This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential design by 2020 SBID Awards Finalist, XBD Collective. Located in Jumeirah Golf Estates, this luxurious 10,600 sq. ft. villa was designed for a young, new to Dubai European family of 4. The overall design brief was to create a family-friendly home in the signature XBD luxury style on a very restricted budget. By keeping a neutral palette but also introducing bursts of colour, XBD Collective fulfilled one of the main requirements to create a sense of serenity and peace with elegant accents.
Using an array of high, mid, and low materials, the design practice opted for high-end marble - but used clever veneer techniques and mixed metals and mirrors to create stunning reflection effects. Artwork from locally commissioned artists was also used and textured wallpapers were sourced from trusted suppliers. XBD succeeded in creating a gorgeous luxury home, perfect for entertaining both family and friends that went above and beyond the client’s expectations
SBID Awards Category: Resi House Under £1M Finalists Sponsored by Sans Souci
Practise: XBD Collective
Project: Jumeirah Golf Estates
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
What was the client's brief?
The overall design brief was to create a family-friendly home in the signature XBD luxury style. We fulfilled the main requirement to create ‘a sense of serenity and peace with elegant accents.
What inspired the design of the project?
The inspiration was to create the ultimate balance between ‘tranquillity’ and ‘elegance’ for our clients. With the villa situated on the edge of a luxury golf course, we created an indoor/outdoor feel to flow throughout the space and take advantage of the picturesque landscapes.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
We faced the challenge of creating a sophisticated masculine space for the office that blended softly into both family and formal areas. We used soft wooden flooring dressed with a pattern monochrome rug, to keep the room professional yet homely.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
Working in partnership with Rosewood was a delight, largely thanks to our shared passion for creating. Exceeding our clients’ expectations was our highlight! Design-wise we love the use of elegant layers and contemporary finishes in the master bedroom which amplifies the opulent sensation in the room.
Why did you enter the SBID Awards?
Taking part in the SBID Awards is always a delight as it provides us with the opportunity to reveal our evolving style and inspire other creators in the industry through entering the SBID Awards. We enjoy taking part in such a well-renowned competition!
Questions answered by Rebecca Young, Executive, XBD Collective.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a Spanish villa design, click here to see more.
Award-winning and SBID Accredited fit-out specialist Portview, has unveiled its latest creation with the fit-out of an ultra-luxurious health and fitness facility in Southbank Place, London, where residents will be able to enjoy a luxury hotel-standard spa experience within their dynamic city-living environment.
A joint residential development venture between Canary Wharf Group & Qatari Diar, London’s South Bank has been transformed by a unique mixed-use development with the famous Shell Centre Tower at its heart. The super-sleek interior design by SBID Accredited practice, Goddard Littlefair, focuses on creating a serene city oasis where residents can escape to relax, unwind and reinvigorate.
The use of unique and innovative fittings include a light and calming palette of sensitively selected natural materials that have been paired with ambient lighting to create a cocoon-like space within the contemporary wellness facility. Martin Goddard, Co-Founder of Goddard Littlefair said:
“When we started looking at the concept for this amenity we realised that there were very few spa and fitness spaces that addressed a luxury residential development. This gave us many questions that had to be answered. Through extensive research, we recognised that facilities of top luxury hotels had the closest synergy with what we felt residents would want to have access to.”
The 2,000 sqm spa is set across various zones with the guest journey being a key focus of the design layout. To facilitate the needs of users who will want to be energised with a hard-hitting workout, in addition to others who want to relax, the two elements can be accessed separately to heighten the experience.
The spacious reception area acts as a social hub for residents to meet one another, therapists or trainers. One fully equipped gym is available along with two separate studios which can be heated for a hot yoga workout or cooled for a dynamic spin class. The alternative wet and relax route takes residents through plush changing rooms, the gentlemen having a dedicated sauna area while ladies can enjoy their own vitality pool, sauna and steam room.
On the pool deck there is a stunning 25m heated swimming pool, accompanied by a further vitality pool, sauna and steam room, along with social relaxation spaces for residents to enjoy. In addition, calm yet luxurious treatment rooms are available, where selected therapies including beauty treatments can be enjoyed.
