Mix interiors 175 by Mix_Interiors

Introducing the world’s sleekest monitor arm. The award-winning EVO monitor arm is getting everyone’s attention. ®

Its sleek design will complement any workspace.

Distributed in the UK by:

source Source | info@source-london.co.uk | www.source-london.co.uk

Innovative Europe ApS | LCDarms.com/evo

UPFRONT 10 14 Seven...

Inside 56

CASE STUDY 56 56 RocketSpace

16 Perspective

64 Dods Group

19 Forward Thinking 21 Material Matters

ROUND TABLE 72

22 Desert Island Desks

REVIEW 78

SPOTLIGHT 25

78 Clerkenwell Design Week

26 The Big Question 29 The Designers

THE FINAL WORD 96

47 Design Guild Mark 50 Studio Focus

64 72

The cover image The Dauphin Fiore offers ideal solutions for use in every room. It is comfortable, functional and visually attractive. The simple, yet elegant seat shell conveys a sense of visual simplicity. Depending on the material and colour, it can provide bold colour contrasts or subtle design touches. The meeting chair has now received the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2017. www.dauphin-group.com With more and more devices using USB the demand for traditional sockets on the desk is falling. Chip is a stylish and fully integrated 4A USB charging module that simply connects to your under desk power, using a Wieland or plug, to offer 2 USB power supplies capable of charging all leading phones and tablets.

Mix Interiors 175

June 2017

ROCKETSPACE DODS PRODUCT DESIGN SPOTLIGHT CDW REVIEW

Back issues 06/06/2017 16:16

MIX INTERIORS 174

With more and more devices using USB the demand for traditional sockets on the desk is falling. Chip is a stylish and fully integrated 4A USB charging module that simply connects to your under desk power, using a Wieland or plug, to offer 2 USB power supplies capable of charging all leading phones and tablets.

A Word

from Mick

I know you’ve been eagerly anticipating the announcement of possibly the industry’s most prestigious awards – well wait no longer. Here are the annual Micks – the industry’s version of the Oscars, presented to CDW’s finest (and when I say annual, this is actually something I’ve just invented!). So, without further ado…the Mick award for Serious Investment goes to Boss Design for the brilliant Simon Pengelly-designed Atom series. In my mind, this is the first truly full, forward-thinking programme of furniture we’ve seen since Bene’s Parcs. It’s very good. Speaking of forward-thinking, the Back to the Future award goes to Steelcase and Microsoft for their Creative Spaces collaboration. You can’t help but be impressed by the interactive, creative nature of Microsoft’s surface devices. In fact, we’re hoping to head back to Worklife and explore deeper in the very near future.

Mix Interiors 174

13/04/2017

15:44

May 2017

Editor Mick Jordan mick@mixinteriors.com

Contributors Steve Gale Andy Swann

Editorial support Rebecca Sabato rebecca@mixinteriors.com

Address Mix Media Limited 2 Abito 85 Greengate Manchester M3 7NA

ZOE MOSS w CHRISTIAN LACROIX w BSI GROUP w 30 UNDER 30

Sales Director Gary Williams gary@mixinteriors.com

Telephone 0161 946 6262

Director David Smalley david@mixinteriors.com

Contacts t: 01709 385470 e: sales@cmd-ltd.com w: www.cmd-ltd.com

MAY 2017 MIX INTERIORS MIX INTERIORS 173170

This stylish monitor arm, arguably one of the slimmest of its type on the market today, is available in silver, black and white and comes complete with quick release VESA, C clamp and

Chip is a new 4A USB charging setkits toasrevolutionise the way we use on throughmodule desk fixing standard. desk power. With more and more devices using USB the demand for traditional sockets on the desk is falling. This stylish and fully in integrated module simply connects to your under desk power using a Wieland or plug to offer 2 USB power supplies capable of charging all leading phones and tablets.

Mix Interiors Mix Interiors 173 170

April January 2017 2017

AMC NETWORKS UCL EDEN MCCALLUM THE EDUCATION REPORT AVALARA DAVID DREWS  WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT  SKANSEN SPACELAB

Contacts

t: 01709 385470 e: sales@cmd-ltd.com w: www.cmd-ltd.com

The Mick Revival award goes to Ultrafabrics – or Monty and Bebe, to be more precise. The duo of mini Airstreams provided free coffee and/or beer, depending on the time of day (honest!). The Bond Villain award goes to Knightsbridge, whose brilliant oversized Alfie chair in the By Bailey showroom brought out some of the poorest Blofeld impressions ever. Staying in the By Bailey showroom, the award for Getting the Band Back Together goes to Mark Bailey and Thomas Bene, who we found chatting in the former’s Clerkenwell Green showroom. Rolling back the years. I’d like to present the Entrepreneurial Award to Micky and the staff at the Sutton Arms, who took full advantage of neighbouring Milliken’s overpopulated party while, finally, the award for Keeping the Editor Happy goes to the team at Mix, who booked us an apartment above the Sports Bar for the week. For three days, I really was living the dream!

Get in touch

JUNE 2017

The logo When we design, we engage with our clients, their goals and their ambitions in order to create a bespoke design solution. Arney Fender Katsalidis wanted to express engagement by exploring the interaction of the logo with this month’s cover image of Dauphin’s chairs. www.afkstudios.com

MIX INTERIORS 175

The cover

Designer Georgina Nicklin georgina@mixinteriors.com Managing director Marcie Incarico marcie@mixinteriors.com

JANUARY APRIL 20172017

Founding publisher Henry Pugh 11/04/2017 09:29 17/01/2017 16:36

e-mail editorial@mixinteriors.com Website www.mixinteriors.com Twitter @mixinteriors Instagram @mix.interiors

Get your own! To ensure that a regular copy of Mix Interiors reaches your desk, please call 0161 946 6262 or e-mail: rebecca@mixinteriors.com Annual subscription charges UK single £45.50, UK corporate (up to 5 individuals) £140, Europe £135 (airmail), Outside Europe £165 (airmail). Printed by S&G Print ISSN 1757-2371

CLERKENWELL Introducing three new modular carpet designs to the Clerkenwell Collection. Angled Walk, Ely Place and Travelling Line; quirky, independent and free spirited. Inspired by Clerkenwell. Created by Milliken.

T +44 (0)1942 612777 www.millikencarpet.com 3

R AY S W I V E L RAY swivel combines the same seating dynamics as its cantilever predecessor; this new version offers even more forms of flexibility and comfort. Floating above the die-cast aluminium base, the upper assembly springs, bounces and sways. A combination of firmness and softness, mobility and solidity, grace and style. All in one chair.

w w w.brunner-uk .com

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#loveyourworkspace KI has collaborated with textile design studio Natasha Marshall Ltd to create a new palette of fabrics and finishes for workstations, storage, seating and third space furniture. Taking inspiration from nature, these finishes will help organisations incorporate biophilic design principles into their workspaces to improve happiness, health, productivity and employee engagement.

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Upfront

ASK THE QUESTION… Mix is proud to announce the launch of our newest feature- MIX BLANK CANVAS. We have teamed up with PATRIZIA UK, GMPF and Ask Real Estate to create a competition where you get to design a unique space within No.8 First Street - Manchester’s most distinctive, Grade A, BREEAM rated ‘Excellent’ office development. The aim of the design competition is to help in the promotion of the unique ‘winter garden’ spaces within No.8, to help raise the profile and uniqueness of this creative and leading office development in Manchester City Centre. If your design team would like to get involved with this competition please contact Rebecca on 0161 946 6262 or rebecca@mixinteriors.com

THE PRODUCT DESIGNER PLAY LIST

h No.8 First Street on the right

This month’s Spotlight (starting on page 25) focuses on the Product Designer. One of the questions we asked was what these creative souls were currently listening to at work. We’ve decided to summarise the list here, creating our very own PRODUCT DESIGN PLAY LIST. We’re sure you probably won’t like them all; there are some corkers and, by gum, it’s eclectic! Where they haven’t specified a track, we have chosen one – and next month we just may pick on another group to ask!

• Capitão Fausto – Morro na Praia • Mulatu Astatke – Yekermo Sew

BRAVE, GENTLE AND NOBLE Every conversation about workplace at the moment appears to include flooring. At a recent Roundtable during Clerkenwell Design Week (see page 72) all of our panellists agreed that there has never been a better choice of products to choose from. A perfect example of this is this brilliant new product launch from Ntgrate, whose products include some pretty bold names. With three styles featuring the names Brave, Gentle and Noble, they must be confident. Described as ‘high-style texture’, the products are designed for anywhere that demands wear-resistance and ease of maintenance from its flooring (Rated Class 33 Heavy Commercial (EN 15114) and capable of absorbing footfall noise by 14dB). Woven from PVC with a glass fibre reinforced core, the range is available in both tile and sheet formats.

NEW OFFICE FOR GROWING CHESTER FINTECH COMPANY Chester based fintech company Businesscomparison.com is growing. They let us know that they have moved to larger offices after another good year (user base at 30,000 visitors a month). The online firm helps small business owners to compare deals on bank accounts, commercial mortgages, business energy and insurance, based in the historic Steam Mill, which is a landmark listed building in the centre of Chester. They have had a complete refurbishment, which now includes a living wall, library room and a bespoke graffiti wall. The head of business, Philip Brennan, is obviously happy, ‘The team have worked hard to develop and grow a business that we’re all really proud of. The move to larger premises represents the growth of the company and we’re excited to fill the extra space with more staff over the coming years as we look to expand and offer even more products to business customers’. Wigan-based Diamond Business Interiors did the fit-out while the artwork is by local muralist, Karl Hewitt from Noo Designs Murals.

Noble

i Kitchen area

• Pineapple Head – Crowded House • Home – Maribou State • Blue Orchid – The White Stripes • Purple Rain – Prince • Downbound Train – Bruce Springsteen • Material Girl – Gunhild Carling • Deep In It – St Germain Tourist • Dakota – Stereophonics • Benjamin Clementine – Nemesis • Nature Boy (acoustic) – Aurora • Carry Me – Nick Crofts • Don’t You Wait – Solange • Blitzkrieg Bop – The Ramones • Cupid – The Big Moon • Upside Down – Jack Johnson • Safe from Harm – Massive Attack • Human – Rag’n’Bone Man • Stabat Mater – Pergolesi • I Try – Macy Gray • Mein Ding – Udo Lindenberg • You Want It Darker – Leonard Cohen • Childish Gambino – Redbone • The Wind of Change – Acoustic Alchemy • Walls – Kings of Leon • Love and Hate – Michael Kiwanuka • Bumaye – Typhoon • A-Tisket, A-Tasket – Ella Fitzgerald • I Know You Know – Esperanza

Brave

Spalding • 90% of Me – Gwen McRae • Ready, Steady, Go – Mixology DJ Paul Oakenfold

A new world for your projects

Vanguard Interiors Singapore, 2017

www.koleksiyon.co.uk Koleksiyon Furniture Limited 9 Brewhouse Yard London EC1V 4JR United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 3405 1885 London / New York / Chicago / Dallas / Ä°stanbul / DĂźsseldorf 11

Upfront

Ollin from CBS The next chapter in ergonomic refinement. Ollin, our revolutionary new monitor arm, supports the screen technology of today and helps you prepare for the screen technology of the future. Its unique technical cord supports weights from 0kg up to 9kg, helping you stay in touch as technology advances, and screens become lighter and more mobile. As you adopt and adapt your workspace to accommodate new technologies, Ollin can grow with you and evolve how you work.

info@cbsproducts.co.uk +44 (0)207 940 4266 www.colebrookbossonsaunders.com

WORD

PETER DE KISSHAZY JOINS QUADRANT British designed and manufactured carpet tiles operation Quadrant have appointed the highlyexperienced Peter de Kisshazy as Sales Director. Known by many of you, having worked with Christy Carpets in London and the SE for many years, Peter has now taken over UK responsibility to lead the team at Quadrant and develop close relationships within the interior design and architecture communities. ‘I’ve spent the last few weeks out in the field, presenting Quadrant products to specifiers – and the response has been fantastic,’ explains Peter on his new role. His boss, MD James Scully, is (not surprisingly) pleased with the appointment. ‘Peter’s appointment comes hot on the heels of some key developments in our product lines. His expertise and experience, as well as an extraordinary network of industry contacts, will stand us in good stead and I’m looking forward to working closely with him to grow the stature of Quadrant within the specification community.’

We’ve taken a less than serious look at another industry buzzword – Disruption. Workplace design, coupled with advancements in technology, presents greater opportunities for what some might still refer to as water cooler moments, while others will refer to them as accidental collisions.

Disruption

End User We’re extremely keen to introduce disruptive design throughout our buildings. In the past, we’ve found – despite working on the same floor as one another – that some of our people have never even met one another. And that’s just the board of directors!

Dealer Disruptive design? What’s that? Oh, OK. Yep – we’re in. We’ve got all sorts of (reassuringly expensive) products that will help ‘disrupt’ things. We’ve got sofas, highbacks, mid-backs, low-backs, banquette seating, stools, high tables, low tables…

Interior Designer It’s vital that our clients embrace disruptive design. Not only does this mean increased collaboration, interaction and communication, it also makes us sound incredibly clever and gives us another reason to get rid of rows and rows of desks.

Manufacturer Does this mean more or fewer desks? Fewer! Oh well, it was worth a go. So more soft seating and occasional furniture it is. At least this one doesn’t mean less kit getting specified. With all this soft seating getting bought up, we should become a fabric manufacturer. They must be raking it in!

LONDON CALLING A little while ago we were tipped off by the everyouthful Steve Fitch that he was going to set up his own business. Many will know him from his time at Dovetail and more recently Fritz Hansen. His new independent contract furniture dealership will be called OFL (Office Furniture London). www.OfficeFurniture-London.com The business will focus on three main furniture supply streams – traditional custom-designed solutions, fast turnaround products and beautiful vintage furniture. Steve told us: ‘Our desire is to provide the highest level of customer service in the furniture industry with a passion for furniture, intelligent workspaces and an unfailing commitment to customers, putting them first every time. We love furniture, we live furniture, we breathe furniture and we deliver expertise – so you can get on with your job.’

Mix Defined as ‘the practice of creating intentional interventions into a pre-existing system with the specific objective to leverage a different outcome, and more importantly, an outcome that is likely to create positive social change’. So, move away from your desk and get yourself a latte. If anyone asks, tell them you’re being disruptive. Hmmm, maybe not!

cm@spatial.co.uk / 0161 850 9005 13

Upfront

things you might not know about cycling

The interest in cycling has increased immensely over the past decade. It has created its own ‘rock gods’ – including Bradley Wiggins and one of the world’s leading cyclists, Peter Sagan, professional road racer for UCI WorldTeam Bora–hansgrohe. The sport is by no means male dominated; this summer over 150 female riders, including Lizzie Deignan and Katie Archibald, will complete 14 laps of a 3.8 mile London circuit in a day dedicated to celebrating women’s cycling. These professionals are following in the footsteps of others who had a desire to travel on two wheels – thanks to our friends at hansgrohe for their cycling insight.

