Inex April 2020

ISSUE

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I N E X ISSUE

80 APRIL 2020

Cover: Discover AD ARCHITECTURE’s ultracontemporary boutique retail design for Chinese high-end fashion brand, TRONGYEE. See page 06.

Editorial: Rebecca Kemp rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Digital Advertising: Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Jim Moore jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Print Design Manager: Jack Witcomb jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

This month, I’m starting all Cross Platform Media titles with the same message. I want to open these issues by wishing you all well. I do hope the consequences of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have not struck too hard; whether they be health-related or, indeed, financial. Of course, it’s too early to evaluate the extent of COVID-19’s impact across the globe; however, it’s clear to see there has been a considerable sea change in the way we operate in our day-to-day lives. And with many of us sheltering inside with limited access to the great outdoors, biophilic design has never been more critical for interior designers.

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WELCOME TO

With many designers adopting working-from-home processes – much like the majority of the nation – the impact confinement has on our mental health and wellbeing will undoubtedly be palpable within the coming weeks. As a result, we will all be looking to introduce a sense of nature into our indoor environments to boost spirits via biophilic design strategies. Looking expectantly beyond COVID-19, there will unquestionably be a greater appreciation for outdoor spaces, quickly followed by the fusion of elements from natural habitats within indoor areas – whether they be residential or commercial. One such method – available to everyone, regardless of profession – is colour, as mentioned

by Kathryn Lloyd, Colour Specialist at Crown Paints, in this month’s issue. We’ve talked to Kathryn about colour psychology, biophilia and looking beyond off-whites and greys for today’s homes. Turn to page 33 to read her advice on specifying colour for both period properties and new-build show homes and learn more about the link between colour and wellbeing.

Moreover, as many of you are out of the office, and spending time researching, we’ve interviewed not one but two designers this month. Firstly, we talk to Simon Goff, Founder of East London-based rug dealer FLOOR_STORY, about the tale behind his trademark, and find out more about the high-profile designers he has collaborated with. Turn to page 22 to read more. Meanwhile, our regular Insight feature stars dynamic duo Justin Melican and Laura Kiely, Co-Founders of Bloomsbury-based Block 1: Design. Find out about their careers as interior designers by turning to page 39.

Rebecca

Rebecca Kemp rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Download the INEX app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search 'Inex-online'.

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Terms and Conditions:

Digital Design Manager: Matt Morse matt@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Production Assistant: Philip Coyle philip@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Accounts: Jackie Dearman jackie@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Publisher: Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photography or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor’s hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literacy, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media. The publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearence or non publication of any advertisement.

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Publisher: Cross Platform Media Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ Tel: 01622 232 725

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C O N T E N T S

CONTENTS APRIL 2020

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EXPOSE

BATHROOMS

Discover AD ARCHITECTURE’s minimal yet striking ultra-contemporary boutique retail design for Chinese high-end fashion brand, TRONGYEE.

Infrared (IR) is changing the way interior designers specify sanitaryware and bathroom accessories. In this article, we find out how IR is innovating in toilets across the globe.

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CARPETS & RUGS

PAINTS & WALLPAPER

FLOOR_STORY isn’t your regular flooring supplier.

Intrigued by the brand, Inex caught up with Founder Simon Goff to learn more about ‘East London’s friendliest rug dealer’.

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This month, we’ve talked to Kathryn Lloyd, Colour Specialist at Crown Paints, about the importance and psychological influences of colour within residential schemes.

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INSIGHT

INSPIRE

Justin Melican and Laura Kiely, Co-Founders of Bloomsburybased studio Block1: Design, star in this month’s Insight feature.

Here, we learn more about the duo’s professional careers within the interiors industry.

In this article, Stantec UK’s Interiors Lead, Velimira Drummer, takes Inex on a descriptive tour of the firm’s design for the Oxford-based offices of roboticassisted surgical equipment company, Intuitive Surgical (ISI).

57 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Inex rounds up the latest innovative products and solutions entering the interior marketplace.

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HIGH-FASHION LOOK FOR HIGH-FASHION BRAND Here, Inex takes you on a guided tour of AD ARCHITECTURE’s recently reimagined sleek design for a Chinese-based boutique store for designer clothing brand, TRONGYEE.

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he interior design was approached based on the concept of one word, ‘Deriving’ – indicating TRONGYEE’s evolution and developing something new from the matrix.

The brief

TRONGYEE, a brand that established in 1999, entrusted AD ARCHITECTURE to reshape its 90m2 store, situated in a bustling commercial block in downtown Shantou. The brand planned for the new and improved store to house exclusive designer-branded garments in a bid to reactivate its brand identity and bring new vitality to the city’s commercial field.

Working with the space, AD ARCHITECTURE applied a design method which heavily focused on art installations to approach the project, injected by artistic quality and modern aesthetics.

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KEY: PROJECT NAME: TRONGYEE Boutique DESIGN FIRM: AD ARCHITECTURE CHIEF DESIGNER: Xie Peihe DESIGN TEAM: AD ARCHITECTURE PROJECT LOCATION: Shantou, Guangdong, China AREA: 90m2 MAIN MATERIALS: Microcement, paint, metal and glass START TIME: October 2019 COMPLETION TIME: December 2019 PHOTOS: Ouyang Yun

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First impressions

Directly presenting the brand’s image, the storefront was an essential element for TRONGYEE that required careful consideration.

To enhance the brand’s image and inject a touch of modernity to the front, the designers at AD ARCHITECTURE opted for a neat facade accompanied by lowintensity lighting to directly guide the sightline into the indoor space.

The ultra-clear glass also exposes the interior, which provides a break between the surrounding noisy ambience of the street.

Contemporary interiors

Moving inside, visitors will recognise the designers’ use of a more ‘flat’, one-dimensional design theme, in line with current trends.

To enhance this scheme, the floor, walls and ceiling have been fabricated from the same material to alleviate any three-dimensional sense of space.

