In the leafy Berkshire village of Bray-on-Thames, you’ll find one of the UK’s outstanding fine dining experiences, The Waterside Inn. Renowned for its classic French cuisine, The Waterside Inn has retained its three Michelin stars since 1984, the longest of any restaurant outside France. Now under the leadership of Chef Patron, Alain Roux, The Waterside Inn is as famous for its hospitality as for its food.
As a restaurant with rooms, The Waterside Inn offers 11 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, a private dining room and has its very own boat, The Waterside Inn II, that seats eight and is the perfect vessel for a jaunt upstream. The establishment has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a ramshackle riverside pub bought and transformed by Michel and Albert Roux in 1972!
When planning Phase One of a two-phase refurbishment of its guestrooms, in-house designer, Laura Roux, wished that each of the four rooms and en-suite bathrooms should retain their own unique character and charm. As with all aspects of The Waterside Inn, attention to detail is everything, and the fittings and fixtures were quickly identified as important finishing touches to greatly enhance the completed look and feel of each room. Far from objects of mere utility, Laura was keen that the radiators should be a focal point in her designs. Laura sought inspiration at the Bisque Customer Experience Centre (CEC) in Camberley to view the radiator designs, styles and colours featured within the collections. Having had sight of Laura’s architect plans, the Bisque team were also able to help calculate the outputs required within Laura’s design brief.
‘We wanted a mix of traditional and modern radiators and found that Bisque, which is part of the Zehnder group, offered a broad range of products designed to enhance the atmosphere and style of any room,’ says Laura. ‘Bisque was the natural choice because it’s a brand that shares our passion for excellence, and its outstanding reputation for quality and fantastic customer service lived up to our expectations. Our challenge was to ensure the refurbished rooms felt fresh and inviting while remaining faithful to the overall look and feel of the restaurant and hotel. We appreciated the professional guidance and support we received throughout.’
Phase One focused on four guestrooms, namely La Tamise, Le Nid Jaune, Le Jardinet and La Terrasse. Each redesign is defined and inspired by its name (see captions).
Bisque central heating radiators from the Classic range lend subtle sophistication to each of the guestrooms. With 71 sizes in stock, and bespoke sizes also available, there are options to suit even the trickiest of spaces. The radiators can also be colour-matched to popular paint ranges such as Farrow & Ball and Little Greene. Wall-mounted models have underside connections; floor-mounted models have side connections. Bisque Classics are manufactured using new laser welding technology, which provides a superior finish and quality, with electric versions are also available.
Bisque towel rail radiators from the Buckingham range are fitted in three of the bathrooms (La Tamise, Le Jardinet and Le Nid Jaune). These follow a traditional, wall-mounted design and are available in 10 colours and three deluxe finishes, including bright nickel, brass and antique bronze. Finally, a Bisque towel radiator from the Osbourne range was used in one bathroom (La Terrasse). This floor-mounted model is perfect for industrial-style designs or antique finishes, and comes in a number of deluxe finishes, from bright nickel to polished brass. Bisque also supplied radiators for the reception and foyer areas of the Waterside Inn, as well as the downstairs guest cloakrooms.
‘Bisque doesn’t just make amazing products, the team there builds strong relationships too,’ says Laura Roux. ‘It speaks volumes that the late Michel Roux originally approached Bisque himself, as he was aware of the brand and its excellent reputation. We are delighted with the superb durability and quality of the products and they look fantastic in our rooms. We would not hesitate to recommend Bisque and its products.’
About Bisque
Bisque, which is part of the Zehnder group, crafts radiators that provide beautiful, practical and efficient heating solutions which are also environmentally responsible. They are an expertly engineered fusion of form and function, helping to create the perfect indoor climate at any time of year.
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Building Information Modelling – or BIM – enables you to make your clients’ visions a reality. The model-first process lets you create a virtual prototype of the proposed project, so everyone has complete visibility of a space down to the smallest details. Using BIM collaborative software across the project teams allows information to be shared much more frequently during the design process. This gives all contributors a holistic opportunity to coordinate works packages through an accurate 3D model world and importantly, allows designs teams to catch unforeseen issues before site.
Other industries have been using BIM for years. Architects, engineers and construction firms use the process to better understand every element in a design. Yet, it’s relatively new for the fit-out sector. Portview, however, are working to change this. By taking a model already developed at construction or earlier design stage, and collaboratively developing this through to finishing stages, we are better able to foresee challenges and help the entire fit-out process run smoothly from start to finish. This journey allows clients a more immersive experience to understand different ways they can use their space.
Portview has brought most of their BIM in-house. It allows them to keep everyone involved throughout the design and fit-out process. Meaning, they can answer queries and solve issues quickly and effectively. Using BIM in-house also has the following benefits for them and their clients.
BIM makes it easier to share designs, collaborate and manage version control compared to paper and/or PDF drawing sets. Using Cloud Technology, different teams can work together, from those in the office to those in the workshop and on-site. Everyone can immediately see changes others have made and work together to coordinate planning.
You can also receive live feedback from our clients, allowing you to accommodate amendments quickly. With BIM, the data is transparent. It removes jargon and uses 3D visualisation, which is much easier for everyone to digest, making it much easier to communicate ideas, concerns and develop solutions.
