This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a home design with a members club atmosphere by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Sonia b design.
Sonia b design was commissioned to create a members club atmosphere while optimising the space for a young professional. The scope included space planning, internal restoration, bespoke joinery, and sourcing. Each room was designed with its own personality, featuring moody aesthetics in entertaining spaces, bathrooms and bedrooms, balanced by a light and sharp design in the kitchen and gym. Preservation, restoration, and repurposing played a significant role in this project, ensuring the conservation of period features while integrating modern textures and elements, and donating replaced elements during the renovation process.
SBID Awards Category: Residential House Under £1M
Practice: Sonia b design
Project: The Club House
Location: London, United Kingdom
The home, previously a family house, was refurbished in preparation for the new owner, a young professional to move into the home. The brief was to create a members’ club atmosphere and therefore bringing hospitality design into a home while focusing on the comfort of a home which has been a truly exciting design journey. Beyond the aesthetics, the home was designed to accommodate for the client’s storage, entertainment and fitness needs where several entertainment spaces and a gym / dressing were created. The choice of materials and fabrics was also driven by the need to be suitable for regular visits from the owner’s niece and nephew.
The client who is a member of a worldwide members’ club, thoroughly enjoys the ambiance it offers, and we aimed to echo its diverse atmospheres within the home, inspired by different club buildings as well as bars and restaurants that inspired us and feature the atmosphere we were looking to create. The bathroom design draws from the client's New York travel memories. The home's overall ambiance evokes a sophisticated British members' club feel. Meanwhile, the kitchen, boasting large bifold doors to the garden, embraces a Mediterranean design, incorporating abundant greenery to create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
“Surprises” that often come with period properties and were uncovered during demolition, which required substantial additional work and sourcing. Thankfully Building Control were extremely helpful which enabled us to progress promptly with the additional works required. Despite the challenges and the extra work required, the team completed the project on time.
We conducted routine site visits with the client, allowing him to observe the ongoing progress. On a particular occasion, even though the house was still a work-in-progress and not entirely finished, the client's genuine excitement shone through as he saw the vision gradually coming into reality. It was a truly rewarding and encouraging for the team. Another notable moment was during a subsequent meeting held in the house a few days after the handover, where the client had already entertained relatives and was beginning to feel truly settled. The house felt like a well lived-in home already and that was a real joy to see.
As a distinguished accrediting body for interior designers in the United Kingdom, SBID serves as a benchmark, recognising the industry proficiency in its awards program both in the UK and internationally. I wanted to share the work we do as a small practice and feel extremely proud and grateful to see our work recognised by a panel of respected industry experts.
It is an honour to be a finalist for the SBID awards. It is a fantastic boost to always seek for new challenges. It is a recognition of the hard work and care that goes in our designs and for our clients. Very importantly, it is a recognition of teamwork where suppliers and specialists we collaborate with show the same level of hard work, support, care and play a key role in every project. A big thank you to the team involved in this project.
Questions answered by Sonia Bourruel, Founder of Sonia b design.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's design!
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a sophisticated home design by Chatelaine Interiors & Atelier NM, click here to read it.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a sophisticated family home design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Chatelaine Interiors & Atelier NM.
Chatelaine Interiors & Atelier NM were commissioned to create a contemporary residence nestled in the prestigious enclave of Kensington for an international family. Embracing the spirit of sophistication, Atelier NM redeveloped the interior of the property. Their vision was to seamlessly blend modernity with timeless touches, as clean lines and neutral palettes intertwine with gilded accents to evoke a sense of opulence. Luxurious velvets and meticulously crafted furniture grace the interior, exuding bespoke elegance. This home showcases high-end living through its light-filled open spaces and wonderfully crafted soft furnishings by Chatelaine Interiors.
SBID Awards Category: Residential Apartment Over £1M
Practice: Chatelaine Interiors & Atelier NM
Project: Palace Gate
Chatelaine Interiors & Atelier NM were commissioned to create a contemporary residence nestled in the prestigious enclave of Kensington for an international family.