A key challenge of the design was the basement location. The design creates an immersive feeling of light and space through carefully concealed architectural lighting that casts warm glows across rich surfaces while decorative lighting provides beautiful accents through the space. The glowing feature lighting in the pool area was crafted by London-based Nulty Bespoke with each glass drop specifically crafted to allude to the flow of water.
Sustainability was a key factor in the design and delivery of the space, with greener fabrics and finishes installed throughout. One such example is that the pool hall area is maintained at a temperature 1C above the pool temperature, which in turn minimises heat and water loss from the considerably large lap pool, while a high-performance water treatment system keeps the water in the pools to an exceptional quality - keeping water and chemical use to a minimum.
The bespoke, exclusive nature of the details of the spa design is evident in many areas. Despite the challenges and rigours of working in a hot and humid environment, tactile luxury has not been ignored. Panels of marine-grade faux leather have been embroidered and stitched by artisans such as Mollie Regan Textiles, with Portview ensuring the detailing of the high-specification design and custom joinery throughout the entire area was converted to reality. Paul Scullion, Contracts Director of Portview, said:
“This project was very demanding in terms of setting out the wall panelling, door frames, stone floors, ceilings and bulkheads to zero tolerance. However, our talented team of in-house architects and designers delivered just that by chasing the millimetres around every corner to ensure we achieved the absolute perfect fit - on time and in budget - It’s hugely rewarding to see it all come together and go together right.”
Providing users with a sense of privacy and exclusivity through cleverly zoning spaces was also key to integrate into the design. One example of this is the use of beautiful custom-made burnished rock crystal screens in the reception area.
Overarchingly timeless and refreshing in its aesthetic appeal, this best-in-class wellness amenity unites form and function to deliver an exceptional spa for this new neighbourhood on London’s Southbank.
About
Portview is a leading fit-out specialist that has been transforming ambitious design concepts into reality since 1975. From humble beginnings as a local contractor helping to restore the Belfast community throughout the Troubles, Portview has evolved into a world leading fit-out specialist, renowned for delivering exquisite interiors for the world's top brands in the business, retail, stadia and hospitality sectors.
If you'd like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more.
Over the past year, our homes have become a sanctuary, playground, and office all at once. Nights out have become nights in. More than ever before, we have been confronted by the notion of “how does our home make us feel?”. That visceral feeling is at the heart of Timothy Oulton’s captivating furniture designs.
Organised into a spectrum of different energies, the 2021 Collection is designed to imbue a space with a distinctive mood and feeling, from the deep chill of quiet moments alone, to a relaxed hub of family life, to more energising spaces that spark ideas and augment the unbridled joy of life’s celebrations. The Timothy Oulton Collection enriches these experiences through the use of beautiful materials, finishes, forms and craftsmanship techniques which connect deeply through the senses and through stories of meaning.
At the most laidback end of the energy spectrum are those special moments of reconnection, of letting the mind unwind and chilling out with those close to us. These moments nourish us and enrich us. With this in mind, Timothy Oulton’s Noble Souls range helps create a realm of reconnection in any home. New this year, the Sanctuary sofa hugs the body in the softest goose down and natural vegetable-dyed linens, while the epic Icebeam coffee table anchors a room with its mighty reclaimed timber beams topped with ice-like planks of glass.
Enriching the comfortable and relaxed energy of everyday living, the new Whitecliff sofa embodies a casual sophistication in soft Pennines linen, while the Bay Swivel chair is perfect for modern work from home settings, gliding back at the touch of a button for the ultimate comfort while you work.
The Tactile dining table juxtaposes cool, crisp marble with richly textured timber, while the Fibi dining chair takes it cue from modern Japanese design, imbued with a universal elegance that complements any style of dining table. For a more invigorating energy with which to engage the world, the new Iceberg Glow coffee table pairs sleek black steel with glass, casting a mellow yet captivating glow. Transporting the senses to somewhere otherworldly, the Kyron coffee and side table collection is crafted from softly illuminated moonstone, inspired by the famous Chiron comet.