With early clash detection at the model stage, it avoids time and money in sorting it out on site.
Greater collaboration means you can improve accuracy and solve challenges early on, well before you reach the site. This accuracy minimises the chance of overall variations, enabling you to reduce tender risk premiums and lower insurance costs.
BIM acts as a virtual world. It lets clients visualise the space to make their decisions confidently. For the teams, it provides a complete overview of the project so that they can plan everything down to the millimetre. Armed with this data, they can relay accurate estimates, so the prefabrication stage runs smoothly and on budget. BIM also helps the clients plan how they use the space. A complete set of maintenance instructions can be created for their teams to use throughout the building’s lifecycle.
With greater emphasis on the collaborative upfront modelling stage, BIM allows you to have more foresight and can schedule tasks while plans evolve. Not only that, but BIM solves the communication stumbling blocks that often cause delays. Everyone has access to the plans and is involved throughout the process, meaning they can deal with issues before reaching the site.
Having a real-time model allows for a level of predictability that just hasn’t been possible before in the dynamic fit-out sector. BIM creates robust, accurate, transparent and digestible information, and it helps you access data from previous design stages to bring their ideas along with yours. When everyone can see the reality of a design, it’s easier to spot elements that can be refined and detect potential issues before they become a problem. It’s also easier to predict costs and timeframes to meet all stakeholders’ targets.
As a relatively new addition to the world of fit-outs, BIM carries a high perceived cost. But many clients wisely see it as an investment. By frontloading the design process and the costs associated with it, clients can reduce their spend in the long run. This is because you can build robust workflows that work with supply chains to avoid duplication, reworks and the need for more materials. You can also adapt designs much earlier in the fit-out when it is easiest and more cost-effective to do so.
Engage early: one of the main benefits of using BIM is solving problems early in the fit-out process. Portview encourages their clients to have a number of discussions with them in the beginning, so they can extract as much information as possible and take ideas from their minds to make them a reality.
Get the right people in the room: BIM enlightens issues to all, so it’s vital that decision-makers are involved. Portview aims to take clients along the design journey to make sure there are no surprises during delivery.
Have open and honest conversations: With BIM, you can see the substance and the style of a fit-out. Often, it’s not until you see the reality that you know what you really want. Portview’s model-first process creates an early opportunity to play around with ideas and reject those that aren’t working to find the solution that suits everyone.
Stay in communication: BIM aids collaboration, but it’s important that you keep everyone talking, too. It’s best not to presume that someone has seen a change and is working on it, and instead use the oversight that BIM provides to form the foundations of your discussions.
BIM modelling is becoming more commonplace, even for smaller fit-out projects. As Portview continues to use BIM and develop their workflows, they realise more of its value creating potential, allowing their teams to make more informed decisions.
This is just the beginning for them with BIM. They’ll continue to embed it in their processes to create a single source of project truth, helping them complete projects more collaboratively, sustainably and effectively.
About
Portview is a leading fit-out specialist that has been transforming ambitious design concepts into reality since 1975. They are renowned for delivering exquisite interiors for the world’s top brands in the business, retail, stadia and hospitality sectors. Clients include Samsung, Harvey Nichols, Chanel, Tottenham Hotspur, Issey Miyake, Rosewood London, and Wimbledon.
With teams covering the whole of the UK and Ireland, Portview manages projects of all shapes and sizes, including major refurbishment and roll-out contracts. Services include design development, planning approval, technical surveys, project management, contracting and fit-out. A lasting legacy needs a vision. And Portview’s mission is to bring it to life.
Cover Image Credits: Portview ©
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The special 2021 Salone del Mobile.Milano event, supersalone will open with the accent on safety, design transversality and an ambitious green commitment (avoiding 1.2 kilograms of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere by recycling the installations). It will feature more than 423 brands and 50 independent designers, 170 projects from 48 international design schools, 20 of the most influential figures on the creative scene today, 110 Compasso d’Oro award-winning chairs, five great chefs, six films selected by the MDFF and 200 trees from Forestami.
When: 5th – 10th September from 10am to 7pm (Friday: 10am to 4pm) Where: Rho Milan Fairgrounds
Complimentary tickets are available for SBID Members!
Get in touch with [email protected] to register your interest.
The Salone’s digital platform will provide an opportunity to follow the events both in person and virtually, with work on the “supersalone” going full pelt, the event is helmed by the curator Stefano Boeri, the international team of co-designers – Andrea Caputo, Maria Cristina Didero, Anniina Koivu, Lukas Wegwerth, Marco Ferrari and Elisa Pasqual of Studio Folder, along with Giorgio Donà, co-founder and director of Stefano Boeri Interiors – and the entire staff of the Salone del Mobile.Milano with huge commitment, courage and, above all, a great sense of responsibility.
Maria Porro, President of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, had this to say: “We are pouring our hearts into organising this “supersalone” because we believe it’s crucial to go back to meeting each other, conduct relationships and see for ourselves the products that our companies have carried on creating. In 2020 we felt the lack of being able to have a collective vision on the direction of the entire sector even more keenly, and this event will allow us to find out the latest products and the prospects for the future. We took on a tough challenge with a great sense of responsibility. The issue of safety is key, and so we are working with all the regional institutions and bodies involved to ensure a totally safe experience for our exhibitors and visitors, starting with the green pass. The new Salone del Mobile.Milano platform with its palimpsest of events, live streamings and dedicated content will ensure that we can also fully involve that part of the design community that has been prevented from travelling due to the restrictions in force.”