1. THE LAUFMASCHINE C1817 Two-wheeled human-powered vehicles have been around in a variety of forms for hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until German civil servant Baron Karl von Drais designed the Laufmaschine that they then became a viable alternative form of transport. The difference from previous two-wheeled vehicles was the addition of a steering mechanism – although rudimentary, it gave the rider directional control, which in turn had a dramatic effect on balance.

2. PRIZES FOR THE WOMEN In 2016 the Tour de Yorkshire gave women’s cycling a massive boost by offering a first prize for the one-day event that will exceed the men’s winnings for their threeday stage race over the same weekend. The first prize for the women’s Tour de Yorkshire was €20,000 (£15,628). 3. PHONE HOME From dirt track stunts to Hollywood stardom, BMX stunt riding had been popular in the US since the 70’s but was virtually unknown in Europe. In 1982 Steven Spielberg asked top rider Bob Haro to perform his BMX stunts in E.T. This became one of the greatest cinematic influences on cycling ever, encouraging a generation of children to cycle and making BMX a global household name.

4. SAFETY IN CHAINS The earliest example known of a rear wheel chain-driven bicycle is in a drawing in Leonardo Da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus, c 1493. However, it was not until 1879, that British inventor Henry J Lawson created the first chaindriven bicycle. This was further improved by John Kemp Starley –‘the father of the bicycle industry’ – who created the Rover Safety in 1885. With this single innovation, the modern bicycle was born.

5. ANNIE LONDONDERRY – GOES GLOBAL Annie Kopchovsky, a 24-year old mother of three, had never ridden a bike until a few days before but then, for a bet, left Boston in 1894 to cycle around the world in less than 18 months. She carried a change of clothes, a pearl-handled pistol and some guide books. Known as ‘Annie Londonderry’ because of sponsorship from the Londonderry Lithia Spring Water Co, Annie’s journey took her to Chicago, New York, Paris, Marseilles, Alexandria, Colombo, Singapore, Saigon, Hong Kong, Shanghai and San Francisco, before returning home in under 18 months to claim her $10,000 prize.

6. THE FOLDING BIKE Created by UK engineer Andrew Ritchie, the Brompton folding bike is loved by commuters and urban cyclists alike. Original prototypes were built by Ritchie in his bedroom, where he developed the pivoting rear triangle, allowing the rear wheel to fold underneath and creating a bicycle that packs away small enough to stow on public transport or to be hidden under a desk.

7. THE PRINTED BIKE In 2011 the Bristol Aerospace Innovation Centre created the Airbike – the first fully functioning bicycle to be constructed using a 3D printer. Even complicated components such as the bottom bracket were printed as a single element, complete with bearings and other moving parts. Although a prototype, experts predict that production versions of a 3D printed bike will be available within the next decade.

yuno The smart alternative to the folding table.

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“Stacking without folding” – yuno retains all the benefits of a folding table and avoids its weaknesses. wiesner-hager.com 15

Upfront

Giles Flaxton

Perspective We met Giles at one of our MixInspired events in London – and we are so glad we did. As you know, we like to explore the whole of the property food chain (PFC), understand more about the workings of the end user (which is what we focus on during our MixInspired events) and get a real insight into the property world (see our profile of Como’s Zoe Moss, last month). Giles works for Cushman & Wakefield, but his current role straddles the property/end user role. For nearly three years he has been embedded with the US software company, Abode – best known for Photoshop – so is able to give us his own quite unique perspective.

we ever expected people to work effectively in those spaces! HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD? Six years.

DO YOU HAVE CRYSTAL BALL? You had better check the above answer in 10 years’ time.

DO YOU THINK CLIENTS GENERALLY UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF GREAT DESIGN? It depends on the individual. If they are talking about delivering an ‘experience’ for their employees or customer, then the answer is probably ‘Yes’.

HOW MANY IN YOUR TEAM? 13.

WHAT ARE THE KEY WORDS YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN FIRST CONSIDERING A NEW SCHEME FOR A CLIENT? What does their ‘customer’ need? Even if you are working for an internal client team, they will have to deliver something to someone else.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR THE MODERN FACILITIES MANAGER? Probably the same as for any manager – be aware of your limitations and biases, keep an open mind and try to work with people who are smarter than yourself.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU AND THE TEAM HAVE TO FACE? Providing a service ‘remotely’. We are not physically at every client site so my team and I need to rely on our relationships with client contacts and vendors to understand what is happening locally, what needs to be done and then to make that change happen.

DO YOU THINK THE SUBJECT OF PRODUCTIVITY HAS ANY PLACE IN THE KNOWLEDGE-BASED WORKPLACE? Every workplace should be productive but how you measure that will be different for each client. Talk to your client (whatever their product or service) and find out if their workplace is supporting them or hindering them.

HOW DID YOU GET THE ROLE AT ADOBE? I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. Adobe are a fantastic client to work with, they are innovative, creative and collaborative. IS THERE A TYPICAL DAY? Every day is different, which is what I enjoy. WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING AT ADOBE? The people I work with every day at Adobe and Cushman & Wakefield. I’m lucky to work with so many talented people. WE KNOW YOU DON’T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL (ACTUALLY, WE’VE NEVER ASKED YOU IF YOU HAVE CRYSTAL BALL) BUT HOW DO YOU SEE THE TYPICAL WORKSPACE LOOKING AND WORKING IN 10 YEARS’ TIME? Hopefully we will have got past arguing about whether ‘open plan’ is good or bad, and we will understand that each workplace should be tailored to its particular users. Maybe we will have sorted out the ‘wellness’ questions and will look back at current design and ponder how

IN THE BROADER OFFICE SENSE, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE KEY TRENDS RIGHT NOW? ‘Office as a Service’ and creating workplaces that can support all users. We need to stop talking about just generational groups and look deeper. WHAT IS KEY FOR YOU WHEN CHOOSING SUPPLIERS? ‘Attitude’...things will not always go smoothly so you need to be confident that a supplier will be proactive and responsible if the unexpected happens.

Seat Upholstery Plate

Seat Foam

Seat Assembly

Aluminium Back Yoke

Mechanism

Gaslift

5 Star Base

Castors

o.475 kg

o.6 kg

1.15 kg

1 .9 kg

2.44 kg

1 .35 kg

2.64 kg

o.62 kg

2.64 kg Castors

5 Star Base

Gaslift

1 .35

Fabric

Right Hand Arm

o.12 kg

o.7

Mechanism

o.7 kg

2.44 kg

Back Frame

o.85 kg

Left Hand Arm

Seat Assembly

1.15 kg

Mesh Plate Aluminium Back Yoke

Seat Foam

o.6 kg

Mesh

o.15 kg

o.25 kg 1 .9 kg

Seat Upholstery Plate

o.475 kg

Fasteners

o.2 kg

42 o mm

57 o mm

6.5 o

13 2o

BS EN 13351 Dimensions BS EN 92415 Ergonomics FIRA Appendix A Spinal tracing

eva TM

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Upfront

A low carbon career

The international community made a big promise for the year 2050. Steve Gale wonders what it means for millennials. You will remember the December 2015 Paris climate change agreement when 195 countries signed up to the idea of reducing carbon emissions. Grown men wept and senior citizens danced in the streets. Even if you are sceptical, and you should be, there are greater implications for some people than there are for others. A young person just starting out will have a working life which coincides perfectly with the time-line drawn up to reduce greenhouse emissions by the year 2050. The expectations, if they are to be

I have no idea what a gigaton looks like, or how a gas that I breathe can be measured in units for weighing mountains enacted, will dictate the actions and decisions for this new working generation. Without knowing what it looks like, it will be down to millennials to implement the Paris agreement. The agreement wants to keep global temperature down to 2°C greater than pre-industrial times. There is all-round procrastination and weasel words, but let’s not be downhearted, and consider what it means. Some numbers might help – although maybe not. The science is so complex and contentious that the simplest way scientists can express the challenge is to define a ‘carbon budget’, which is

the upper limit of carbon dioxide (or equivalent) that the atmosphere can handle to constrain heating to this level. UN scientists are generally happy with a figure of around 1,000 gigatons of carbon dioxide. I have no idea what a gigaton looks like, or how a gas that I breathe can be measured in units for weighing mountains, but the budget means that we can tolerate this increase in CO2 by the year 2050, starting from a vague preindustrial date about 150 years ago. More and the temperature will rise higher than the desired 2°C. The sting is that we have already used up most of it, and there is only about 300 gigatons in the budget left for us to put out there. Our industry, which is not obviously gas guzzling, has a big talking part to play in this drama to prevent it morphing into a disaster movie. The end has not been written yet. Think about the lion’s share of commercial premises – offices. People don’t live over the shop, they need to get there, and that alone creates a wellie boot-sized carbon footprint. My regular commute can be calculated to be an equivalent of 3.5 tons of CO2 each year. This compares to an average total of 7.13 tons for each UK inhabitant, man, woman and child, including everything – car factories, travel, hot baths, going on holiday, cooking dinner, the lot. Just going to work and back is half of my total carbon footprint. Next, we can reduce energy consumption in the workplace, which needs air-conditioning, heating in the winter, lift access, lighting and electrical power to all the equipment, from PCs and laptops to printers and coffee machines. CO2 emissions from just office buildings alone is

Steve Gale is Head of Business Intelligence at M Moser Associates. SteveG@mmoser.com

estimated to be a staggering 14% of the UK’s total. The dry old CIBSE guidance (which speaks for services engineers in the UK) suggests the first priority is to reduce demand, which is as insightful as suggesting we control our body weight by eating less, but no less truthful. So by staying at home, not only do I save all that energy needed to lug my mass across the land, but I use less energy by not being there, right? Well possibly. The office will only consume less if we register my absence and plan for it. Let’s assume that some of my energy consumption is now in my den, loft or kitchen table where the coffee and laptop sit – the savings in the office will be achieved by marginally less space to cool and light – but this will only happen if offices are designed to accommodate fewer people at one time. This simple logic has been tested, a bit, but employers are losing faith in people working any place any time, and believe more that proximity pays dividends in productivity through communication and a committed culture. Yahoo! ordered its people back to the office in 2013 and IBM is now doing the same after being remote working pioneers for 15 years. Many lesser known firms are doing it too, convinced that remote working delivers neither productivity nor the hoped for cost savings. Two powerful forces are seen to point in opposite directions. Carbon emissions one way, business fundamentals the other. The compromise needed to accommodate these is everyone’s problem, but millennials will definitely carry it up to 2050, and I reckon the problem will climb up their agenda, not sink down.

Kaleid

SCOPE

Material Matters

In this month’s Material Matters, the team of experts at Material Lab explores sustainable surfaces with extended durability. www.material-lab.co.uk Alusion aluminium foam provides innovative approach to surface design Toronto-based Alusion offers a versatile material with ‘limitless’ design and architectural applications. As well as having a unique appearance, it also boasts sound absorbing properties that make it the ideal solution for façades, wall cladding or ceilings, in all manner of interior schemes. Its unique aluminium foam creates strong yet lightweight panels that are visually striking in design and available in various densities. www.alusion.com

Organoid Decorative Coatings offer a reimagining of natural raw materials Characterised by its connection to, and preservation of nature, Organoid’s range of decorative coatings uses raw materials not normally found in conventional production processes. At its factory in Tyrol – in the heart of the Alps – the team pays acute attention to ecological and sustainable manufacturing. Each surface is individual, so whether a perfume manufacturer requires jasmine-scented panels, or a luxury hotel is seeking a surface of grass and blossom, Organoid makes it possible. www.organoids.com

Formica Group introduces VIVIX(R) architectural panels, for exceptional external façades With a decorative surface on each side, VIVIX engineered exterior façade panels present a technical and high performance rainscreen cladding solution. With inherent UV resistance, enhanced durability and provision of a low maintenance finish, VIVIX panels are available in a choice of 68 colours, patterns and woodgrains, to create great looking buildings that perform. Acting as a secondary skin, rainscreen solutions, rather than resisting the elements, use natural airflow to manage weather conditions, protecting the building substructure. A variety of fixing methods are available to achieve the exact look desired, to transform and extend the lifespan of renovation projects or create striking facade designs on new architectural projects. VIVIX by Formica Group panels combine style with substance. www.formica.com

I-Mesh creates beautiful boundaries with its fibre and resin screens Developed by a team of expert material makers, engineers and architects, I-Mesh comprises a sustainable solution for indoor and outdoor screening. Whether a façade or ceiling, or for scenography purposes, the ‘original’ and ‘façade’ versions both combine fibres and resins to provide a durable product that is guaranteed to stand the test of time. With each square metre of panel made to order, there is no waste, and specific requirements can be met depending on an individual project’s needs. www.i-mesh.eu

Desert Island Desks

Jamie Wilson is Associate Director of HLM Interiors. Jamie heads up the interior design team at HLM and is also Director of the group’s interior design studio, 33 Interiors. Having worked for almost 20 years in the industry, he would welcome some much needed rest and relaxation on a desert island. Here are the items Jamie would take along with him to make the experience that much better! Rotherham United Shirt

Having watched my first game when I was four years old, I am still yet to find a better way of relaxing and ‘getting away’ from it all than watching my beloved team, Rotherham United (even though we are not very good!). To be stranded on a desert island not being able to watch my team would be particularly tough! So to provide a small amount of comfort I would most definitely take my Rotherham shirt to wear on a Saturday afternoon!

Sauvignon Blanc

At the end of a long hard day, there is nothing finer than to sit back with an ice cold glass (or two) of Sauvignon Blanc. As I get older my appetite for a good glass of ‘Sauvi’ seems to be getting greater and with the days on a desert island being long, hot and tiring, a glass/ bottle of wine would no doubt be equal to winning the lottery!

Adidas Gazelles

Irn Bru

Coming from a Scottish family, as a child I had no option other than to drink Irn Bru (on special occasions!). Now fully addicted, I can confirm that the orange nectar really is better than any medicine! A quick swig can re-energise your day and increase your creativity tenfold, and on the odd occasion when I might have over-indulged the night before, there is no better remedy to help the recovery process – I’m sure it’s because it’s made from girders! It’s hard to imagine life on a desert island without an Irn Bru on hand to help in any situation.

Having a reasonably large collection of trainers, I would not like to be without a decent pair of treads! My first memory of becoming fascinated with trainers was wearing Adidas Kicks at primary school – they went well with my Farah’s! Over the years I have had many brands, styles etc – but I always revert back to my favourites – Adidas Gazelles. With an iconic look and unrivalled comfort, a pair of Gazelles would be a must need on the island.