Finally, for sheer unbridled celebration and joy, setting the scene for parties or other occasions, Timothy Oulton unveils exciting new additions to its iconic Art-Deco inspired Rex collection. The new rectangular Rex dining table, handcrafted from over 550 precision-cut glass prisms, together with the Rex coffee table and Rex sideboard, transform any space with a perpetual dance of shimmer and sparkle.
New leather innovations include the Vintage Jet Black, a true black leather distressed by hand to achieve a vintage look and opulent hand feel. Vintage Jet Black is showcased on the super-soft Squidgy sofa, a contemporary, buttoned-up style with bold proportions.
On the inspiration behind the new collection, founder and creative director Tim Oulton says, “This past year, we have all experienced our homes in a completely different way. From home-working and homeschooling to swapping nights out for nights in, ‘home’ became the epicentre of daily life. So the question of how your home makes you feel has become more meaningful than ever. Our ethos has always been rooted in the realisation that we only have one life, so we should elevate every moment to the utmost. Everything we create is about enabling and enriching these moments.”
With over 40 galleries worldwide including a flagship at Bluebird in Chelsea, Timothy Oulton continues to expand its global portfolio. Recently opened stores include Glasgow, Hamburg, L.A., San Francisco, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Barbados. Further openings are planned this year.
The story of Timothy Oulton started back in 1976 with a small antiques shop, owned by Tim’s dad. Profoundly influenced by his love of antiques, his father’s military background, and an inherent affection for British heritage, Tim created an authentic, visionary brand with the deepest integrity and a passion to deliver extraordinary experiences. Handcrafted with only the best traditional techniques and fabrications, each Timothy Oulton piece in the furniture collection is inspired by the past, but reconceived from a modern perspective, producing uniquely authentic collections, which push the boundaries of furniture design.
If you'd like to become an SBID Accredited member, click here to find out more.
Senanu Arkutu is the director of pan-African interiors company Daar Living. Here she shares the best ways to incorporate African elements into existing décor and tells us about the burgeoning interiors scene in her home city of Accra, Ghana.
Hi Senanu, tell us a bit about your interiors business…
Daar Living is a specialist interior design online store and styling service located in Osu, Accra. Our style is vibrant and fun, and also really Pan African because things come to us from all over the continent. I love our colonial furniture, which I refinish, and it sells in the online shop. Due to rising demand – including international enquiries – we recently pivoted from a physical shop to e-commerce.
What are the hallmarks of African interior design?
Because African interior design is yet to be defined by African designers themselves, I believe there is a lot of flexibility. Generally speaking, there is a bared back aesthetic. I like to think of African interior design as product or element-based so that I can essentially create any already known style I want – for example, Afro-minimalist or Afro-eclectic.
What are some simple ways to add African style to your home?
It’s easy to add African elements to any interior space. I believe you could put an African piece into anything, whether you’re incorporating it into modern styling or a more traditional look. The best place to start is accessories. For me, what really injects African character into the room would be textiles and basketry.
In West Africa, we all have a woven fabric, such as Kente and Baoulé, and these can be used for making cushions and throws, or in the upholstery of stools, chairs and sofas.
African interior design also leans heavily on natural elements and textures including raffia, straw and wood. Certain types of wooden elements are easily recognised such as our handwoven baskets and bowls, and these are a nice easy first step if you’re looking to inject African style into an existing space.
What are the trends you expect to see in 2021?
To some extent, we follow US trends, and given the pandemic era we are in, I sense that clean and minimalist style is becoming even more popular. It’s interesting that the colour Brave Ground was chosen as Colour of the Year by Dulux in the UK, and they’ve brought this out along with an earthy palette of shades. People in Ghana have been using the equivalent of Brave Ground for years, so trends-wise we are already there!
If people are following this colour trend in the UK or US they will find it easy to achieve an African aesthetic, especially through adding fabrics and textures. The traditional African colour palette is neutral/ natural and earthy, so the colour palette fits right in with our traditional and original interiors and most of our handmade handcrafted pieces that can be used for decor fit in beautifully.
What process do you follow when you work with clients?
