Inex august 2020

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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

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

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AUGUST 2020

Last month, Boris Johnson announced the news many had been waiting for – the return to the office. In an online Q&A session at the start of July, the Prime Minister said he wanted people to start going back to work “as carefully as possible”. While a few of us came back to the office in June, there will be a more significant workforce return over the coming weeks, which has led to many re-evaluating workspaces. In this edition, we have talked to Head of Design for Peldon Rose, Russell Glover, about what goes into making the perfect office space following the pandemic. Turn to page 15 to learn more. Similarly, Helen White, Co-Founder of houseof, goes into detail about the importance of appropriate lighting within commercial spaces – such as the workplace – to create calming effects in, what has become, an anxiety-ridden sphere. Read Helen’s advice on page 56.

However, it’s not just the design of commercial spaces that have altered our needs and tastes. We’re also reconsidering our living spaces to accommodate home working with a heightened sense of mental wellbeing. On page 26, Lauren Maylor, Head of Design at LOFT, looks at how our priorities have changed over the past few months and explores how homeowners are maximising their homes’ design potential.

Finally, moving outside, we have quizzed Sarah Morgan MSGD, Chair of the Society of Garden Designers (The SGD), surrounding the response from her clients regarding outdoor spaces and the open-air trends we’ve all become accustomed to. From self-sufficient, home-grown edibles to the healing effect nature has had on those recovering from COVID-19 symptoms, Sarah explains how private gardens are coming to our rescue.

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WELCOME TO

I hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget, you can also access all of Inex’s features and product inspiration at your fingertips via the magazine’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘Inex-online’ on the App Store or Google Play.

Cover: Helen White, Co-Founder of houseof, discusses the importance of appropriate lighting within commercial spaces.

See page 56.

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

Rebecca

Rebecca Kemp rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @INEXonline Follow us on Facebook: @INEX Follow us on Instagram: @inexmagazine  Follow us on LinkedIn: @Inex Magazine

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CONTENTS AUGUST 2020

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LIVING & WORKING

LIGHTING

INSPIRE

As our internal environment has never been more important, Kathryn Lloyd, Colour Specialist from Crown Paints, takes a closer look at how the use of colour can have a profound effect on how we view and use the workspace.

This month, we have talked to Helen White – CoFounder at houseof – about how lighting schemes have changed in a post-pandemic world and trends we can expect in the future to meet our newfound needs.

As we begin to head back to the post-pandemic office, Head of Design for Peldon Rose, Russell Glover, looks at what goes into creating the perfect workplace.

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SMART HOMES

SURFACES & FINISHES

This month, we have spoken to Nico van der Merwe, VP of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric, to find out what’s next in the world of smart homes.

52 IN FOCUS: BAR & CLUB DESIGN

Amron Architectural was approached to help provide creative solutions across some of the main features within the beautifully designed space of London’s newest bar, Electric Shuffle.

What are the key functional elements that interior designers need to keep front of mind when specifying surfaces? RAK Ceramics investigates in its article on the practicalities of porcelain.

65 EXRATED

Here, Sarah Morgan MSGD, Chair of the Society of Gardeners, discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on the garden design industry.

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EXPOSE

In this article, Lauren Maylor, Head of Design at LOFT, looks at what COVID-19 has taught us, and the essential elements interior design schemes must include in future builds.

70 STONE

This month, we have talked to Chris Hay, National Projects Manager at Cosentino UK, about the popularity of stone and other high-end materials within the residential sector.

80 PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

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

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A day in the office can h to it these days, wheth remotely from home or space but within small social distancing guid environment has never b our physical and emotio Lloyd, Colour Specialis takes a closer look at ho have a profound effect use the spaces in

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have a very different feel her this means working r working in an existing ler teams to adhere to delines. As our internal been more important to onal wellbeing, Kathryn st from Crown Paints, ow the use of colour can t on how we view and n which we work.

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s we slowly adjust to a ‘new normal’, one of the lasting effects of the recent coronavirus pandemic is that it has forced many of us to re-evaluate how we can work. Depending on the job you have and the tasks you must complete, where possible, more people than ever are working from home. For some, it has been an eye-opening experience that has made them want to continue to work remotely long term. Others can’t wait to return to their offices and to the social (albeit distanced!) interaction with their colleagues. So, what does this mean for the future of commercial office spaces? How will they look and what design features will need to be incorporated to inspire a generation of unsettled workers and to keep everyone safe in these challenging times? The answer is by no means black or white – but the use of colour is a good place to start.

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Setting the right tone

When it comes to creating an office space, to some extent, design flexibility will inevitably be affected by the need to make premises COVIDsecure. The layout of rooms will have to be modified to be able to adhere to social distancing requirements and so the positioning of desks; for example, will be guided more by safety measures than aesthetic appeal. Many areas will also need to incorporate additional signage, and this will obviously impact on the overall design scheme. However, designers don’t have to be limited when it comes to colour schemes.

Colour is an effective way to create clearly defined areas, but as well as having a practical benefit, colour can also play an important role in boosting the productivity and wellbeing of employees. Green and blue tones are popular choices for workplaces as cooler colours can help create a calm 8

ambience, which is ideal for concentration and focus.

Warmer shades such as red, orange and yellow, which can evoke a much stronger emotional response, are often used in more social breakout areas. Lighter colours can open up a space and lend themselves perfectly to communal work areas, whereas darker shades can make an area feel more enclosed and private and so are ideally suited to meeting rooms. With the growth of video conferencing technology replacing faceto-face meetings, there is also scope to use bolder colours or patterns to create a striking feature wall and an eye-catching backdrop for those online calls and presentations.

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“Colours can look very different in a different light, so it’s important to consider what shadows, glare and contrasts will be created throughout the course of a day”

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Although the psychology of colour is a fascinating subject, it would be limiting to dismiss the full spectrum of colours without careful consideration – it is often less about the specific colour choice itself than how and where it is used, the tones that can be created and how these can work with other colours. This is why we work with our clients to create colour schemes that comprise both contrasting and complementary colour choices.

Quite often, businesses will want to incorporate their own brand colours into their scheme, and this is much more effective if you consider all the different shades and tones available to create a palette.