Tel 01925 850500 Email info@sixteen3.co.uk

My music collection

I have it on good authority that there is a record player on the island – so with that in mind, I would have to take along some of my record collection! Being on my own, I thought it best that I take the music which influenced me when I was younger so I could reminisce on an evening (probably with a glass of wine – see left) and maybe even have a dance – because there would be no one else there to laugh at me!!! Growing up in the late 80’s early 90’s, I was lucky to have some fantastic bands producing some fantastic albums at that time – and to this day my music collection is still influenced by this era of music.

Scarface

As with the record player, I have been led to believe there is a fantastic television and DVD player on the island (very fortunate) and, as such, I would take one of my favourite films with me to watch every now and again. There are many I could choose from and it’s a tough decision – but Scarface would come out on top. One of the best films ever made. Although a little dark in places, to sit with my Rotherham top on, drinking a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, watching Scarface as the sun sets on a desert island is not far from perfection for me!

London Showroom The Gallery, 21-22 Great Sutton St. EC1V 0DY / Manufacture/Showroom Chesford Grange, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 4RQ

www.sixteen3.co.uk

Boundary, a range of stunning natural and lapato effect wall and floor tiles. Try combining different colours and finishes to create zoned areas. johnson-tiles.com

Spotlight Product Designers

The Big Question

The Designers

Design Guild Mark

Studio Focus

THE BIG UESTION

Wh i c h p ro d u ct d e si g n e rs h a v e re c e nt l y i m p re sse d yo u a n d w h y?

ANNA DEJLOVA, MORGAN LOVELL

CLAIRE BROWN, DP DESIGNS

KRISTOFF DUBOSE, WOODALLS

Form us with Love. They consistently come up with not only beautiful but effective clever pieces. Challenging proportions, shapes and ideas, they always come up with fresh designs. From the TID watch, to lighting like the Hood Lamp, to furniture and the +Halle Nest Collection, the designs are always meaningful. With products like the Hood and the Nest Collection, they are redefining how open spaces can work. In two words; beautifully brilliant.

I heard about this amazing company prior to visiting Clerkenwell this year – and was not disappointed having stepped into their showroom. As we strive to promote health and wellbeing in the environments we create, Thors Design truly echo this through all elements of the manufacturing process. Quite simply, they upcycle rustic Azobe wood, sourced from decommissioned Danish wharves, transforming it into unique/bespoke pieces of furniture to complement any interior.

When you think ‘big manufacturers’ you think solid warranty, long continuity, major operations; you don’t tend to think nimble, creative or flexible. That’s why, when we approached Senator for the desk design at Dods, I was somewhat hesitant. I wasn’t sure we were going to get what we wanted. They not only pulled off the crazy idea I had for the ‘cigar desks’, they actually pushed me further.

LUCIA KLIMEKOVA, 74

JOHN EVANS, JOHN EVANS INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

HANNAH NARDINI, WK.SPACE

For me it would be Hakwood and their Double Vision installation at Clerkenwell Design Week. The simple but bold 4m high structure nested in narrow historical passages, its geometrical pattern mix based on triangles with different thickness of wooden tiles used to add an extra bit of texture. What really impressed me is that such a simple idea, by adding movable sections, served as a playground for architects and designers and engaged everybody who passed by. Umbrella editorial banner Mix Interiors June 2017 copy.pdf 1

I’m really taken with an idea from Francisco Gomez Paz for Astep, called Candela. We are all used to LED lighting now becoming the norm with its ability to provide enough power to give brilliant colour rendition. With designers falling over themselves to invent different ways of using the chips, Francisco has taken LED lighting to a different level by not having electricity to power it, but using Bioethanol to power an LED in a beautiful looking lantern. The bioethanol lasts six hours and gives enough energy17:50:24 to also charge a mobile device. 01/06/2017

CMY

I have been really impressed with FROVI. Over the past few years FROVI appeared to improve their product offering by creating lines which not only looked good but competed with many other major brands and with great price points. The most recent product launches during Clerkenwell Design Week showed they were well researched and based upon upcoming trends, with great flexibility and completely customisable to best suit the client’s requirements.

Four US Solo ®

www.oceedesign.com 27

@OceeDesign

One of the most powerful tools for organisations to realise their ambitions is the ability to create work environments that attract the best people and get the most out of them. Techo provide the solutions to create these spaces. Focusing on the four Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of the workplace environment: Communicate, Collaborate, Concentrate & Circulate, every inch of Techoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new showroom highlights this philosophy whilst showcasing its diverse range of products.

Come and see us: 28

The Corner of Clerkenwell Road, 91-93 Farringdon Road, London, EC1M 3LN

Spotlight - Product Designers

SKILLS SET Who are the people behind those fantastic products? We asked the leading manufacturers and product design studios to allow these talented folk to take a few minutes away from their next innovations and give us a small insight into their work, their inspirations and, of course, their favourite tunes! CATHERINE HAWCROFT

PAUL CROFTS

KNIGHTSBRIDGE FURNITURE

PHIL HALLETT

ISOMI

ORANGEBOX

Most recent product? Mono Desk for Isomi. For me, this project represents the best synergy of a concept and a material process. Challenges facing the design industry now? These days, designers need to have the ability to communicate months of work and thinking into a single image that will make an instant impact on social media!

The most recent product you worked on? I’ve been working with David Fox to develop Bebop Modular for Knightsbridge Furniture, which was launched at CDW.

Favourite product you designed? Nonla Light – I enjoyed the process of taking a product from concept, through all the processes, to selling it under my own brand. It was a great challenge to resolve all issues including warehousing, distribution, packaging, CE testing and so on. Most played music track? I’m currently listening to my brother Nick Crofts’s latest track, Carry Me, from the album Heart Years.

Bebop

Most challenging/interesting issue facing the design industry now? As designers increasingly utilise the fantastic visualisation and simulation tools available, we risk neglecting the most invaluable method of communication and evaluation we have; the physical prototype.

Designer/design period you refer to? Brutalism. My pieces in concrete for Isomi are very much inspired by this architectural movement – and I’m currently designing the restaurant at Theatre Royal Plymouth with reference to Brutalism. I love all the details in the Barbican, National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall.

Most recent product? The design and development of Eva, which is our latest task chair. It places greater emphasis on user experience and comfort while upholding our commitment to leading by example in environmentally responsible product design and manufacture. Challenges facing the design industry now? Designing workplace solutions that can keep up with the fast-paced technological changes to our working habits. Favourite product you designed? Having worked for Orangebox since graduating from university, I’ve only ever designed products for Orangebox. Most played music track? The album Love & Hate by Michael Kiwanuka Designer/design period you refer to? I don’t knowingly refer to a particular design period all that much but I admire the work of mid20th century designers. Dieter Rams’ 10 principles of good design has always been a foundation for me.

Which is the favourite product you have designed (not with current company)? Balance Stool for Herman Miller. Simple and versatile; it was a great little project for a prestigious brand. What is your current favourite music track? Cupid by The Big Moon. Four talented women having a blast and making amazing music. A designer or design period you refer to the most? For me it still always comes back to Le Corbusier. The idea of furniture as an extension of the human form, ‘a docile servant’, remains central to my design thinking.

h h

Marble sink – Frassk

Eva chair

REBECCA SYKES

NEW DESIGN GROUP Most recent product? Trio – a set of fun breakout and café tables with bright and contrasting colours are the most recent products I have worked on. Challenges facing the design industry now? One of the most interesting challenges as a designer is keeping abreast of new and emerging advances in technology and making use of these to improve my work as a designer. Favourite product you designed? Fleur – A light feature intentionally designed to make use of 3D printing. Most played music track? Pineapple Head – Crowded House. Designer/design period you refer to? Charles and Ray Eames.

Trio

Fleur

HERNAN PRATTI

SCOTT MATTHEWS

ICONAR DESIGN STUDIO

CMD

Most recent product? Chip, inspired by the shift we’re seeing in the delivery of power to modern working environments. Challenges facing the design industry now? With the digitisation of our work flow, ‘design’ is increasingly critiqued on its 2D values. It’s important that holistic thinking isn’t lost in the pursuit for seductive imagery.

Most recent product? An evolution of the rainbow armchair. The idea that was taking shape responded to the need to optimise the minimum spaces, where the same product can be an armchair or cushion.

Favourite product you designed? I once created and modelled a range of small hydro chromatic creatures – which was great fun.

Favourite product you designed? My favourite design is the spoon for paediatric syrup. It is a complete product, from the concept to the market – we control the entire process. It was exported throughout Latin America and we even sent samples to Germany. It was a product that brought me many joys and awards.

Most played music track? Blue Orchid – The White Stripes. Designer/design period you refer to? Natao Fukasawa.

Most played music track? Esperanza Spalding – I Know You Know. Designer/design period you refer to? My favourite designer is Chen Zhun. h

Chip black, grey, white

Rainbow armchair 30

Spotlight - Product Designers

MORTEN NIKOLAJSEN MOHONI STUDIO

Most recent product? A complete office furniture collection made primarily in solid wood for HOWE and an upholstered storage cabinet family for Naughtone. Challenges facing the design industry now? Environmental friendliness! We care about our world and we have a desire for quality, natural materials, good design and functionality. We want to design and buy long lasting products! Favourite product you designed? Our house – although it gets pretty tough when you realise exactly how much of a perfectionist you really are. Most played music track? Starting a good day with Paul Desmond and later listening to Kings of Lion for a good work pace – and ending the day with a dance with my three year old daughter listening to Prince’s Purple Rain. Designer/design period you refer to? I admire many designers. Dieter Rams is probably my favourite.

h Manhattan

MN1 Chair

SIMON BIBBY / CBS DESIGN TEAM COLEBROOK BOSSON SAUNDERS

Most recent product? Ollin monitor arm with its unique power source – an innovation we are really proud of. Challenges facing the design industry now? Rapidly changing technology, global economics, and working patterns are a few of the current challenges. On the flip-side these also provide exciting opportunities and directions for our future design developments. Favourite product you designed? Having a multi-disciplinary R&D team, this ranges from office chairs, roof racks, motorbike helmets, through to intercity concept trains. This wide ranging experience provides a vast amount of knowledge and helps to inform and strengthen all of our development projects. Most played music track? A wide range in the studio – but we do enjoy a bit of Portuguese music chosen by our Portuguese designer, Bruno, from time to time! The current favourite is Capitão Fausto by Morro na Praia. Designer/design period you refer to? Dieter Rams is one that immediately springs to mind. We feel the methodology and design approach is still as current today as it was 50-60 years ago. There’s a strong synergy with the design ethos we have at Colebrook Bosson Saunders.

Flo Dynamic Monitor Arm 31

Spotlight - Product Designers

RIPPLE design by: EDGE DESIGN

maNuFactuRING

LoNDoN_ShowRoom

coNtact_&_FoLLow

Pledge Oï¬&#x192;ce Chairs Ltd Mill Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 1BA

First Floor 21-22 Great Sutton Street Clerkenwell London EC1V 0DY

e: sales@edgedesign.furniture www.edgedesign.furniture

t: +44 (0) 1525 376181

t: +44 (0) 20 7253 7277 32

Spotlight - Product Designers

DYLAN FREETH

JURGEN LAUB

ECROL FURNITURE

JEHS+LAUB

Most recent product? The Luca tables and Lara stacking chairs and bar stools – a range of solid ash furniture designed for use in cafés and restaurants.

KARL ANDERSON

GRESHAM OFFICE FURNITURE Most recent product? Families of products including tables, seating and enclosures that embrace the current workplace culture of `away-from-desk’ activities. Challenges facing the design industry now? Keeping pace with technological advancements and consumer desires to integrate them into every aspect of their lives, whilst trying to reduce any new product’s impact on the environment. Favourite product you designed? A lighting control system, the design of which involved marvellous exercises into aesthetics, ergonomics, electronics, materials and processes. Every designer’s dream!

Challenges facing the design industry now? I think the uncertainty around Brexit is challenging for all of the industry. I think the softening and domestification of the workplace is very interesting, and a real opportunity for a manufacturer like ercol, who combine technology and traditional craft. Favourite product you designed? X Hook for Habitat – it was my first piece that went into production, and was the love-child of a hook and a coat hanger. Most played music track? 90% Of Me by Gwen McRae. Definitely one of my desert island discs.

Most recent product? halm for Brunner. The amazing thing about halm is its practically seamless transition from solid wood to plastic. Challenges facing the design industry now? The intelligent use of resources will influence the design of new products in all categories. We should use as little as possible and use the product for as long as possible.

Designer/design period you refer to? Achille Castiglioni/Hans Wegner – two masters of construction, material design and architecture. They developed a new attitude and direction and created a new modernity.

Most played music track? Always: Dakota by the Stereophonics. Currently: Nature Boy (Acoustic) by Aurora – haunting but isn’t long enough.

Designer/design period you refer to? Syd Mead – though a ‘futurist illustrator’, his iconic view and designs are fantastic.

PILL

Favourite product you designed? PILL for Authentics. The archetypal shape is reminiscent of the oval round metal hot-water bottles of bygone days. The funnel is simply pushed into the hot-water bottle and is completely concealed. Most played music track? Benjamin Clementine by Nemesis. Designer/design period you refer to? Ray and Charles Eames.

Izzey Lite

ercol modulo cabinet stack

Spotlight - Product Designers

CATHERINE COUNSELL

PAULA SOUSA

CAMIRA

MUNNA AND GINGER & JAGGER Most recent product? I did a rework on a folding screen I designed a while ago. The Let’s Play Folding Screen replaces the geometrical upholstered panels with silver leaf. Challenges facing the design industry now? It’s a world where people have access to everything at the palm of their hands, new or old. To create something unique is not enough. Design has to have a story to tell. Favourite product you designed? The one I haven’t designed yet! I usually don’t dwell in the past, I strive to create more and better.

Most recent product? Wool/flax blend Patina. An innovative, beautiful and sustainable fabric created by our very talented design team.

Most played music track? The song we made for Munna, called Device of Love. ‘We are love devices’. It’s so catchy!

Challenges facing the design industry now? Lack of investment at training/research/ innovation level. Interesting – designing for an ever more diverse workforce demographic. Hugely important – design which protects our planet.

Designer/design period you refer to? The artistic movements from the 20th century play a big part amongst our influences, especially music, art and film. It can be something as simple as a movie scene, a picture or a fashion outfit, as long as it is something meaningful to me. h

Favourite product you designed? A sweater for River Island. I chased someone I saw wearing it to tell them I’d designed it! Most played music track? I’ve been rediscovering some old favourites recently, so listening to The Ramones and Manics a lot at the moment.

Let’s Play Folding Screen

KAREN NYBO

Designer/design period you refer to? I always seem to circle back to the Art Deco movement. I adore the opulent structure and geometry of the architecture, which reflected the optimism and freedom felt by people after the austerity of the First World War. I also love that they were influenced by Ancient Egyptian pattern, with designers referencing the past in order to create an enduring design principle.