The client’s amazing sense of style! She is sophisticated, adventurous and not afraid to take risks. She also wanted to pay homage to the amazing Victorian property with timeless interiors.
The toughest hurdle would be trying to preserve the original features. The building is very tightly managed by a board, passionate about the existing fittings. Therefore, we had to be very careful to try and preserve them or recreate them when needed.
How all the fabrics came together beautifully. Each room has a its own theme and the soft furnishing tells the story of the them elegantly and subtly.
We decided to enter the SBID awards specifically as our core values align very closely. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase our creativity and design work. Within the industry the SBID awards hold a significant amount of recognition and being recognised is such an honour. Additionally, the idea of having experienced judges evaluate our work was a major draw for us. We wanted to tell our design stories in a way that resonate with people, stirring emotions and contributing to the evolution of interior design.
Being an SBID award finalist is profoundly meaningful for both Chatelaine, Atelier NM and our respective teams. It validates our hard work, creativity, and commitment to exceptional design. It reinforces our vision, pushing us to strive for bespoke excellence. For our businesses, it enhances our credibility, attracts new clients, increases our media attention and motivates us.
Questions answered by Stephanie Douthwaite, Founder of Chatelaine Interiors, and Najwa Mroue, Founder of Atelier NM.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring an inviting hotel space design by Franklin Ellis / Sweeney Ellis in association with IHG Interior Design Dept, click here to read it.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an inviting hotel space design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Franklin Ellis / Sweeney Ellis in association with IHG Interior Design Dept.
The client’s brief was to convert the former Modernist style 1950’s House of Fraser store (previously Dingles and prior to 1973, Colson’s) located within the City Conservation Area in the centre of Exeter into the defining hotel of the city.
SBID Awards Category: Hotel Public Space Design
Practice: Franklin Ellis / Sweeney Ellis in association with IHG Interior Design Dept
Project: Hotel Indigo Exeter
Location: Devon, United Kingdom
The clients brief was to create a unique and stunning IHG branded boutique hotel with a destination rooftop bar, restaurant and an urban spa and sports bar. This was to be achieved by converting a 1950s House of Fraser store which was perfectly situated on the High Street in Exeter within viewing distance of the magnificent Exeter Cathedral.
As an IHG Hotel Indigo, it was essential that the design narratives were based on the people and culture of the City together with the unique history of the building. The design Inspiration was greatly informed by the incredible story of Mrs Colson who opened her milliners shop High Street in Exeter in 1782 and over 100 years later the store was listed under the description Colson & Company drapers, silk mercers, milliners, costumiers, mantle makers, ladies’ & children’s outfitters, furriers, hosiers & undertakers, 33 & 34 High St”
Following bombing during the war, the Colson’s building was largely rebuilt in the 1950s in a 1930’s modernist style with horizontal fenestration and banding detail and these elements resonate in the overall design.
From the outset it was important to celebrate the heritage and affection the general public had for the former Colson Department Store. The reception area leans in to the haberdashery element of the buildings history reimagining display elements and utilising salvage items from site such as the Colson Store sign now positioned above the bar.
The Narrative 1 Guestroom celebrates the colour, forms and textures found within the wonderful building including the pneumatic tube cash carrier retrieved during the conversion which is echoed in the headboard and corridor room number light design. A glass fronted wardrobe with bespoke wallpaper prints and labelling, captures the retail elements of the store. The connection to Mrs Colson and her milliner skills are reflected in the bespoke artwork and quirky floor mosaic slogans in the bathrooms.
The Narrative 2 guestroom design leaned into Exeter’s rich heritage of fascinating architecture and detailing. One of the best examples of the quirky local ingenuity is ‘The House That Moved number 16 Edmund Street (or the Merchants House). Dating back to 1430 the house if one of the oldest surviving structures in Exeter and it was painstakingly moved 90 metres up the street to make way for a new road.
The design narrative focuses on all things that can move or are not what they seem. The wardrobe and bathroom door are concealed withing painted timber panelling and the paint colour is moved off the traditional line. Scissor lights and desk and a rocking chair combines with quirky artwork adding to the story. The décor is deliberately layered to capture the historic references of culture and architecture in Exeter.
