Love it or leave it - Sosia by Campeggi

Love it or leave it this week features furniture.. (again :) )

Sosia by Campeggi 2011 - I just love their work!!!

I dont know about you but again I love it!

Ciao,
Lizzi

Photos courtesy of Campeggi website

Interior Fitout Feature - Google Campus

Any of you that know me or that have been following this blog, will know that I am a fan of all fitouts relating to Google.

What is so inspiring about Google is they collaborate with such a wide range of people/designers, they do not use one company worldwide. This philosophy ensures that every design is unique and creative. This particular space was designed by Jump Studios

Once again another cool space.... 'Google Campus' is a co-working and event space in the centre of London's Tech City. This project was a partnership with Seedcamp, Tech Hub, Springboard and Central Working, with the main aim to provide office space for start-up companies.

Co-working spaces are becoming incredibly popular and I can see the benefits for all involved. Right in our own building, across the hallway we have BizDojo, a co- working space taking the southern hemisphere by storm. They too like Google Campus, run networking events, presentations, outside speaker series etc.

The design inspiration for the seven storey Google campus was that the fitout needed to reflect the nature of the occupants, young start-ups that are vibrant with loads of energy. The result is a very raw aesthetic with plywood, linoleum, concrete and exposed services. A workshop type space that is fun, funky and very cool.

One of the things you may notice is that there are very few windows. You really can overcome a lack of windows by making the space the feature and by using good lighting. Lighting is the key.

Once again, lets enjoy and celebrate another of Google's incredible creations..

Thanks!
Lizzi

Ask a designer - how long does a fitout take?

There are a number of variables involved in completing a design and fitout, all of which ultimately affect the timeframe.

The initial part of any design build involves taking the brief, and completing the design and drawings - this typically take 4-6 weeks. The larger the company, the longer this takes - this is not due to the increased size of the tenancy but relates to the amount people involved. Big companies can often have a sign off process they must go through to approve anything - this is often our number 1 hold up with any project.

Secondly there is the building consent process! I think everyone has a story about their local territorial authority.... We have always been pretty good with council, receiving our consents out in a timely manner, maybe it's luck - not sure? This part of the process takes 5-6 weeks. 1 week for the compilation of the relevant documents, 4-5 weeks processing.

Whilst the consent is processing, we undertake to complete the design specifics and the tender process. Once the consent is completed and received, we would have the design approved, the contractor nominated and be ready to start.

Build time! The time required here is totally dependant on the size of the tenancy. Spaces ranging from 150m2 - 500 m2 ordinarily take between 4 - 5 weeks. Spaces from 600m2 to 5000m2 ordinarily take 6 - 8 weeks. Complexity plays a part too, the more detailed and intricate the design, the more trades required - this can have an impact.

As a guide, the average 600 - 1000m2 tenancy would take 4 1/2 months from start to finish.

Ciao,

Lizzi

Photo credits:
Thecoolhunter.com.au
id-sphere.com

Fitouts Inspired by Repurposing

It would seem the focus has shifted from Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) and given way to the rise of repurposing; adapt a material or product for use in a different purpose.

The image above is a very interesting example of repurposing. Fabric (clothing apparel in a previous life) has been stacked to form an office partition. It is both striking in colour and form and incidentally will go a long way towards reducing reverberated noise within the otherwise perfectly formed concrete box.

Environmentally friendly products and materials have traditionally come with high price tags. To repurpose is a new and attractive option for designers and clients alike not only because of the resourceful nature of the design process but with it comes the potential for cost savings.

Above, an entire office, from desks, to meeting tables, to stairs has been created with shipping palettes. Watch this space as I may just blog on this subject alone one Tuesday soon...there is a Worldwide obsession with shipping palettes right now, and I am one of the obsessed! I was particularly fascinated when recently shown a video of the lighting company Viabizzunos head quarters in Bologna - palettes as you've never seen before. See the breathtaking video here:

Viabizzuno Bologna from VBO Australia on Vimeo.

Corrugated cardboard is another material being explored for it's temporary and simplistic qualities.

So, are we dumbing things down with this repurposing notion or are we trying to 'one up' the next guy with how clever we can be with seemingly unsophisticated materials?