EGE CARPETS

Most recent product? Taking their successful and long-standing collaboration to the next level, Monsieur Christian Lacroix and ege carpets now enter the floor together with a collection of expressive and rich carpet designs – Atelier. Challenges facing the design industry now? The corporations popping up everywhere between artists and companies make room for never seen before concepts and products. It is very interesting, and sometimes also challenging, to transform art into a commercial product – but the outcome is amazing and definitely worth the effort. Favourite product you designed? Jewellery with a strong personal touch under the concept ‘sarcastic housewife’ – for instance, knitted bracelets with small plastic dogs attached to them. Tell a story that can be interpreted in hundreds of ways. Most played music track? Techno and flow radio when on the go. h

Atelier mix of patterns

Designer/design period you refer to? Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

Synergy collection

Patina

Spotlight - Product Designers

introducing our new Pip pod meeting space www.flexiform.co.uk/pip 35

Spotlight - Product Designers

BEBOP by David Fox

INTRODUCING THE NEW EXCLUSIVE DESIGNER FURNITURE COLLECTION FROM KNIGHTSBRIDGE. Taking a step away from hard-edged minimalism, the Bebop collection explores organically soft forms and contemporary Danish design. Modern and easy on the eye, the Bebop is the perfect partner for any dynamic work space.

www.knightsbridge-furniture.co.uk

Spotlight - Product Designers

MEL HOLLAND JOHNSON TILES

Most recent product? Chartwell, one of my favourite tile designs to date. A gloss tile with a reactive finish creates a distressed and handcrafted look in natural shades, inspired by the Scandinavian interior trend.

KATERINA ZACHARIADES MORGAN FURNITURE

Most recent product? The Goodwood collection, which has a distinctive arm detail, inspired by freeform art mobiles and timber sculptures. Challenges facing the design industry now? Intellectual property – how do we protect new ideas from instant copying? Favourite product you designed? A suspended, brass rod light that hung like a mobile. Most played music track? Acoustic Alchemy – The Wind of Change. Beautiful acoustic guitar in a jazz context. Designer/design period you refer to? The Bauhaus movement of the 1920’s. Art, manufacturing, graphic design, architecture – all developed a new attitude and direction and created a new modernity.

Challenges facing the design industry now? The threat of global competition with a strong focus on price. We view competition as a challenge and, in response, strive to stand out. Technology is constantly changing and with our investment in new machinery we ensure that our products are of the highest quality and most trailblazing design. Favourite product you designed? Prior to working at Johnson Tiles, I was a freelance tableware designer. Most played music track? The majority of music I listen to is on a local radio station, which I hear to and from work. My favourites are Ed Sheeran and Human by Rag’n’Bone Man. Designer/design period you refer to? David Hicks – an English interior designer, noted for using vivid colour, and mixing antique and modern furnishings. And the Arts and Craft movement is very inspirational.

Whites and Prismatics

Goodwood

DR. THOMAS DIENES USM GROUP

Most recent product? USM Haller E, opening a new world for a highly modular classic furniture system by integrating light and energy directly into the structure of its furniture – completely wirelessly. Challenges facing the design industry now? The fast changing world brings totally new conditions and possibilities versus the search of human beings for individualism, orientation and simplification in their environment. Favourite product you designed? Before 2000, together with an interdisciplinary research team, designing, building up and testing a laboratory for future working. Most played music track? Udo Lindenberg, Mein Ding. Designer/design period you refer to? Architect Fritz Haller and the Bauhaus period.

USM Haller E

Spotlight - Product Designers

MOSA DESIGN TEAM

SARAH LUDLAM

MOSA

FORBO FLOORING SYSTEMS

José Maase, left and Mireille Meijs, right

Most recent product? A series of floortiles in size 60x60cm. Changing of the light during the day will subtly change the colourtone of the ceramic tiles.

h Laura Thomas and Sarah Ludlam

Most recent product? Tessera In Touch carpet tiles; this collection promotes the harmony between work-life and lifework, taking inspiration from craft textiles and hand weaves.

Challenges facing the design industry now? Mireille: Ceramic tiles are often used as a base to print a copy of other materials, like wood, on top. Instead, it is our goal and challenge to stay close to the natural and beautiful effects of ceramics and to enhance this by creating designs using f.e. – the natural falling of the pigmented clay granulates.

Challenges facing the design industry now? The most challenging issue at the moment is the underestimated role of flooring within any interior scheme and its ability to make an amazing contribution to the workplace experience. The most interesting is to see how we can change this perception.

José: Preventing of climate change and responding to the upcoming consequences of it by innovative ideas and products. The design industry can make the difference!

Favourite product you designed? I started out as a woven textile designer and had to design a blanket for Concorde, which involved plenty of research on Concorde itself. I always felt it was a privilege to work (even though it was in the tiniest way) with this iconic plane.

Favourite product you designed? Mireille: For my graduation at Design Academy Eindhoven I designed a room divider which consists of multiple, thin, diamond-shaped elements that can be individually rotated 360° around their axis. The screen is named Facet and is available at Bloomming.com

Most played music track? St Germain Tourist (the whole album). 17 years and I’m still listening!

Most played music track? Mireille: Jack Johnson – Better Together. Anything by Jack Johnson makes me happy!

Designer/design period you refer to? I am currently inspired by brutalist architecture. I think the powerful combination of light, shadow, scale and close texture creates amazing dynamic interest and controversy.

José: Music that directly vibrates the soul, Massive Attack – Safe From Harm. Designer/design period you refer to? Mireille: Almost a century old, but a lot of Bauhaus designs are still clever, simple and beautiful.

h Tessera In Touch

Mosa

Spotlight - Product Designers

SOCIAL SPACES FURNITURE FOR BREAKOUT AREAS

Designed & manufactured in the UK by 39

Yo u r O f f i c e F u r n i t u r e W h o l e s a l e r

Spotlight - Product Designers

MENTOR MESH

01254 673400

sales@psiseating.co.uk 40

www.psiseating.co.uk

Spotlight - Product Designers

ANNA HART / JOHN MILLER HART MILLER DESIGN

BOB MUIR

GODFREY & SYRETT Most recent product? Harry and Ken tables and stools – an ode to our founders, Godfrey & Syrett, in our 70th year. Challenges facing the design industry now? One of the main challenges of being a designer now is being able to get away from a screen. There’s nothing better than a day in a workshop or factory. Favourite product you designed? A toaster I created at university, which was designed to be easily repaired and maintained.

Most recent product? Alf bar stool – a stool in staggered heights, encouraging variation in work and social settings.

Most played music track? Anna: On repeat request from my five year old son – Bruce Springsteen, Downbound Train.

Challenges facing the design industry now? We’re designing in a time supported by an array of reference images drawn from all corners of the globe. This challenges the role of designers in pushing their clients to trust them in taking forward an idea if no reference images are available – when a vision and a sketch would be the blueprint. We debate whether this leads us all to designing in circles, slower at moving forward.

John: Been listening to a lot of 1920’s jazz and recently discovered Gunhild Carling, an amazing Swedish multi-instrumentalist. As seen on YouTube with Postmodern Jukebox.

Favourite product you designed? Anna: TV stand at school in DT – first realisation that design and realisation of a product was a rewarding process. John: I designed a table called the Moo table, which never went into production. It was quite sculptural, in fact it was inspired by some Michael Craig-Martin sculptures. The sculptural aspect also lent the table its function, which is what I liked about it.

Designer/design period you refer to? Anna: I don’t have a default set of references for design work as the context is so varied. Most recently, the Barbican exhibition – Japanese House – has been very relevant to a hotel spa project we’ve been researching. John: I am inspired by the 1960’s, by the speed with which designers and manufacturers were reacting to technical innovations. For example, Robin Day designed the Polyprop chair the year after the material was discovered – and it was in mass production within another year.

Most played music track? Childish Gambino – Redbone Designer/design period you refer to? Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

Harry and Ken table and stool

John Miller

Alf bar stool

Anna Hart

TREVOR BLOXHAM NOMIQUE

Most recent product? I created a bespoke collection of soft seating for one of our clients – increasingly customers want products with their own identity. Challenges facing the design industry now? The rapidly changing technology within the workplace and home environments, results in a need for a faster turnaround in design development. Favourite product you designed? The most unusual and atypical product I designed was the Turbocast 800, which is a towable winter grit spreader. This combined a technically

demanding product with one that had to be easy to operate in challenging environments. Most played music track? Nefertiti – Miles Davis. Designer/design period you refer to? There are designers and design periods I admire but I am more interested in what is happening now and what the future holds for design.

SARAH KAY

INEKE HANS

SARAH KAY

INEKE HANS STUDIO

Most recent product? A cabinet I designed and made for an exhibition.

Most recent product? I just launched FLIX with Hitch Mylius: a playful flexible upholstery system for today’s very varied work environments.

Challenges facing the design industry now? Brexit is going to be a big challenge, so many designers collaborate across European borders and British firms have established long-standing relationships with some great manufacturers in Europe.

Challenges facing the design industry now? Producing less and meaningful. Becoming more hybrid: designers working in different areas of design and products performing in a flexible and hybrid way in smaller spaces. Dealing with digital: living, working, sales, promotion and production.

Favourite product you designed? Torque Box, inspired by a doorway in Morocco. I wanted to capture the same tension and intrigue. Most played music track? You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen.

Favourite product you designed? As difficult as having to pick your favourite child! Meaningful: Fogo Island projects. Technically: Ahrend chair A380.

Designer/design period you refer to? Probably Charles and Ray Eames, if I had to choose.

Most played music track? Ella Fitzgerald – A-Tisket, A-Tasket Designer/design period you refer to? Designer Gerrit Rietveld. Design period: NOW!

BARBARA AMBROSZ LUCY.D

Most recent product? m.zone: Elements like room deviders and modular pieces of furniture are combined to create individual environments for new working spaces. Challenges facing the design industry now? We are involved in an EU-granted artistic research project for robotic production together with the University of Applied Arts Vienna and Robots in Architecture. Favourite product you designed? A spoon for Alessi enabling a new ritual for the consumption of tea from tea bags. Most played music track? Mulatu Astatke – Ethiopian Jazz musician from the ’60’s Designer/design period you refer to? We are very open minded to clever and beautiful daily objects – at the moment, Carl Auböck, an Austrian Designer from the 1940’s is inspiring us!

Torque Boxes h

m.zone communication island

FLIX armchair

Spotlight - Product Designers

BARRY JENKINS

Challenges facing the design industry now? Being original and justifying continual product development is a real challenge for designers. Given the number of manufacturers worldwide making furniture, few of them can be considered innovators and even fewer invest in using new processes and materials that will drive challenging projects. To a lesser or greater extent, furniture is a fashion item that conforms to a limited range of functional needs. For all those engaged in designing, making and selling furniture, there is clearly a commercial imperative. The need for new product will therefore remain, but keeping it fresh, relevant to user needs and environmentally sustainable will be key.

Icon Bedouin concept

Boss Deploy

Favourite product you designed? Hard question. It’s like asking a parent which their favourite child is! But either Deploy, designed for Boss, or Meet U, designed for Burgess, would be in there. Both have Design Guild Marks, include original ideas, work very well and, of course, look good. Most played music track? In the age of streaming, the studio has abdicated its choice of music to a random and very eclectic selection found online.

HUMANSCALE

Most recent product? Our most recent design launch is Bedouin for Icon; a floor standing screen with an integral canopy. The aim is to provide a flexible acoustic solution that can be placed and relocated at will by sliding them into a variety of positions. We will have the opportunity to talk about our most recent designs once they are launched later this year.

MESVE VARDAR

BROOMEJENKINS

Most recent product? We have been working on our latest sit/stand solutions as well as performance task lighting. Challenges facing the design industry now? Designing lasting, efficient and less wasteful products while still relating to contemporary culture. Most played music track? Don’t You Wait by Solange. Designer/design period you refer to? Dieter Rams.

Designer/design period you refer to? Our approach does not attempt to apply style as a formula. Each brief has its own solution and we do not have a house style. However, we are influenced by several designers for their rational industrial approach, such as Antonio Citterio, Dieter Rams and Charles Eames.

50 Years 1967 - 2017

Upholstery

Meet U, Burgess

Aviation

Hospitality

Ofﬁce

Automotive

Healthcare

Marine

Yarwood Leather has you covered. sales@yarwoodleather.com

+44 (0) 113 252 1014

www.yarwoodleather.com

CLAIRE O’BRIEN

BRITISH CERAMIC TILE

MARLOES JONGEN DESSO

Most recent product? I recently worked on the design of the new DESSO Make It Your Own collection and my main focus was on the Stitch carpet tile.

Ted Baker, Tactile White Tiles

Most recent product? Ted Baker – a modern varied patchwork and a mini geo with bags of surface interest. Challenges facing the design industry now? In a world where most things are disposable, the challenge is to create products in keeping with people’s lifestyles without compromising the process of great design.

Most played music track? I’m always listening to music, so that one’s difficult – but Michael Kiwanuka’s Love and Hate. He was fantastic live. Designer/design period you refer to? The Art Deco period. It is a fantastic combination of modernist styles with fine craftsmanship. It exuded a sense of grandeur – characterised by smooth lines and geometric forms.

Favourite product you designed? A very classical wallpaper – simple and elegant two tone ogee. It still looks great now, nearly 15 years later.

ANTHONY HICKMAN ULSTER CARPETS

Most recent product? A bespoke, woven axminster carpet for the Hoxton in Shoreditch. It’s been great working with such a current, design-led company!

Challenges facing the design industry now? There has recently been a major revival of the artisan and crafts industry. Crafts are being redefined, resulting in new opportunities and opening up a new-found respect for everything handmade. Favourite product you designed? I worked on a textile art project called Wings, which was nominated for the Valcellina award – an award that recognises and promotes textile arts. Most played music track? Bumaye by Typhoon – a Dutch hip-hop artist with Caribbean and classical influences. Designer/design period you refer to? I like the design trends that are emerging now. We get to see the old and the new merge, as artisan crafts are being acknowledged and combined with new groundbreaking technologies.

Challenges facing the design industry now? Nowadays every job is so different that you have to be extremely adaptable and have an answer for everything that is asked of you. Favourite product you designed? I helped a friend design a set of golf clubs by doing the branding, engraving and logo – and recently hand delivered a set to Rory McIlroy’s team! Most played music track? Kings of Leon’s latest album – Walls. Designer/design period you refer to? Picasso – I studied his work whilst at university and was very inspired by the cubism period.