The Cathedral site has been the heart of Exeter since Roman times and the current building has the longest unbroken stretch of stone ceiling vaulting anywhere in the world. There is also an astronomical clock in the north transept dating back to the 15th century thought to be only one of four in England which has been captured in the design of the furniture in the rooms. The design narrative gains inspiration from the fascinating design details in and around the Cathedral Green and uses brass and timber with sumptuous celestial colours fabrics to give a rich decadent feel.
The rooftop bar was to designed to put the focus on the magnificent cathedral which is in full view from the bar and external terrace. A crafted bespoke wallpaper by Elegant Clutter takes inspiration from the colours of the surrounding landscape and intricate details on the Cathedral stonework. The bar was designed to have a more contemporary feel with ribbed tiles to the bar front echoing the stone vaulted ceiling enhanced by rich gold tones and a modern terrazzo and velvet finishes palette.
The Urban Spa takes inspiration from the local landscape in particular the sea and moors. The aim of converting the basement was to create a light and airy feel using natural materials and tactile surfaces. Low level lighting and soft calming geometry combine to create a unique spa experience offering hydro pools, sauna and steam room together with treatment rooms.
The Sports bar is nestled in the basement access by a separate external staircase and its décor is playful whilst appearing mature and timeless.
The project design commenced during the Covid lockdown and initially we were unable to visit site. However modern technology allowed us to virtually walk around Exeter and the building assisting the formation of the design narratives. The deep building plan form was complex being laid out over several split levels with four very different external facades. IHG’s suggestion of removing the existing centrally located escalators and lifts to create a lightwell provided the perfect inspiration for the guestrooms by unlocking the floor plan. Using the building irregularities to our advantage, which we managed to create unique guestroom layouts for the 104 rooms. This led to a huge variety of guestroom shapes and sizes which proved very challenging to the contractor and the styling, ordering and placement of FF&E.
The project was complex and challenging in many ways but equally thrilling and exhilarating for all the team involved. Seeing the individual design elements come together from the basement spa and sports bar to the breathtaking rooftop bar and terrace was incredibly satisfying. Rarely do we have such a variety of building constraints that test and push the agility and flexibility of the designers on site and in the design studio.
The SBID awards are a great platform for designers to showcase their work and provide inspiration for other design professionals but they are also a tremendous encouragement for young talent.
Being an award finalist is an incredible achievement for our design team and the wider project team including the client, architect, brand holder IHG, contractor and other collaborators. Being an Award Finalist enables all who were involved to be recognised for their unique abilities and the part they played in crafting and delivering the project. With regards to the business, we aim to continue creating designs with storytelling, passion and sustainability at the forefront. We are always looking to exceed our clients aspirations creating unique experiences for all.
Questions answered by Denise Ellis, Director at Sweeney Ellis Design.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a fresh and airy living area design by Victoria Moshchynska Interior Design & Styling, click here to read it.
Miruna Clarke-Zait, Senior Architect & Interior Designer at Noviun Architects has given her insights into the industry.
Upon completing my Architecture degree at University of Kent in 2012, I started my first year out at Rummey Design, an interdisciplinary landscape and urban design practice in Kent, following a couple of internships with Guy Hollaway Architects and Charlier Construction. Having secured a position with HNW architects in 2015, prior to graduation, I was encouraged to commence Part III early and thus I became registered and chartered in 2016. Throughout my career as a Project Architect and Senior Architect, I covered multiple sectors: education (colleges, SEN, higher education), residential (affordable and student halls), blue light (fire station design) and commercial interiors which culminated with my registration as an Interior Designer. With a keen eye for research, I co-wrote the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Design Guide based on international papers on decontamination procedures and, within the last eight years I developed an interest in biophilic design, colour psychology and colour theory. I have mentored over 15 architectural assistants, have been CPD coordinator and continued academic presence through crits, mock interviews, Part III workshops, RIBA student mentoring and employers’ evenings. I joined Noviun Architects in January 2024 to lead the education and commercial interiors sector.