Residential interior design is still relatively new here in Ghana. Unless it’s for a hotel or an office, or for a film or television set, the architect has typically handled the interior design. Hiring your own interior designer is just starting to become more common.
When I work with a new client, I begin by booking a one-hour consultation. What’s most important is that I discover how the clients want to feel when they are in that space. How do they want their visitors to feel in that space? We dig deeper and deeper, then I’ll propose a mood board, and I also give a list of stores to shop in Accra, as we work with people having wide-ranging budgets.
How important is natural and artificial light to your design concepts?
When it comes to lighting, there’s obviously a lot of natural light pouring into the room all day. We need to take full advantage of this light but balance this with the need to reduce heat indoors. Letting natural air come in to create that cross breeze is important too.
Artificial lighting is another thing that is done as part of the build, and homeowners might find that it’s too late to make significant changes to the lighting scheme once the build is complete. Sometimes the designer is called in far too late into the project, so for me, it’s a question of building awareness of how a designer can contribute to the look and feel of the home, and when to bring them into the project.
In my own home, and when I complete interiors projects for clients, I like to create a soft, warm, intimate feel. I always encourage my clients to use the city’s artisans, who refurbish old items into lampshades.
What I help them to create, through thoughtful design and one-off pieces from my shop and from local artisans, is something truly unique that delivers that visually interesting yet homely environment – a style that will make them feel really good about the space they’re living in.
We hope you enjoyed this interview with Senanu! If you'd like to check out the previous article, featuring a design-led hotel specification project, click here.
Custom carpet and rug manufacturers TSAR Carpets worked in collaboration with Melbourne-based design firm GOLDEN on a residential luxury penthouse. This project consisted of installing approximately 30m2 of TSAR's award-winning Saltwater carpet in the living room of the Lake View Penthouse, a luxurious and sprawling lakeside penthouse built for a modern family.
With Lake View Penthouse, GOLDEN sought out to merge and reconfigure three existing apartments overlooking Melbourne’s Albert Park Lake into a modern and spacious penthouse befit for a young family. Located on the 17th floor of a high-rise building on St. Kilda Road, the penthouse is functional, spacious and features a selection of high-end art and furniture.
For the living room, GOLDEN’s aim was to incorporate warm and natural elements to provide its clients with a sensorial experience — and TSAR’s design-forward Saltwater carpet proved to be the perfect fit.
Featuring a playful and layered scene of sand, sky and deep-sea creatures and corals, TSAR’s Saltwater carpet is meticulously hand-tufted using different pile heights, beveling, carving and various material methods. The curious mindset of TSAR’s in-house senior designer, Teresa Cerebek, allowed the brand to explore a variety of construction techniques, producing amusing details.
GOLDEN’s designers first discovered Saltwater during TSAR’s Melbourne Design Week X-MATERIALITY installation and instantly fell in love with the carpet’s high concept design and unique textural variation.
Based upon GOLDEN’s brief, TSAR’s goal was to supply the client with a custom-dyed Saltwater carpet in a mustard-and-blue tone. The integration of this distinctive carpet in Lakeview Penthouse provides a soft and tactile feeling underfoot, while the custom colourway proves complementary to the project’s polished fixture and finishes.
“Lake View Penthouse was designed to reflect the client’s urban lifestyle by bringing in rich tones, texture and personality,” says Alicia McKimm, GOLDEN Director. “In collaboration with TSAR, we designed a rug for the large living room that tactfully exemplifies the essence of the home. TSAR was able to work with GOLDEN to ensure every last yarn could be customised to tie all aspects of its surroundings together.”
By balancing aesthetics, budget and performance, all TSAR designs can be adapted for large hospitality, commercial and small residential projects. TSAR maintains total control over every step of manufacturing within its own production campus—including the dyeing of yarns from 100% New Zealand wool — thus ensuring complete consistency throughout the entire production cycle.
“We are so pleased that both GOLDEN and their clients are extremely satisfied with the Saltwater carpet installation as a standout design factor in the Lakeview Penthouse,” says David Sharpely, TSAR Carpets CEO. “The lively beauty and playful motifs found within Saltwater — combined with the carpet’s material strength and durability — make it the ideal choice for a residence of this calibre.”