423 brands in all goods categories will set out their wares in four pavilions, in a committed response to the call Stefano Boeri, and the firm belief that the “supersalone” will become a symbol of a new Renaissance. The stars of the show will be increasingly innovative products, capable of fully responding to the changes inherent in the contemporary social structure, and their knock-on effects on a rapidly changing furnishing market and the individual needs of each client. Recognising the importance and the symbolic value of this “supersalone” will also be confirmed by the presence of high-ranking government and institutional authorities – first and foremost the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, on the day of the launch – testament, as always, to the fact that the Salone is one of the drivers of the Italian economy, thanks to the fertile relationship that it manages to set up between businesses, cities and regions.
“The “supersalone” will be the first great Italian fair since the pandemic erupted. Super because it’s unmissable. Unmissable because it will see the great design brands, the young makers, the international schools, the great icons of design, the most renowned Italian chefs and many stars of the art and architecture scene gathered together for the first time. Unmissable because everybody will have a chance to see the top products from the top companies – live – and purchase or reserve them on the Salone del Mobile web platform. Unmissable because all the display components have been designed to be reused or recycled. Unmissable because at such a difficult time in our history we’ve mustered the courage, the passion and the generosity of the best of Italian business and creativity. “supersalone” is a cheerful response from a SuperItaly after the long night of the pandemic,” said the architect Stefano Boeri, curator of the event.
Innovation, attention to environmental impact, creativity tout court, cultural exchange, and digital experiences are the “supersalone” buzzwords. It will be an event that will draw on the power of design creativity to become a hub of experimentation and cross-pollination, a meeting place and a forger of new opportunities for reflection on the world of design and for acquainting ourselves with its protagonists – from the furnishing manufacturing system to the schools turning out the new cohorts of designers, from the independent makers to the most influential current figures in every field of design, from filmmakers who iconise the ability of design to shape worlds and tell stories to those who support and promote creativity.
With circularity and sustainability uppermost, all the materials and components used in the installation designed by Andrea Caputo – long parallel sets, designed for the specific goods categories, and the communal areas such as the Food Courts, arenas and lounges designed by Stefano Boeri Interiors – have been devised in collaboration with Lukas Wegwerth to be dismantled and reused. With the onus on circularity, the installation systems, which involve no loose components and reduced amounts of material, will be completely recycled. All the chipboard panels made from 100% recycled timber will go back into the production cycle. The overall benefit from avoiding emissions of CO2 deriving from the use of post-consumer reclaimed material is a lower emissions figure of 1.125.000kg CO2eq. The same goes for the bricks used in The Lost Graduation Show installation, which are all reusable; all the arenas, benches and seating will be “dry” mounted and can therefore be disassembled and used again at different times and in different contexts.
The trees supplied by Forestami will underscore the green credentials of “supersalone” with an ad hoc project that provides for a “forest” of around 100 trees through which the turnstiles at the East Gate entrance can be accessed. Another 100 tall trees will lead visitors into the various exhibition areas and living areas dedicated to relaxation. The selected trees – lime, ash, oak, flowering plum trees – will subsequently be planted in Milan’s metropolitan area.
One of the special “supersalone” exhibitions will be The Lost Graduation Show, curated by Anniina Koivu, showcasing 170 projects from students who graduated between 2020 and 2021, hailing from 48 design schools in 22 different countries in all five continents. A first in the history of the Salone that will involve every sector of furniture design and more besides. Incursions into the world of mobility, inclusive, medical and sports design, research into materials and design sustainability will map out the status quo of the entire sector. An example of how the Salone del Mobile.Milano works to support design schools, promoting the latest generation of designers, narrating their enthusiasm, courage and efforts at a time when the profession is undergoing swingeing change.
The exhibition Take Your Seat / Prendi Posizione – Solitude and Conviviality of the Chair / Solitudine e Convivialità della Sedia, curated by Nina Bassoli in partnership with ADI / Compasso d’Oro Award, will be another major highlight. Featuring 30 Compasso d’Oro award-winning chairs and more than 80 chairs that have gained honourable mentions ranged around the four “supersalone” pavilions, the exhibition will tell the story of the most iconic of all design objects, the chair, more capable of synthesising the value of good design than any other artefact. Split into four themed sections, with the addition of an “extra” section at the ADI Design Museum – the ideal end or start point to the visit – it will illustrate just how design has harnessed languages and content throughout the great changes in society and how it has managed to respond to new cultural paradigms with new inventions.