PROJECT INFORMATION: PROJECT NAME: TRONGYEE Boutique

DESIGN FIRM: AD ARCHITECTURE

CHIEF DESIGNER: Xie Peihe DESIGN TEAM: AD ARCHITECTURE

PROJECT LOCATION: Shantou, Guangdong, China

AREA: 90m2 MAIN MATERIALS:

Microcement, paint, metal and glass

START TIME: October 2019 COMPLETION TIME: December 2019

PHOTOS: Ouyang Yun

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Shapes and textures

Geometric shapes and curves are interwoven throughout the store, which enriches the form of the space and creates quirky visual illusions for visitors. The store widely utilises regular square blocks, which are complemented by the vaults on the ceiling and arched door openings. Those arched structures break the calmness of the space and add a vivid character to the store.

Moving upstairs, the mezzanine is a mere 2.2m-high, so to enhance its appearance and play further upon visual illusions, the AD ARCHITECTURE team clad its ceiling with a reflective material.

This substrate features ripple-like patterns, which eliminates any feeling of oppression and blurs the boundary of the space.

Making a statement

The overall space is dominated by a grey hue rendered by an industrialstyle cement and highlighted with a vivid red shade. The two hues form a strong, statement-making contrast and present an impressive brand image for TRONGYEE’s brand-new boutique.

AD ARCHITECTURE’s TRONGYEE boutique project is a true exploration of sustainable value for the future of urban commercial spaces. The practice conceived the design concept by considering commercial value as a priority; which has led to a design that has derived from the core of TRONGYEE.

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INFRARED AT THE HEART OF WASHROOM DESIGN AND USER BEHAVIOUR

Innovation in the specification and design of water management in both domestic bathroom and commercial washroom applications continues to be driven by the increasing use of practical, proven and reliable infrared technology solutions. Here, Kevin Belben, Applications Manager at Cistermiser Keraflo, explores the options.

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nfrared (IR) technology touches all of our lives on a daily basis when we pick up a TV control unit or turn on a heater. In more specialist applications, IR is at the core of thermal imaging and night vision cameras for the military and police; it’s found in hospitals across the UK and even plays a role in art conservation. When it comes

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to specifying, refurbishing and designing bathrooms and washrooms in the residential and commercial arenas, occupancysensing product developments incorporating IR, have resulted in intelligent water management systems that deliver more energy and water resource saving, increased hygiene, convenience and end-user experience.

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Urinal control evolution in commercial washrooms

Arguably, the industry standard for cistern-fed urinal applications is the ingenious hydraulic valve, first patented and launched by Cistermiser over 40 years ago.

An automatic, purely mechanical method of supplying water to a urinal, the hydraulic valve, normally in the closed position, uses a simple mechanism that presents waste by ensuring an auto-flush cistern is only filled, and can only flush, when the washroom is used. Thanks to the fact it doesn’t require any power supply, more than 500,000 units have been installed in the UK. But infrared controlled, rather than hydraulic, valves are also popular for commercial washrooms due to their water efficiency. Products like the IRC, which automatically manage supply to the urinal cistern, activated when the PIR sensor detects movement and triggers the solenoid valve, can reduce water consumption by a staggering 80%.

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Alternatively, infrared sensorcontrolled ‘direct flush’ mains-fed urinal valves are also available.

These automatically flush individual urinals after use, thus ensuring the highest levels of hygiene from the minimum volume of water. ‘discreet’ sensor and ‘accessible’ sensor plate with solenoid valve configurations can be specified, depending on the desired aesthetic effect.

Total washroom control

If you’re designing larger commercial washrooms, innovative total washroom control systems, such as Sensazone, are also available.

An effective way to conserve both water and energy, occupancy is monitored by IR sensors, so when someone enters the washroom, all services controlled by Sensazone can be activated, including hot and cold water supplies, lighting and ventilation extractor fans.

IR also plays a role in controlling individual elements within a washroom, like the basin taps themselves, helping to reduce water and energy use and eliminate the potential for taps to be left running due to either malicious or accidental

reasons. For obvious reasons, we’re also seeing significant demand for deck-mounted IR taps providing hygienic, hands-free operation, which are typically supplied with either 3.5 or 5 litres per minute flow rate nozzle options.

Consigning the toilet flush handle to history

Over recent years, IR has started to consign the traditional toilet flush handles to history in commercial and even domestic settings, thanks to its ability to offer hygienic, water-saving solutions. A range of infrared sensor-activated WC flushing valves for both new bathrooms and retrofit projects can be specified. With options for both cistern-fed and also mainsfed (cistern-free) systems for commercial applications, solutions are programmable in a variety of ways, giving full control over the volume of water used, and whether the toilet flush is activated by ‘touchless’ operation, with a wave of the hand, or ‘occupancy sensing’, simply by standing up and walking away. The precise positioning of IR sensors should 1 9

be carefully considered during installation, to optimise either ‘wave’ or ‘walkaway’ no-touch toilet activation.

For larger commercial washrooms, especially those with high traffic that require a fast turnaround, ‘direct’ infrared toilet flushing systems remove the need for a traditional WC cistern, taking water feed direct from the mains supply and allowing for a second flushes without any tedious delays.

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Sociological changes

Bathroom and washroom design will continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our society and IR is certainly entrenched in the heart of ongoing product development.

We are currently seeing a rise in the popularity of ‘gender-neutral’ washrooms across schools, coffee shops and theatres, but we shouldn’t forget that the urinal array in a traditional ‘Gents’ is there for a reason. It offers a fast and effective way to process high volume traffic in male washrooms, and with the use of IR, is also able to offer significant water conservation and hygiene benefits. We’ve all encountered bottle-necks during theatre or concert intervals, when suddenly, and within a short space of time, large numbers of people need to use the facilities. If urinals or gender-specific washrooms are completely overlooked in future building designs or facilities planning, imagine how much worse the already muchmaligned, traditional ‘queue for the ladies’ will be?

Sociological factors are also impacting on domestic bathroom design. The housing shortage has led to a rise in multi-generational households. Not only do WCs need to be appropriate for toddlers and young children, but they are also increasingly being called on to be suitable for an ageing population, possibly living with dementia and requiring help when using the toilet. With ‘touchless’ or ‘occupancy sensing’ activation options, this is where IR really comes into its own.

