World Interiors News 2016 Award announced the shortlisted entries for the Interior Practice of the Year and Emerging Interior Practice of the Year categories.
The World Interiors News 2016 Award judging panel for the Emerging Interior Practice of the Year category included leading industry experts: Harriet Harriss, Senior Tutor Design & Architecture – Royal College of Art; Jenny Jones, Founder – Studio Jenny Jones; Tarek Merlin, Co-Founder – Feix&Merlin; Anna Adebayo, Senior Interior Designer – Zaha Hadid Architects; Veronica Givone, AssociateDirector – Arney Fender Katsalidis.
‘It was fascinating to see the broad scope of entries and I was very impressed by the overall standard. It was great to see such polished work coming from so many young practices, and we were all very happy to be celebrating new talent in this way! I was particularly impressed by practices that seem to be pioneering in terms of an interior design aesthetic; relying less on styling and dressing, and experimenting with materiality and spatial planning.' – Tarek Merlin ARB RIBA, Director, Feix&Merlin Architects
The judging panel for the Interior Practice of the Year category included leading industry experts: Hannah Carter Owers, Director – Universal Design Studio; Lee Hallman, Head of Design – QatariDiar; Tom Kundig, Director – Olson Kundig; Tina Norden, Project Director – Conran & Partners; Mark Simpson, Design Director – BDP.
‘The WIN Awards attract a diverse and substantial cross section of global talent. It is a privilege to review such a wide spectrum of leading practices working at the top of their fields. This year saw design industry luminaries next to up-and-coming practices. At times it was challenging to judge such a varied and contrasting collection of talent but inspiring and rewarding nonetheless – This experience acted as a great barometer for the health of the design industry!' – Hannah Carter Owers – Director, Universal Design Studio Ltd.
All the World Interiors News 2016 Award winners will be announced very shortly.
See all the shortlisted interior projects:
Alberto Caiola is an award-winning practice specialising in interior, exhibition and product design. Founded in 2014 as a small office in Shanghai, China. Alberto Caiola from Pordenone, North East of Italy, maintains a small, dedicated team while working with an international group of collaborators. The studio is currently developing projects in Asia.
‘These projects are great fun and display a mixture of really interesting and playful approaches to design. I particularly liked the Botanist project; it's got this wonderful fantasy of structure and light.' TM
‘Alberto Caiola have a youthful exuberance coupled with inventive elements.' HH
WIN Awards 2016 – Emerging Interior Practice of the Year Category: Benedict Wilhelm Design (London, United Kingdom)
Benedict Wilhelm Design is a London-based design studio specialising in projects within the hospitality, retail, beauty and residential sectors.
Since 2014 BWD has grown to a 6-person studio with an international mix of interior architects, product designers, graphic designers and set designers.
‘Benedict Wilhelm Design demonstrates an outstanding capability to adapt their design and research of colour and palette to different projects and client approach. I particularly liked the New York-inspired deli in London, Delancey & Co; it's brave and absolutely appropriate for its context.' VG
‘Excellent: geometrically pioneering.' HH
WIN Awards 2016 – Emerging Interior Practice of the Year Category: Lendager Group (Valby, Denmark)
Established in 2011, the Lendager Group has 35 employees; architects, designers, engineers, construction architects and business developers. Their goal is to reduce global CO2 -emissions and create a sustainable, eventful, healthy, socially and economically inclusive society.
‘There is clearly an authentic and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and environmental design. Sustainable projects can look quite staid, however in this instance there is an innovative application of materials and invention in the details.
There is a real warmth to the work, and a sense of tactility and domesticity which can be quite hard to achieve when you are working with raw material. However, they have achieved this in a way that is surprising, startling and wholly appealing.' HH
Photo credit: Lendager Group
WIN Awards 2016 – Emerging Interior Practice of the Year Category: Only If Architecture PLLC (New York, United States of America)Only If is a New York City- based design practice for architecture and urbanism founded in 2013 and is led by Adam Snow Frampton, AIA, who previously worked as an Associate at OMA in the Netherlands and Hong Kong, and is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University GSAPP.
The practice currently consists of 6 architects and designers engaged in a range of work from interiors to housing, larger-scale urban design, research and speculation.
‘With the Voyager Expresso project as an example of a barista-focused coffee establishment, Only If has taken the programme of preparing the coffee and sitting to enjoy the coffee and then going on to create a special connection to enjoy the two, which is definitely challenging.