About Tsar Carpets
TSAR Carpets is a design-led business with the confidence to take a unique point of view and the technical expertise to deliver.
The creative department has become the premier source for tailoring the products and designs to meet the individual needs of clients, by balancing aesthetics, budget and performance in every project. TSAR is a proudly Australian owned company with a global outlook. TSAR’s flagship showroom can be found in Melbourne with design studios and offices in Sydney, New York and London.
Now in its fifth year, SBID's international franchise in Ukraine recently announced the winners of its latest student design competition for young designers. The Get Me 2 the Top 2020/21 award ceremony took place in the capital city, Kyiv. The main goals of SBID's annual youth competitions are to provide talented interior design students with opportunities to showcase themselves and gain valuable tools to help them kickstart their careers in the design industry.
The event was opened by Peter Wickenden, the First Secretary, Energy Policy & Acting Country Director, Department of International Trade (DIT), British Embassy in Ukraine and Julia Danilova-Meretska, Regional Director of SBID Ukraine, who made the welcome speeches and congratulated the winners.
Julia Danilova-Meretska, Regional Director of SBID Ukraine said: “The competition is an opportunity for a young specialist to meet the industry in practice, to get a valuable piece of advice from the best professionals in the industry. We are proud that for the fifth year in a row we are making our contribution in identifying the talents, as well as providing young generation with an opportunity to make their dreams come true."
Among the guests of the Award Ceremony were the contest partners and jury members; Ruslana Bessarab, founder of St Sophia Homes; Helen Khilkova, CEO of DonStream Education Group and official representative of the University of The Arts London in Ukraine; Serhiy Makhno, architect, designer, ceramist and founder of the Sergey Makhno Architects studio; representatives of the Delavega furniture factory and D8 engineering, as well as architects and interior designers authorised by SBID.
From the shortlisted students, the international jury selected winners in the following categories:
Private Space: Yulia Brazhnikova, Kyiv National University of Technology and Design
Public Space: Oleksandr Rekhlytsky, Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture
Product Design: Oleksandra Morgun, Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts
Retail Design: Demidenko Anastasia, Mykhailo Boichuk Kyiv State Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts and Design
The overall winner this year became Daria Utkina, a graduate of the Salvador Dali Academy of Contemporary Art who will receive a six-month paid internship at the British architectural firm Jestico + Whiles, including costs of flights and accommodation in London, and Visa support.
Other prizes for the winners feature a trip to the Poliform LAB in Italy; gifts from Delavega furniture factory, D8 Engineering and Silpo supermarket chain; the Serif TV from Samsung Electronics TV; internship at St.Sophia Homes development holding; an annual subscription to ELLE Decoration Ukraine magazine; reproductions of works by famous contemporary Ukrainian artist Roman Minin from Abramovych.art; the training course "Marketing in Construction and Architecture" from the School of Construction Project Management PRO PM Construction, as well as a course from the University of the Arts in London (UAL) and DonStream education group.
In addition, two competition finalists - Alina Chen, KhDADM, and Olena Grechko, Lviv Polytechnic National University - were also invited for an internship at the Sergey Makhno Architects studio.
More detailed information about the competition, the international jury members and the works of this year's winners can be found on the SBID Ukraine website: www.sbid.org.ua/getme2thetop
The green oak building tradition of the Hogg family forms the inspiration behind Rachel McLane's crafted designs in the new 40-bedroom Sandburn Hall Hotel in the Yorkshire countryside.
Design-led and built to a country-style specification, the 1,000-acre Sandburn Hall estate was developed by the late Mike Hogg seven miles from York. The new adjoining hotel complements what is already one of North Yorkshire’s leading golf, wedding, events and business venues.
When Pickering-based Rachel McLane was contracted in 2018 to provide her innovative, specialist interior design work for the ambitious new build it was immediately clear that the Hogg family wanted to build on Mike Hogg's legacy.
"From day one we worked very closely with the client to incorporate the Hogg family firm's wonderful custom building heritage into the design, bringing that history, the shape, feel and emotion of that green oak frame building structure to the fore," said Rachel.
