THE BIGGER PICTURE

Architect Tom Rutt of TR Studio on why the key design decisions transcend short- or medium-term trends…

What are the most significant ways in which clients’ needs and expectations have changed in recent times? There are a number of things. Clients have become increasingly savvy and more informed with regards to energy efficient interventions, ASHP, solar etc, which is great. Clients are much more engaged when it comes to these elements of the project and are doing a lot of research beforehand. As such, they are coming to us with sustainability at the forefront of their plans.

As a studio, we are always exploring emerging technologies and engage with consultants to see which intervention can be incorporated so that we can choose a solution which is best for the property, the client’s budget, is cost saving in the long term, and is environmentally friendly.

Working from home has also changed the landscape and people’s perception of the home. Our personal spaces now need to work harder to accommodate the ways which working life has infiltrated the home more over the last few years.

What are the key design trends, materials, and ideas that are currently driving specification decisions?

As a studio, we have always avoided ‘trends’; we’re solely influenced by what our clients need to help improve their lives and day-to-day living and we spend a lot of time with clients before projects start in order to achieve this. If improved technology meets our clients’ needs then we integrate that, but similarly we try to reduce the amount of tech to ensure usability and to align with client preference.

We are driven by both the property itself as well our clients in terms of aesthetics. It is fair to say that we have gained a reputation for using a lot of natural materials wherever possible to create a very texturally rich and contemporary look. As a team, we are very conscious to understand a material’s provenance to ensure that we work in a sustainable way. We also purposely retain and re-use wherever possible to reduce the impact our design has on the environment. Our clients are becoming much more conscious of this also, both in terms of environmental and cost perspectives.

What are some of the emerging creative trends that you expect to see influencing your own projects over the next year and beyond?

Again, we don’t really work with trends per se, but instead focus on larger, overarching principles of design. Sustainability, natural and energy efficient products or materials combined with beautiful texture, colour and making sure something stands the test of time. It’s absolutely about longevity over trends for us.

Something we will continue to do is to keep a keen eye on new ways to heat the home. Gas will be replaced in coming years but there is a long way to go to make ASHP and hydro the replacement to do so. Planning restrictions on noise levels, space requirements, cost and capacity, for example, all factor in.

TR Studio / trstudio.co.uk

Saving Resources

Stephen Johnson, MD at Quooker UK, on the impact that sustainable priorities have had on his product sector

Over the last few years, there has been a significant shift in customers’ needs and priorities. Climate change has played a big part in this, as people are quite rightly increasingly concerned with where their products come from and how they directly impact the environment.

Across the kitchen and bathroom industry and beyond, companies have had to rethink and adapt their product offerings or services to meet this shift; boiling water taps are no different. In addition to the hot, cold and boiling water functions, manufacturers are turning their attention to new water modes. Offering filtered, chilled and sparkling water from the same tap at the touch of a button is one of the ways in which Quooker is tackling the issue of sustainability through product development.

The new and improved Quooker CUBE was launched last year to provide a lighter, more compact and easier to install alternative to our successful CUBE accessory, initially released in 2019. The new CUBE boasts an improved water flow for the chilled water mode and two different effervescence levels, so users can pick their preferred level of fizz in their drinks. This improvement was crucial to provide a more long-term sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bottles. Considering that the average UK household uses a staggering 360 single-use plastic bottles per year, taps that can deliver filtered, sparkling and chilled water will help to reduce this figure dramatically.

Quooker

/ quooker.co.uk

Timeless Qualities

Howard Miller, Co-founder of H. Miller Bros, shares some of the prominent items on the kitchen wish-list for consumers…

Clients are approaching us with these incredible images of retro interiors, modernist design influences, and also vivid memories of mid–century interiors that they grew up with. Our theory is that there is something about the general optimism of post-war interior design and the accompanying design flair that feels really refreshing right now.

Nostalgia is running through the national psyche at the moment, it appears in TV shows such as Stranger Things, and in the appeal of retro technology such as Polaroid cameras and cassette tape players. There may be a few reasons for this. It tends to evoke fond memories like buying your first single, or of good times on childhood holidays or with grandparents; it puts us in a good mood. Another cause may be to do with a digital detox and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the 24hr switched-on culture we live nowadays.