Emily is Inspired. Bye.

Love it or leave it - Siesta for Campeggi

Love it or leave it this week features furniture..

Italian designer Emanuele Magini has created the Siesta seating for Campeggi.

I reminds me of a tennis court? I dont know about you but I love it!

If you find anything you love or could leave, message me.

Thanks,
Lizzi

Photos courtesy of Campeggi website

Inspired by movies

The NeverEnding Story (1984), The Labyrinth (1986), Mary Poppins (1964) are but a few fantasy and adventure movies loved by children and 'big kids' alike. Ok, alright, you got me...they're from my collection of treasured DVDs that provide a perfect level of escapism on a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon.

Can a commercial fit-out design be informed by movie genres? - drama, fantasy, adventure?

There is an element of theatre in any space whether it be on set, at home or in the office...hey even the chamber of parliament. From colours and finishes to lighting and fixtures, they all play a part in the orchestration of drama within a design.

Saturate a single area with one colour to make a bold statement. Also an element of surprise.

Create intimate areas with the use of unique ways of illuminating a space. The yellow tone of the lighting in the image below creates another worldly appeal to the design.

Inspired by movies.

Emily

Ask a designer... Should we use our corporate colour?

Should we use our corporate colour in our new interior scheme? Sure
Should it be the only colour we use? NO!!!

When we commence the design and fit-out process with a client, it is often assumed (by them) that the main accent colour will be the corporate colour. For example the logo is blue and white, therefore the fit-out should be blue and white with maybe some charcoal grey, right? no wrong! On the flip side, if you have multiple corporate colours, should you use them all? The below image is the answer....

As you may be able to tell, I'm quite passionate about this. Colour can add so much to any space, intrigue, sophistication, way-finding. It can also dilute the corporate brand when overused. You do not want your staff to get sick and tired of the company brand colour, the brand they work daily to promote.

Creating a great workplace environment is about capturing the right atmosphere. What is the overall feel you want to create for your staff and visiting clients. If it is bright, warm and inviting - blue white and grey is not going to do it.

Corporate colour overuse does not just extend to interiors....

A corporate colour can definitely be used as part of a palette of finishes, but it should not be the only colour, the star player, the feature wall in everyroom. The key to a successful fit-out is a balance of colours, textures and finishes that achieves the desired atmosphere. They say less is more and this is definitely the case here.

Happy colouring!
Lizzi

Photos courtesy of:
AY648 Blog
www.nikiomahe.com

Love it or leave it - Nomad Chandelier

Lighting is such a great way to start any design. It simply makes or breaks a space. Lighting can be so subtle and allow everything else in the space to shine or it can be bold and blatant like this chandelier.

This highly-sculptural chandelier is simply gorgeous. It is a 5 metre long interactive LED light installation. It has no fewer than 200 individual components, using the studio’s signature glass mirror-coating finish, reflecting the interior by day and becoming semi-transparent at night.

Each of the LEDs used in this stunning piece can be individually controlled to create numerous colour effects and variations using a touch screen, ipad or iphone. The light from the LED is cleverly diffused through frosted hand-ground crystal which magnifies the light, creating warm pastel shades of colour.’

Love it - yes for sure!!

Ciao,
Lizzi

Photo and text credit from www.dailytonic.com

Interior Fitout Feature - Unbelievable apartment in Kiev

I am totally excited by commercial design, hospitality retail etc. It's not often that a residential space will give me the same satisfaction - this space however knocked my socks off!.

I follow a blog called Interior Design Ideas - these photos came from their blog. I just had to share them.

This 3level open plan apartment is in Kiev. Designed by Thank Balbek of design studio 2B Group. This concept really shows that use of natural materials can feel warm, bright, comfortable and welcoming. Almost every natural material is used; timber, concrete, copper patina panels, stones. I also love the quirky style with the shipping container as a toilet on one level and in the master bedroom it's styled as a parcel.

Something that I am noticing a lot of and that we are also doing ourselves is colour blocking. Using strong bold colours with a lot of nuetrals. The nuetrals can be natural finishes or simply grey or beige colours.

