21st June 2024 | IN EXPERT INSIGHT | BY SBID ShareTweetPinterestLinkedIn 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. Noviun Architects Miruna Clarke-Zait, Senior Architect & Interior Designer at Noviun Architects Why did you want to work in the interior design profession? 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. Noviun Architects Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most? 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. What has been your most memorable career highlight from the past year? 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). Noviun Architects What are your favourite types of projects to work on and why? 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. Noviun Architects What are the most challenging aspects of working in interior design? 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. What do you wish you knew before working in the field? 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. Noviun Architects If you could give one tip to aspiring designers, what would it be? 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. How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead? 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. Noviun Architects Miruna Clarke-Zait, Senior Architect & Interior Designer at Noviun Architects What does being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer mean to you? 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. Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.