In practical terms, we’re conscious that many people are looking for opportunities to display special things they love in their kitchens. Incorporating open shelving, especially a single shelf at eye level for special things, and cabinetry with reeded glass doors, allows objects being stored within to bring vibrancy, texture and visual richness to a curated kitchen.

Storage solutions like pantries and breakfast cupboards have become a key part of our designs and are increasingly seen as one of the must-have items in a modern home. The rise in popularity of the pantry cupboard is linked to self-sufficient living with so many more of us growing food and cooking from scratch with the pantry space playing an important role for kitchen and food storage.

The other great advantage of a pantry and cupboard is that the kitchen space no longer needs to be full of wall cupboards so entire walls are left free for a strong design aesthetic allowing it to become more of a relaxed environment.

H. Miller Bros / hmillerbros.co.uk

Local Interest

Hristina Atlavanska, Senior Interior Designer at SHH, explains some of the key factors shaping specification decisions in the hospitality sector

What are the most significant ways in which clients’ needs and expectations have changed in recent times? Since the pandemic, clients are more attuned to the way interior spaces make them feel. The importance of wellbeing and mental health has become a priority and interior designs need to address that. Consequently, the design of interior and outdoor space seeks to create stronger ties between nature and indoor living.

At SHH, we have worked on several international projects where the client’s expectation was geared towards drawing connections with the local culture and landscape. Clients are after spaces that can adapt easily to accommodate different uses, so the need for flexibility is growing. Individuality and identity also score high in terms of clients’ expectations. Sense of space, differentiation and unique characteristics that stem from the location or associations to the local culture can really help a venue stand out.

What are the key design trends, materials, and ideas that are currently driving specification decisions? Authenticity plays a big part on specification decisions. Using locally sourced materials will not only offer a more indigenous look and feel to the space but it will also help it perform better. At the start of a project, we tend to research local materials that will define the look and feel of a space. Boosting the local economy and minimising our carbon footprint from imports is another parameter to consider when choosing materials.

In terms of aesthetics, softer and earthy colours and textures continue to trend into 2023. Creating an organic environment from materials like cotton, stone, wool, marbles will help create comfortable and beautiful experience for guests. Introducing crafty details, different shades and textures will keep interiors fresh and airy. Same floor finishes such as stone slabs or tiles that are equally suitable for indoor/outdoor use, can promote a seamless feel.

What are some of the emerging creative trends that you expect to see influencing your own projects over the next year and beyond?

We recently worked on a mixed-use project in Holland where we have created a long glass link to connect two separate buildings. The glass link is the result of a requirement to create a comfortable communal space for guests and residents who can socialise, work or just relax somewhere different from their own residence by staying connected to nature. Our selection of materials and colour palette was inspired by the surrounding landscape and aims at enhancing guests’ experience and wellbeing.

SHH / shh.co.uk

SHH’s Qingpu project in Shanghai. The architects wanted to reference the water element in their design as the building is located on a recreational promenade along canals that connect to the Yangtze river. An internal water feature was impractical, so the team applied mirror embossed metal panels to the ceiling, their ripple pattern creating connections with the water element of the canals.

Future Trends

Layering Textures And Materials

Helena and Keith Myers, Directors at The Myers Touch, suggest that materials will remain the vital ingredient for upcoming projects

Combining colours, materials and textures is a dominant trend that will likely increase in popularity during 2023. “We use an expert blend of modern cabinetry, natural stone, concrete-effect worktops, eco appliances, sleek materials and finishes to create a sleek and contemporary look in both period and modern properties,” says Helena Myers. “Our designers are confident that the trend of using slatted wood walls in darker tones to provide further textural contrast and definition will expand further in 2023. For example, soft-toned grey and warm-wood effect cabinetry juxtaposes beautifully with nickel cabinets and marble and moody-toned quartz worktops, to provide a connection with the other luxury materials in the space.

“We are seeing two interesting approaches regarding layering; the first is the subtle layering of similar-toned textures to create a clean, gentle and soothing space and the second is the bold juxtaposition of many shapes and colours that result in an atmosphere of joy and creativity with a highly personalised outcome in a kitchen space.”

Keith Myers adds: “By incorporating different textures, materials and features, we bring individuality, personality and interest to their kitchen design, creating atmospheres which are perfect for our new way of living.”

DESIGNER MAGAZINE / DESIGNERATI.CO.UK

FUTURE TRENDS

DESIGNER MAGAZINE / DESIGNERATI.CO.UK