Enjoy looking at these pics, they are great! Everywhere you look in this space there is intrigue, surprise and the detail is exquisite!

Enjoy.....
Lizzi

Inspired by...Mid Century Modern Design

The team call me a'hippy' because of my love of all things eclectic. I do my best to reign it in when it comes to workplace design and look to the timeless appeal of Mid Century Modern Design for inspiration...drawing on the more structured and methodical side of my design brain. Every inch of space is considered and utilised; everything in it's place, a place for everything.

Floor to underside of ceiling timber veneer cabinetry with hidden linear handles, neutral coloured floor finishes, feature walls of sleek timber battens and full height glazed walls bringing the outside in. Cove lighting and cantilevered stairs with open risers. Heavy duty furnishing fabrics of wool and leather together with frames of aluminium, steel, chrome and hand crafted timber, the ever present timber.

So, I'm inspired by natural timbers and fibres in Mid Century Modern Design. Timber gets my vote! Grain, texture, lustre, depth of colour, even smell are all striking qualities of this versatile and enduring material.

What are you inspired by?

Emily

Ask a designer... What is the difference?

Ask a designer... What is the difference between an Architect, Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator?

Great question and one that is subject to much debate in our office!

An architect creates buildings and all aspects relating to its design, development and integration with the surroundings. An architect will design & draught the building structure, they will deal with height to boundary relationships with adjacent buildings, parking restrictions, town & urban planning considerations. Basically everything to do with the interior and exterior of a building.
An architect is also university trained and holds a Bachelor of Architecture or higher.

An interior designer, particularly a commercial interior designer is entirely different. As an interior designer myself, we are involved with everything inside the building envelope that was created by an Architect. We are particularly savvy and familiar with layouts and space planning for furniture and fixtures, we understand fire egress routes, airconditioning loads and council regulations.

The way we design and build is unique, our designs are demountable, all new walls, ceilings and feature elements are non structural. Often the design we build will be in place for 6 years, until a business decides to upgrade or move premises.
An interior designer is also university trained and holds a Bachelor of Design or higher.

An interior decorator is someone that chooses colours, finishes and fabrics. They rarely need to consider any of the technical elements like fire egress, HVAC or council regulations like that of an interior designer. There is often no changes to the rooms or partition/wall layout.

Interior decoration is an entirely different skill set than that of an architect or a designer, these people are able to work colours and fabrics together like no other.
An interior decorator may have had some training but it is not essential.

If you have any questions you would like to ask a designer, make a comment.

Thanks
Lizzi

Photo credits:
www.wikipedia.org
www.spaceworks.co.nz
www.deerydesign.net

It seems like Amsterdam is the golden city for concept stores...

Not long ago I blogged about the new concept Levis store which was fab, now we have the new concept starbucks store which is located in a bank vault in Amsterdam.

Let me know what you think, but upon initial views of the pictures I was confused - is this really a starbucks? Is starbucks heading in a different direction altogether? Apart from the signage I had no idea where this was.... Regardless of all those questions I really liked it!!

This new look concept store designed by Liz Muller, Starbucks' Concept Design director is aimed at boosting growth throughout Europe by adding a local influence. This new look has a strong focus on custom local designs, with huge input from by local artists and craftspeople. This space is like a gallery of reclaimed items, a theatre, an art gallery and a laboratory for new coffee drinks.

Amsterdam was was an obvious location for this concept store partly due to offices and roasting plant being local but also the region has a relevant history connected to coffee. In the 18th Century Dutch traders started bringing coffee to Europe, using Amsterdam as a distribution center. The region has remained an important center for coffee roasting ever since.

I'm a big fan of local influence in concepts, it just seems like a no-brainer that this is going to feel comfortable and appeal to the surrounding market. Anything that feels alien or too out of place becomes more about the fitout and less about the experience and product that is being sold. Coffee shops should ooze experience and comfort and this fitout certainly ticks all the boxes.

Go Starbucks!, I would love to see what you would do down in our neck of the woods.

Ciao
Lizzi

Photo credits
www.abb-design.co.uk
www.inhabitat.com
www.pursuitist.com