With a rather unusual background in Mathematics, Science and Computer Coding, with NASA aerospace engineering competition awards for orbital and lunar settlements, I pursued the BA (Hons) Architecture degree at University of Kent. I always enjoyed drawing and was passionate about design. I wanted to be an Interior Designer to start with, however, I was encouraged to pursue Architecture due to its versatility. Fifteen years later, I am now a registered Interior Designer as well. Interior design is fascinating as light, colour and textures are so powerful in transforming a space. I will always remember Richard Meier’s Ara Pacis museum in Rome and how beautiful the travertine walls looked under the natural light that was grazing the wall.
I enjoy close liaison with clients, stakeholders and contractors to meticulously transform briefs into reality and take pride in creating long established relationships built on professionalism and transparency.
There were, in fact, two: Horsham Fire Station and Training Centre (Platinum House) was completed last autumn, after nearly four years of intense teamwork, and the fit-out for Novuna Vehicle Solutions was amongst four other finalists for “Workplace Fit-out of the Year” for Insider Media South-East Property Awards 2023 (both of which were projects at my previous practice).
Refurbishments and fit-outs re-imagine a space and transform the environments in which people learn or work. Of course, it is easier to build new and, sometimes, it is unavoidable; nonetheless, challenges are great. I also enjoy seeing the excitement of clients when the design takes shape and it is extremely rewarding when one is able to give something back to the community – be it the fire service or an educational building, it is about transforming lives. I really enjoy projects where there is research involved, because I am a firm believer that science and design can go hand in hand.
The approach to design and moving away from logo colours – a lot of the time the marketing/branding becomes the palette and that isn’t the right solution. It happens very often in schools, colleges, universities, offices. I have myself fallen into that trap before, however, having discovered colour psychology, my approach has shifted completely. I am determined to create designs that are timeless and which focus on behaviour, as trends are always short lived. Timeless designs are sustainable designs, they mitigate the need for change and reduce waste.
Being a perfectionist and my own biggest critic, that it is ok if you do not know everything and that it really takes time to become comfortable and confident in your design choices. The gut feeling never lies.
To be diligent and tenacious; whilst design flair is innate, building a career takes time. To always consider the emotional response when designing a space. I do not mean the subjective reaction; I mean the subliminal impact of their colour combinations and choices because, as designers, we are liable for the legacy we leave behind.
There is an increased focus on neurodiversity and a growing understanding that the way people are wired, coupled with different personalities results in varied solutions to the ideal environment. It is about having the option to retreat to a quiet space to concentrate, whether you are neurotypical or sensitive to sound and feeling overwhelmed, to move away from the one size fits all.
Having a dual qualification is exciting, as it offers a wider range of opportunities. Whilst my email footer has got longer, having four awarding bodies, it is an acknowledgement of the type, relevance and quality of work undertaken to date. I look forward to being able to attend industry events and awards as a Senior Architect and Interior Designer, it is an ace in the sleeve.
About Noviun Architects
As designers, social responsibility and collaboration defines what we do. Our background and expertise in the education sector has cultivated a people-centred approach applied across all sectors. We aspire to positively integrate user experience and human well-being, alongside the latest technology, to design sustainable spaces that create a positive impact on individuals, communities and the environment. The curation of individual dialogue, into a cohesive architectural narrative, distinguishes each of our projects. Our design process is not pre-determined, but organic responding to our engagement with clients, occupants and stakeholders.
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This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a fresh and airy living area design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, Victoria Moshchynska Interior Design & Styling.
Victoria Moshchynska was commissioned to renovate Living area of an apartment in Chelsea. The goal was to create a fresh contemporary interior which would combine French and British vibes and would remain relevant for a long time. By emphasising the traditional part of the space and adding modern iconic pieces of design Victoria created a fresh and airy interior where her client could enjoy calmness after her hard working day.
SBID Awards Category: Residential Budget Up To £50,000
Practice: Victoria Moshchynska Interior Design & Styling
Project: Chelsea Apartment
I was asked to renovate the living room without any structural changes. The client wanted the space to be divided into 2 areas - dining area and lounge area. Her main idea was to have a fresh contemporary interior that would be trendy but also stay relevant for a long time. The budget was limited.