Devised by Maria Cristina Didero, the “supersalone” programme will be packed with conversations, talks and lectures by designers, architects, artists, scholars and managers from all over the world. The protagonists will endeavour to respond to a variety of questions on design, art, architecture, education, the circular economy, environmental impact, the relationship between project and curation and much more besides, in a series of dialogues and one man shows. There are many famous names among them: from Humberto Campana to Bjarke Ingels, Carsten Höller, Paola Pivi, Beatriz Colomina, Cecilia Alemani, Formafantasma and Philippe Malouin. There will be three fixed appointments every day: round tables at 12pm, talks at 3pm and lectures at 5pm. In addition to these events and in collaboration with the Milano Design Film Festival, every day at 4pm studies, biopics and docufilms will allow for crosscutting insight into design, architecture and the current social and sustainable implications. The programme includes Newmuseum(s). Stories of Company Archives and Museums by Francesca Molteni; Tokyo Ride by Ila Bêka and Louise Lemoine; Paradigma Olivetti by Davide Maffei; Precise Poetry. Lina Bo Bardi’s Architecture by Belinda Rukschcio and Honeyland by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov.
“supersalone” is also and especially open to cross-pollination between different spheres and languages, featuring Identità Golose Milano – International Gastronomic Hub in the event, because food is a product on the same level as any other, and has always evolved on the basis of human creativity and need. It calls for careful planning and the study of craft and industrial processes, both traditional and otherwise. It also requires a good pinch of curiosity and openness. The Identità Golose Food Court is a new bespoke concept tailormade for “supersalone,” conceived as an integral part of the visitor experience and an opportunity to savour the original recipes of some of the greatest Italian chefs and artisans, including Carlo Cracco with pastry chef Marco Pedron, Massimo Bottura with the workshop Il Tortellante, Michelin star chefs Cristina Bowerman and Matias Perdomo, Eugenio Boer, the Italo-Dutch chef renowned for the international influences that he weaves into his cuisine, as well as Renato Bosco, considered one of the greatest master of pizza, the great ice-cream maker Paolo Brunelli and Andrea Besuschio, who has been ranked among the top 10 best pastry chefs in Italy for years. Each of them will come up with an iconic dish – either sweet or savoury – that the public will be able to purchase, putting together their own ideal menus to enjoy in an informal and inclusive environment.
As per another well-established tradition being revived at this special September event, the Salone del Mobile will venture beyond the confines of the Rho Fairgrounds to underscore and valorise its deep ties with Milan and, in the spirit of increasing openness to the exchange and circulation of ideas, culture and creativity, will reinforce its dialogue with Triennale Milano, the city hub of “supersalone.” Triennale will be marking the occasion with Il Salone / La Città (The Salone / The City), an exhibition conceived by the Triennale Museum of Italian Design for the Salone del Mobile.Milano and curated by Mario Piazza. The exhibition will narrate the cultural events held in the city by the Salone that, over the years, have communicated design to its fans. A spectacular show that will draw on the archives of Triennale Milano and the Salone del Mobile.Milano.
The mix of digital and in-person presence will make for a thoroughly engaging experience and allow those unable to be physically present to observe the products on exhibit, visit the exhibitions virtually and attend the talks and lectures. The Salone del Mobile.Milano platform has been designed to promote the design on exhibit with original content and medium-specific language, and to put the user at the centre of the event before, during and after their visit. The exhibition spaces and themed itineraries will dialogue with the platform in a wholly original manner, allowing the products to be observed and reserved for purchase. These are the digital crossroads that will create new forms of integration and interconnection between different worlds, users and markets.
“supersalone” will be all this and much more – a special project through which the Salone del Mobile.Milano intends to serve as a promoter of and catalyst for activities, thoughts and feelings that will allow the entire sector and the supply chain as a whole to breathe life into a new Renaissance.
About Salone del Mobile Launched in Milan in 1961 as a vehicle for promoting Italian exports of furnishing and accessories, the Salone Internazionale del Mobile is the global benchmark event for the furnishing and design sector.
The SBID International Design Awards finalists for 2021 have been revealed, boasting an impressive shortlist of award-worthy entries across Interior Design, Product Design and Fit-Out. From the design scheme, materials used and products specified through to the final fit-out installation, the SBID Awards champion design standards across the supply chain in the design, procurement and execution of outstanding interiors!
To complete the third and final stage of judging, the online Public Vote is now open! Worth an influential 30% of the final scores, it’s your chance to sway the results and decide which finalists you think deserve to take home a prestigious SBID Award! You can only vote once per category, so choose wisely and vote for your favourite designs!
Voting closes at 5pm (BST) on 10 September
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the CGI & Visualisation category! This category rewards skill and innovation in the use of visual design software and includes both residential and commercial renders. The shortlisted entries include any interior design visual or CGI that has been created on a visualisation programme, including AutoCad, CAD, 3ds Max, InteriCAD and Vectorworks.
Click here to view all category finalists
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Club & Bar Design category! The shortlisted entries include nightclubs, private members clubs and bars with judges looking for functionality, compliance and fit-for-purpose design.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Healthcare & Wellness Design category! From interiors of hospitals, healthcare facilities and care-related properties (including gyms, spas and wellbeing centres), the finalists adopt innovative approaches to healthcare environments.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Hotel Bedroom & Suite Design category! The shortlisted projects include both new builds and restorations for commercial hotel designs, showing high levels of creativity, innovation and consideration for the target clientelle.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Hotel Public Space Design category! This category includes designs for lobbies, spas, ballrooms, meeting rooms and other public facilities within hotels. Shortlisted projects show the creativity and innovation required to provide unique and memorable guest experiences!