IR-driven solutions will no doubt continue to shape the washrooms of the future, and with clever and generally unobtrusive product design, will deliver more efficient water usage with lower energy consumption, minimise health risks and most importantly, be truly fit for purpose. cistermiser.co.uk

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R IVER L I N E A perfect choice for almost every location!

12 Hay Hill, Mayfair, London, W1J 8NR, United Kingdom

T 0162 253 4041 E info@itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com W www.itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com

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MEET THE MASTERMIND BEHIND ‘EAST LONDON’S FRIENDLIEST RUG DEALER’

Quirky, colourful and undoubtedly unique, UK-based company FLOOR_STORY collaborates with some of the design industry’s most avant-garde, established designers, which have resulted in recent collections with renowned names such as Dame Zandra Rhodes and Camille Walala. This month, Inex sits down with the boss behind the brand – the self-proclaimed friendliest rug dealer in the streets of East London, Simon Goff.

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SIMON GOFF IS THE FOUNDER OF FLOOR_STORY

Please tell us a bit about your background.

It’s been a mixed journey with experience in the music industry, travel and interior design, but they have all contributed to where I am now. I think that the creative and explorative energy I had in my early days became more focused when I started working with my father at his flooring business. We opened a retail store in Chelsea’s Duke of York Square and a few years later, we launched the first carpet and rug store in Heal’s London store.

What inspired the start up of FLOOR_STORY?

During this time, I became enthralled with rugs and wanted to make them more accessible, so that good modern design became an experience open to all. Through the next few years, I gathered an intimate understanding of rug production – including a formidable address book of the world’s best makers – and some seven years after joining the family business, I decided to launch FLOOR_STORY. Working with upcoming designers, I then was able to include some stand-out collaborations that merged both the makers and designers into what has become the FLOOR_STORY collection.

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Who has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your career?

My partner Emma, who owns and runs her own design agency, *trifle creative. She has bundles of energy, is knowledgeable, super creative and the person I always turn to when I need advice guidance and inspiration. Emma has also been responsible for pointing me in the direction of more than one of our collaborations, she’s got a very good eye.

How do you approach new design collaborations?

There is no real formula; it depends on what we already are working on, what we feel we are missing; our mood even. The bottom line is it just has to stand out.

Is there anyone in the interiors realm you’d like to collaborate with?

Oh, that is a tough one! We are very lucky to have worked with I N E X

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many of our design heroes in terms of collabs or their own personal/commercial projects but let’s chuck it out there and see what manifests.

STORY have been recognised by our own industry, and we have won four awards. I am proud of the team and the designers that made this happen.

Would you say that FLOOR_STORY has a design style?

What has been your most notable project?

Colour – we love colour! It’s the boldness and construction that gives it the talk-about factor.

Letting a rug define a space is a pretty powerful element for any interior, so providing a range that is lively, colourful and sometimes quirky, gives the versatility that modern and contemporary homeowners are looking for.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

I am proud of everything we do here at FLOOR_STORY; even the mess-ups – every day is a school day, hey? We have a great team who work really well together. I suppose the last six months have been really good as FLOOR_ 2 8

Again, a tough one to answer.

We have quite a few high-profile clients, so many projects we cannot talk about. Still, last year we worked on a project to design, manufacture and deliver 500 rugs for a project in the luxury student accommodation sector – who knew that even existed!

Can you talk us through one of your most recent collaborations?

We are working with Child Studio at the moment. They are great to work with and have a very clear idea of what they want. The rugs are bold and very, very technical.

They are quite different from what we have done before, and we can’t wait to release these at LDF 2020.

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I suppose the very nature of what we produce here at FLOOR_STORY is bright, bold rugs, so our clients tend to come to us with colour in mind.

How do colour trends influence the collections?

As arrogant as it sounds, we try not to follow trends. The designers we collaborate with tend to have their own unique style anyway.

What advice would you offer to those that are considering a career within the design sector?

Try and get job experience. That vital handson interaction is something you cannot learn in a college or university. Get absorbed in the design events around the globe, such as the LDF and Clerkenwell Design Week.

All are relevant whether you are a newbie or established in the industry. Once you are in the sector, you will soon realise that

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Have you witnessed any recurring requests from your clients?

there is no average day – interior design is such a fluid and exciting industry where trends are constantly emerging and developing.

What trends can we expect to see from the rug industry this year?

I am not sure what trends the rug industry as a whole will be producing. We just get our heads down and concentrate on doing our own thing. If I had to pick one though it would be sustainability – real sustainability. We are looking and keeping an eye on a few things at the moment, but there is no point making a recyclable rug if it can’t actually be recycled very easily?

What can we expect to see from you over the next year?

Collaborations with Adam Nathaniel Furman and Child Studio – plus some amazing new rugs from our in-house team, launching at LDF in September. floorstory.co.uk

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Nevez Designed by Lyndon

Lyndon 342 Swindon Rd Cheltenham GL51 9JZ +44 (0) 1242 584897

Boss Design Boss Drive Dudley West Midlands DY2 8SZ +44 (0) 1384 455570

sales@lyndon.co.uk lyndon.co.uk

sales@bossdesign.com bossdesign.com

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London Showroom 7 Clerkenwell Rd London EC1M 5PA +44 (0) 20 7253 0364

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BEYOND THE TRENDS

It’s no secret that colour plays a key role in making a house a home, which is why interior designers remain so in-demand for adding the finishing touches to a variety of residential schemes and developments.

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INTERIOR COLOUR FOR RESIDENTIAL SCHEMES:

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KATHRYN LLOYD IS A COLOUR SPECIALIST AT CROWN PAINTS

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ecause residential developments can vary greatly in style and requirements, interior designers have plenty to take into account when it comes to specifying colour schemes – with the size, location and age of the property all important considerations in the final design. So whether it’s bringing a show home to life or transforming a unique period property, the chosen colour scheme can make all the difference.

On a practical level, it’s known that dark shades make a space seem smaller while light, cool colours make a space appear bigger. This is a key consideration depending on the type of property, whether it’s a show home which features the smaller-sized rooms often associated with new builds or a spacious period property. But there are so many other factors to consider when specifying interior colours, which can have a huge impact on the end result.