London Heathrow Marriot

Stitch carpet

Spotlight - Product Designers

NICOLETTE DE WAART DESIGN BY NICO

Most recent product? Poppy Bloom Stool. Soft. Pure. Feminine. Inviting. And versatile. A unique piece that will flourish in any interior â&#x20AC;&#x201C; home, office or hotel. Inspiration for the Poppy Bloom Stool: Poppies are cup-shaped, magical flowers and very colourful. Besides their medicinal and edible qualities, they also symbolise very deep emotions and it is one of the most widely used symbolic flowers around the world. Challenges facing the design industry now? In this ever-changing world, my aim is to create unique designs and products that are as functional and hard wearing as they are beautiful to look at â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but above all I want them to stand the test of time. Favourite product you designed? An outdoor kitchen trolley. Most played music track? Macy Gray. Designer/design period you refer to? Mid-modern contemporary period. h

Poppy Bloom Stool

precision The Aeron Remastered from Herman Miller Delivered with Precision by Wellworking in 1 Hour Time Slots, within 72 Hours

www.wellworking.co.uk

t: 020 3110 0610 45

Spotlight - Product Designers

2.08 pm multicolour white / 9901V

Welcome to the world of µ Mosa.

A floor tile series designed to interact with space and time Mosa µ [mu] cleverly responds to a setting’s changing light, subtly shifting shades during the course of the day. Born out of Mosa’s deep understanding of the world of ceramics, the series is inspired by the extraordinary relationship between illumination and the colour spectrum. Nature, art, and trends in architecture, as well as ancient Greek philosophers’ visions on colour and light, played a pivotal role in the creation of µ. Experience Mosa µ in the Mosa Flagship Store in London or request your brochure online. www.mosa.com/mu

Spotlight - Design Guild Mark

ON YOUR MARKS The 9th Design Guild Mark Awards were announced during last month’s CDW, with an unprecedented total of 34 award recipients. The prestigious Design Guild Mark is awarded by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, in order to drive excellence and raise the profile of British design and innovation. The award recognises the highest standards in the design of furniture in volume production by the finest designers working in Britain, or British designers working abroad. The Design Guild Mark is therefore seen by manufacturers and product designers as recognition of quality and innovation. We were kindly given exclusive access to this year’s judging, where we grabbed a number of the entrants (both designers and manufacturers) and asked them what a Design Guild Mark means to them and their business.

ercol Modulo Cabinets h Holworth chair by Nathalie de Leval k “Curve Chair” (Zones Collection Designed by Pearson Lloyd for Teknion l

The Design Guild Mark award is one of the greatest measures of quality and excellence within the British furniture industry, providing validation of a product’s design integrity and commercial viability. David Irwin, Design Studio

Floating Bench designed by Simon Pirie for Sitting Spiritually Ltd h

There’s an incredible selection of manufacturers and designers here and it’s always nice to stand alongside them. A Design Guild Mark gives a business real credibility. It means you’ve done a good job, essentially.

Narin Folding Chair designed by David Irwin for Case Furniture j Leaf Seats designed by Nicolette de Waart for Design by Nico g Trinetic designed and distributed by Boss Design i

Craig Jones, Jones & Partners

Spotlight - Design Guild Mark

As a British design company we are incredibly proud to have created the first Herman Miller group of chairs to be entirely conceived and developed outside the USA. To be recognised by the Furniture Makersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Company and awarded the prestigious Design Guild Mark is the ultimate accolade. Richard Stevens, forpeople

Mr Knock 1 designed by Samuel Chan for Channels h Silta designed by Allermuir Design for Allermuir g Valencia designed by Morgan Studio for Morgan Furniture f

Robin Day Armchair designed by Robin Day for Hille h Series Four designed and distributed by Another Country g Gifu Workstation designed by Sebastian Conran for Hida Sangyo Co Ltd f Diva designed by Jones & Partners for ThinkingWorks i

A Design Guild Mark is validation of all the hard work weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put in to the new products. This is a relatively new market for us, so just being here really tops off what has been an incredibly important and a great year for us. Jason Brown, Knightsbridge Furniture

Spotlight - Product Designers

ILK Lounge Two Seater

ILK Lounge

ILK Chair Two Seater

ILK Chair

4 leg

Swivel 4-star

4 leg

Sled

4 leg

Swivel 4-star

4 leg

Sled

ILK Family

Furniture for social spaces

frovi.co.uk 01608 652411 sales@frovi.co.uk Showroom_Broad Yard Turnmill Street Clerkenwell EC1M 5RR 49

STUDIO FOCUS TODD BRACHER STUDIO years we have been able to fully integrate into the success of companies, whereas in the years prior, design was seen as the ‘cosmetic’ packaging...this could not be further from the true value good design should bring. HOW MUCH MORE HAVE YOU YET TO ACHIEVE AS A BUSINESS? Our business has achieved great things. We are currently integrating more and more into businesses that are shaping our collective lives, through health, well-being and personal medicine. Our strength in the industry is growing exponentially as we have relationships across most disciplines and therefore what we are able to take on in the future we anticipate to be game changing.

We are a leading voice for design in the USA, as we oversee $600M in an $8B industry.

WHO ARE WE TALKING TO? My name is Todd Bracher and I am the founder and Creative Director of Todd Bracher Studio, a strategic design agency based in New York City. HOW LONG HAS THE BUSINESS BEEN ESTABLISHED? Since 2001. HOW MANY STAFF? We have what I feel is a unique staffing model where we have five core team members who operate our foundational practices around design and development, strategy and management, then we have a curated global network of 19 experts that we engage as we tailor teams specific to the client needs. This gives us particular expertise in any application, as we have talent from optical physics, anthropology, colour theory, electrical design, to biotechnology, programming and market analytics.

IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD CHANGE ONE THING WHAT WOULD IT BE? Governments should involve strategic designers into civic acts. Such a role can optimise resources and streamline costs while providing true value to the population. Empathy and an understanding of the populus aligning to business objectives is what strategic design is suited for.

WHAT IS YOUR TURNOVER? Several million $US annually. HOW MUCH HAS THE BUSINESS CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED? The business has evolved in parallel to the market, which is really exciting. We practice what we call ‘Strategic Design’, which specifically means that we consider all aspects of the project, not only the design considerations. For us, good design is one that truly understands the business objectives and works closely with leadership to focus in the optimal opportunity that will deliver a measurable competitive advantage. Over the past 10

Trea for Humanscale

Spotlight - Business Insight

How furniture manufacturers can benefit from R&D tax relief Whether you are trying to improve your existing processes or launching a new product line, manufacturers of interior products may be eligible for tax relief, say R&D tax credit experts Jumpstart From the design and prototype stage through to production, manufacturers face challenges at every stage of the process. Maybe you’re having to work with new or updated materials, or adapt existing processes to increase efficiency or take account of changes in standards or health and safety concerns.

Activities like these inevitably incur an element of risk and may require major investment. The good news is that in many cases, companies can claim significant amounts in R&D tax relief to help offset the cost.

The Invention of Glare-free Light, Humanscale

What projects would qualify? Here are just a few examples of what might be eligible: • Improvements to manufacturing processes or machinery - doing things faster or better • Reducing waste or emissions • Better ergonomics – making products easier to use • Computer models – for example, to evaluate stresses or fluid flow • Developing ways to manufacture new products

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A BUSINESS? Our biggest challenge is reaching everywhere we want to reach. There are so many broken systems around us and it is challenging to remain selective and focused on what we know we can improve. It is a classic scenario of wanting to help all. HOW MANY PROJECTS DO YOU TYPICALLY WORK ON AT ONE TIME? This varies... some single projects have hundreds of configurations and other projects are a single object. Typically we range from 15-20 projects.

However the rules are complex and it is best to get expert advice in each case.

HAVE CLIENTS CHANGED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS? Yes. The interesting thing is our work has evolved, meaning the client is the same, as we typically enter as designers, providing solutions around a product design. As our relationship evolves, so we advance into being deeply integrated in the decision of the business, spaces and product roadmapping, supply chain support, brand and offer tune ups, marketing and asset updating and focusing. We currently work with 65% of our clients as design advisors in addition to product design as we can integrate our strategic thinking and leadership along with our product design.

As the UK’s leading R&D tax relief specialist, Jumpstart has a proven track record of more almost 3,000 successful claims. We know what to claim, how to claim and the many pitfalls to avoid. And if you don’t ultimately qualify for R&D tax credits, you won’t owe us a thing. Why not contact us to discuss your project in more detail?

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? We are a leading voice for design in the USA, as we oversee $600M in an $8B industry. We are focused on workplace solutions, seating, systems, lighting, work tools, as well as furniture and packaging design for top fashion houses, product and brand strategies. We are not confined to a particular space, so in the pipeline is a range of work from consumer product, wellness and personal health to industrial products.

Ian Wolfendale Business Development Manager tel: 0131 240 2900 | mob: 07531 448 053 tel: 0370 218 5414 www.jumpstartuk.co.uk

JONES & PARTNERS WHO ARE WE TALKING TO? We are Jones & Partners We are innovative and rigorous product design experts with a tried and tested approach to helping our clients get their product visions to market. We are the ones with the biggest smiles on our faces and biggest bags under our eyes – motivated by overcoming challenges and successful launches. HOW LONG HAS THE BUSINESS BEEN ESTABLISHED? The business was set up in July 2000, following a year of travelling to find my soul (still searching). When I started the business it was just me in my bedroom with a £500 computer. My brother loaned me the money. The first three clients were old employees and, much like today, they signed up to the values that are important in our current working practices.

Craig Jones

Phidias Leonida

We are now in a position where we have worked for four of the top six global contract furniture manufacturers and have vast experience in many sectors of manufacturing. h Thinking Quietly for ThinkingWorks

HOW MANY STAFF? We are growing, but right now there are six of us – two partners, a finance and admin manager, senior design engineer, product designer and a super design intern.

HOW MUCH HAS THE BUSINESS CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED? The change is constant as we must be agile in our thinking and flexible in our approach to resolving challenges from our clients, from market trends, technology developments and society in general. We are now in a position where we have worked for four of the top six global contract furniture manufacturers and have vast experience in many sectors of manufacturing. Our exploration into material research and manufacturing processes has been the catalyst to our success in winning business with these global businesses.

WHAT IS YOUR TURNOVER? More than last year, more than the year before and will be more next year. More importantly for us is steady profitable growth. In our opinion turnover is a fanciful number that carries no business merit. Busy fools making zero profit is not where Jones & Partners want to be.

HOW MUCH MORE HAVE YOU YET TO ACHIEVE AS A BUSINESS? I think we’ve really only just started. Improvements in processes have helped greatly over recent years. Refinements with the team and the way we work lead to better design solutions, solving trickier problems, creating the correct products and helping our clients along the way. Because our ethos is to be inquisitive there will always be somewhere to go as a business and there will always be new targets to achieve. IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD CHANGE ONE THING WHAT WOULD IT BE? Copyright and IP protection would be one topic. The main problem for successful designers and design practices is they h

Diva for ThinkingWorks 52

Spotlight - Business Insight

HOW MANY PROJECTS TYPICALLY AT ONE TIME? We run around 20 projects at one time. Our projects are categorised by our well defined design process. The projects vary in scale, lead-times and market sector, allowing us to have variety in the studio at all times.

generate too many ideas and are far too trusting of their audience. The cost for credible design protection is too high for small studios so we rely on honesty or just leave it in our ideas bin. The size of the problem is highlighted by the case of Lego and their disputes with Lepin. If Lego can’t protect their IP then what chance have we got?

HAVE CLIENTS CHANGED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS? Some of the clients are the same clients as five years ago, however the work we carry out for them is more in-depth than when we started working with them. Our ability to spread our services across the design process has introduced new clients who contact us directly which we feel very proud to have received those calls.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A BUSINESS? Convincing clients of the great value of experienced design. We are privileged to have retained many clients over the years. The free pitch approach to business is no longer an option for us as the risks do not usually pay dividends. Our USP is that we’re able to carry out the complete design process with 100% confidence in our ability. We are not a ‘sketch and run’ design practice. At recent exhibitions we’ve seen manufacturers rub their hands with joy as designers flock to them with conceptual ideas. This devaluing of the design process often ends with manufacturers incurring hidden costs through poorly resolved products and the designer taking a wrap on the knuckles for bad design. It’s not bad design, it’s bad process management – and the sooner this changes, the better.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? Extensions to products launched at CDW and Neocon, new electronic products, ceramics for the office, lighting, soft seating, acoustic products, table systems, system seating, equestrian body armour, safety harnesses, 3D knitted objects, storage, a pod system, material exploration, stools, hybrid furniture…think that’s about it! h

Oscar for Gresham

Let’s ntgrate. Explore our beautiful woven vinyl flooring available in 3 patterns ‘Gentle’, ‘Noble’ and ‘Brave’

www.ntgrate.eu

Innovation! Discover ‘Whisper’, our acoustic backing system ∆ Lw 22db Impact sound reduction

For a closer look contact us: QuadrantTel: 01622 719090 info@quadmod.com www.quadmod.com

FORPEOPLE WHO ARE WE TALKING TO? Richard Stevens. I am founder and Creative Director of forpeople. HOW LONG HAS THE BUSINESS BEEN ESTABLISHED? We founded forpeople in 2004 – with just four people. Prior to that the four of us were at ingeni, Ford Motor Company’s global design centre in Soho, London, where I was chief designer. I led the team at ingeni, working on advanced automotive design programmes for premier automotive brands including Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, as well as design projects for a select group of third party clients.

Keyn chair for Herman Miller

HOW MUCH MORE HAVE YOU YET TO ACHIEVE AS A BUSINESS? We are still relatively young as a business with a lot to learn. Every step we take is a new one and so we are constantly making mistakes but, most importantly, learning from them all the time. As designers in industry we have a real opportunity to make a positive difference to the world we live in. Most designers have done a lot of ‘stuff’ but the question we should constantly ask ourselves is, within all that, how much of that stuff has actually made a real difference? forpeople strives to achieve that with every opportunity that comes along.

HOW MANY STAFF? We are currently around 100 people. forpeople is often described as ‘the biggest design company in London that no-one has ever heard of’. HOW MUCH HAS THE BUSINESS CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED? It hasn’t changed much in the sense that it has always been about being discreet and investing everything back in to growing relationships and building trust with our clients. The business is driven by a total understanding of people in all aspects of their everyday lives and we have always encouraged the idea of being one group of creatives exploring collectively but from many different viewpoints. We urge designers to think as people first (not designers), using their creative skills to solve problems. Of course, now it’s the same principle just done on a much bigger scale – with a greater understanding of people around the world as our knowledge grows through work in different sectors.

IF THE GOVERNMENT COULD CHANGE ONE THING WHAT WOULD IT BE? Apart from the impact of Brexit and issues around attracting and retaining talent from and to our shores, to be honest we have never felt supported by the Government in the development of our business and/or what we are trying to achieve. As a leading British design company, working with some of the biggest organisations in the most competitive markets around the world, it would be great to feel that they better understood the value our type of business can bring to the UK economy, and supported us in the generation and export of intellectual property.