"Given the freedom to interpret their brief we have created a design that not only makes the most of the space and enhances the building, but understands and incorporates the Hogg family heritage, interests, and craftsmanship into the final design."
The new hotel's centrepiece uses natural green oak beams to frame a triple-height lobby as part of Sandburn Hall Golf Club, Grand Function Room and Tykes restaurant. Hand picked artwork is established on the walls, including photos of green oak frames and black and white prints going around the corridors and rooms. The designs also take some of their inspiration from the local area where York and the East Coast are evident in the natural colours, earthy tones, and real materials including vintage maps depicting the Sandburn Estate.
"In doing so, we were able to fulfil an important part of the brief that the rooms and spaces had to feel individual and not corporate," added Rachel.
Rachel's design vision created a unique cohesive feel across all rooms and into the common areas ensuring that the Hogg family connections to nature and craftsman trades were reflected in the room décor. Rachel commented: "The designs merge the traditional and the contemporary and aim to achieve a balance that bridges the core golf, wedding and business customer base."
The Rachel McLane team's design expertise is evident throughout the new hotel's range of 40 double and twin rooms all with dressing areas, including larger family, luxury and accessible rooms, and two luxury suites. They also all come with handcrafted built-in case goods. "We wanted the signature and family rooms to be fun, a bit urban and industrial where the raw richness of exposed brickwork and soft leather combine with cool-toned sawn grey oak flooring and built-in bespoke joinery."
Well lit, spacious and airy with eclectic pieces of furniture that differentiate between room types, the large windows of these signature and family rooms are of a natural oatmeal palette, soft grey and brick in a modern, fresh design that naturally marry the hand-crafted structure of the building.
Super-king beds and luxury, made in Yorkshire Harrison Spinks mattresses are a feature, and bathrooms are a mix of contemporary and traditional with the emphasis being on quality and timeless design. The hotel's premier rooms, including the courtyard premier, have been designed with a feel that is classic and calm with raw, untreated materials to give a fresh, bright, light and airy atmosphere. Reclaimed bricks are softened by natural cream and teal curtain fabrics with artisan hand-blocked characteristics. Elements of teal and natural weave have been picked up in soft woven tweeds and the carpet's muted tones, and the furniture has a comfortable country feel in a calm palette.
"The biggest challenge was the length of time it took from creating the fixtures and fittings specification to fulfiling the initial design with Covid-19 a constant hindrance. We found that not only were some products unavailable, but more than one company had ceased trading."
Despite the challenges of a long project Rachel says that the team has loved working on Sandburn Hall Hotel: "The client is a pleasure to work for, they appreciate high-quality workmanship, attention to detail, and above all understand the value of design and the difference having a designer on board makes to a project.
"It's also lovely being local to a project as you feel like you are contributing towards the good of the local area."
About the Author
Rachel McLane developed a wealth of experience designing for the retail sector for eight years in London and York before setting up her practice, Rachel McLane Ltd specialising in the design of interiors for professional clients with commercial interests.
With growing demand for zero contact bathroom solutions, manufacturers are increasingly introducing new developments for innovative touchless products to deliver the ultimate in hygiene. From basin mixers that activate automatically when they detect a user, to electronic flush plates with movement sensors, and mirrors with lights that are switched on with a simple gesture – Roca offers a range of touchless solutions which provide an extra layer of hygiene and safety within the bathroom. Infrared sensors allow users to activate water flow in taps, flush the WC or control mirror lights without the need for contact, avoiding the spread of viruses and growth of bacteria.
Roca’s range of electronic basin mixers, including the Loft-E range, feature an infrared sensor which activates the water flow when presence is detected and shuts off automatically when presence is no longer detected, avoiding direct hand contact. The lack of contact with the tap improves hygiene and prevents the build-up of droplets and fingerprints on its surface, resulting in a cleaner product for longer. Roca’s electronic basin mixers offer a highly hygienic and effective solution to fight the spread of viruses and bacteria and to reduce the use of water in the home.