Colour your thinking

Once a colour scheme has been chosen, it’s important to take into account the specific requirements of office workers who, for the most part, spend most of their time at their desks. One of the most important factors to consider is the use of natural lighting and how this can influence everything from your internal body clock to the perception of colour itself.

Daylighting is not only more sustainable than the use of artificial lighting, but naturally-lit rooms can also boost mood and productivity. In small rooms, the use of pale colours can create a sense of space but in harsh sunlight, can appear either too clinical or in the case of brilliant white, too brilliant. Softer midtones often work well when used on walls and ceilings and can provide a suitable focal point for resting eyes after staring at a computer screen. Colours can look very different in a different light, so it’s important to consider what shadows, glare and contrasts will be created throughout the course of a day. As well as considering the specific layout and orientation of a room and its light sources, we are also able to advise our clients about how specific colours will appear in different lights using the colour rendering index.

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Practical work

Although many people will be continuing to work from home for the foreseeable future, more and more business are welcoming back their employees, and a key part of this process is ensuring that a robust cleaning programme is in place. With maintenance requirements, and; therefore, costs, set to increase, it’s important to consider the longevity of the interior decoration.

Choosing a washable and hard-wearing paint product that can be repeatedly cleaned without any detriment to the opacity and quality of the paint finish can make important long-term savings. Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme range also includes an anti-bacterial paint solution which can further help to maintain cleaner and more hygienic interiors.

Just as the rainbow has become the unofficial symbol of lockdown, colour will undoubtedly play an important part in redesigning the world in which we live and work, particularly as the boundaries between the two have been blurred for so long for so many. Embracing colour at a time of social distancing can give offices the boost they need to stay positive and productive and create a stronger link between wellbeing and work. crownpaintspec.co.uk

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HOW LIGHTING SCHEMES WILL CHANGE DUE TO COVID-19 In December, when the COVID-19 outbreak started, we understood the seriousness of the situation, but none of us thought we were in this for the long haul. By March 2020 when office spaces were shut, and employees were sent home, temporary kitchen table workplaces were set up. Desk lamps were bought in their thousands and were installed and uninstalled every night before and after dinner. As the weeks wore on and our backs were breaking from our non-ergonomic-compliant workstation, the realisation awoke in us that this was not temporary. Fast forward a couple of months, and here we are, returning to work and realising that our office space may need to change forever, writes Helen White, Co-Founder of houseof.

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Layout and usage

We are going to be using our offices very differently in the future. With a lot of big businesses predicting that 50% of their workforce will be working from home at any time.

This means that our trip to the office suddenly becomes an occasion and a treat. Our trip to the office is not a time to sit at a solitary desk in silence but to interact with our co-workers. This means banks of desks, and their lighting schemes are becoming redundant. Many offices have recessed LED lighting to provide consistent levels throughout the space. The light is often bright and far enough above head height to reduce screen glare and eye strain. Although social interaction must still be distanced, this large expanse of light is not conducive to intimate meetings and breakouts. One quick way to change this is to install diffusers and sound-proofing panels over the existing lighting scheme to diffuse and soften the light. These panels can be dropped lower to create a more intimate office space and intermingled with pendant lighting.

Technology

Technology is going to be another factor within lighting which will have to change in a commercial setting. Lamp switches, plug sockets and other touchpoints will start to be phased out with motion sensor lighting and timed lighting schemes replacing them. With fewer people in the workplace, some lights may also become redundant, so motion detection lighting will become crucial to saving energy within the office space.

With LED smart lighting, colour temperatures (and even colours) can be changed easily.

This will mean that lighting can lead the way in creating new zones within your office.

Lighting can be switched to a yellow, softer light in the breakout and meeting spaces and to a whiter light where concentration is key.

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Hygiene

Hygiene has always been criticised in office spaces with shared workspaces being germ hotspots. Offices will become less cluttered and easier to clean throughout the working day. This may mean that tidy desk policies and reducing desk accessories like task lighting may be essential. Installing ceiling lighting and wall lighting in desk spaces will mean that touchpoints and breeding grounds are reduced. Install ceiling lights just above head height to reduce eyestrain and screen glare.

The materials we use in office spaces will also be considered in relation to hygiene. Materials will need to be wiped clean and so complicated forms and porous surfaces may be ousted. Wood will be used less in exchange for copper and steel surfaces.

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Mental health

Our mental health has declined during the COVID-19 outbreak, and 56% of adults saying that they have felt worried and anxious. As we try to navigate life with COVID-19, these feelings will not dissipate. Working from home can also increase mental health disorders with people feeling more isolated and lonely as well as anxious about their future.

This is why having touchpoints like office spaces will still be a crucial part of our lives.

It is also important that when in these spaces, they bring a sense of calm and relaxation, and lighting can be used in many ways to promote this feeling.

Choose low-level integrated LED lighting in breakout rooms and meeting spaces to create a sense of calm. Also, reduce glare from overhead lighting by enclosing bulbs.

Daylight also promotes health and wellbeing and having access to daylight within an office will mean you have a happier, more motivated workforce.

Promote the use of outside spaces in the summer, and make sure that areas where the majority of work is carried out, have good access to sunlight. Also, consider the pattern of the sun as it moves around the office. If one side of the building has more access to sunlight in the afternoon, promote flexible working spaces to allow employees to move with it. If you aren’t lucky enough to have access to a large amount of natural light, then supplement it with daylight level bulbs. Look for an LED colour temperature of 5000 plus as this will be the equivalent of noon sunlight.

It is inevitable that our office spaces need to change, and we need to relearn how to use the space. Whilst many thought that they would be redundant at the start of the pandemic, we may see people slowly returning to the office environment again. Temporary fixes are not the key here, and now that we are in this new life more permanently, for employee stability we should make permanent changes to our spaces rather than quick fixes and moving the furniture around. houseof.com

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DESIGNING FOR PEOPLE, NOT JUST DESKS When it comes to the design process, every client is different, and there is no one-size-fitsall approach. This is certainly the case when we look at balancing the needs of companies who are beginning to navigate a return to the office following the coronavirus pandemic.