We urge designers to think as people first (not designers), using their creative skills to solve problems.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A BUSINESS? I think one of the biggest challenges facing most design companies is not believing in your own hype. Ensuring that a culture of arrogance or complacency doesn’t set in as the company grows. For us, it’s imperative that we continue to attract and retain new talent whilst maintaining a small company feel/culture and being totally committed to solving our client’s problems.

Spotlight - Business Insight

HOW MANY PROJECTS TYPICALLY AT ONE TIME? Whilst we have a relatively small group of clients (considering our headcount) spread all over the world, and because of the depth and breadth of those relationships, we will typically be working on multiple projects across departments and disciplines with each client, at any one time. HAVE CLIENTS CHANGED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS? Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re more or less the same. Our aim has always been to only work with one client in one sector and build our relevance and depth of knowledge within each of those businesses without compromising IP and/or trust. We will also look to add around 5-10% of new client business each year, ensuring that work only comes through a depth of knowledge about people gained in one area that can be leveraged in a new sector. A good example of this is our work with Herman Miller, who were originally interested in our background in automotive experiences and consumer electronics, combined with our expertise in building journey experiences for the likes of British Airways. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? As you would expect, all the work we do is highly confidential and typically takes a long time to bring to market. And as with all forpeople partnerships, the work comes before publicity; so while people may never have heard of forpeople, they will have probably already flown, driven, watched, eaten, spoken on, stayed in or sat on some of our work.

Team Up

anytime, anywhere multi-purpose seating four different models oak veneer or HPL suitable for workplace stacking & bench options

Nomique Showroom The Old Trading House 15 Northburgh Street London EC1V 0PR www.nomique.com 01952 585828 sales@nomique.com

forpeople birthday celebrations

Studio for Coca Cola

GROUND CONTROL Following a short, silent burst of Internet and social media trawling, we found that NatWest and RocketSpace have teamed up as development partners to deliver the first RocketSpace campus outside the US. The facility launched in Islington this May, with LOM architecture and design responsible for delivering the exciting new campus. Focused exclusively at tech industry startups, RocketSpace London aims to support a creative ecosystem for over 1,500 individuals. The organisation, which was founded in San Francisco in 2011, is geared to providing the necessary velocity – both speed and direction – to help breakthrough innovators bring the future to market. The ‘office as service’ campus includes multigigabit Internet, trend talks, networking and peer group testing to support the next generation of tech giants. RocketSpace has already facilitated more than 1,000 high-growth tech start-ups and 150 corporate brands from around the globe, boasting an astonishing 18 alumni with $1b+ valuations. RocketSpace was founded by tech entrepreneurs, for tech entrepreneurs – Company Founder and CEO, Duncan Logan, is himself a technology exec who became frustrated with the bleak options for his new startup in San Francisco. Faced with the choice of funding a private office in an isolated building or joining a co-working facility where the team would be surrounded by non-technology freelancers, he

chose a third option – and RocketSpace was born. We meet up with LOM architecture and design’s Associate Chris Pyle and Architect Chiara Cantilena outside the neighbouring Angel underground station. After literally 30 seconds’ walk along Upper Street, we can see the transformation that marks the arrival of RocketSpace with the clean lines of an impressive double-height reception framing an illuminated rocket that hangs as the centrepiece. Our hosts for the morning take us right past reception, and through the public courtyard, which stands at the centre of this surprisingly sizable building. As we walk, looking up at the imposing, surrounding 80’s façade, Chris tells us about the history of the space. ‘It’s an occupied building and has been throughout the construction period,’ he reveals as we reach the rear entrance. ‘It’s also a very sensitive building. It was once the cash holding depot for RBS London – with a cash counting centre and large strongroom vault in the basement.’ Passing the external concrete turret providing a guard tower, Chris explains: ‘Under previous operations, everything was monitored and recorded from this point onwards. When we first visited the building, the loading bay providing direct access to the underground areas had smoke machines mounted to the ceiling as a measure of security! It’s a really interesting space.’ ‘There were large double roller shutters marking the secure line and the trucks u

i Reception space

Photography by: Nicholas Worley

When one of our team came across a story announcing the arrival of a unique new co-working business in the UK, we all downed tools and set about discovering how we could find out more about this venture.

Case Study - RocketSpace

In Short RocketSpace was founded in San Francisco in 2011. Founder & CEO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Duncan Logan. The company has already facilitated more than 1,000 high-growth tech start-ups. RocketSpace already boasts 18 alumni with $1b+ valuations. RocketSpace tech campuses operate in San Frncisco, London, Australia and Canada.

Case Study

priority collab RocketSpace, London

RocketSpace offer work space to exciting high-growth startups. Their new space in London has been designed to provide the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top innovators with an ecosystem that helps them accelerate their business. Specialist helped deliver this project utilising our own innovation, the Priority Collaboration Service. See more Priority Collaborations at www.sjg.co.uk.

Case Study - RocketSpace

Essentials Client RocketSpace Interior Design LOM architecture & design Project Manager Overbury Joinery & Bespoke Workstations Specialist Joinery Group

boration h Bleacher-style seating / events space

Breakout Seating naughtone

i Reception

Photography by: Nicholas Worley

would be granted access to load or unload bullion and cash,’ Chiara continues. ‘It was then passed through cash turntables, into the counting room to be processed and stored in the strongroom vault. We’ve now adapted this redundant space and transformed it into a new venue for events and flexible working.’ The initial phase of the project included the removal of 1,200 tonnes of material as the affected areas were stripped back to reveal an impressive structure of brickwork, blast proof concrete and coarse stone aggregate. Chiara explains as we walk through the new event space: ‘In many ways this has been a restoration project of a historical building. The aim of the fit-out was to utilise the volumes above and below ground to create a unique workplace but also to retain the original character that makes the basement so unusual and so special.’ The subterranean level presented a number of design challenges in light, circulation and even access. ‘We had to tackle many issues at the outset of the project to establish that it was feasible. The basement was classified as office ancillary. It had limited means of escape and was capable of accommodating 60 people. The challenge was finding a way to get 400 to 500 people down here.’ Chris continues. ‘We managed to create three additional openings across a 1,600 sq m floorplate by breaking through the reinforced concrete structure. These walls travel through the eight-storey building. Breaking through them was a huge undertaking and strategically planned in a u

Task Seating Boss Design Humanscale

way that ultimately helped to dictate the layout of the basement.’ With a double-height volume and offering the only source of natural light, the vehicle loading bays have been transformed into an event space and cafe. The cash counting centre, located deeper within the floorplate, has become a flexible work space for individual ‘first tier’ Surf members. Monolithic table joinery pieces are clamped to exposed concrete columns to make the most of the space available. Lighting has been designed to overcome the feel of being underground, but also to maintain areas of illumination and shadow. A new resin floor finish reflects light and elevates the character of the basement. The exposed core is complemented by a utilitarian approach to building services, referencing laboratories and NASA space stations, with exposed ductwork, metallics and flashes of colour providing the backdrop. The impressive event area features bleacherstyle seating and a giant presentation screen. Adjacent to this is a cool coffee bar and above is a series of overhanging glazed meeting pods perched on a mezzanine level. ‘We utilised the volume by introducing an elevated floor level and it provides spectacular views across the space. The pods are

Photography by: Nicholas Worley

Case Study - RocketSpace

In many ways this has been a restoration project of a historical building. designed as media rooms, hosting VIPs, speakers and providing a vantage point to film events and beam them across the world’ Chiara tells us. ‘Every little detail brought something special. They wanted this to look and feel unique – to be RocketSpace. We were able to take the core of the building and combine it with the branding, the finishes and the furniture – which was quite an iterative process because they so wanted this to feel different.’ It does feel different. And that’s a very good thing. The concrete base build provides a fantastic backdrop to the modern facilities and settings available to those Surfers. There are reminders of the basement’s former function left in place. Perhaps the best example of this is within the strongroom vault, where the space has been transformed into a games room. Banquette seating, stylish furnishings and drapes, a cinema lightbox and ornate pool table provide references to the auspicious activities of a former cash vault and offer a playful nod to the Great Gatsby. Heading to the upper floors, the 3,000 sq m floorplates have been divided into open plan ‘Lab’ space and cellular ‘Suite’ space, using over u

h Breakout facilities

h Elevated media rooms/meeting pods

www.kinnarps.co.uk 69 Turnmill Street, London, EC1M 5RR

Case Study - RocketSpace

Photography by: Paul McElhennon

700 linear meters of acoustically tested glazed partitions. All 1,000 fixed desks across the campus are fully height adjustable. The desk system is completely bespoke, designed to maximise space usage and reflect the utilitarian aesthetic. 1,200 x 600mm tabletops in ply sit above raw steel desk frames with cable management and slim-line pedestals and state-of-the-art task chairs designed to optimise ergonomics.

The Suite model is scalable, ranging from four to 32 fixed desk positions to accommodate business growth. h Surfer zone workstations

‘The Lab areas provide open plan desk arrangements for ‘second tier’ members who require increased levels of stability and personalisation,’ Chris explains. ‘The spaces are located around the building’s four cores to provide a destination point along internal axis. Each Lab is supported by phone booths, resource points and meeting rooms to deliver a complete ‘office as a service’ facility.’ The cellular spaces, that actually occupy 80% of the astonishingly large floorplates, provide furnished Suites for ‘third tier’ campus members. Each Suite has storage, writeable glass walls and individually controlled lighting, heating and cooling. The Suite model is scalable, ranging from four to 32 fixed desk positions to accommodate business growth. It’s now that we see the complete model. The basement simultaneously offers an entry level springboard and the campus networking space, while the upper floors provide focused business autonomy. The entire development is structured to create a rich campus ecosystem where the diversity of members is its core strength. The space eloquently provides a platform for growth, placing individual tech start-ups with the next ‘big idea’ alongside established global giants. We finish at the start, where we find a cool reception space, complete with RocketSpace branding and a variety of smart waiting, seating, browsing and working options for visitors. RocketSpace wanted the London campus to be different, and with the support of NatWest and the vision of the project team, it really is. Chris and Chiara tell us that take-up across all spaces here has been amazingly strong – including those 32-person rooms. We can see why. We have take-off.

h Individual work booths

h Bespoke joinery

shared + adaptable

E S T.1 9 8 3 63

Reaching the

Political Heights

Canteen facility

It’s incredible how we dread the process of going through security at any given airport – and this has nothing to do with fear of flying or missing our flight – and yet we’re almost looking forward to a very similar process upon entering one of Europe’s most iconic buildings.

Case Study - Dods Group

In Short Formerly known as Huveaux PLC. The company’s name was changed to Dods Group PLC in 2010 Established in 1832, with the publication of the first Dods Parliamentary Companion Key People Guy Cleaver (CEO), Cheryl Jones (Chairman)

h Reception space 65

Maybe it’s the lack of queues – all those impatient holidaymakers and squabbling families – but actually it isn’t. It’s simply that we’re walking into The Shard. Sure, we’ve done this a few times now, but the buzz hasn’t quite disappeared. We hope it never will. To be completely honest, the security process at The Shard isn’t quite the same as the airport. Here we’re met with smiling, pleasant and talkative guards who wish you a good day. And no queue! We’re heading up to the 11th floor to see the new working home of Dods Group plc with Woodalls Design Creative Director Kristoff DuBose – whose team were responsible for the interiors here. It might not be the summit, but the views from 11 are still pretty spectacular. Dods is an unrivalled intelligence, media, training and events company, providing essential information and connections to clients in more than 50 countries across six continents. Everyday, clients rely on Dods to provide the relevant information, topical knowledge, actionable insights and critical connections vital for informed decision-making in rapidly developing commercial, public policy and political environments across the United Kingdom and European Union. ‘They’re like Bloomberg for Parliament!’ Kristoff tells us. ‘They’ve been around for 200 years now – but they really wanted to move forward. You will relate to this,’ he smiles at us, ‘this is now about online media. It’s about how you tap into that market. You and I might hear ‘rah rah rah from’ parliament – they hear future policy! ‘The way we circulate through the space here is really important to recognise because it represents the breaking down of internal silos and the transformation occurring in the business. In the past, sales and client service teams were very product focused and very little client-centric collaboration was taking place. ‘Their old building in St James’s was very compartmentalised, built around lift cores with staff broken up into non-contiguous sections, which hindered collaboration. The Chairman recognised the fit-out as an opportunity to provide a fresh environment that would get people communicating, collaborating and working in new ways.’ She challenged Woodalls to value engineer a design and space plan to meet those goals. Ultimately, the remit was to break down u

Case Study

Case Study - Dods Group those silos, create unobstructed visibility, engineer those moments of collision and create an innovative space where people were proud to be part of the business. We ask Kristoff whether the business always intended to move away from St James’s. ‘No, to be honest. They were trying to find space in that area but you can’t find anything for a reasonable rent there anymore. It’s considerably less here in this part of The Shard – and they’ve still got a view of Parliament here!’ So why Woodalls? ‘One thing that really distinguished us was that we were really keen to foster those moments of collision, where different people would come together,’ Kristoff tells us. ‘Also, because I’ve got both a sales background and a design background, I really spoke their language. I think other firms, for example, were putting the reception space through here at the entrance and through to the beyond – because it’s all about the natural light. We said that it’s not about the natural light – it’s about controlling the light. It’s about having a sense of arrival. All of their brand colours – and even their logo – is completely void in here. It’s all stripped back to shades of white and we’ve used light to

Breakout space with amazing views across the city

We were really keen to foster those moments of collision. create that gradient. So what we’ve created here is something very neutral – something that almost cleanses the palette. This is a space in which people flow through, but at the same time it’s engaging and welcoming. ‘The reception desk itself is also about breaking out of the 19th century and into the 21st century. It’s based on the idea of a ship, where the curves and surfaces graduate into something very ‘future’ – so the Mary Rose transforms into a sleek modern yacht! ‘Moving though reception, one of the biggest concepts was to create connectivity. We wanted to be able to see Parliament from the meeting rooms – but certain amenities are at the other end of the building. So how do we connect the two? How do we get important guests to move through the space without walking through the back of house or walking along a nasty little corridor? At the same time, how do we create those moments of engagement and collision? So we created a concept called the Grand Hall – where are those big deals done in Parliament?’ u h 67

Client facing suite

Case Study - Dods Group The Grand Hall is some 30m long and cleverly provides glimpses into the main workspace, while at the same time not interrupting the adjacent working teams. Smart wall panels made of well-lit mesh and colourful lockers provide the ‘walls’ to this space, while high-back soft seating offers quiet breakout opportunities. Kristoff tells us that the inspiration for the occasional glimpses through the mesh comes from Ancient Arabic architecture. It truly is inspired. Furthermore, it might well be around lunchtime, but there are still people meeting and chatting here – showing us that Kristoff’s concept is clearly working. As we move beyond the Grand Hall, Kristoff explains that there are two sizes of workstation available to staff here in the bright, contemporary open plan space – a strategy he refers to as ‘give to get’. ‘If someone would rather have a view by the window, they have to forgo some of their desk space,’ he explains. ‘If, on the other hand, they require a larger working surface, they have to move closer to the core of the building and away from the windows. This allows the business a great deal of flexibility and allows for expansion and contraction. h

Client touchdown

Reaching the political heights 68

Essentials Client Dods Group PLC Interior Design Woodalls Design Furniture Consultancy H4 Consult

UK LEADING FURNITURE MANUFACTURER t +44 (0)1685 352222 sales@triumphfurniture.com www.triumphfurniture.com

@triumph1946

Biophilic Design Meristem Systems Furniture Senator Task Seating Senator Flooring Milliken, Bolon, Interface Lockers Spacestor Café Seating Allermuir Soft Seating Davison Highley

‘The key thing was to not have a sense of rigid desks – if you did, people would simply move to their own real estate and not talk to anyone else. What we have done here is gently curved the desking worktop, which brings a sense of topography, so things are flowing and you have no idea where one department ends and another begins. It constantly leads you to the next space. ‘We’ve also engineered a lot of spaces for people to collaborate – although a lot of the choices are very pragmatically placed.’ Kristoff leads us through to the fully glazed and incredibly buzzy canteen space, which provides a real getaway for staff. ‘They had nothing like this at their old space,’ he reveals. ‘They had a real old D&B teapoint – actually they had two of them because they were across two floors. Again we wanted to move right away from that old idea that people should be fewer than five steps away from a teapoint! People have fitbit numbers to keep up these days! What we’ve done is produce only one space where they can come together and relax – but we’ve quadrupled the white goods. So we haven’t halved the numbers – we’ve doubled them. People come here to work – this is a valid workspace. What we’re finding, as we’re tracking work modes, is that you simply struggle to do focused work at your desk any more, so it’s vital that people are able to come and use spaces like this.’ u

Visit our London Show-Space G17, 31 Clerkenwell Close, EC1R 0AT

Case Study

Where form and function go hand in hand.