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for KBB Design! The finalists in this category include the latest interior designs for the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms within residential spaces, considering user lifestyles, personal tastes and trends to execute the client brief.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Office Design category! Showcasing inspiring workplaces with contemporary design concepts to curate effective working environments that meet the needs of both the client and the employees!
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Property Development Asia Pacific category! Including the most innovative residential and mixed-use developments, sales centres, marketing suites in the Asia-Pacific region.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Public Space Design category! Dedicated to the exceptional interiors for public spaces created as a service for the community; from airports, libraries, schools and museums, to universities and religious buildings!
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for Residential Apartment Over £1M! This premium design category highlights the wow-factor for high-end residential projects with an overall value exceeding £1 Million!
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for Residential Apartment Under £1M! With an overall value of under £1 Million, the finalists are recognised not only for achievement for the budget, but also on intuitive functionality and aesthetics.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for Residential Budget Up To £50K! The finalist projects in this category have delivered the best interior design solutions to meet the client’s brief on a limited budget!
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for Residential House Over £1M! This premium design category highlights the wow-factor for high-end residential projects with an overall value exceeding £1 Million!
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for Residential House Under £1M! With an overall value of under £1 Million, the finalists are recognised not only for achievement for the budget, but also on intuitive functionality and aesthetics.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Restaurant Design category! Looking for the latest innovations in hospitality, the finalist designs for restaurants and cafes consider functionality, compliance and creativity to create engaging dining experiences.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Retail Design category! Highlighting the latest commercial trends, the finalist designs include retail outlets, shopping centres, pop-up shops and showrooms with the innovation and functionality to create safe and engaging customer environments.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for Show Flats & Developments! This category is for marketing suites and show homes with designs focusing on functionality, aesthetic and ability to interpret the developer’s vision and engage potential consumers.
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Product Design categories! Boasting finalists across the sectors, the product design awards showcase interior solutions from accessories and furniture to floors, surfaces, sanitaryware and more!
Explore the 2021 SBID Awards Finalists for the Interior Fit-Out Design categories! This award is bestowed upon the fit-out specialists and contractors operating across the commercial and residential sectors for providing superior services in the execution of outstanding interior design projects!
Voting closes at 5pm (BST) on 10 September.
Visit www.sbidawards.com to find out more!
SBID Accredited practice, Tarh Va Afarinesh Architectural & Engineering Consultants provided their commercial design services to execute the development of a new dining destination for the Opal Trade Center’s latest food court. With a total area of 2,300 m2, the Opal Food Hall is located on the highest floor of an upscale trade centre in Northern Tehran, Iran.
The mall consists of spacious retail areas allocated to high-end apparel, cosmetics, and home appliance brands, with the design concept of the food hall based on the designer’s concern about missing human relationships and connections in the modern urban life.
Shiva Aghababaei, Co-founder of Tarh Va Afarinesh said: “Our design is driven by the belief that the quality of our surroundings has a direct effect on the quality of our lives. We believe that design shall embrace all aspects, ranging from the functional performance of a building to a concern for its physical and cultural context, as well as its aesthetics properties.”
The concern for human connection is manifested in this project through the human figures and quotes about social life appearing around the space. Cosy corners are designed in the eating area, which shelter the occupants from stress of urban life whilst making no solid barriers between them.
Plants and other green elements bring in the concepts of biophillia to establish nature connections, and make an implication to the need for modern urban societies to get back in touch with the natural environment.
About Tarh Va Afarinesh
Shiva Aghababaei, born in 1972, is an award winning architect and interior designer, a professional design member of SBID, and a chartered member of RIBA. She was graduated by a Master’s of Architecture from University of Art (Isfahan Campus), and this was the beginning of her long way to become a UK Construction Role Model in 2019. Her approach to architecture is a combination of love, perfection, and creativity, which are the fundaments of her works, many of which are recognised by international design and architecture awards. She has recently extended her activities to UK and other international markets.
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Oktra worked closely with adidas to develop their new London headquarters in Clerkenwell’s iconic Herbal House. The new space equips the adidas teams with the environment they need to perform and the visual identity they need to thrive. The workspace uses an aesthetic embodiment of both the adidas brand and Herbal House’s design history to create a new visual identity unique to the London team. The original architecture of the landmark building is constantly visible, rooting the commercial powerhouse in the rich creative history of their new home. Designed to unite and inspire their creatives – this headquarters is a physical manifestation of what it means to be a London creative for one of the most recognisable brands in the world.
SBID Awards Category: Office Design sponsored by Schneider Electric
Practice: Oktra
Project: Adidas
Location: London, United Kingdom
The concept of ‘one adidas’, a unified team with a strong sense of personal and brand identity, was the driving force of the design for their new London headquarters. London is a key city for adidas in terms of their growth, so it was imperative that the office make an impact and create a strong sense of identity for the London team.
The workspace uses an aesthetic embodiment of both the adidas brand and Herbal House’s design history to create a new visual identity unique to the London team. The design activates this newfound identity by establishing sightlines into and out of the centre of the space, creating three distinct channels of movement and connecting the hub’s creative heart with its supporting architecture and legacy. The fully agile floorplate gives employees the flexible space they need to maximise their potential, allowing them to redefine what’s possible in terms of productivity, efficiency and collaboration.