The apartment is situated in a historic building in Chelsea, London. This beautiful area is one of my favourites. I like the combination of traditional British architecture and the French vibe of the small brasseries around. I wanted to keep this mood inside the apartment. The apartment is located in the traditional Centre-London building, with high ceilings and wooden floors. So, we agreed to mix classics with a contemporary style to keep this truly London vibe but at the same time to add freshness.
The toughest hurdle for the team working with heritage buildings in London is always the process of alterations permission. We agreed that we would do a minimum of changes that need approval. Because our budget was limited, we had to determine the main design anchors to spend on. And so, we did. The glass doors with wooden frames were aimed to separate the space for two zones and to add more texture to the space.
I saw these beautiful scenic wallpapers that show the landscape of the French region Brittany and I immediately fell in love with them! The interior design concept was built around those wallpapers. They led us to the colour palette of this interior. Deep green and pale pink became the main ones. Being used for the furniture fabrics they create this fresh and airy space, it feels like being outside. In order to create a long-living interior I mixed a few iconic pieces of design from different times: chairs from Cassina and Vitra, very french-looking Artichoke lamps from Louis Poulsen, etc.
I moved to London from Ukraine last year because of the war. Starting from scratch in your 40th is not easy. New country, new audience, etc. SBID Awards gives me the opportunity to meet the British interior design society, show my work and make myself known.
It is the second time in a row my project became a finalist of the SBID Awards. It means that my professional experience is recognised by the British interior design society. And for my future clients it means that the standards of my work are high.
Questions answered by Victoria Moshchynska, Founder at Victoria Moshchynska Interior Design & Styling.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring an innovative and modern office design by YU SPACE DESIGN, click here to read it.
"Snidanishna" is a new story of Ukrainian cuisine in the centre of Kharkiv, which was opened in March 2024. The interior design of "Snidanishna" was realised by the team of the Ukrainian architectural bureau IK-architects.
Snidanishna is a story about the gastronomic, cultural, and ethnographic traditions of Ukraine in a modern interpretation. The project aims to popularise Ukrainian culture and enhance Ukrainian flavour in interior design. This is a unique space, which includes a café, bakery, and souvenir shops of local goods. By researching and analysing the traditions of multiple different regions of Ukraine, the IK-architects team found interesting solutions for an environmentally aware interior that cherishes traditions.
Snidanishna is an example of a combination of historical traditions and their modern use. The project is located in a picturesque area of the city of Kharkiv in the east of Ukraine — it is an example of stability, faith, and love for one's country.
"We followed the principles of traditional Ukrainian house design — with a central entrance, a meeting area and two large rooms-halls on both sides," says Kateryna Yarova, chief architect of IK-architects, who worked with the team on the interior of the facility.
The interior of “Snidanishna” is a collective image of Ukrainian culture, which treats heritage with care and respect, integrating traditions into modernity. Emphasis is placed on changing the functions of using traditional Ukrainian materials. That is how the shingle, the material of the roof, turned into an art object with an oblique cut, and the reed found a second life in the central panel measuring 2 x 1.5 metres. The design was followed by the principles of traditional Ukrainian house design — with a central entrance, a meeting area, and two large rooms-halls on both sides.
Ukrainian colour traditions, such as red and cool-toned green, are intertwined with the latest global colour trends in design. Ukrainian modern minimalism with ethnic elements: a combination of simple, linear forms with traditional Ukrainian colours, motifs, and patterns — our own national identity — we create a modern, high-quality, Ukrainian space in which you want to live and work.
The geography of the institution's interior items stretches from the East to the West of Ukraine. The reeds for the large panel were taken from Stryi, the tapestry with Zmiyevsky cliffs from the Kharkiv region, the dishes for serving dishes were hand-crafted in Opishnya, Poltava region, and the furniture was made by Ukrainian industrial designers.
“I am proud that more than 90% of our interior was made by Ukrainian craftsmen,” says Kateryna Yarova.