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In this article, Kathryn Lloyd, Colour Specialist at Crown Paints, explains how interior designers can balance the desire for ontrend shades with other essential factors in creating a home which is as practical as it is stylish.

Going bold

While grey hues may still be a popular colour choice for many homeowners, it’s important to also consider palettes beyond this when specifying colour schemes for residential projects.

For show homes, in particular, embracing new and bolder colour schemes – as opposed to the new-build sector’s standard shades of off-white – can be an ideal way to inspire prospective homebuyers. Show homes offer an ideal opportunity to showcase colour palettes beyond classic neutral shades, without the hurdles that may be faced with older properties such as those which are listed and, therefore, require careful consideration and approval.

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Style with substance

Many paint brands, like Crown Paints, invest heavily in developing new colour trends each year, using their expertise to take into consideration a number of factors – from wide appeal to the feeling particular shades can evoke.

For example, key trends for spring/summer 2020 include ‘Direct’, which focuses on bright colours being used in an expressionistic way, the optimistic and forwardthinking shades of ‘Rethink’ and ‘Connect’, which has been inspired by the joy of outdoors and its link to wellbeing.

Trends like these are fluid, with different colours and shades all sitting within each palette so that there’s plenty of scope to add individual personality and style, whether that’s at the request of a client or when given full creative autonomy. Because of this, there’s the option to take as much or as little inspiration from trends as desired.

And additions such as lighting, furnishings, materials and finishes all contribute to the overall ambience of a space – meaning colour plays a vital role alongside other elements of a home in order to create the ideal space.

The psychology of colour

Many factors affect how we experience colour, and this is something which is being continuously researched in order for professionals to gain a deeper understanding of colour psychology.

Interpretations and experiences of colour are entirely individual and based on factors like culture, language and memories, all of which can impact the effect colour has on behaviour. This can also vary according to the hue, saturation and lightness of a colour.

For example, a lightened shade of red becomes pink – a room which is painted pink will have a different effect than one which is painted maroon – and a navy blue room won’t evoke the same feeling as one which is sky blue.

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As a general rule, muted shades are seen as calmer, while vibrant colours are more energetic, and this can have an effect both mentally and physically. It has been shown that bland, ill-thought-out colour schemes can result in people being under-stimulated which can lead to restlessness. An overly busy scheme can cause irritability and over-stimulation can lead to increased muscle tension; showing the importance of choosing the right colour for homes and more specifically, different rooms within the home.

To help prevent over-stimulation, bold colours can be used alongside more muted accessories and furnishings. Try using bold shades in more minimalistic ways, such as for a feature wall which highlights a key characteristic of the room, such as a fireplace.

Bolder colours can also be used to delineate the different ‘zones’ of an open-plan house, which is an interesting way to add colour without it being too overbearing.

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The importance of interpretations

As well as the psychological responses to colour, interpretations can be deeply ingrained both culturally and individually. For example, colours associated with sports teams can have a huge influence on interior choices, as can symbolism – with many colours being linked to the world around us.

Green, in particular, has become a popular interior colour recently, with its instant association with nature and sustainability; which has led to many paint brands naming green tones after various plants and herbs. And with the wellknown link between nature and wellbeing, it’s certainly a colour to consider in the interior design of residential schemes.

Yellow is also linked with the surrounding environment and nature – namely the sun – and is, therefore, often seen to represent light and happiness. While it tends to be thought of as a bold choice in interior design, it makes an ideal accent colour for a modern finish, particularly when combined with dark grey, and mustard-like shades can complement period properties in particular.

Other colours have strong associations too, with red often representing passion, purple associated with luxury and royalty, white being linked with purity and cleanliness, and blue representing tranquillity, for example – and these should also be taken into account when specifying colour schemes for residential properties. crownpaintspec.co.uk

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From Ocean Pollution to Noise Solution UK based acoustic solutions manufacturer Soundtect® began 10 years ago when their engineering team launched a pioneering process to recycle the carpets they manufacture for exhibitions into acoustic panels as a third generation product.

Soundtect® has grown into a Worldwide supplier of acoustic solutions with a wide range of products for walls and ceilings which not only reduces noise, but adds positive design features to any indoor space.

Soundtect® Ranges include; 3D Panels, CLASS Ceiling Baffles, CLASS Rafts and Freestyle, a semi-rigid felt used for wall applications, hanging partitions, ceiling rafts... in fact just about anything!

0203 040 2939 Showroom: 3, Albemarle Way, London EC1V 4JB

enquiries@soundtect.com

www.soundtect.com

R E D E F I N I N G C O N T R A C T I N T E R I O R S S T Y L E L I B R A R Y C O N T R A C T. C O M

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Meet the designers: BLOCK1: DESIGN Following the reveal of their most recent design for Borough Market’s newest restaurant, Stoney Street by 26 Grains, Inex caught up with Block 1: Design’s dynamic duo, Justin Melican and Laura Kiely. Here, the pair give us an insight into their professional backgrounds and talk through some of the Bloomsbury-based studio’s most innovative projects.

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Can you please provide us with a description of your professional career?

JM: Block1: Design grew

out of a passion shared by us for concept-led design.

Successful design is about attention to detail and collaboration. This is the ethos of Block1: Design. We are involved in each project from concept to completion, regardless of scale, and believe that working closely with our clients gives us the ability to create individual spaces that work for them.

We have experience of working within the European, Asian and Russian markets on large-scale projects for international brands. Block1: Design has studios in both London and Dublin.

LK: Our professional career

is centred around commercial interior design, with a current focus on hospitality. We work a lot with independent operators and in particular clients who are taking the leap and opening their first permanent site. It is hugely satisfying and creative working with these clients as we are building their home and brand identity in the built environment.

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What inspired you both to become interior designers?

JM: I always had a passion for it. I used to move two or three times a year as I got bored with the space I was in. I used to redecorate all the time and had a passion for collecting antiques – I think it was just a natural progression.

LK:

I have always loved three-dimensional spaces and forms. At university, I studied sculpture and enjoyed designing and making objects and furniture.