Easy installation is guaranteed. The electronic mixers are available in a battery or mains operated system which means they can be installed in any bathroom, regardless of the availability of a power outlet in the area of usage. The battery operated versions are exceptionally durable with alkaline batteries which guarantee over 250,000 uses. A further innovation means both greater safety and more savings - the electronic device stops the water flow after a preset usage time to promote moderate use and prevent unnecessary waste of water.
Mirrors with integrated touchless technology, such as the Prisma Comfort model, allow users to activate functions such as the ambient light or the demister device through movement, which means less direct contact from hands, allowing the glass to remain clean and clear.
The EP-1 and EP-2 electronic operating plates make it possible to activate the toilet flush without touching it. With a stylish, contemporary design and very easy installation, they are automatically activated when moving a hand in front of them, ensuring maximum hygiene and avoiding any contact.
With a backlit surface divided into two stripes which are alternatively activated depending on the type of flush (partial or full), they can be set off by simply bringing the hand closer or by choosing the automatic option in which the toilet is instantly cleaned when the user approaches or when a specific time has passed after its use.
Roca’s Touchless solutions are suitable for both domestic and commercial use, providing an extra layer of safety within every type of bathroom.
About Roca
Roca began in 1917 as a manufacturer of cast iron radiators at its factory in Gavà, near Barcelona. From humble origins, the company has grown into a global business driven by a firm focus on improving the quality of life for its customers. Roca began producing innovate new designs, products and materials to provide the complete bathroom solutio. Today, Roca manufactures at 78 facilities around the world and is active in over 170 markets.
In a particularly turbulent world (enduring an ongoing pandemic) where there is so much uncertainty, striving for wellbeing in our daily lives is all the more important. Our homes now act as a substitute for offices, gyms, entertainment centres and sanctuaries to name but a few of their additional uses. As we’re spending significantly greater time in them overall, it is clear they need to work harder than ever to meet our demands, suit our needs and ease our minds. The question is - can biophilic design really help? Peter Oudejans, director of leading biophilic design studio, Oudejans Interiors shares key insights on the benefits of integrating concepts of biophilia into our interior environments.
Biophilia, simply stated, is the human connection to nature that assists us in attaining wellness in our lives. Have you ever noticed how calm and uplifted you can feel when walking in the woods, strolling along the beach or simply sitting in a park? That’s the ‘Biophilia’ effect. In rural settings, this connection can be more obvious, but as more of us live in densely populated, urban environments, this connection is slowly being lost. That does not mean however, that we are unable to embrace nature’s beauty at home. There are numerous ways to live more meaningful, holistic lives and in practice this is about re-establishing links with nature to create healthy environments for life and work.
“It is the simple core truth that humans need a connection to nature to be content”, according to Sally Coulthard, author of the book Biophilia. It is the notion that humans need to feel connected to their natural environment not only to survive, but also to thrive.
Research undertaken over the past few decades has shown that biophilic design can improve cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being with benefits that include:
According to architect Claudia Bonollo of Monamour Natural Design, “our mood and our capacity for communication are influenced by a combination of physical, mental and sensory factors. Therefore, an environment that involves all the senses makes us happier and more receptive,” she says.
Oliver Heath Design, has found that the inclusion of Biophilia to the design process can increase productivity by 8% and rates of wellbeing by up to 13% in an office environment. In healthcare settings, pain medication was shown to be reduced by 22% and in the education setting, rates of learning can be increased by 20-25% where biophilic designs have been incorporated.
And finally, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing weighs in with “I shall never forget the rapture of fever patients over a bunch of bright-coloured flowers… People say the effect is only on the mind. It is no such thing. The effect is on the body too.”
With regard to interior design, Biophilia is considered more of a lifestyle than a design trend. It can be applied across the entire spectrum of interior styles from contemporary to classic and has a place in all areas of interior design, be it in a residential or commercial setting. Eco design and green architecture are very closely related concepts with a focus on environmentally-friendly design practices that are good for people and planet, just as Biophilia is focused on the wellbeing of humans through their connection to the natural world.
Biophilic design has three key threads that together make a space biophilic:
1. Being in a space that has a direct, physical contact with nature; 2. Being in a space that reminds you of nature through the use of natural items; 3. Being in a space that connects to natural rhythms and outside spaces.