About IK-architects Good design is not visible, good architecture is imperceptible – it's just a comfortable state and space for the user; but this is a colossal effort and knowledge for the designer.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an innovative and modern office design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, YU SPACE DESIGN.
OCC Ode International was built as a key livelihood project in the city’s “14th Five Year Plan” and included in the 2022 Linyi Central Urban Infrastructure and Key Project Construction Plan. The project occupies the commercial powerhouse of the city, the Linyi CBD Central Business District, which is located at the core of the city government. It inherits the ingenuity of the choice, and achieves the accelerated rise of the capital market, injecting the potential for enterprise ambition.
SBID Awards Category: Office Design Over 2,000 SqM
Practice: YU SPACE DESIGN
Project: OCC Ode International Office Building
Location: Linyi, China
De-organisation combined with corporate culture and local cultural characteristics to create a brand new humanistic and social office public space, achieving a social platform with temperature, interaction, and cultural and artistic elements; Design requirements: hotel oriented coffee culture, green technology.
Due to the rising trend of the water and the combination of the local main river - the Yi River and the landforms on both sides of the river, the ancient name of Linyi was Langya and the literati temperament were used to create a book bar atmosphere.
Due to the complex spatial scale and staggered layers, it is difficult to construct materials that exceed the specified size; During the construction period, the domestic epidemic control in China made it difficult to operate many things.
The combination of colonnades and terraced staircases in the space with the library.
The establishment of the Awards Trust Mark Scheme aims to encourage more reward programs to focus on their own ethics and transparency. The plan reviews everything from standards, ratings, feedback, transparency, and judgment. The SBID International Design Award is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the field of interior design by the best in the industry, solely based on the design quality, innovation, aesthetics, and added value of the project.
It has enhanced the brand image of design enterprises, enhancing Stakeholder Confidence, stimulated internal morale, attracting Better Talents, and generate more social opportunities.
Questions answered by Jacky Chen, Design Director at YU SPACE DESIGN.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring an elegant and biomimetic apartment design by L'atelier Fantasia, click here to read it.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an elegant and biomimetic apartment design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, L'atelier Fantasia.
Practice: L'atelier Fantasia
Project: Luxe Bénin
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Located on the 15th floor, this residence offers a breathtaking urban vista. Drawing inspiration from the stunning panoramic view and a desire for luxurious living, the design seamlessly blends practicality with cultural artistry and opulence. Classical lines exude elegance, while modern design elements emphasise meticulous attention to detail and proportion. The incorporation of biomimetic elements and chic home decor creates a visually captivating narrative, seamlessly merging natural art pieces and light fixtures with a diverse range of materials.
Inspiration drawn from stunning vistas and a glamorous sense of living is coupled with a core design principle of pragmatism. A luxurious style sets the tone, harmonising extravagant elements with classical lines. Biomimetic design elements and exquisite home decorations create a visual link across the space, further accentuated by art filled with natural sensibility and lighting inspired by floral aesthetics. The harmony of materials is constructed, forming an elegant space imbued with texture. Amidst the vibrant tones and juxtaposition of different materials, an aesthetically pleasing artistic ambiance is crafted, giving rise to an elegant space rich in substance and beauty.
Fusing Functionality with Aesthetics: Integrating pragmatism with luxurious design, this approach creates a harmonious blend of utility and elegance without sacrificing functionality. Redefining the Living Room Focus: By de-emphasising the television, the design fosters family cohesion, creating a comfortable space that encourages social interaction. Creating a Fusion of Art and Space: Utilising natural artistic elements, the design infuses the room with an artistic aura, seamlessly blending art and luxury. The Challenge of Exquisite Craftsmanship: An artistic TV wall, inspired by landscape paintings and created through meticulous assembly, showcases magnificent craftsmanship through various advanced techniques. Design with Environmental and Health Consciousness: Incorporating pandemic prevention, the design features transitional spaces and large windows for natural light, enhancing both safety and energy efficiency. Providing Flexible and Multi-functional Spaces: The design offers open yet private spaces, including unique areas for relaxation, allowing inhabitants to enjoy diverse moods within the home, alleviating daily stress.