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very business will want to take a different approach to creating spaces which not only support social distancing and wellbeing but also allow an organisation to express its values and identity through design.

Here, Head of Design for Peldon Rose, Russell Glover, looks at what goes into creating the perfect workplace.

Company culture

Before starting any project, the design team needs to embed itself within a business to generate data-led insights and ensure people feel heard at every stage of the process. For example, when we design a new office, quite often one of our team will spend a period of time working from within the business to really get into the mindset and culture of the organisation. If designers can fully understand how companies operate, they can then build this insight into their plans, helping to perfect a working environment that best supports the company’s needs while making the best use of the space.

However, the role of a designer isn’t just about creating a space where people sit at their desks all day. It’s about placemaking, and identifying who a company is and where it is going. We want to understand and identify company culture and help it thrive. Collaborative zones and open-plan spaces are a great example of this. Where they work for one organisation, they might not for another, which needs more closed-off dedicated areas purely for concentration and one-on-one meetings with clients.

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We also understand that offices play a central role in nurturing talent and helping employees to grow and learn. The workplace is in many ways the next step in our education journey; therefore, designers have the ability to create an inspiring space which allows teams to thrive and develop.

Restoring equilibrium

With all that said, returning to the office will understandably be a daunting time for many, as we’ve become accustomed to distancing ourselves from people and we’ll no longer want to be too close together, meaning personal space will be much more valued. In a post-pandemic office, we feel the focus will shift to balancing the need for collaboration which gives offices purpose, with making sure employees feel safe and comfortable. We expect the density in spaces to decrease, with specific zones and an increase in touchless technology to maximise hygiene levels.

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While returning to the office may be like stepping into the unknown at first, what it does allow is for people to restore their worklife balance. The lines have become very blurred in the last three months – many of us have turned our homes into offices and are working irregular hours at the detriment to our home life.

It’s important that we return to some degree of separation in order to protect the sanctity of the home and a well-designed workplace has the ability to do this. Finding that quiet place to concentrate from home isn’t always possible, and for those with busy households and young children, the workplace has the potential to offer the quiet spaces and respite needed.

When designing a workspace, it’s important to remember that you’re often designing a space that some will use as a sanctuary.

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While wellbeing and safety remain key, so does designing offices which are sustainable and environmentally responsible. Initiatives such as BREEAM, WELL and LEED are great examples of the standards we should be incorporating into designs and striving to achieve.

We’re committed to creating a more sustainable way of working on a number of levels. Not only are we focused on how to build a new workplace in a sustainable, ethical manner, but also how elements within the design can encourage and impact a company’s ability to operate sustainably on a daily basis.

On an aesthetic level, careful consideration of materials, furniture selection and the supply chain are imperative. Companies are now much more aware of their sustainability credentials and their impact on the environment, and within the industry, we’re seeing a higher demand for recycled and natural materials such as cork or bamboo – which avoid using hazardous chemicals during the manufacturing process. By understanding the full supply chain involved with each aesthetic choice, it becomes much easier for designers to specify wholly sustainable pieces.

We also want to help businesses function in a sustainable way from day to day. Installing energy-saving lighting, integrating facilities which allow offices to recycle easily and supplying energyefficient heating or aircon units are all simple ways we can help companies to limit their environmental impact.

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The commonality which runs through all commercial-focused designs is people. By putting people at the centre of our designs, we can also promote occupant wellbeing.

One way of doing this is through biophilic design, which connects us with nature by bringing the outdoors in and creating indoor green spaces. The introduction of plants and even living walls is a trend that is understandably growing in popularity with this renewed focus on biophilia. By giving people the natural cues they’re often deprived of at work, you can nurture mental and even physical health. This can, in turn, help boost productivity and even overall job satisfaction.

Natural light is another important factor, as it encourages the production of melatonin (the hormone that helps you sleep) and increases serotonin (a mood improver). Daylight has also been shown to reduce fatigue and eye strain. Adding windows and skylights is still the most effective approach, and when creating the design for a project, we always start off by reviewing the layout in order to maximise natural light. For example, arranging desks closer to existing windows and removing unnecessary blinds and curtains are ideal ways you can increase daylight for end-users.

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People and nature-led spaces

One of a kind design

Whether designers are reconfiguring an existing design to implement social distancing measures, or creating a completely new design, it’s important the post-pandemic workspace centres around the new needs of users and supports their transition back into the office.

Designers will need to develop an original and thought-provoking concept every time, meaning teams will need to take the time to fully understand each individual project and work creatively together to ensure that they produce bespoke workplaces, which elevate user wellbeing and support these new ways of working. peldonrose.com

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H O M E S S M A R T

ALEXA, WHAT’S NEXT IN SMART HOMES?

Our smart home assistants do more than play our favourite playlists and tell us the weather. In many ways, they are our life assistants, planning our days, telling us the news and controlling our home appliances. For years, homeowners have been able to customise the aspects of their home using their smart devices, so what’s next? Nico van der Merwe, VP of Home & Distribution at Schneider Electric, investigates.

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s homes become smarter, bringing greater benefits, so will heating systems. By adopting smarter features, heat will be generated only when and where it’s required to the exact temperature that is optimal for every square foot. Simple upgrades to homes across the country will have a huge impact on comfort, convenience and energy bills. Homes will provide more control and improved thermal comfort of occupants by enabling the personalisation of each room.

The smarter choice

Many smart heating systems are designed so users can easily control their thermostat directly from an app on their phone – whether you’re out, on the sofa or having a lie-in. This is an obvious and altogether better and smarter choice for people to keep out the cold this winter.

With homes and heating systems becoming increasingly connected, the benefits continue to grow. The Internet of Things (IoT) allows homeowners to control their heating wherever and whenever, and schedule heating for when you wake up or arrive back. This saves money and time while improving comfort.

To reduce energy consumption and heating bills; connectivity, reliability and overall performance are all crucial. However, there are a number of new functions that are fast becoming a necessity.

Smart rooms

Today, we demand personalisation. The next stage for heating is control and scheduling in each room independently.

From a comfort point of view, each room should be at different temperatures – the bedroom cooler and the bathroom warmer. We control our lights switch-toswitch, and we control our water tap-totap. But, why don’t we control our heat room-to-room?