Working with a brand as iconic as adidas naturally comes with a lot of pressure as the client already has a very strong brand identity that needs to be honoured in their new space. We wanted to make sure that we got to know their brand inside and out, as well as understanding the unique working requirements of their teams, in order to develop a design that supports and represents their identity. We held a series of workshops with the adidas design influencers which allowed us to study their brand identity in a comprehensive way. Then we used the insight from these sessions to directly influence the design development of the project.
Seeing the space take shape and the impact it made on the client team was a highlight for us. The adidas story is embedded in the new space, with their hallmark products standing as physical reminders of their journey. World Cup footballs line meeting room walls, iconic running shoes adorn lounge areas and versatile storage spaces are built-in for day-to-day use or product display. We recognised the opportunity to weave stories of adidas’ sustainable products throughout their workspace, starting with their Parley range which is made from repurposed ocean plastic. The Mater Ocean Chair and Mater Nova Chair in the adidas HQ are made of 100% recycled fishing nets and recycled pieces of veneer – even the teapoint is made of recycled yoghurt pots.
The SBID International Design Awards is one of the most prestigious design awards in the industry. We hold ourselves to standards of excellence with every project we do and we aim to enter the SBID Awards each year. As soon as we saw the brief for the adidas project we knew it was going to lead to an incredible creative partnership, and the client team’s open-minded approach to the design development of their new space ensured we were able to push the boundaries of their existing corporate environments, ultimately delivering a space that’s unique to the brand’s presence in London. We entered the project because of the outstanding final result, but also because its conception and completion are a perfect representation of what we do. The new space is built to support the unification of the adidas teams, bringing them together in a creative environment that sets them up to perform.
Questions answered by Jemma Harrison, Design Director, Oktra.
We hope you feel inspired by this week’s design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a luxurious apartment design by Cheng Chung Design Hong Kong, click here to see more.
The arrival of COVID-19 has brought with it countless changes. Within the world of interiors, home schooling and working from home has transformed homeowners’ priorities. According to a recent Home Builders Federation survey, two-fifths of Britons would prioritise space for a home office if they were searching for a new property. Unsurprisingly, there’s also been a huge rise in the number of people keen to convert existing space into new home office designs.
“There has been a real hunger to refurbish rooms that were formerly on the back burner,” director of Mark Taylor Designs Mark Taylor agrees. “People have had more time, fewer places to go – and in some cases, more disposable income. This has acted as a major incentive to embark on some home TLC. The ‘I’ll sort that one day’ rooms have become a priority.”
It’s fairly obvious why demand for home office designs has escalated since the pandemic began. Adults need a quiet place to work and talk to clients, ideally separate from where children are being home-schooled. But Mark maintains that the need for a specialist office space is fuelled by more than mere practicality. “Psychologically, many of our clients have felt they had to create a specific space to ‘go to work’,” he explains. “They need this in order to focus, and switch on and off effectively.”
Space certainly wasn’t an issue for this stunning study, which also doubles up as a home cinema and gaming room. The client, an IT consultant, wanted a ‘closed door’ space with plenty of storage, to help keep the area paper-free. “This room needed to work as both a home office and a family space, so we created bespoke pieces of furniture to allow this,” Mark explains. “We also incorporated wall lights from Jim Lawrence that didn’t make it look too ‘officey’.”
LED light strips at picture rail height complement the dark walls (painted with Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue). This versatile combination helps to create an atmospheric ambience when the homeowner uses the room for gaming and family time.
“The SMEG drinks fridge was something that the client specifically asked for,” Mark notes. “So, we decided to make it a feature rather than hide it away.”
Interestingly, Mark has noted demand for home office designs that will accommodate two people. Also, it seems study areas attached to bedrooms are becoming more important. And that, of course, is where bespoke manufacturers such as Mark Taylor Design excel. Bespoke furniture, combined with superlative interior design skills, are the key to making spaces work – whatever is required. Creating the perfect workplace involves many challenges: some obvious, some not.
“Bespoke furniture can fit the space,” states Mark. “Often, we have to carve home office environments out of small or awkward niches and corners. Home office areas within kitchens, dining rooms and bedrooms should take the rest of the space into account – not take it over. However, that can be difficult for off-the-shelf solutions.” He continues: “We design bespoke furniture to fit, in terms of size, shape, material and style. A well-designed bespoke desk and shelving area, built in sympathetically, means that less of the existing space needs to be adjusted.”
This fabulous study, which forms part of Mark Taylor Design’s extensive Riverside Home project, is a case in point. “We created this for one of our clients who wanted space to work from home. This would become an area they could work in at least once a week away from their office,” explains Mark. “Obviously, things have changed somewhat since the arrival of COVID-19!”.
He continues: “The design brief was simple: to create a working space that was as efficient as being in an office environment, but blended within the home. We created a tall unit behind the bespoke desk, which has a huge capacity for filing drawers and storage. The large panels with decorative lights also house a printer, reference books and office supplies.”
Mark adds: “The open shelving, with subtle lighting, creates a perfect space for showcasing decorative objets d’art, to soften what is essentially an office space. The elegant blue velvet day sofa offers a perfect seating alternative when the client doesn’t want to be behind the desk.”
