite that had direct access to the outdoors, from bedroom to treatment room to lounge and even to the bathing areas. So, it’s very much a biophilic design in every sense of the word. 

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

The toughest hurdle for our team to overcome during this project was the need for durability in suites made for spa pampering. For example, all products and installations included had to be stain-proof to be able to withstand the type of treatments delivered. With water comes water ingress which can often pose a problem, so it was crucial that we allowed for that so that we were able to use, without fear of future damage, the quantity of finishes specified, all of which had to be able to deal with whatever is thrown at it. Treatment oil is probably the most challenging consideration in creating luxury in a lounge and bedroom suite – but we were able to find solutions overall that both our team and the client were happy with.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

Our team’s highlight for the project was definitely the installation of a large-scale feature design in a wet area; a first for us. We are immensely proud of a double shower room that epitomises our Lakeland theme, with large digital images of ferns and Lakeland greenery adorning the walls to really capture the great outdoors ambience; eye-catching and stunning but yet practical, with all being totally waterproof. With state-of-the-art showers and shower valves, everything used within that bathroom was completely watertight. We’ve never had a similar design to that kind of scale before, and so it was a great pleasure for us to be able to achieve that in collaboration with the manufacturers and to an excellent build quality too.

Why did you enter this project into the SBID Awards?

The Covid pandemic directly and indirectly prompted us to enter the SBID awards this year. We truly believe that the Gilpin spa suites are second to none but we were unable to mark their launch at the time because they were completed just as the outbreak of COVID started to hit. Entering and being shortlisted for a SBID award gives us a focus for celebration – but we hope that through our entry, we are also able to inspire others to take a biophilic approach. As the pandemic has dug deeper, many of us have felt a strong need to embrace nature and we hope that in sharing our project story, others will find ways, through good design, to make those reconnections.

Similarly, the increase in Lakes staycations, driven in part by Covid, has been important for us to also just show what we could achieve here in the Lake District. We have found that our client base has opened up in Europe and into the rest of the world, so the standard and quality of our design has to be world-class. We set ourselves the highest of professional standards and through the SBID awards, we hope to promote the message that, based here in the Lake District, whether it’s a private residential project or a comprehensive commercial brief, our capabilities are gold standard.

Questions answered by Sarah Jane Nielsen, Lead Project Designer and Founder, Nielsen House.