After university, I went on to study interior design as it focused on the elements of 3D design that I was most interested in.

What has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your career?

LK: I take inspiration from

the environment around me, mainly. The city is full of wonderful forms and textures, and I try to apply these to our designs. We also take inspiration and context from the site itself. For example, if we are designing within a Modernist ‘60s block, we will be sympathetic to the style of the building and incorporate Modernist elements into our design.

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How do you approach your projects?

JM: By listening to

the client, looking at the architecture of the space and where the place sits with regard to its surrounding. This guarantees you do not create a themed restaurant that sits uncomfortably within its surroundings.

Who is your favourite designer?

JM: I would say Carlo

Scarpa would be my favourite designer – what he did years ago is now coming back around. He was a master in what he created.

LK: I don’t have any

favourite as per say. I love Le Corbusier and the clean lines of Modernism.

Would you say you have a design style?

JM: Not at all. We look at

“It is important to stay ahead of trends and not fall into what is happening all around” – JUSTIN MELICAN Block1: Design Co-Founder

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each project differently and make a point not to make any space the same. I think if you lock yourself into one style, then that will date and you will not be current and lose work. It is important to stay ahead of trends and not fall into what is happening all around. We pride ourselves on creating spaces that will not date and will be around for the long haul.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge for today’s interior designers?

JM: Staying relevant and

ahead of trends as well as remaining individual. Also, the perceived value of our services – clients often underestimate the amount of work that goes into each project.

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What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

JM: Every job we

deliver is our biggest accomplishment. We are proud of our originality, so every design is like a new baby to us. From its very beginning to months later, seeing something that came from our headspace into a solid space is a mind-blowing experience.

What has been your most notable project?

JM: I think Gunpowder

in the newly developed One Tower Bridge was something we are most proud of. We put a lot of work into creating a modern take on an Indian restaurant without making it look like a chain or a gimmick. I think the final design delivered a very unique space which has gone on to be a very successful restaurant.

Can you talk us through your most recent design?

JM: We just completed a

lovely, warm restaurant in Borough Market. We had already worked with the client years ago for their first offering, 26 Grains, in Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden.

We were approached again for their second site, which was to be a full day offering (from breakfast to dinner), so the brief was different. We were asked to create a warm and inviting space; this meant knocking two units together in Stoney Street. The result was very successful, and the space looks amazing – the use of warm wood colours, marble and zinc worked beautifully together. The result was a very satisfied client!

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What advice would you offer to those that are considering a career in interior design?

JM: Get as much knowledge

as possible before you start your study. I think a lot of people think design is painting walls and throwing a few cushions about.

However, this is decoration or styling – not interior design.

Good interior designers undertake elements of architecture. We draw fully detailed packs for all our clients, which could be up to 80 pages and include plans, elevations, details, electrical layouts, ceiling plans, lighting layouts, shopfront or exterior design, signage design, full planning packs of drawings and applications – plus, all the details required to build the interior space and furniture.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge for newly-qualified interior designers?

JM: To get experience within the industry. It’s quite challenging to get your first paying job fresh out of university, so sometimes you have to intern with little, or no, money. The other issue we have faced with new designers is the lack of knowledge of the history of design, material knowledge and technical skills.

Do you have any favourite suppliers for your interior schemes?

JM: We work a lot with

Solus Ceramics for our tiles.

They seem to be able to get anything we require.

Also, we have used cheaper options in their tile range to make our very own bespoke patterns. block1design.com 4 8

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AN INTUITIVE APPROACH TO CORPORATE INDIVIDUALITY Based in Sunnyvale, California, the epicentre of technological innovation, Intuitive Surgical (ISI) is a global leader in robotic-assisted surgical equipment to enable less invasive surgical procedures. Since the launch of the company’s da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical system in 1995, Intuitive has been a pioneer in minimally invasive surgical platforms and future diagnostic tools. Here, Stantec UK’s Interiors Lead, Velimira Drummer, talks us through the design of its Oxford premises.

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he success of Intuitive’s technology and its ambitions for future innovations have led to rapid growth in its global network of offices and training/demo facilities. Each of these needs to provide a comfortable and productive workplace for employees, alongside a user-oriented training and demo suite for visitors.

The challenge for Stantec – the UK architect tasked with designing Intuitive’s new base in Oxford – was to replicate the corporate brand and office/training centre template while delivering a facility that reflects UK working practices and workplace cultures, along with the character of the existing office building.

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Creating cohesion

The new Intuitive facility in Oxford comprises a 680m2 floorplate within an existing contemporary office building at the prestigious Oxford Science Park. The space needed to provide a training/demo area for five pieces of robotic equipment, along with an office area containing open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms and a front of house area.

Intuitive was keen to ensure the work environment reflects the 5 2

corporate brand while leveraging the unique character of the location.

Fanny Kosynsky from Intuitive explains: “As we expand in Europe, we want to ensure that there is a sense of cohesion across all our locations that gives our global teams a sense of pride in the brand and a feeling of being part of a bigger picture.

“It’s also important that the work environment is representative of local working practices and

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cultures, however, and replicates a cohesive team space in each location. In Oxford, therefore, more formal brand and practical requirements needed to be balanced with opportunities for social interaction and collaborative working.”

Collaborative process

The design process was collaborative from the outset and Stantec UK’s Interiors Lead, Velimira Drummer, worked closely with the team from Intuitive’s European HQ in Switzerland, and the management team in

Oxford, to understand both the practical requirements and the location-specific preferences for the interior design.

Velimira explains: “We had standardised templates from the US guidelines for the sizes of the workstations and rooms only.

Based on that, we developed a very practical layout, with the front of house area leading to a central circulation space. For the space planning, I was inspired by the Chinese yin/yang principle of dualism, recognising the dual functions of the same facility; with office spaces to one side 5 3

and the training/demo suite area on the other. An open waiting area and a large conference room form a pivot point in the centre.