The best home office designs are created to fit the space you have, not the reverse. “Force fitting furniture is like wearing shoes that don’t fit,” Mark observes. “After a while, you just stop using them. A badly designed/fitted desk means that people will migrate back to the kitchen table. So, you end up with a piece of unwanted furniture that nobody uses.”
Conversely, the best bespoke solutions can create a room. “They feel natural to be in and work at,” notes Mark. “They encourage you to stay. We always aim to create as many spaces as are needed, so every household member can work in comfort.” Adaptability and flexibility are also vital. “We can create permanent home office designs for those clients who want to make these spaces permanent,” Mark confirms. “Or we can make everything removable or changeable for those who want life back to normal once lockdown is over.”
The team at Mark Taylor Design produced this moveable desk for a client in Hertfordshire, which illustrates clever design solutions perfectly. “The client brief asked for an office space within the kitchen and dining environment,” Mark explained. “But it needed to be hidden when entertaining. So, we designed a desk on wheels, that could be pushed away neatly under part of the kitchen peninsula. This suited our client, who liked to leave everything out on the desk, and simply tuck it away when necessary.”
Detailed communication is key to ensuring a home office design suits a homeowner’s individual needs. “As with any project, we spend time speaking with our clients,” Mark explains. “We find out what they do, how they like to work, what sort of noise levels they anticipate. Do they prefer working solo or with others, how big a desk area do they need, and how many monitors will they use? We assess their preferred seating (for example, flexi- or standing desk) and what sort of lighting will protect them from eye-strain. We ask about storage and equipment, too. Only when you understand every element of a client’s working day can you create a truly relevant bespoke solution for them.”
Of course, not all home office designs have a stand-alone room or spacious area to accommodate them. Luckily, Mark and the team are resourceful and adept at considering all possible options. “We look at garages, annexes under the stairs, room corners, cupboards that can be converted, even landing spaces!” Mark confirms. “The end result is up to the client, how they work best, the space itself and what’s available. Making desks, units, shelving and lighting useful beyond their primary purpose is always worth considering. If desk heights can change, they can be used by children, as well as mum and dad. Adjustable lighting makes night working easier. For multi-use rooms, shelving units with fronts, which can be closed, are much less intrusive.”
This under-stairs space, created for a residence in Marlow, illustrates exactly what is possible with vision and skill. “We designed the whole space in this house, and looked everywhere for home office options,” Mark explains. “As we were modifying the staircase, it became clear this was the perfect area. Because we wanted it to fit with the rest of the house, we padded the walls with fabric. We also used lighter colours, to relieve any harshness, and added LED strip lighting to counter darkness.” He adds: “We utilised every inch of possible space for storage – and not only for office stuff. They store the Christmas decorations there too!.”
The practicalities of home office designs are just as important as the aesthetics. “We look carefully at power and heat sources,” notes Mark. “Nobody wants to work in a cold corner of an unused room. Creating warmth with an added radiator or under floor heating makes a work space much more appealing.” He adds: “Wires and plugs are also important. Trailing laptop leads are a trip hazard (and household pets can view them as a chew toy). We work hard to eliminate disincentives to work in a space. We even include places to put cups and bowls in a work desk. That means fewer spillages – and a safer environment for expensive laptops and PCs.”
Projects photographed are undertaken by Mark Taylor Design Ltd.
About Mark Taylor Design
Mark Taylor Design is a British manufacturer of bespoke furniture, cabinetry, specialist joinery and interior design. Craftsmanship, attention to detail and superlative service are central tenets of the business. The company is renowned for its use of innovative materials and for transforming clients’ homes into truly extraordinary spaces.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a lavish apartment design by 2020 SBID Awards Finalist, Cheng Chung Design. The skyscraper One Sanlitun is already a valuable addition to Beijing’s skyline, and the luxurious apartments furnished by CCD are a feast for the eyes.
Cheng Chung Design (CCD) used inspiration from international brands of the highest level, such as Armani, Aston Martin, Chanel, Hermès, Bottega Veneta and Fendi, for a series of luxury apartments in this skyscraper. CCD is known for introducing Western artistic forms into Oriental concepts. The apartment we see here takes characteristic elements from the Italian luxury fashion brand Fendi bringing the classic style of Rome to Beijing.
For the apartment One Sanlitun – Fendi, CCD was inspired by the philosophy where a balance is sought between the classical and the modern, the sophisticated and the playful. It integrates Italian history and humanity with Fendi‘s brand story as the design inspiration, and presents Fendi’s art, fashion and lifestyle in an elegant way.
SBID Awards Category: Residential House Under £1 Million Sponsored by Sans Souci
Practise: Cheng Chung Design
Project: One Sanlitun – Fendi
Location: Beijing, China
What was the client’s brief?
Beijing Topwin investment group was founded in 1996. The company adheres to the concept of quality to rejuvenate areas such as real estate, hotel, golf court, energy investment and management, among other diverse sectors. Topwin Group is the owner who pursues aesthetics and hopes to lead in the high-quality domestic real estate, using art and design works.
What inspired the design of the project?