Franz Gertsch Museum, Burgdorf, Switzerland. Designed by Jรถrg + Sturm Architects, 2002. Metric cantilever chair. Organic. Ergonomic. Iconic. Designed by white ID. Launched in 2016. More information at www.wilkhahn.com 70

Executive approach

Case Study - Dods Group

People love it. When the space first opened, they kept coming in here to take selfies!

Before we head out into the dull, real world that isn’t The Shard, Kristoff is really keen to show us the client facing suite, which offers that prestigious view across to Westminster. The prime corner suite is the Winter Garden. ‘What we wanted to create was something that was very un-Dods – and that request came from the Board. The problem was that we weren’t sure what Dods was or wasn’t because all of this was un-Dods! So we were talking about which wall the screen should go on in this room – and I said ‘No screen! There are screens in all the other rooms and people can watch what they need to on their laptops or in meeting rooms. You’re a 21st century media company and you’ve got some great meeting spaces throughout here – but this is going to be your deal space. Clients are going to want to come into this room, but they’re not allowed to until they’re ready to sign the deal! Don’t spill your candy!’’ This amazing, tranquil biophilic space has its ceiling covered in greenery – and indeed is free of any screens. ‘It’s an amazing sight at sunset,’ Kristoff grins. ‘It really is a sight to behold. You can see this space from the far end of the floor and even Borough Market – it has become a real beacon. People love it. When the space first opened, they kept coming in here to take selfies! We’ve used crackle fibre optic lighting throughout the branches to give that twinkling otherworldly feel. We wanted to use real ivy to begin with but were told we couldn’t because of fire regulations. So I went to a supplier of artificial plants and they only had one specification that suited – which incredibly was laurels, which feature on the Dods logo. How perfect is that?’ Looking out towards Parliament on this bright, sunny day, we’d say absolutely perfect.

The Grand Hall 71

Screens, not walls, divide the space

X+Y = ? RACHEL WITHEY, 74 Rachel has a well-established track record in multi-disciplinary Interior Design, within both architectural and design studios. She prides herself on fully interpreting the end users’ needs whilst also creating unique design led environments. After being in the design industry for many years, she has watched trends come and go but is always keen to explore new innovative ideas, philosophies and products which change the way we utilise and feel within our environments. Favourite school dinner: Sausage and mash

DILHAN SURIN, TP BENNETT Dilhan’s enthusiasm and zest for life and travel have proven key factors in developing his unique style and global awareness. Relocating from Sydney and joining TPB in 2014, his 16 years in design have allowed him to complete

DIETER WOOD, INTERACTION Dieter is the Managing Director of workplace design and build specialist, Interaction. Passionate about delivering effective spaces that have a fundamental positive impact upon clients’ businesses, Dieter has worked with many sector-leading companies to help maximise the potential of their staff and property assets. Exuberant and eternally enthusiastic, find him in his ‘happy place’; long-distance cycling or running up anything hilly. SD: Toad in the hole

STEVE DICKSON, FAULKNERBROWNS ARCHITECTS Steve is a Senior Director at FaulknerBrowns, responsible for the exacting interior design standards of the business. Working with a fantastic team, Steve has delivered numerous award winning solutions over a 32-year career. Steve has a particular interest in social, cultural and workplace behaviours, which has enabled him to deliver projects such as Xscape and Chill FactorE indoor snow slopes, Number One Riverside, Hebburn Central and The Word. SD: Fish and chips

works in Singapore, Bangkok, KL and Tokyo, focusing on global workplace practices and cultures. His strengths lie in advising clients on change management processes to maximise efficiencies to create working environments that keep their employees engaged. SD: Meat pie or sausage roll

MATTHEW MITCHELL, SKANSEN GROUP Matthew started out with a passion for furniture design, which slowly developed into a passion for interiors: ‘The furniture is interesting but what about the space it is going in to?’ he muses. ‘I love my job, I get to meet some

POPPY WESTON, BUCKLEY GRAY YEOMAN Poppy has nearly 10 years of industry experience and is fluent in a broad range of skills across design and project delivery, using a sophisticated approach to design, colour, choice of materials and detailing. Her projects range

great people and it’s a pleasure to work with them.’ SD: Sausage, chips and beans

from small to large scale, including exhibitions, universities, workplace and residential within new, and existing buildings. SD: 20p cheese bagels

DAN GARDNER, KKS With KKS since 2007, Dan provides leadership in the strategic team. Working with occupiers/end users, he focuses on strategic briefing, space analysis, restacking and space planning to maximise business performance through complex analytical scenarios. Collaborating with major developers, he ensures schemes have focused appeal to the market. His spaceplans are featured on building websites across the capital. He has also recently been recognised as one of Mix Interiors’ Rising Stars. SD: Chip butties and square crisps

MATT FREEMAN, 33 INTERIORS Mathew is Creative Director at 33 Interiors, specialising in residential, hospitality and commercial interior design. With 14 years’ experience, he has tailored his design-focused approach to bespoke furniture as well as project concepts, which include a 600 key hotel in the Middle East and a 3,000 person workplace in Cambridge. SD: Jam roly poly and custard

For the first time, we held a Mix Roundtable during Clerkenwell Design Week. For some it might have been a bit of gamble, but the lure of a cooling drink and an opportunity to rest weary limbs overcame all else – together with a chance to discuss the big Generation Y issue, of course. Needless to say it was a great success. Together with our sponsors, Karndean Designflooring – the UK’s market leader in luxury vinyl flooring – we posed the question, ‘Should we care about Generation Y?’ We had a fantastic group of designers from across the UK, including Newcastle, Bristol and Manchester, as well as a great cadre from London around the table – which we borrowed from the kind folk at Howe (when we say borrowed, we actually took over the basement of Howe’s Clerkenwell showspace for an hour – so thank you to Greg Marshall and the team for that).

We begin by asking our esteemed guests what the fundamental differences between Gen Y and previous generations are. Incidentally, our panel comprises professionals from different generations – can you spot who is from which from their wise words alone? DILHAN: I think we – Gen X – grew up with a slightly different set of values that were instilled in us by our parents. We still carry them through to the workplace today and I think Gen Y has a slightly different set of values in terms of how they relate to their employer, what they are entitled to and what

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

It’s interesting that Gen Y are perceived as not having a sense of loyalty towards their employers.

they should get out of their career. They live by a different set of rules. I think this comes down to the fact that we have baby boomers as parents, who were very much dedicated to the company they worked for and tended not to jump ship as much.

MATTHEW S: I think this is about expectation – the expectation of progression, the pace of progression and the salaries that go along with that are very different from previous generations. The perception of how long you are expected to work in a role before you get to the next step is very different. RACHEL: We had a graduate who started with us and immediately asked how they could be fast-tracked to my position! I explained that I got to my position through experience – by learning on the job and learning from mistakes. MATTHEW M: I do think the value placed on experience is far less than it is with older generations.

DIETER: It’s interesting that Gen Y are perceived as not having a sense of loyalty towards their employers. I tend to disagree. I think they are much more savvy in terms of seeing what else is going on and they have the access to things – they are so digitally savvy – so they do have a ‘grass is greener’ mentality. There is also less hierarchy – or they perceive that there is less hierarchy by them and so feel entitled to have that or to go and move on to somewhere else. I think it is less about loyalty and more about having fewer barriers.

POPPY: I do agree with that. I think Generation Y is quite a me-centric generation – it’s more about what can you offer me? What can you do for me? Not what can I do for you? There is an expectation among them. Too many younger people aren’t prepared to use their initiative, to throw themselves into their work to gain experience.

I do think the value placed on experience is far less than it is with older generations.

SAM: I do recognise that and have a certain amount of empathy with it. To spin things on their head, a lot of people say that Generation Y are really impatient – but what is patience and how long should we be patient for, either within a role or a company. RACHEL: This comes down to technology – everything is now instant. You look for a new job and then look at Instagram and some new, cool, funky company who are showing these amazing shots of what they’re doing – and you think, ‘I want to be doing that!’ The reality might not even be close – so you move on…and then on again. MATTHEW M: Then they don’t know what to do when the technology goes wrong – so throw their toys out of the pram!

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

DILHAN: The age range we’re talking about here – those born between 1980 and 1996 – grew up with huge technological advancements. Somebody born in 1980 will have grown up with very different levels of technology than somebody born in 1996 will have – so I don’t think you can just group everyone into one category. There’s a whole range of Gen Y’s and therefore a huge range of how they perceive their workplace and technology. I don’t know who the youngest here is – maybe they might be able to answer that?

There’s a whole range of Gen Y’s and therefore a huge range of how they perceive their workplace and technology.

DIETER: As businesses, we now understand what employee branding and talent pooling is all about and we now have this outward brand, which is driven towards attracting talent. That didn’t really exist 15-20 years ago. There’s a whole load of stuff that we now need to do to attract this talent – because they are out there looking and thinking, ‘I could go to any of these places – which is going to be best for me?’ POPPY: I think that’s it – there are so many overwhelming possibilities that a lot of young people simply don’t know what to do! STEVE D: We see a real eagerness from younger people in our business. We also see a desire for constant mentoring from the peer group – and we see more challenging issues being deferred to someone who is more senior and more experienced. I’m not sure this is passing the buck – more that they are more reliant on the experience that is already there rather than trying to gain that experience for themselves. I think this is one of the issues that technology brings – that bypassing of face-to-face. I’ve found that, often, they don’t like conflict and will leave it for the older guys to deal with those issues. They are very comfortable and confident in trying to resolve things through technology. I think this is an issue that businesses have to face. These Gen Y’s have to realise that there’s an opportunity, just by the intonation of a voice, to diffuse a problem rather than just sending an email. RACHEL: There is a really bad culture of emailing rather than just getting up and walking across the office! DAN: We’re definitely seeing more and more people talking internally via things such as Snapchat. Things have moved on from the

group email – people are now ‘chatting’ with one another. So there’s a ‘chat’ going on with the comms team or there’s a chat going on with the HR team. DILHAN: I think it often depends on the size of the company. In my younger design days, I worked for smaller, boutique companies and everyone had to do everything! When you get to larger companies, you do one thing and someone else does something else – you focus on one thing and you need other people to back you up. RACHEL: I came from a large company to a smaller company – and that’s something we are finding particularly difficult. Younger people coming into the business want mentoring but we don’t have the time to devote to them. We need them to figure things out for themselves – maybe I should tell them to Google it! MATTHEW S: This is where there can be a real clash of the generations. The older generations have had to learn their trade and find solutions for themselves. I’m not sure Gen Y have had that because everything’s so instant. MATTHEW M: My father is incredibly techsavvy. He picks things up so quickly – but he figures these things out for himself. He does this with everything in his life – because of his upbringing he had to. He’s incredibly independent. MATT F: You need to do that from very early in life. If you don’t do this from very early on – learn how to figure things out – you’ll always struggle to work and live in this way, you’ll struggle to learn to work things out. STEVE D: This is where businesses need to ask themselves whether they need to put more structure and more layers in place. DIETER: The people have changed but the reality is that the entire business world has changed. Many of the procedural tasks that many younger people might have undertaken for two or three years in order to gain some experience simply don’t exist any more. We haven’t even talked about the look and feel of the space occupied and desired by our Gen Y friends. What are they looking for?

Generation Y looks for a flexible approach to work. They’re more likely to be productive if they have more control over where, when and how they work.