This delivers a very ‘intuitive’ approach to directing visitors straight to the training and demo suite or the conference room without having to pass through the offices. This layout draws on a synergy of interior space requirements recognisable in any Intuitive Surgical location. Still, its organisation and interconnected circular flow of spaces are innovative and unique to the Oxford facility.

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“We could see an opportunity to utilise the space between the offices and training suite as much more than a thoroughfare by creating a heart space that both articulates the collaborative nature of the company and brings together the colour palette, materiality and branding used across the interior scheme.”

A further collaboration area is located in the open-plan office, which is visible from the central heart space thanks to its dropped ceiling feature. It consists of an informal kitchen and a social table with bistro-style seating, enhanced with timber accents to soften the grey, blue and white colour palette. This provides a space for collaboration and I N E X

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hot-desking. Feature lighting completes the impression of stepping outside of the normal work environment, without leaving the office.

Brand presence

The front of house area provides an opportunity to set the tone for the whole interior and establish a clear brand presence. In addition to the branded reception desk, in corporate blue and white, this waiting area features a central branding wall, which immediately catches the eye, and A/V displays that showcase the company’s products and vision. The futuristic shape of the front desk and blue feature lighting are balanced by soft grey from the corporate 5 4

palette in the sofa and the carpet.

The branding continues throughout the facility with digital screens and artwork showing Intuitive’s products in use. This also creates carefully placed focal points to help navigate through the facility, complementing a range of wayfinding cues, including dropped ceilings and feature lighting, which clearly differentiate different work, visitor and social locations.

“Permeability and the creation of a procession of spaces is the key aspect of the space planning,” Velimira continues. “Simplicity and artwork have been brought together on a neutral palette of materials and colours on the floors and walls, and glazed partitions

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provide a feeling of openness and a visual connection between formal, informal and visitor spaces.

“The result is an elegant environment that answers Intuitive’s vision for the corporate workplace and articulates effective collaboration amongst colleagues and between the company and medical practitioners.”

Making connections

The interior design requirements for the demo and training areas were quite specific due to the operational needs of the equipment. Still, in the office areas, there was more scope to tailor the environment to the preferences of the local team.

Fanny continues: “There is no mention of biophilia within the US guidelines, but our aim in Europe is to find locations on science parks, and it makes sense to bring a feeling of the natural world into the office environment. Stantec’s design maximised natural light and connection to the outdoors, using timber and carpet motifs inspired by nature, and creating a feeling of openness that ensures both staff and visitors can see the people and the technology behind our success throughout the office.”

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continues this theme of visibility and connection between the different areas of the office and the open aspect to the outdoors.

Velimira adds: “The finished Oxford office is a European interpretation of Intuitive’s US corporate interior. It combines familiar elements with a holistic approach to enabling individuals to work and interact in a way that suits them.

We are now working on the design for Intuitive’s Bordeaux office, which will evolve the design again, based on the same principles of tailoring an established corporate design to the uniqueness of the location.” stantec.com/uk I N E X

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Product Spotlight This month’s selection of innovative new products not to be missed.

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MAKING SOUND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE With the construction industry using an estimated 36% of worldwide energy and creating 40% of CO2 emissions (source:iea.org), it’s easy to see why environmental awareness keeps dominating the top of the building agenda. This is why so many organisations are involved with sustainable solutions.

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rom FSC (1993) to LEED (1993), BREEAM (1998), Cradle to Cradle (2012), DGNB (2007) and more recently WELL (2013), countries and manufacturers are striving to make a difference.

One company that has embraced these standards together with a first-class CSR policy is the Danish wood-wool acoustic product manufacturer Troldtekt. Troldtekt acoustic solutions contribute positively to the certification of buildings. Its panels are 100% natural consisting of cement and wood. These can also be supplied in the ‘FSC 100%’ (FSC C115450) category, which means that all the wood in each panel meets the requirements for responsible forestry management.

Troldtekt is also Cradle to Cradle certified (to ‘Silver’ level) and contributes to all the certifications, especially LEED, BREEAM, WELL and DGNB. Working with Ramboll, the company is also able to provide documentation for its acoustic solutions which are designed to help consultants assess Troldtekt’s specific contribution to these four schemes.

Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of 100% Troldtekt natural wood-wool panels include

high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low-cost life cycle performance and sustainability. Available in various sizes and in four grades from extreme to coarse, the panels can be left untreated or painted in virtually any RAL colour. Samples, case studies and technical information are easily sourced from the website. troldtekt.co.uk 01978 664255 info@troldtekt.co.uk

SAFETY FIRST WITH AMTICO FLOORING Amtico has expanded its Signature 36+ collection of premium and safety luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring to suit a variety of commercial applications, including healthcare environments. The flooring’s toughened 1mm upper wear layer provides all the resilience and long-lasting properties that Amtico’s Signature collection is known for, while offering enhanced slip resistance for the lifetime of the product. Signature 36+ comprises 24 woods, nine stones and three abstracts to help architects, designers and specifiers create spaces that promote wellbeing and meet safety guidelines.

Signature 36+ also contains an active ingredient which has been shown, under blind independent lab tests, to resist the growth of bacteria such as MRSA and E.coli throughout the useable lifetime of the floor.

NATURAL OIL WOODSTAIN Osmo has the solution for all exterior wood surfaces!

• Natural wood grain remains visible • Fast drying, two coats in one day • Finish doesn’t crack or peel • Very water, dirt, weather and UV resistant • Reduces wood swelling and shrinkage • Resistance against algae, mould, mildew and fungal attack • No sanding necessary for future applications

amtico.com/commercial 0121 745 0800 info@amtico.com

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ITC NATURAL LUXURY FLOORING

When quality, style and colour come together

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iverline (as illustrated) – an eco-friendly carpet – is a fine example of craftsmanship by achieving a highdefinition, textured cable rib design.

Constructed using six and twoply hard-wearing construction of 100% New Zealand wool

with a VOC-free environmentally responsible backing, Riverline in 5m width, is an ideal choice for residential and general commercial locations. The six clean colours will appeal to those seeking a wool carpet that delivers on performance and good looks.

When high performance and super fine finish are required when specifying a velvet carpet, Richmond ticks all the boxes.