Traditional thermostats and radiator controls simply aren’t efficient or measurable.

A smart room thermostat, multi-room system measures and controls the temperature of each room and has a huge impact on comfort, convenience and energy bills.

Smart heating systems now enable users to personalise their home environment according to their needs by allowing them to control the temperature and schedule in their home completely independently.

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Today’s systems enable the kind of insight that’s crucial in a data-driven world

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Smart usability

With the explosion of apps, it’s now possible to take control of at-home appliances including heating, lighting and enter tainment systems.

Not only does this make it easier for individuals to control their appliances, for heating; in par ticular, but it also allows individuals to take control of their energy on the go to reduce their long-term energy consumption.

Now; however, heating is joining the smart home assistant (Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, etc.) revolution. Controlling heating with voice commands makes it easier than ever. You can now ask them to set your heating at a certain temperature, increase/decrease the heating and check what temperature your home is at.

Smart analysis

Next-generation heating solutions aren’t simply customisable; they provide complete insight into usage and self-improve. How does room temperature naturally change during the day, how does occupancy cause levels to fluctuate, and what is optimal?

Today’s systems enable the kind of insight that’s crucial in a data-driven world.

Today, pioneering smar t heating systems come as a single solution, linking radiators and thermostats through IoT technology, while a phone app provides convenience and control and analytics continuation optimises cost and comfor t. These solutions allow users to monitor the temperatures of individual rooms and change them remotely via their smar tphone, wherever they are.

Home improvers may now be striving for smar ter, more connected homes, but they want something that’s plug and play. Smar t heating systems fit the bill as they have no wires, no installation and no mess and, of course, are better for the environment. Adopting technology like this is necessary if people want to reduce their energy consumption in the future. The most modern heating solutions will be key in facilitating smar ter, more energy-efficient homes for the benefit of our wallets and our planet. se.com/uk/en

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F I N I S H E S & S U R F A C E S

C ircle Wood – Cucina

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F I N I S H E S & S U R F A C E S

HITTING THE TILES Surfaces in domestic and commercial design are an essential element of any project. Whether in relation to flooring, walls, worktops or countertops, the material chosen needs to be a good practical solution as well as visually pleasing. So what are the key functional elements that interior designers need to keep front of mind and how can the latest trends in surfaces enable them to tick all the boxes practically and aesthetically for their clients?

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ractical matters first and the key ingredient is durability. Any surface, whether it is a kitchen worktop or the floor of a hotel lobby, needs to be hard-wearing and made to last. Ease of maintenance and cleaning is another essential element, while in some areas, particularly in public buildings and ‘wet’ spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms, an element of slip resistance is also important.

This is what make tiling, and porcelain tiles, in particular, such a popular choice for all sorts of surface applications.

Porcelain tiles are highly resistant to stain, scratch and moisture. In fact, this is a durable and hardwearing material that is resistant to harsh cleaning agents, scratches and stains. Often frost-proof and certainly frostresistant, porcelain also won’t fade from exposure to direct sunlight, making it suitable for exterior applications too, so good news for those looking to create a seamless flow between inside and outside spaces, such as kitchens on to patios.

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Another major reason for the popularity of porcelain for use on surfaces is the sheer versatility of the material. Colour and style choice is almost endless, and finishes are also variable, giving designers a huge amount of creative freedom and enabling the material to be chosen for almost any application.

So what are some of the big trends emerging in porcelain’s use, and how can they be applied to your next interior design project? One significant shift we are seeing through our work with commercial and retail clients is the blurring of traditional boundaries between work and home. There is now very often a residential feel to commercial settings, where employees are made to feel at home in the workplace as a result of the layout and design choices made. This enables interior designers the option to make greater use of materials, colours and textures, to add visual interest and ultimately create a sense of homeliness.

There are many surface trends that carry quite comfortably across from commercial to residential settings, with looks that are evident in both. The desire for customisation and personalisation through the application of tiles, for example, is often seen in commercial situations such as entrance lobbies and hotels, but is also increasingly being desired in residential properties too. In kitchens and bathrooms, creating a sense of personality and offering something a little bit different from the norm is often something that is requested, Here, again, porcelain tiles do this requirement full justice, with very large tiles often combining with small tiles and even mosaics to create intricate, customised patterns.

As well as clever tile size combinations, porcelain also offers a wonderful opportunity to introduce pops of colour to any setting, with vibrant colourways offering a brilliant way to catch the eye and turn a specific area into a focal point. This trend isn’t limited by space either, working well in compact situations such as cloakrooms and washrooms and in large areas such as bars and restaurants.

With such a diverse range of styles, colours and sizes of porcelain tiles available, from a single manufacturer such as RAK Ceramics, the options are there to be taken full advantage of, and interior designers are not limited in their creativity.

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Porcelain tiles also give the opportunity to zone large areas, adding differentiation where required. This is something that has often been seen in commercial settings and is now increasingly the case domestically too, particularly as open-plan kitchen living areas become more the norm. The variety in formats, finishes and shading enables tiles to be used for consistency through kitchen, dining and living spaces in an open-plan home and similarly between work and social areas within offices, for example.

In broken-plan living spaces too, tiles can be used to create visual barriers without building solid walls.

A key trend in tile design is a move towards large-format tiles. These offer a stylish and minimal look, with less grout creating a clean and uninterrupted finish.

Using large-format tiles in smaller spaces will help the room appear bigger, while also making cleaning simpler.

Style-wise, materials that mimic nature and tiles that emulate stone and marble help to bring the outside in and create a sense of wellness through natural-looking environments. Marble-effect tiles in warm shades, including grey and cream, are very popular as they create a sense of luxury.

With so much variety available, when using porcelain tiles, interior designers are limited only by their own creativity, so; therefore, not at all. rakceramics.com

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POST-PANDEMIC PRIORITIES:

designing for the future The COVID-19 lockdown has forced us to spend more time in our homes than ever before, and it’s no surprise that people are looking at their homes through a new lens, seeing details they never noticed before, and feeling a renewed sense of ambition to maximise their home’s design potential, says Lauren Maylor, Head of Design at LOFT.