There are numerous key elements of biophilic design which include incorporating a few or all of the following:
Take the example of firelight and candle light, which have slowly decreased in domestic settings as the use of heating (central and otherwise) and of course, electric light, now almost completely dominate in the modern home. Yet the ‘red’ light that emanates from firelight and candlelight plays an important trigger in the body’s preparation for rest and relaxation, making us feel calm and cosy.
In a study by the anthropologist Christopher Lynn, he measured people’s blood pressure and how sociable they felt after watching a log fire on a screen. One group watched with sound, the others no sound. The results found that those that watched with no sound showed little benefit, but those that experienced the audio and visual effects of the fire, had significantly reduced blood pressure, felt more mindful and focused on the present and were increasingly communicative and sociable. [1]
Including such a simple yet multi-sensory element such as a fireplace within the home can make a significant difference to the wellbeing of the individual. Just imagine the other benefits and sensations a real fire provides, such as the soothing radiant heat and comforting wood scent. And this is just one simple addition in the whole armament that nature and Biophilia can provide.
Biophilia is still deemed to be in its infancy within the interior design profession, despite being based on one of the most fundamental connections humans have with their environment. But with the current focus very much on the recovery, both physically and mentally, from a global pandemic, never has there been a better time or more crucial need to draw upon the healing powers of nature to improve our wellbeing.
Interior designer's approaches to home design should now be looking to design sustainably with nature at its core for the creation healthy, happy homes that are better for people and the planet. After all, it truly is all about creating nature-inspired spaces to support our health and wellbeing.
References:
[1] Lynn C.D. The Psychophysiology of Fireside Relaxation. American Journal of Human Biology 25 (2013). 265-265
Projects photographed are undertaken by Oudejans Interiors Ltd. All photos are credited to photographer Glenn MacKay.
As a leading biophilic design studio, Oudejans Interiors feels it is vital to live more sustainably, in an increasingly connected manner to the natural world. Their motivation for designing spaces is to consciously straddle the line between nature and interior architecture. From creating a living wall to redecorating with natural hues, incorporating biophilia into living spaces is an effective way to restoratively transform them, whilst boosting body and mind.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a residential design by 2020 SBID Awards Finalist, Knox Design. This villa was an investment project built in Mallorca to be sold as a second home. As this property was for sale, the aim was to create enough interest to make a lasting impression in the potential buyer’s mind, while still leaving enough space for them to mentally move in themselves.
SBID Awards Category: Residential Budget Up To £50k Sponsored by Sans Souci
Practise: Knox Design
Project: Villa Sol De Mallorca
Location: Mallorca, Spain
The brief was to create a holiday home for grown-up families with an air of luxury as opposed to the typical, seaside blue and white themes often seen here.
The living area stretched along the full-frontal section of the villa, calling for the definition of spaces and the creation of a sense of flow between them all. Once I defined the purpose of each of the living areas, I selected soft caramel and sandstone hues as a running theme to join them with each other, reflected in the use of marble, oak and artwork in these tones.
Sprinkles of mint, fuchsia and emerald were present in strategically placed soft furnishings and decorative items, all set against a sumptuous wallpaper in the stairwell, silky rugs, stunning overhead lamps and evocative artwork. I chose Rounded shapes in décor items and furniture to counterbalance the sharp geometry of the architecture. The overall effect is one of luxury elegance and comfort, space and luminosity.
As in a lot of open plan living spaces, there was no entrance hall, so to speak, and the dining area felt exposed and cold. To solve this issue I asked for a partition wall to be added between the entrance lobby and the dining space in order to add intimacy to the dining area and provide a focal point opposite the front door.
The highlight is always installation day when all the visions come to reality and the house gains its soul.
I entered the SBID awards for the first time in 2020, having been a recognised design professional for several years as although I am based in Mallorca Spain, the majority of my clients are British second homeowners.
Questions answered by Justine Knox, CEO and Head Designer, Knox Design.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a modern-retro loft design, click here to see more.
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
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.
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
I accept the SBID Terms of Use