Only If have achieved this beautifully however, without resorting to the usual clichés – I don't see any metro tiles or bare light bulbs. Instead, the context and the materials seem to come through in a very innovative and specific way.' JJ
WIN Awards 2016 – Emerging Interior Practice of the Year Category: Smartvoll (Wien, Austria)
Smartvoll is a team of unconventional thinkers and visionaries. Their focus lies in unequivocally on the architectonic design process. With this goal in mind, Smartvoll always pursue and pioneer diverging pathways to ultimately surprise with new and extraordinary solutions.
‘Smartvoll are making bold moves with good materials. They have an inspirational understanding of how to create interplay between the mass and the void. There is a real sense of narrative structure to their space. There is always a lot of layering and interesting use of interface, and yet, despite this borderline bombastic approach, there is restraint around lighting and pattern.
Overall, a clear and distinct identity makes each project unique from the rest of their portfolio and also particular to the client and their brief.' HH
WIN Awards 2016 – Emerging Interior Practice of the Year Category: TomMarkHenry (Sydney, Australia)
Established in 2014, TomMarkHenry is an award-winning interior design company founded by Chloe Matters, Cushla McFadden and Jade Nottage. TomMarkHenry have won a major design award for the design of the 1888 Certified store, and been shortlisted in many others, as well as building an extensive portfolio of works.‘What I really love about this great presentation is it's really smart, elegant approach along with ‘guts and blood' demonstrated in the 1888 Certified project; a butcher in Double Bay, Sydney.' TM
WAA is a collaborative design team founded by Zhang Di who runs the office in collaboration with Founding Partner Jack Young. Their office works on projects of all shapes and sizes from micro through to large urban masterplan developments.Current work in progress includes a portable library, fashion retail, the arts and large commercial and apartment towers.
‘Excellent use of light, texture, materials and space planning.' AA
WIN Awards 2016 – Emerging Interior Practice of the Year Category: Zooco Estudio (Madrid, Spain)Zooco is a young architectural firm whose philosophy is facing each project, from interior interventions to large structures, through the same creative process; to create spaces that give response to the needs and environment, always based on the generation of a clear concept as the base of the project.‘Looking at the Perimetro House and the Modulor projects, one can see an ambition at the conceptual stage for how the volumes could interplay with the sectional play. That, combined with a courageous use of different materials, shows great promise for this young practice to develop still further in the future.' JJ
WIN Awards 2016 – Interior Practice of the Year Category: Brinkworth (London, United Kingdom)
The Brinkworth portfolio extends to over 2000 projects across 80 countries. With comprehensive industry knowledge of international working practice, the company's experience enables clients to position projects anywhere within the global market.
‘There is no doubt that Brinkworth are an impressive player in the industry and have been delivering some excellent projects, gaining momentum over the last few years. The document is very well presented and is at pains to stress the teamwork aspect of the office.' TN
‘Good overview of studio culture and creative process. I enjoyed seeing working models and sketches which help to convey the thought process behind the work. All projects have a conceptual clarity and simplicity. There's a creative use of materials, texture and colour in restrained compositions.' TK
WIN Awards 2016 – Interior Practice of the Year Category: Conran & Partners (London, United Kingdom)
Conran & Partners is a collaborative design studio working across architecture, interiors and industrial design.
The team of 60 architects and designers headed up by Project Directors Tina Norden and Simon Kincaid have designed interiors for some the world's most prestigious destinations.
‘Conran & Partners' work has been consistently strong over many decades. We're particularly inspired by their recent work for the Brooks Brothers shopfront which suggests many more exciting years of design to come from Conran.' LH
WIN Awards 2016 – Interior Practice of the Year Category: David Collins Studio (London, United Kingdom)
David Collins Studio is an award-winning and market-leading interior architecture practice that realises creative and inspirational hospitality, residential and retail projects worldwide. It is a globally-recognised brand and an expert in contemporary luxury and design.
‘There is no question that David Collins and his studio are one of the outstanding interior design practices of our time and they have designed some true modern classics.' TN
‘Consistently glamourous and luxurious with great attention to detail.' MS
WIN Awards 2016 – Interior Practice of the Year Category: i29 interior architects (Duivendrecht, Netherlands)
i29 interior architects is a creative and versatile design studio. Founded in 2003, i29 have produced a wide variety of award winning projects ranging residential, commercial, retail, education and exhibition. Many of these projects are internationally published and respected for their clarity and originality.