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ix in 10 British homeowners are even planning to move this year as the lockdown has highlighted a shift in their ‘dream home’, and an increased desire to live in a space that’s functional, flexible and ultimately supports our changing day-to-day emotions and needs.

With that in mind, here, Lauren Maylor, Head of Design at interior design and furniture specialist, LOFT, explores three evolving home trends that will become central to any new-build or renovated residential space design.

Human-centric approach

Throughout any given day, we transition through an array of feelings, activities and requirements. That’s why flexible spaces that accommodate this evolution are vital in room design, and zoning interiors is key to achieving this.

With working from home now the new norm for many people, the boundaries between work and personal life have become blurred.

Following the mandatory COVID-19 lockdown, 40% of people would now prioritise space for a home office if they were searching for a new property. Once designated for those who were self-employed, home offices now offer the much-needed sense of ‘disconnection’ after a working day, allowing you to close the door, and gain a sense of ‘shutting off’ your working mindset until it’s next needed.

While it’s likely future builds could feature designated rooms for offices, or have office areas incorporated within spare bedrooms; it isn’t a practical solution for smaller spaces.

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That’s where zoning areas comes in. For homes that are tight on space, the use of furniture will become increasingly key to effectively create designated areas assigned for a productive work life, home life, relaxation and rejuvenation.

For example, in openplan rooms, bookcases, furniture or the creative use of tall plant life can help to divide a room into the perfect working-fromhome space. This will mean occupants ‘leave’ the work area and retreat to their relaxation spaces at the end of the day.

Storage is also proving to be more important than ever, providing the ability to ‘put away’ working materials, allowing the mind to switch off and not be reminded of the earlier working hours.

It will no longer be the norm to work at your dining table, or at a makeshift temporary desk in the living room.

Instead, at the initial concept design stage for future schemes, the purpose of every square foot in a space needs to be considered, and creative designs will help determine the right scale and proportion of furniture to achieve the ideal zoned space, with adequate storage.

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“What’s clear is that COVID-19 has brought our homes into focus like never before”

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An even bigger biophilic boost

It is now commonly known, and scientifically proven, that bringing the outdoors in can have a positive impact on our mental wellbeing, as well as making us feel more productive, inspired and energetic.

Biophilic design is becoming a fundamental pillar of interior design, and its importance will continue to rocket as COVID-19 has brought into focus the essential need of connecting with nature and the outdoor space around us.

In future designs, we’ll likely see this design pillar manifest into more nature-inspired furniture and interiors in development schemes, made from locally-produced, natural materials. Biomimicry – or designs that mimic structures that nature itself has created – will also be incorporated into building structures, and statement designs.

Just one example of a collection created to support biophilic design is LOFT’s Natural Scandinavian collection. Forming part of LOFT’s 2020 designs, each furniture piece incorporates natural textures, earthy tones and sculptured shapes, and the minimalistic, timeless collection aims to evoke a sense of calm and relaxation, helping aid rejuvenation and increase wellbeing.

In addition to bringing the outdoors in, we’re already seeing urban developments incorporating more creative ‘nature havens’ within schemes too, like roof terraces and living walls. However, it’s expected that the COVID-19 impact will see a greater desire from tenants to have more natureinspired areas spaces like flourishing gardens, peaceful outdoor seating zones, and even communal allotments to allow them to feel close to nature, even in busy town and city centres.

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Co-everything

The COVID-19 lockdown has left many of us craving social interaction and questioning current living situations. With this in mind, it’s likely the co-living trend will see a huge boom over the coming years as people increasingly want to ensure they’re never in isolation alone. However, they’ll want to do this safely and know they have their own space.

Build-to-rent schemes are already catering for this demand, and we’ll likely see them further developed to accommodate for tenants looking for their own indoor community and ‘sense of place’.

Similar to a local village or town, where residents tend to know one another, designs are now geared towards an all-encompassing inside space that allows tenants to meet each other, co-live, co-work, exercise and socialise under one roof, creating smaller communities.

At LOFT, we’ve been working on designing and furnishing a variety of amenity and social spaces, and we’re seeing more and more residential builds incorporating food and beverage establishments and convenience stores. As people crave community and connection with their local surroundings, we would also expect future schemes to feature smaller local businesses, artisan craft stalls and local producers rather than chain establishments.

There’s also an increasing desire to have a positive impact on the community and environment around us. That means sustainable and eco-friendly design, energy efficiency and supporting local will climb the priority list for tenants on the hunt for a new home too.

What’s clear is that COVID-19 has brought our homes into focus like never before. Developers, architects and designers will need to adapt to accommodate for a new home work-life set-up, a bolstered desire for humans to connect with their surroundings and find creative ways to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. loft.co.uk

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ELECTRIC SHUFFLE BRINGS THE CLASSIC GAME OF SHUFFLEBOARD INTO THE 21ST CENTURY Adding to London’s reputation as a world-leader in destination hospitality venues, the designers behind Flight Club commissioned Ellis Design Studio to reinvent the classic game, shuffleboard. Amron Architectural, a trusted supplier and manufacturer of metal mesh, was approached by Ellis Design Studio to help provide creative solutions across some of the main features within the beautifully designed space.

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ituated in the heart of Canary Wharf on Cabot Square, the 9000ft2 venue is set over two floors and delivers a contemporary, experimental reimaging of the game and comprises 10 play spaces and two bars.

Inspired by the pioneers of electrical technology, and, in particular, the work of Nikola Tesla, an inventor, electrical engineer and futurist whose designs revolutionised the use of technology, the game of shuffleboard was redesigned and ‘electrified’. The interior was created with each detail resonating those references of the past and entwines them with cuttingedge gaming technology to form an engaging and original, contemporary, multi-layered scheme.

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The shuffle table

The beautifully custom-designed shuffleboard tables have been completely re-envisioned to form a central focus as social hubs within the scheme. The tables feature a high-gloss custom inlaid timber surface manufactured in the United States specifically for Electric Shuffle.

The materials and lighting have been carefully calibrated to not only showcase the table as a key design feature but also seamlessly integrate the gaming technology requirements.