Available in two widths – 4 and 5m – as well as 11 contemporary shades, together with a heavy commercial rating, makes this carpet product exceptional.

Architects and interior designers have fallen in love with the Richmond range due to its style, good looks and excellent suitability for both residential and commercial applications.

Riverline, Richmond and all other broadloom carpets which make up the Campeone and Connoisseur collections by ITC Natural Luxury Flooring, are available in madeto-measure rugs in sizes up to 500cm wide. Additionally, a selection of tape finishes are available, which are exclusive, chic and coordinate with its carpets. itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com info@itcnaturalluxuryflooring.com 01622 534041

KÖNIGSTONE DEBUTS AT KBB 2020 Königstone had its trade show debut at KBB 2020 this year, which welcomed the opportunity for the inspirational team to showcase its high-quality and elegant, quartz and natural stone kitchen surfaces, alongside the innovative new Königsink. On display was the impressive range of 27 Königquartz colours, along with the new range of 15 Könignaturals. These included brand-new colours while demonstrating Königstone’s flexible approach to providing solutions to any kitchen scheme. Particular attention was drawn to the semi-precious stone range, where a backlight was utilised to highlight the unique appeal of the beautiful finishes. Königstone is now looking forward to an exciting year in 2020.

COUNTRY COLOUR Extremely Weather & UV-Resistant. Even by the coast!

• Reduces wood swelling and shrinkage • Natural wood grain is hidden • No sanding necessary for future applications • Microporous, breathable finish – doesn’t crack, peel or flake

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Coloured interlayers can be used to create large panels of coloured glass

THROUGH THE GOODLOOKING GLASS

When creating a unique property, glass is even more versatile than you might imagine, giving a building options for light, privacy, colour and creativity.

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cott Sinden, Managing Director of leading UK glass processor ESG Group, explains: “One of the most common themes we see in modern architecture is the use of light and space to create a feeling of wellbeing and comfort.

No surprise then that glass is still one of the most important construction materials to use, as it allows natural light to flood through a property.”

The first innovation is perhaps the advance in the toughened laminated glass process. Using modern interlayers to sandwich together two or more sheets of toughened glass, ESG has been able to create lighter, stronger glass panels. Critically, this has allowed the company to increase the size of panels, allowing the architect to create taller, wider and more seamless designs which adds more natural light than anyone once thought possible.

However, ESG can now do so much more. Glass can now provide added security, privacy and even sound attenuation

– as well as great looks and protection from the weather.

One of the most popular innovations of the last decade or so is switchable LCD glass, or privacy glass, as it is often known. Privacy glass is created using an interlayer through which an LCD electric current can be passed. When the current is switched off, the glass will form an opaque panel, but when the current is switched on, the glass becomes transparent, letting in light and providing a clear view.

The current which makes it transparent is low on energy consumption and is controlled by a simple button, or even using an app. Privacy glass can be installed anywhere that a current can be applied, and is, therefore, becoming increasingly popular for defining spaces within a more open-plan setting.

In studio apartments, for example, switchable glass is often used to divide the sleeping area from the more free-flowing living, dining and cooking zones.

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ESG Switchable glass shower screens replace walls, cur tains or shut ters

switched off to create a separate room, but during the day it can be switched on to allow light to flood all the way through a property, making the overall footprint feel larger.

In corporate settings, switchable glass is popular for boardrooms, changing meeting areas from private and confidential to open and inclusive at the touch of a button.

There has also been an increase with glass, like ESG Switchable, being used in shower screens and on exterior windows, which replace the use of curtains or shutters.

Scott continues: “You may wish to add colour to glass, and we can also achieve this by using interlayers.

There is a wide range of Vanceva coloured interlayers which we can use to create large panels of coloured glass. These can be used to great effect in both domestic and commercial settings.”

As designers and architects dare to dream even more creatively, glass processing has kept pace, making it possible for all concepts to be realised. esg.glass 01376 520061 sales@esg.glass I N E X

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FABRICS FOR LUXURY EXTERIORS EXTEX fabrics combine a luxurious look and feel; designed to complement and enhance even the most exclusive exterior space, they are suitable for use on all outdoor furnishing applications. The co-ordinating ranges offer over 100 contemporary colours, bringing a perfect style conclusion to any design project.

Discover our extensive fabric collection at www.extex.co.uk

AMSTERDAM

ANTIBES

BERLIN

BOLOGNA

JOHANNESBURG

LONDON

MONACO

SYDNEY

ZURICH

In the 11th century, the Grade II* Listed Blue Mills in Witham, Essex, was recorded in Domesday as the water mill at Benton Hall, a subsidiary manor of Blunts in Witham.

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he original 16th-century cottage is attached to a Georgian house – at the front – a sequence of early Victorian extensions, and a later Victorian house in 1872 – at the rear.

It was important to the owners that an effective resolution would complement the existing architecture of the building. They reached out to Selectaglaze for advice on the best possible treatments for the

primary windows; a mixture of timber sash windows, fixed lights and inward or outward opening casements.

The irregularities around some of the bay windows meant that a considered approach was required.

Once the owners were happy with the bespoke solutions suggested, the install went ahead. Despite

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the property being listed, Maldon District Council confirmed that no formal listed building consent was required for the works.

A total of 22 windows have been treated thus far using a number of window styles: fixed light, vertical sliding and sidehung casements. Two windows in the wood-panelled room were treated with Selectaglaze’s heritage Series 47 hinged casement system, which was able to sit tight behind the wooden shutters, allowing its continued operation. The aluminium profiles were coloured in a woodgrain finish which colour matched the existing surrounds perfectly.

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UPHOLDING MILL TRADITION WHILST IMPROVING THERMAL PERFORMANCE

selectaglaze.co.uk 01727 837271 enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk

REPLACING KITCHEN DOORS AND DRAWERS? Changing kitchen doors can be a great way to create a new kitchen without the cost and hassle of starting all over again. It is now easy to freshen up doors quickly if they are getting tatty.