‘Strong work with the same minimal and clear language as some of the other practices I have admired – I enjoyed the pops of colour which, in this case, were used to emphasise the concept and strengthen the projects overall. I like them very much.' TN
With their strength in retail, residential, commercial and hospitality, MAKE hope to continue their growth and diversity into new areas, bringing their knowledge and skills into other sectors such as arts and culture.In the last 12 months MAKE have established a new studio in Sydney, which has won a major hotel project.
‘Tracey and Katie's team at MAKE demonstrate a very broad palette from the very calm swimming pool project to the work at Harrods and through to their residential work.' LH
‘Very lovely spaces – delicate and subtle.' MS
OHLAB is an office devoted to urban analysis and cultural research of contemporary society through design, architectural practice and urban strategy. Currently OHLAB's main office is in Palma de Mallorca where a team of 10 architects and interior designers together with directors Paloma Hernaiz and Jaime Oliver are working on projects in Mallorca, Madrid, New York, Los Angeles and Miami.‘There's a refined sense of materiality and scale.
‘I very much enjoy their approach and work; a practice with a clear design direction and a distinctive yet versatile style. Most of their work is contemporary, restrained and clean, but they are not afraid of being bold and playful in others.' TN
WIN Awards 2016 – Interior Practice of the Year Category: One Plus Partnership Limited (Hong Kong)
Established in 2004, One Plus Partnership Limited is an award winning interior design firm based in Hong Kong. Headed by directors Ajax Law Ling Kit and Virginia Lung, the firm aims to provide professional services, which include interior design, architectural concept design, furniture design, graphic design, signage design etc.
‘We thought their work was extremely bold. Very dynamic spaces which create geometry throughout – and they work. Bold, exhilarating, innovative and unrestrained.' MS
‘This is pretty bonkers stuff but I really like it for that – cinemas are the right place to be experimental when the users don't have to live or spend much time in the space. Bold and out there – they should be commended for sheer bravado!' TN
WIN Awards 2016 – Interior Practice of the Year Category: Robert Mills Architects (Melbourne & Sydney, Australia)The practice is known for its substantial portfolio of bespoke residences, apartments and exclusive development projects built or planned in principal Australian cities. Rob Mills Architects and Interior Designers was established 25 years ago and today numbers 19 collaborators.
‘The work from this studio shows a real sensitivity and beauty. There are lots of considered details; these spaces have depth and a sense of permanence. There is also a real liveliness in the projects, a lot of that has to do to with how the light plays off the materials and the use of colour with just enough layering and level of styling to create alluring spaces – especially One Hot Yoga & Pilates studio which has a real lightness of touch.' HCO
‘Lovely confident work that has a simple stillness generally but is not afraid of bold gestures – I enjoyed the blue room.' TN
Photo credit: Robert Mills Architects
Squire & Partners' approach to design assumes that every site has its own history, character and needs. The practice's architecture and interior teams work seamlessly to create design schemes inspired by locality and contextual history for office and residential developments.Experience with some of London's most distinguished addresses has afforded Squire & Partners a reputation for high quality crafted British design.
‘Squire & Partners are certainly one of the most competent architecture practices in the UK and deliver great work – we have collaborated with them and hold their professional ability in high regard. Their Brooks Bros window is delightful.' TN
‘This practice does a commendable job of bridging conceptual thinking with material resolution; skilful use of materials, colour and texture across a wide variety of projects. The Stratton Street project demonstrates sensitivity for precise, contemporary detailing within a rich, ornamental historic context. Refined execution at the detail level from door handles in St. Edmund's Terrace project to Brooks Brothers window installation. An elegant presentation.' TK
WIN Awards 2016 – Interior Practice of the Year Category: Universal Design Studio Ltd. (London, United Kingdom)
Universal Design Studio is a leading London-based architecture and design studio. UDS operate internationally and work with some of the best known global brands to create arresting, comprehensive environments with effective purpose.The team of 40 architects and designers has extensive practical knowledge of the design of commercial, retail and hospitality spaces, museums and exhibitions.
‘UDS are one of the key design studios in London. Their work is always elegant, always considered and in particular, their retail and exhibition work is very strong.' TN
‘Universal Design Studio's work exhibited a strong conceptual underpinning, with a demonstrated commitment to exploring different materials and textures. A consistent, thoughtful design aesthetic shines through all projects. The Mulberry New Bond Street project features a compelling contrast of light wood forms and heavier stone texture. Their projects also feature a wide range of well-integrated lighting solutions that contribute to the overall visual atmosphere.' TK
Photo credit: Universal Design Studi0
More info of the World Interiors News 2016 Award here