Stunning Urban Views: Situated on the 15th floor, the residence offers breathtaking vistas of the city, merging these inspirations with opulence and cultural artistry. Harmony of Practicality and Elegance: The design embodies a marriage of practicality and luxurious style, blending classical lines with modern design elements. Artistic Fusion: Utilising biomimetic elements and chic décor, the space seamlessly integrates natural art pieces, creating a rich and beautiful artistic ambiance. Innovative Living Room Concept: A visual centerpiece is formed by the art television wall, coupled with a curved sofa and floor-to-ceiling windows that introduce natural light, emphasising the landscape and artistic inspirations. Flexible and Tranquil Spaces: The layout preserves the independence of the private rooms while creating communal areas, including a unique tea and snack area that provides a serene escape and helps alleviate everyday stress. Elegant Bedrooms and Workspaces: Attention to detail and thoughtful design choices like sliding doors and elegant lighting lend an elegant touch to the bedrooms, along with accommodating work and relaxation needs. Art Nouveau Inspirations: Drawing from diverse aesthetics, the design crafts a luxurious space filled with vibrant colors and layered materials, providing an immersive living experience that aligns with the residents' refined lifestyles. Overall, the highlights of this project encompass thoughtful considerations of art, functionality, health consciousness, and the creation of an opulent living experience.
Participating in the SBID Awards provides a multifaceted opportunity to enhance global recognition, offers a renowned platform for a company to elevate its global reputation and brand image. Winning symbolises not only a testament to a company's design capabilities but an elevation of its brand image, backed by a stringent and comprehensive evaluation process. It opens avenues for international collaboration with top designers, and cultivates customer trust, affirming professional excellence.
The awards can boost team morale, encouraging teamwork, while offering the privileged chance to attend social events at the UK's House of Lords, an invaluable opportunity to broaden international connections. In essence, the SBID Awards are more than a competition; they're a gateway to international recognition, business growth, client engagement, and enhanced teamwork.
Being an Award Finalist in the SBID International Design Awards has elevated our international reputation and significantly enhanced our brand image. This recognition, marked by stringent evaluation and industry approval, has opened new doors for collaboration and commercial opportunities. It's not just an acknowledgment of our creative abilities but has also fostered client trust and team morale. Overall, this accolade symbolizes a pinnacle in our ongoing commitment to excellence, having a profound impact on our business and inspiring us to strive further.
Questions answered by Idan Chiang, Founder of L'atelier Fantasia.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a modern and neutral toned apartment design by A.RK Interior Design, click here to read it.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a modern and neutral toned apartment design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, A.RK Interior Design.
A.RK Interior Design was chosen to design the latest show apartment at the Wuhan TianDi YunTing, China for the Shanghai based Developer Shui On. The 4 bedroom apartment Is located on the 26 Floor of this high rise residential apartment offering panoramic views of the Yangtze River. The apartment features bespoke furniture throughout paired with contemporary artworks. It was a conscientious effort to design a space that exemplifies the living lifestyle of a modern family and to breakthrough the traditional sense of display. Intentional removing the sofa from the living room enhances its usage of space to its full capacity.
SBID Awards Category: Show Flats & Developments
Practice: A.RK Interior Design
Project: Wuhan TianDi
Location: Wuhan, China
To create a home requires an emotional connection and sense of belonging, and not tied down by physical things. To create a space that's flexible, open planned space with more opportunities to leave their bedrooms and put down their devices, so as to communicate and interact with each other; enhancing the use of space to its fullness in a more pragmatic way and not in the traditional sense of display.
To bring inspiration and motivation to all families especially parents, that a space can actively become the families’ core for love, education and ultimately growth.
We want to break away from the tradition of having a sofa in the living room; integrating the communal spaces in to a large room where members of the family can interact and be social. We envision these spaces to be part of bringing the family closer and not a space for entertaining.