Getting exactly the right replacement kitchen doors and drawers is not as difficult as you may think. The range of colours and styles of kitchen doors has grown dramatically over recent years with the quality of manufacturing improving all the time. With replacement doors ranging from vinyl wrap to solid wood; the choice is yours; not to mention there are hundreds of colours and styles to pick from. You will be amazed just how much a kitchen will change with a simple door replacement.

UV-PROTECTION OIL EXTRA Perfectly protected against the sun.

The first clear UV protection for the outdoors!

• UV resistant factor 12 in comparison to untreated wood • For vertically structured exterior surfaces • Very water and dirt resistant • Reduces wood swelling and shrinkage • Resists the growth of algae, mildew and fungal attack • Microporous, breathable finish – doesn’t crack, peel, flake or blister • No sanding necessary for future applications

granitetransformations.co.uk 0808 149 5914

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SHOWERWALL ADDS 26 NEW DESIGNLED DECORS TO REFLECT THE LATEST INTERIORS Showerwall has extended its bathroom wall panelling range with 26 new design-led decors reflecting the latest bathroom and interior trends and advances in registered embossed printing technology. The full collection now offers an extensive choice of 84 designs. With a focus on of-the-moment design and texture, highlights of the expansive new Showerwall collection include 14 new HPL designs, including four new Synchronised options, which replicate the look and feel of real marble and stone, as well as three fashionable terrazzo colourways. Showerwall is a 100% waterproof panelling system, guaranteed for up to 15 years and available ex-stock nationwide from IDS, Ideal Bathrooms and Formula 1.

CITY CHIC KITCHEN FROM KELLER Keller’s City Chic kitchen has been designed to give homes the popular urban, elegant look with the flexibility to accommodate whatever size family. The handleless GL2000 model gives a sleek and seamless appearance, creating a harmonious blend between cabinetry, appliances and worktops. The wood patterned doors (pictured) offer the kitchen a warm feel and contrast with trendy chic black accessories such as sinks, taps and black shelving, while the white marble worktop brings the whole look together. Keller’s cabinetry is available in a variety of colours from Comfort and Master collections so homeowners can combine different shades to create a dream kitchen.

showerwall.co.uk 0845 604 7334 info@showerwall.co.uk

kellerkitchens.com info@kellerkitchens.com

A PREMIUM FINISH, AT A SENSIBLE PRICE Polyx-Oil from Osmo UK is a premium wood finish guaranteed to keep wooden surfaces in top condition.

Offering all the professional features of a traditional oil-based finish, Polyx-Oil combines the smooth surface of conventional lacquers, and the application ease of a water-based finish. Ideal for solid engineered or laminate wood, Osmo Polyx-Oil is a high-quality, water-repellent and tread-resistant wood finish based on natural ingredients. Unlike ordinary oil finish products which form a film on the wood, the product’s natural components penetrate deeply into the wood to create a micro-porous finish.

WASH AND CARE Suitable for wooden, varnished, stone, vinyl & tiled flooring!

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Highly effective cleaning of dirt and grime Maintains protected surfaces without wear of treatment Easy to use for regular usage Moisturises the wood’s surface to maintain freshness Suitable for domestic and commercial use

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ECO-CONSCIOUS ACOUSTICS FROM SOUNDTECT Noise pollution is the primary cause of a reduction in productivity and can contribute to stress and illness; which can also play a part in absenteeism and a continuous turnover of staff.

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he typical noise level in an open-plan office is 65 dB and, shockingly, that’s only 30 dB less than a lawnmower.

And background noise, even at low levels, has been found to increase stress levels and undermine short-term memory, reading comprehension and willingness to engage with others.

Workers have been seen to be 60% less productive in a noisy office – which is a worrying statistic to any business owner.

The working world currently seems to have a love-hate relationship with open-plan offices, most of which centres around noise, but the openplan office concept is highly successful for several reasons. It is cost-effective, allows room for expansion and changing team dynamics, creates more working collaboration, reducing the need for separate meetings. It creates a ‘buzzy atmosphere’, enhancing

the office culture and enjoyment at work. Every business wants more happy workers as they influence an organisation’s success and performance.

So, here’s the conundrum – the open-plan concept is the right solution for increasing engagement and creating happier, more productive employees, but the noise byproduct affects individuals, driving them to grab their headphones and retreat into their own world, or even work from home.

So, considering acoustics at the planning stage is essential when embarking on an office refurbishment.

The great news is, acoustic improvement products are no longer boring and hidden, they’re stylish, colourful and are used in a variety of applications; meeting pods, partitions and decorative forms such as wall panels and 6 3

ceiling enhancements. Soundtect specialises in the manufacture and supply of many different solutions which can be tailored to be as funky as you like to complement any office design theme.

And while we are about it, let’s not forget the environment. Soundtect is proud of its environmental credentials – its products use over 70% recycled polyester. The products are a thirdgeneration product which began life first as a plastic PET bottle, and then recycled into exhibition carpets before being woven into superior quality, high-performance acoustic felt.

Recently, Soundtect launched a new printed wood finish for its Freestyle range. This lightweight, semi-rigid sound-absorbing panel has revolutionised the acoustic market and although there are many other manufacturers with a similar product, Soundtect is the pioneer of all sides being printed, and the results are very believable. No more need for heavy wooden ceiling baffles or the perfect wall surface solution for that rustic, unfinished feel that is popular right now.

So, the solution is straightforward; to improve the cognitive performance of your team in an open-plan office environment, more consideration needs to be given to noise dynamics and how you can reduce them with effective acoustic solutions like Freestyle and, as you are also buying into a sustainable solution offered by Soundtect, you are also lessening environmental pollution at the same time. soundtect.com 0845 548 0518 enquiries@soundtect.com I N E X

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| Armourcoat Acoustic® Plaster System |

Exceptional Acoustics Armourcoat’s new Acoustic Plaster System offers a seamless mineral finish over large expanses to optimise the acoustics of interior spaces.

Applied to ceilings at The Minster Building for architects BuckleyGrayYeoman.

• Class ‘A’ NRC • Topcoat incorporates 70% recycled marble • Basecoat incorporates 85% recycled glass • Class ‘O’ fire-rated • Zero VOCs

Photography: © Jonathan Banks

www.armourcoat.com