The table design is inspired by the aesthetic of the grand Art Deco ocean liners, on which the game had its original heyday. Curvilinear forms in the timber and decorative copper pipework reinforce this aesthetic along with inlaid copper details, leather upholstered detailing and laser-cut metal elements, which bring together a mix of classic and contemporary, Art Deco and industrial influences.

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The main bar

The main bar on the ground floor is a dramatic double-height, power plant-inspired design and pays homage to both the 1940s factory aesthetic and the early designs of electrical transmission experiments. The large central bespoke rotating light feature which dominates the centre of the double-height void space at the main bar is suggestive of an electrical turbine and the copper accented fluted timber detailing creates the illusion of innumerable copper tubes conducting wiring to ‘power’ the venue.

The central light feature was developed in conjunction with specialist lighting designers to create the illusion of simultaneous clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, a movement reminiscent of mechanical cogs. The bar also features customdesigned, pylon-inspired lights suspended in the double-height void.

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Featuring a custom-made ceramic bullnosed top and bespoke fluted porcelain tiles, the bar front includes industrial-inspired strapping and rivet detailing and incorporates back-lit glass blocks, typical of aspects found in mid-century Bauhaus factories.

The first-floor bar

Amron Architectural worked closely with Ellis Design Studio to offer a bespoke metal mesh creative solution for the first-floor bar. The bar features a contemporary reinterpretation of utilitarian metal factory panelling rendered in vivid electric blue, which was overlaid with Zircon 25C expanded mesh which was fabricated by Rebus Jetcut and went alongside bespoke bronze domes, in a pattern reminiscent of electrical circuitry.

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The studio commissioned artisan ceramicists to create oversized decorative domed ‘rivet’ features and bespoke MidCentury-inspired lighting for the columns which flank the bar.

The radial first-floor wall light feature is intended as a digital re-imagination of the ground floor ‘turbine’ light feature.

A further reference to the industrial and electrical inspiration is the customdesigned ‘Control Panel’ feature wall, which has been designed with ‘sound-to-light’ activation and vintage-inspired buttons and dials. Along with further Zircon 25C expanded mesh being featured underneath the panel. The idea is for the venue to feel as if it’s ‘alive’ and ‘powered up’.

Matt King, Regional Sales Manager at Amron Architectural, says: “We were delighted to be asked

by Ellis Design Studio to create a bespoke metal mesh solution for the firstfloor bar area. Our mesh combined with the colours and other special features really brings the studio’s vision to life. A fantastic project we are proud to be a part of”.

Key elements of the lighting were custom designed by the studio.

The table lighting was created to be suggestive of electrical components, and the lighting in the double-height staircase space is inspired by the forms of ceramic electrical resisters.

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The hand-painted wall finishes on the ground floor walls evoke a sense of movement and lustre; the pattern is suggestive of patinated, rusted metals and the beauty of polychromatic swirling oil slicks. The inspiration for the walls on the first floor came from the unexpected delicate beauty of mould blooms and the faded striations of watermarks.

Alan Ellis, Managing Director at Ellis Design Studio, says: “The spirit of the design has been forged from these diverse influences producing a scheme which is vibrant, contemporary, unique and electric. The fusion of these ideas manifested in a design scheme we describe as the ‘beautiful factory’. The idea is to celebrate the beauty in utility and reimagine and celebrate the industrial/ Deco-inspired aesthetic with a nod to the genius of Tesla”.

Each individual element of the scheme has been carefully considered by the studio, bringing together the lustre of the Art Deco, the beautiful utility of early power station and factory design and the unexpected beauty of aged metals, whilst also paying homage to the pioneers of electrical technology and it’s transformative, modernising effect on the reinvented game of Electric Shuffle. The spirit of the design has been forged from these diverse influences producing a scheme which is vibrant, contemporary, unique and electric. amronarchitectural.co.uk ellisdesignstudio.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!

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E X R A T E D

Planting for pollinators in acre maze projec t by Sarah Morgan MSGD ©Leigh Clapp

GARDEN DESIGN IN A POSTPANDEMIC LANDSCAPE Here, Sarah Morgan MSGD, Chair of the Society of Garden Designers, discusses the impact COVID-19 has had on the garden design industry.

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A slower pace of life for a recent client in Herne Bay gives more time to contemplate. ©Sarah Morgan Gardens

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OVID-19 has swept the world by storm and disrupted individuals, communities and industries, some in a devastating way.

As a Garden Designer based in the South East and current Chair of the Society of Garden Designers (the professional body representing the garden design industry), I have been asked to comment on how it has influenced clients’ habits and behaviours both during and immediately after lockdown.

Garden design has often been portrayed as a luxury item, with initial fears that all work would disappear during an inevitable economic downturn, but never has there been a time that has so clearly demonstrated that

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play, exercise, clean air, fresh food, seasonal rhythms and natural beauty are essential for making sense of life and can be delivered most successfully by skilled professionals.

There has been a renewed public awakening and appreciation of local landscapes, parks and the sanctuary of the private garden.

All share a common bond of lifestyles disrupted, seriously ill loved ones, homeschooling and often economic concerns. For many of our clients, the home and garden have, overnight, become the new office, gym, school playground, restaurant and socialising space.

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to adapt rapidly to the change of rules governing safe site procedures. Work on the garden for those clients already converted to the value of a welldesigned outdoor space, either stopped mid-flow or carried on in a very limited way. Working outside has its advantages as this was deemed to be a safer environment for social distancing – a blessing, considering the appalling floods this winter had already left many projects delayed, particularly planting.

Rather than being met with an angry response from clients over the inevitable delays in materials and implementation, there has been a heartening generosity of spirit. The clients, too, are developing their home-grown skills and delighting in ‘having a go’ themselves.

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Family bubble’ in Appledore.