It is the unique charm of the Fendi brand. Fendi stems from the history, art and aesthetics of Rome. CCD combines Fendi’s brand concept with the interior design of luxury apartments in the bustling business district of Beijing to create a brand-new experience, where guests can interact with Fendi’s furniture and accessories more intuitively and deeply, along with the artistic appeal brought by artworks.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
The most difficult part of the design is the integration of the huge cultural differences. Fendi is based in Rome, the eternal city of Italy, while Beijing is famous in the oriental cultures and history. Therefore, it is hard to balance the collision between the two cities. The design needs to maintain harmony between classic and modern, elegant and stable, without losing the focus on space.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The focal point of the design is the combination of practicality of space and the classic Fendi’s brand style. Returning to the examination of this exquisite living space, we focus on the juxtaposition of decorative materials, Fendi’s ultimate luxurious aesthetic, and the display effect.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
SBID Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the design industry. Winning the SBID International Design Award symbolizes high achievement and honour. We think that the unique design and ambience of the space, which reflects functional and aesthetic consideration, thoughtful material selection, technology, light and shadow make One Sanlitun – Fendi a brilliant piece of interior design, that is worthy of this award.
Questions answered by Joe Cheng, Founder & Chairman, CCD.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring an Oscar Crescent design by ET Design & Build Ltd., click here to see more.
With proud roots in Hong Kong since 1928, The Peninsula has been synonymous with refined Asian tastes and experiences, and an icon in the world of travel and hospitality.
Crosstec Group share the delight of unveiling The Peninsula Boutique & Café, designed by Conran Design Group – a newly opened retail space and a dining destination in one of the Peninsula hotels in Hong Kong. It celebrates the finest gourmet ingredients and dining experiences that reflect the legendary hotel’s reputation for excellence.
“It was a memorable journey for our CROSSTEC team, starting from design development to the final renovation fit out. The project features the work of extraordinary craftsmanship and partnership from various parties.“
The Café and its products are all about exclusivity and excellence. Crosstec Group ensured that the interiors correspond to the brand and its values, and aimed to represent the Peninsula’s rich heritage in their design. They achieved an elegant, yet relaxed and approachable look and feel for the Boutique, making the Peninsula Café the ultimate spot to unwind and share with friends, family or business associates.
The Peninsula invites guests to try their delicious culinary creations and beverages, accompanied with the famed Peninsula customer service, before exploring books on design, travel and culture by renowned French luxury publisher Assouline.
The guest experiences at the hotel will be enhanced not only by the premium food and stylish gifts they will find at the Boutique, but also by the design that is so unique to the place it is bound to become a tourist destination in itself.
Crosstec team believes that the visitors will be able to enjoy the exclusive and immersive dining experience at The Peninsula Boutique & Café and they congratulate the Peninsula on the grand opening.
Crosstec Group Holdings Limited (3893.HK) is a one-stop provider of interior design solutions and the majority of their clients are global luxury goods and high-end fashion brands with retail stores across the world. They serve a global client base with footprints in various parts of the world including Hong Kong, China, the United States, Europe, Middle East and other Asian countries.
This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a luxury residential design by 2020 SBID Awards Finalist, ET Design & Build.
Situated next to the Macau Jockey Club and nearby International Hotel Resorts, this residence has an outstanding view. The owners, a 50-year-old married couple, requested a classy clubhouse style home to accommodate their friends and family. Thus, the luxury of leisure space, the superiority of materials and the quality of finish were important elements of this project.
SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Over £1M Finalists Sponsored by Vectorworks
Practise: ET Design & Build
Project: Oscar Crescent
Location: Macau, Macau S.A.R.
The client requested to restructure the floor plan to maximize the leisure space area (include the living/dining area) along with the balcony and full-length windows to take full advantage of the natural light and the day & night scenery.
As part of the owner’s hobby, we incorporated a custom-made pool table and a birdcage to house the owner’s pet parrot as part of the design. As for the owner’s private area, they needed a master bedroom fully equipped with a walk-in closet, make-up table, dressing area and bathroom to endorse a comfortable leisure lifestyle. Also, a multi-purpose room to serve a study or guest room, as needed. The entire house needed to be equipped with a smart house system and electronic curtain system for the owner’s convenience.
To achieve the design goal, besides matching the colour palate with suitable materials to portrait a luxurious look and feel, the designer put in much effort to source a great number of decorations, including the paintings, different art pieces, floral arrangements, etc to enhance the overall design effect. All furniture and lighting requirements were thoroughly discussed and agreed upon by the client to integrate with the design.
The construction team did a great job in executing a quality finishing of the project. The selection of materials was also the key to a perfect finished project. There are more than 3 types of marbles used in this apartment; the material that represents luxury and glamour and pairing marble with Golden/black mirror/brush steel made the pieces cutting edge and classic at the same time. The choice of wallcoverings and the soft shade of grey stone materials boards were also unique.
Aside from the luxurious clubhouse concept, the use of the birdcage element is the highlight of this design. The idea was inspired by the owner’s request for a birdcage to house his pet parrot. The designer extended this thought to not only transform the cage into a golden art piece but also placing 6 golden birdcage lightings, with different sizes and heights above the owner’s custom-made pool table as a functional and decorative item. The combination of these items with the sunset painting background has become the selected corner of the overall design and focal attention point upon entering the apartment.
This Award for design standards attracts entries from across the world, making it truly an honour and a sign of industry recognition that is second to none for the deserving winners.
Questions answered by Tam Pui Wing, Design Director, ET Design & Build.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a unique restaurant design, click here to see more.
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