We made the largest space in our home, relinquish to the most important people in the home which are the family members, not outside guests. Our living room did away with bulky sofas, coffee tables and TVs. For this we have provided an elevated platform where they are have more freedom.
The big dining table in the house that is never empty, the family would gather around that dining table together, eating, working, reading, and studying. It becomes a vital space for family bonding.
Reading has its many benefits and we specifically design this space so that the reader has many locations to read like on the platform next the full height windows overlooking the Yangtze river, on the bean bag or snuggle in a cosy chair in front of the fire. We hope to create this Library of books to open up the world for the children to explore.
SBID awards is a prestigious international platform where peers from the industry are evaluated by leading experts. SBID is also an internationally recognisable and revered leading accreditation body.
We are stoked to be part of the Award Finalist and to be on the same platform as the world's industry leaders is an honor. It further endorses our effort to be part of this elite group and to be recognised for our design excellence. It is an addition to our accolades of awards and has open many doors for further opportunities and is a great tool to provide confidence to our potential clients.
Questions answered by Agatha Teng, Founder and Creative Director of A.RK Interior Design.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a timeless and luxe family home design by EB Interiors, click here to read it.
This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a timeless and luxe family home design by 2023 SBID Awards Finalist, EB Interiors.
Tucked away in a tranquil bay in Sydney’s South, Jigsaw is a high end luxury family home achieved through the exploration of unique materiality and detail. The interior layout frames the surrounding landscape of the bay through extensive use of glazing allowing the interior to be customised creating a timeless experience.
SBID Awards Category: Residential House Over £1M
Practice: EB Interiors
Project: Jigsaw
Location: Sydney, Australia
Our client’s brief was to create a home that embodies a level of hotel luxury. Inspired by many of Sydney’s luxury hotels – the interior aesthetic needed to deliver uncompromising design that captures the essence of its bayside setting. This five level residence was created to home a family of 5, catered through the integration of custom design, luxury finishes, high end appliances and sanware; creating a house that is an entertainer's dream.
The inspiration for this project was drawn from hotel luxury as well as the tranquil bay which Jigsaw is situated in, which is evident through the exploration of materiality and detail. The colours, shapes and textures from the bay really inspired our design ethos and to create a palette that would be unique and charming. The interior layout frames the surrounding landscape of the bay through extensive use of glazing allowing the interior to be customised creating a timeless experience. The home surpasses any other family home through a crafted interior of fine quality bespoke joinery, furniture and custom panelling to walls and ceilings throughout.
This project was in construction during the pandemic period limiting the opportunity for designers and architects to visit site, minimal collaboration between team members and trades on site. We were unable to physically see some material samples as well as experiencing heavy shipment delays during the lockdown period. There was also a limit to trades available to work on site due to restrictions causing project delays. But we are so very lucky for the commitment of all team members being so flexible during this period allowing for no surprises post pandemic. Even if it wasn’t an ideal situation, it was worth the wait which has left us with such a beautiful end product and one that feels even more exceptional to have overcome these hurdles.
With this home being set across 5 levels we were able to create different environments for each zone. Whilst still keeping a flow of palette throughout. One level being underground, we were able to play with this space and have some fun with the use of mirrors and custom lighting to create a sense of reflection within a complete daylight free area. Our clients were very trusting and happy for us to push the boundaries of where to think outside the square with materiality. We ended up with wonderful spaces that envelop you and where all your senses are engaged.
We entered the SBID awards to hopefully expose EB Interiors to not only viewers from around the world but also to be selected amongst successful designers around the world to celebrate, appreciate and recognise the design excellence that Australia has to offer. Of which we feel very humbled to have been shortlisted!
For me it feels wonderful for my team to be recognised for their achievements and hard work. This has been great exposure for us as a business and for our clients to see that our work has been shortlisted on an international platform. It has given these particular clients a great boost for their own home as well.
Questions answered by Emma Buchan, Director of EB Interiors, and her team Holly Kennedy and Jade Corcoran, Senior Designers at EB Interiors.
If you missed the last instalment of Project of the Week, featuring a luxurious and contemporary kitchen design by Chris Fell Design, click here to read it.
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