Dad and his father laying a path. ŠSarah Morgan Gardens

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Relaxing in Faversham Cour yard, designed by Sarah Morgan Gardens. ŠLeigh Clapp/Faversham Cour t yard

The healing power of plants for clients on rooftop garden ŠSarah Morgan Gardens

A former car park has been turned into valuable public green space for occupants of surrounding flats ŠSarah Morgan Gardens

My clients in Appledore, Kent, would normally have been at work during the construction phase, but instead now share the kitchen table together, working from home. The slowly emerging garden project has been an eye-opener to them, and they have got thoroughly involved as a family doing what they could to progress the project: clearing the ground, sourcing scarce materials, weeding and watering and now are having a stab at laying a new brick path. They said this kept them going; something I N E X

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to look forward to, outdoor exercise and a real sense of practical purpose. Being around more to see the emergence of the trees, blossoms, flowers and wildlife, they have become not only passionate about the transformation of the garden but also engaged with the process in a far more personal way than would otherwise have been the case. This new and exciting connection with the garden will no doubt put them in good stead to nurture it to maturity.

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during lockdown, the seasonal timing perfect, and a marvellous practical activity to enhance science lessons for children at home and for the parents to learn too! What with the alarming initial food shortages in supermarkets, vegetable growing has helped a lot of people cope with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Online vegetable seed sales have soared. The fundamental wellbeing triggered by working with the soil and seeing something useful magically appear from a tiny seed, and then to top it all; be more delicious than any overly packaged supermarket vegetable will remain with many

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Long views and peaceful set tings ©Sarah Morgan Gardens

people once COVID-19 has finally disappeared. We will see a sharper increase in the trend to combine edibles with ornamentals in the garden.

A client of mine in Herne Bay, whose small rear garden was completed last year and has been on her own during lockdown said: “I think that I have become more aware during lockdown of growing veg organically and particularly avoiding wastage.

I only pick the fresh produce that I want to eat that day, rather than throw-away, family-sized packs of supermarket food that are often wasted in my case.”

In cities, access to a garden or public space has been a lifeline for mental and physical wellbeing for many people. One of my clients who lives in a seventh-floor flat near Tower Bridge, London, stated to me during a regular video call that the roof terrace had meant everything whilst recovering from COVID-19 symptoms. We have had regular virtual 6 9

consultations on how to plant and nurture the pots. The beam on my client’s face as she ducked under a badminton net precariously strung across the width of the terrace, and the intense concentration as I explained the individual needs of plants were reward enough for all the logistical complications.

So what will change after the pandemic? My guess is that garden design work will still be there in abundance doing what it has always done, working closely with the client to ensure their practical, spiritual and lifestyle needs are met in a beautiful way. Clients will become more involved with that process, and projects will be more successful and sustainable as a result. sgd.org.uk sarahmorgangardens.co.uk I N E X

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ULTRA-COMPACT SURFACES LEAD THE WAY IN THE HIGH-END RESIDENTIAL SECTOR For high-end residential developments, a portfolio of recognised and coveted brands is a must. Right from early on in the purchasing journey when show homes are first visited, potential buyers are seeking out quality fixtures and fittings which evoke a premium feel while showcasing not just a look, but also a lifestyle to be desired. Surfaces play a vital role, holding the power to completely transform a room whether with a striking pattern or a more neutral design that pulls the rest of the room together – either way, adding a touch of quality and demonstrating high standards to discerning potential buyers, says Chris Hay, National Projects Manager at Cosentino UK.

Dekton Liquid in Sky, designed in collaboration with PATTERNIT Y

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Dekton Uyuni

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s kitchens continue to evolve into a space which is required to be multi-functional, open-plan interior set ups have remained popular, in turn driving more neutral and classic surface colours to reign with their desirable versatility and pared-back style. Crisp white worktops deliver a premium

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feel whilst letting the rest of the room do the talking; offering a blank canvas for personality to shine through via bold accessories, textiles and brassware. Greys are also sought-after with their modern, neutral palette, with plenty of shades to choose from spanning from cooler to warmer tones.

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When it comes to patterns, striking marble-look worktops and islands remain popular; their luxe look even more desirable without the hassle of the ongoing maintenance demanded by natural marble.

Dekton comprises both bold designs and surfaces with more subtle, natural veining; something for everyone.

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Dekton Por t folio in Rem

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Designs inspired by nature, such as Dekton Feroe’s forest green tones and Dekton Sky’s rippling patterns reminiscent of water, bring feelings of calmness to a space and really help to bring the outdoors in – ever more important as homeowners seek ways to entwine their interior style with their own wellbeing. For those who seek something even more daring, surfaces evoking materials such as industrial concrete and aged metal can help to create an on-trend urban-inspired interior.

Dekton Chromica in Feroe

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Dekton Avant Garde in Khalo

To create a truly seamless, modern look, matching largescale single-slab splashbacks and sinks are a popular choice for high-end residential kitchens. Aesthetics have never been more important as the sink is now often on show within an open kitchen-living space. Once considered a purely practical purchase, sinks and taps are becoming more of a design statement so creating I N E X

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a cohesive, streamlined look in the kitchen is becoming increasingly popular. More and more designers are now choosing sinks that match the worktop material, resulting in a continuation of design while offering peace of mind that the sink will not be easily scratched or stained.

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are seeing a rise in sinks on kitchen islands – often handy for food and drinks preparation, these sinks are smaller and are often designed to blend with the rest of the island. Matching upstands are also a popular choice in the majority of highquality residential kitchens, helping to add a bespoke finishing touch to a kitchen and thus appealing to detailconscious homeowners.

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Dekton Avant Garde in Helena

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Our second Global Kitchens study, a research project undertaken by our insights platform, The Silestone Institute, confirmed that modern attitudes towards kitchen usage in the UK are driving demand for hardwearing, versatile surfaces in residential homes. The study, titled ‘The Domestic Kitchen in the Globalisation Era’, looked into the function of the kitchen around the world, involving undertaking surveys in eight different countries. The results showed that more and more UK homeowners see the kitchen as a truly multi-functional space at the heart of the home, with 34% of UK participants stating they use the kitchen for activities other than cooking and eating, above the global average of 17.4%. Ultra-compact surfaces, such as Dekton by Cosentino allow customers to achieve any look they want, combined with the reliability of a premium material which offers a high resistance to scratches, staining, UV rays and heat, making it the ideal surface of choice for high-traffic areas and spaces with daily use.

Not only for kitchens, ultracompact surfaces are also key to curating luxury bathroom designs too. Extra-large tiling is a key trend for bathrooms this year, a striking design option which also means less grouting to maintain. For a truly wow-factor look, entire walls can be clad, or sinks and shower trays can match seamlessly. Dekton Slim offers a range of 4mm surfaces which have been designed specifically with this kind of wall cladding in mind and are quicker and more cost-effective for covering larger areas. Paired with an oversized shower head or freestanding bath, the result is highly effective.

In addition to style points, potential homeowners in the premium market ultimately expect quality fixtures and fittings from names they can recognise and rely on, providing peace of mind and easy maintenance that reflects their busy lifestyles.

Longevity of products continues to be key – developers and designers are looking for surfacing products that will withstand years of use, and want the peace of mind that comes with branded products that offers warranties and incredible customer support. cosentino.com/en-gb

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Dekton Liquid in Shell, designed in collaboration with PATTERNIT Y

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S P O T L I G H T P R O D U C T

MAKING BUILDINGS HEALTHY Although sustainable building is on the rise, large quantities of the harmful substances in some building materials still manage to slip through into new and refurbished buildings. In a new online theme from Troldtekt A/S, experts present their views on material health and indoor climate – and possible solutions to the challenges.

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his problem exists because material health does not always have the same concern as, for example, acoustics, ventilation or daylighting. In an interview with Martha Lewis, Head of Materials at Henning Larsen Architects, the theme focuses on the health of building materials and their influence on indoor climate.

The theme also features inspiration from some European buildings which excel at being verifiably healthy and have Troldtekt acoustic solutions incorporated into their

architecture. For example, it features the newly opened C2C lab in Berlin where all the materials meet the Cradle to Cradle design criteria. These are valuable and much more detailed calculations than are available elsewhere.

Troldtekt, a leading developer and manufacturer of acoustic ceiling and wall solutions which contains no deleterious materials, wants to be specified for buildings that are healthy for their

©Kirstine Mengel

occupants. This is why the company is working strategically to support the third UN Sustainable Development Goal – ‘Good Health and Wellbeing.’ In practice is because their products contain no deleterious materials. This theme also explains how the recognised DGNB Certifications focuses on the health and comfort of building users. 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 lifecycle performance and sustainability. troldtekt.co.uk 01978 664255 info@troldtekt.co.uk

TRADITIONAL KITCHEN TAPS IN FASHION

Mixing colour and muted furniture with both modern and classic combinations of appliances and accessories is an overall trend across homestyle media. A staple combination is the traditional tap with the farmhouse sink; yet also evident is a mix of modern sink materials such as Silgranit with a classic tap in copper and brass, for example. And, in turn, smart taps can, of course, be combined with traditional sinks. Pictured is a perfect centrepiece; the brushed copper VICUS tap from BLANCO UK which combines the elegance of a classic design with a modern edge. The VICUS family consists of the twin lever, the bridge twin lever and the single lever spray.

WOOD WAX FINISH Osmo has the solution for all interior wood surfaces!

• Water and dirt resistant • Especially suitable for furniture and DIY projects • Suitable for children’s toys according to EN71.3 • Mix of transparent, intensive or custom colour tones • No sanding necessary for future applications – simply re-apply!

• Microporous, breathable finish. Doesn’t crack, peel or flake

www.osmouk.com

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German bathroom manufacturer, Bette, offers its baths, shower trays and basins in over 400 colours and also creates bespoke colours for large projects. A new colour reference fan, featuring its most popular colours, is available, and there is colour information on its new website. Bette can create its baths, shower trays and washbasins in over 400 colours because of the way its products are made. Each item is individually manufactured in titanium-steel before its durable BetteGlaze enamel finish is applied and fired. Bette mixes colour pigments into the BetteGlaze enamel finish, prior to application, which is why such a huge range of colours, including gloss, matt, shimmering and glittering options, are available. my-bette.com +49 5250 511 520

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NEW VINTERA FARMHOUSE SINK FROM BLANCO REDEFINING MODERN FAMILY TRADITIONS The stunning new VINTERA XL 9 from BLANCO creates a real focal point in traditional or modern kitchens; it’s a contemporary, hardworking version of the ever-popular classic, farmhouse sink.

Developed for 90cm base cabinets, it is big enough to perform whatever task is asked of it. The Belfast-style sink can be either installed undermounted or flush with the worktop and comes in 10 on-trend colours in BLANCO’s market-leading tactile, stone composite material, SILGRANIT – New Black, Anthracite, Rock Grey, Allumetallic, Pearl Grey, Concrete-Style, Coffee, Tartufo, Jasmin and White. Made with up to 80% granite, SILGRANIT is incredibly strong.

info@bette.de

blanco.co.uk

P R O D U C T

BETTE OFFERS OVER 400 COLOURS FOR BATHROOM INSPIRATION

01923 635200

KELLER KITCHENS APPOINTS NEW NORTHERN AREA SALES MANAGER

Keller Kitchens continues to enjoy ongoing growth in the UK and has recently appointed a new Area Sales Manager for the Northern region. Paul Shiels joins Keller’s team of kitchen experts to assist and support development in the years to come. Paul is no stranger to the kitchen and bathroom industry and has a wealth of experience. He comments: “I have been working with mid- to high-end companies from Germany and Italy, with independent specialists from all over the UK, for the past 18 years. I am delighted to have joined Keller and Tim Spann’s progressive UK team. I am really looking forward to developing the region in these new, exciting times.”

COMPLEMENT YOUR KITCHEN WITH SAINT MORITZ IN QUARTZ FROM KÖNIGSTONE

Quartz is one of the hardest natural substances; its high-quality durability makes it the perfect choice for worktop surfaces. The KönigQuartz range from high-grade surface manufacturer, Königstone, has been engineered with this in mind and the allure of its impressive range of colour options is designed to excite all kitchen design schemes. The newly introduced Saint Moritz shade is reflective of the rest of the 27 colour-option range with its charming appeal. This is a delicately neutral shade with foundations of greys and whites. The multi-tonal base is reminiscent of marble but with its own individual twist.

kellerkitchens.com +31 (0) 164 285 106 info@kellerkitchens.com

konigstone.co.uk 0333 577 2903 info@konigstone.co.uk 8 1

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