MATTHEW S: We know from recent projects that end users and specifiers are looking to offer an engaging, comfortable and stimulating atmosphere in order to retain talent. The floor can be a key feature in making a space look fashionable, modern and appealing. Generation Y looks for a flexible approach to work. They’re more likely to be productive if they have more control over where, when and how they work. Often we’re working with specifiers to zone-out floor designs, mixing wood and stone designs, enabling a sense of direction and creating individual working areas. CONCLUSION Should we care about Gen Y? Of course we should. We should not simply disregard anyone. Everyone should be included – and everyone has different requirements. Does Gen Y have specific requirements? Yes – but then again so does each generation. We should be designing spaces for people – not for generations.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Spotlight - Product Designers

Undecided: The Gallary, Desso or Edge Wrong Alice

xxx

Brewhouse Yard St

Jo h ns Squ are Raising a glass at the Tables by Isomi launch party Photo: Chris Tubbs

Tarkett and DESSO drawing at work event with Trevor Flynn

hansgrohe 78

Dan, Gemma, Task (KKS) and their cohort of smiling friends

Morgan showroom

Senses Working Overtime

Review Spotlight - Clerkenwell - ProductDesign Designers Week

Well, we certainly had the weather for it. The 2017 edit of Clerkenwell Design Week will be remembered as the one where people headed out to the ‘fields’, refreshed themselves on the ‘green’ and took shelter in the showrooms to get out of the sun rather than escape the downpours. What is certain is that, when the sun comes out, so do the ‘punters’. As BDG’s Tony Knight points out later in the feature, the sight of a rammed Great Sutton Street in the middle of the afternoon was something to behold. Similarly, the scenes outside Milliken’s showroom party on Wednesday evening looked more like a Latin American festival than a design event! The eighth year of CDW surpassed expectations. With 250 exhibitors, including more than 90 showrooms, 10 installations and seven exhibition spaces, there was more than ever to see, do and visit – from leather-craft workshops, a secret garden, stunning public structures, wood-carving demonstrations, a fleet of eye-catching Twizy’s and a number of pop-ups, through to thoughtprovoking talks and seminars and some genuinely innovative and exciting product launches – with, we’re delighted to report, the Brits very much leading the way. We don’t want to sound like a broken record, but it is vital to the longevity and continued success of CDW that the leading British manufacturers use the festival as a launchpad for new products. Well done (and thank you) to Boss Design, Orangebox, Allermuir, Gresham et al for doing just that. Clerkenwell is a truly unique place and it was great to see it come alive throughout the week – and especially after dark. It was also great to see so much time, energy and money put into the showroom displays, events and parties. Even with a full Mix team present and correct(ish), we couldn’t get around all of them. By Jove we tried! Finally, it is of course also vital that the specifying community makes time from those busy schedules for CDW – and, as you can see from the quotes dotted throughout this feature, plenty did. So well done the manufacturers, well done A&D, well done weather and well done Clerkenwell. Nobody does it better.

Spotlight - Product Designers

Edge Design - Banksy original print display Edge Design - Tweet A Beat party night Shaw Contracts graffiti masterclass Boss Design - MD Brian Murry with Andy Watson, Export Director

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Spent a hot minute with the Morgan

Lovell design team walking and enjoying Design Fields. Loved the shapes, which

were full of rounded corners, soft squares mixed with lovely detailing in vibrant

â&#x20AC;?

colours everywhere we looked.

- Anna Dejlova, Senior Designer, Morgan Lovell Bi s le yM

Orangebox

i on tit ulti Drawer compe

Sally Hogarth with Karndean Designflooring Kaleidoscope Tripoint Sculpture

Spotlight - Product Designers

Positive spaces empower young learners to thrive. A window seat that brings calm to chaos. A quite retreat to relax and restore mental energy. A space that nurtures communication, learning and independence To learn how you can create positive spaces, contact your account manager for more information, or visitÂ Interface.com

Spotlight - Product Designers

Simplicity is beautiful. Liberty by Niels Diffrient

humanscale.com/Liberty 82

Spotlight - Product Designers Weave, KAZA concrete, courtyard

Scandinavian Business Seating

“It might be the obvious one, however I really

liked The Bolt, which sat right in the middle of St John’s Square. It strikes you from a distance

as this charred sculpture, though once close up it

Tarkett and DESSO showroom window installation

Camira showroom - spinning yarn demo with Andrew Blacker

reveals beautifully crafted plywood pieces. When you walk in to the pop-up store, unexpected as it

was – it actually felt very light and airy, revealing an amazing range of products.”

- Mustafa Afsaroglu, Associate, HLW International

BuzziSpace showroom

Brunner showroom

Spotlight - Product Designers The McMahon sisters from Morgan Furniture

Milliken fashion drawing workshop Wrong Alice at The Gallery

The Cube at The Gallery - UV tattoos, face painting and graffiti on the furniture and walls, a fun and immersive experiment

ohn St J

a qu sS

The ege showroom was fitted with Atelier by Monsieur Christian Lacroix designs for CDW

“Exterior exhibits were a hit,

particularly the Next Generation Design Pavilion, and the attention to detail and high level of craft in the British Collection were outstanding. A highlight was listening to Ineke Hans’ approach to the relationship between designers/design and commercial manufacturing, particularly its effects on a more informal workspace.” - Diana Monkhouse, Director, SpaceInvader

Spotlight - Product Designers

COMMITTED TO THE HEALTH OF ONE W60353 Classic Autumn Oak and W60354 Classic Autumn Oak Hungarian Point

www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/allura Sample orders: 0800 731 2369

Spotlight - Product Designers

“Bolon had an installation of some concept

rugs, mixing different threads into the weaving process. The play of textures and scale with a variety of patterns was really beautiful and different. Also, surprisingly soft to touch. Here’s hoping it becomes an official launch!” - Christopher Gibbs, Interior Designer, BDP

Flexiform

Moventi stand in PROJECT

Enigma Lighting assisted with the creation of the BLEED outdoor lighting installation

Frövi - The ‘Configure It’ theme

Humanscale’s CDW closing party as LSO St Lukes hansgrohe

Review - Clerkenwell Week Spotlight - ProductDesign Designers Humanscale a night of improvised comedy

Caesar providing a little refreshment

Nomique new product, Remi Upholstered with biophilc wall

Mosa showroom, Mosa Mu launch

“Casa botelho in the House

of Detention. Beautiful furniture – perfect scale and gorgeous finishes.” - Gill Parker, CEO, BDG architecture + design

Victoria Lockhart, International Well Building Institute at the Interface showroom

I told them to look the other way

Consentino - Daniel Germani introducing his new Madera Meets Dekton piece

“ There were some great products that came to market, including the

FourCast2 One chairs and acoustic shelving by Ocee, which dealt with some real issues within office design. The Bolon rugs also caught our eye. The best talk we managed to catch was the Well Building Standards talk at Interface, a subject very close to our hearts. - Gurvinder Khurana, Align 88

”

Spotlight - Product Designers

egecarpets.com

"The carpet is a blank canvas upon which to express my passions, drawings, collages, prints in black and white or in colour, albums of old pictures from my personal archives." Monsieur Christian Lacroix

Review

max_

Simple to specify, Simple to use_ At the heart of the Max task chair lies a sophisticated synchronised mechanism with automatic tension adjustment. Recognising that we are all individuals, we aim to take the complexity out of selecting the right task chair. Simple, versatile and adaptable seating should be the standard for all ergonomically designed chairs.

www.verco.co.uk Head Office: Chapel Lane, High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP12 4BG Verco London Hub: 67 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5BL 90

Review - Clerkenwell Design Week naughtone’s new hatch modular seating

“My highlight of Clerkenwell Design week

was the Spacestor showroom. I was impressed with the new Palisades shelving system that combined raw materials such as Ply with black metal and planting. It is a great way to divide space in a visually interesting way. The other new product was the Bleacher range, which allowed for flexible auditorium seating rather than having to create bespoke solutions. - Hannah Nardini, WK.space

”

Umbrella/Wagstaff showroom Interface

“The new Bloomberg HQ. Although

not strictly part of CDW – it was the best thing I saw that week!!” - Colin Macgadie, Chief Creative Officer, BDG architecture + design Gresham Showroom 4P’s evening ap I n ee d a m

Sixteen3 exhibition stand

Spotlight - Product Designers

Tables by

Edition An innovative modular table system in authentic, lightweight, stain-resistant concrete designed by Paul Crofts. A brand new collection, available in virtually unlimited length options.

+44 (0)20 7388 8599

info@isomi.com

Visit our Clerkenwell showroom 1 Sans Walk, London EC1

www.isomi.com 92

Review Spotlight - Clerkenwell - ProductDesign Designers Week

Connection showroom

Party at By Bailey Karndean Designflooring Kaleidoscope Pyramid Sculpture designed by Sally Hogarth

Morgan showroom - Mark McClure Talk

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not a product or installation but, thanks to

the sunshine, my favourite thing was the buzz on Great Sutton Street.â&#x20AC;? - Tony Knight, Senior Associate, BDG architecture + design

Interface introduces its latest global carpet tile collection, Global Change

Caesar

Bolon showroom

CONCEALED DOOR AUTOMATION FROM TORMAX

LYNDON’S SEATING COLLECTIONS PROVIDE A WARM WELCOME

Grade II listed building, No.7 Savoy Court has been sympathetically

Whether welcoming visitors to the office or making guests feel at home

refurbished to provide contemporary office space in London’s West

upon arrival at a hotel, Lyndon’s extensive range of handcrafted seating

End. Contributing to an elegant façade, TORMAX worked with fabricator

collections offers the perfect solution to make the right first-time

Stewart Fraser to install a Bronze Metal Antique finish entrance screen

impression in reception areas. Several classic and elegant collections

and set of automatic swing doors to the main entrance. Impeccable

provide designers with significant freedom to create infinite seating

aesthetics are maintained thanks to the in-house designed TORMAX

arrangements capable of meeting the needs of today’s softer and

iMotion 1401 door operator that is cleverly concealed within the floor

more relaxed open plan reception areas, without sacrificing functional

space. www.tormax.co.uk

requirements. www.lyndon.co.uk

OCULA INTRODUCE FLUSH GLAZED DOORS

MODULEO IMPRESSES MODA IN PELLE

HERADESIGN – A STUDY IN RED

Ocula Systems has introduced a range of Flush

Moda in Pelle has been transformed with the

AXO Student Living, providers of UK student

Glazed Doors into its product portfolio, further

help of Moduleo. Dark Country Oak wood-

residences, commissioned a new purpose

expanding its range of partitioning products.

effect flooring from the Impress Range, was

built construction within an existing site –

The range offers great design flexibility with

the perfect blend of style and substance for

Sherbourne House in Coventry. Architect Seán

offset and inline pivot hanging options, a

Paramount Projects, who led the refurbishment.

Kehoe of Fraser Brown Mac Kenna specified

choice of any RAL coloured polyester powder

James Smith, MD of Paramount, explains: ‘As

Heradesign: ‘We chose Heradesign because of

coated frame and glass and a plethora of

with any retail project, it’s crucial to create an

its textured effect that would provide a tactile

manifestations, ensuring compliance with

atmosphere that makes for an enjoyable and

quality and soften the space both aesthetically

document M of the Building regulations. The

authentic shopping experience and consider

and visually.’ Heradesign was fitted in corridors

range therefore allows the designer to create a

materials that reflect the quality of the

using Knauf AMF free-span system to give a

truly tailored design. www.oculasystems.co.uk.

products sold in store. www.moduleo.co.uk

visually-open feel. www.amfceilings.co.uk

COLLABORATION PRESENTS NEW SURFACES TO A&D COMMUNITY

ANTRON FIBRE PROVES THE INTELLIGENT SOLUTION

Granorte is delighted with its collaboration with Material Lab – with

Intelligent technology solutions provider, Insight, has benefitted from

the latest in cork, leather and fabrics presented to guests. Material

the burmatex Hadron carpet tile, featuring Antron carpet fibre. burmatex

Lab has long been the Capital’s go-to location for inspiration and has

Hadron carpet tiles make full use of 100% solution dyed Antron Lumena

worked with some of the biggest brands in the sector, both nationally and

nylon 6.6 fibre, bringing commercial environments a hardwearing and easy to

internationally. At Material Lab, all of Granorte’s samples and swatches

maintain carpet tile. Maria Petre of Corporate Workspace was tasked with

are stylishly showcased helping to place the company as a brand leader in

interior specification, commenting: ‘We knew the carpet tiles were a strong

the UK’s A&D community. www.granorte.co.uk

option as the dark grey and pink Flamingo design really works and crucially the tiles will offer durability and simple maintenance.’ www.antron.eu

TARKETT HONOURED WITH RED DOT AWARD FOR ID MIXONOMI FLOORING COLLECTION

VINYL WALLCOVERING WITH DELUXE TEXTILE FEEL

WILTON CELEBRATES UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE AT STATHAM LODGE

Tarkett, a global leader in innovative and

Vescom vinyl wallcovering is extremely strong,

Bespoke woven axminster carpets from Wilton

sustainable solutions for flooring and sports

durable and impact-resistant, offering the

Carpets have been used throughout public areas and

surfaces, has announced that its iD Mixonomi

comfortable, luxurious and soft feeling of a

suites of the Georgian period Grade II listed Statham

collection has won the coveted Red Dot Award:

textile, with the practical advantages of vinyl

Lodge. For the entrance hall, reception and Shelley

Product Design 2017. iD Mixonomi is a new

wallcovering. This is what Palena, Sylvan, Hauki

Suite, Emma Walker, Project Manager at Statham

modular vinyl tile flooring collection that makes

and Tessera offer. Two new qualities, Palena and

Lodge, tasked Wilton with creating an effect inspired

custom-made interior environments possible.

Sylvan, plus two classics, Hauki and Tessera –

by traditional Georgian designs. ‘The response to

The collection provides an inspiring palette of

an expansion of the vinyl wallcovering collection

the carpet was immediate and we’ve received lots of

33 colours and 10 shapes to play with. www.tarkett.com

with deluxe designs that give greater tactility,

fantastic comments on social media from our guests’,

colour and more layers. www.vescom.com

Emma says. www.wiltoncarpets.com

Advertisements 95

The

Final Word

In his second session in the Final Word residency, BDG’s Andy Swann tells us How to Fail Without Getting Fired. There’s no difficult second album from Andy here! During Clerkenwell Design Week, I gave a breakfast talk at Bisley’s Great Portland Street showroom entitled How to Fail Without Getting Fired, BDG Change Manager Andy Swann tells us. Failure has been seen as a negative thing for far too long and it’s time we changed that. In fact, doing so might be one of the biggest opportunities a business could have today. Failure has two meanings. As a verb, it is defined as being unsuccessful in achieving a goal, which is a traditional perspective in business. When we fail at work it feels bad, stressful and creates negative impact for us or the company we work for. Looking on failure as s noun though, it becomes more of a general classification, a mark which is not high enough to pass a test. Business is changing. Rather than the A to B product or service lifecycle where an idea is turned into a reality, sold until it can sell no more, then canned, design thinking is coming to the forefront because it drives innovation through iteration. It moves away from linear A to B thinking, replacing it with constant cycles. Everything is always in its minimum viable state, perpetually in beta mode. Design thinking is a process of Understanding the problem you need to solve, Thinking about how to solve it, Designing a solution, Making a prototype (or minimum viable solution) and Testing with real users. At any time, the constant feedback this approach provides allows you to go back to any previous stage, identifying early when the solution fails to reach the pass mark and reiterating it with the new insight required to make it a success. Design thinking is failing successfully. Because it constantly identifies opportunities for improvement, it makes failure as part of an ongoing learning process – providing the insight for the development that fuels success. Without failing, you can’t learn. The trick is the constant

feedback because, without it, failure can become catastrophic! In the 1990s, Iridium was a Motorolabacked satellite phone company. It burned $5bn attempting to build and launch a global infrastructure of 66 satellites. In the time it took Iridium to develop, the cellular phone network advanced enough to make the potential coverage benefits of Iridium irrelevant and hugely expensive in comparison. Iridium had no connection with its potential customers

Allowing our people the freedom and space to experiment is an art, not a science. It’s in these undefined spaces that ideas, from Gmail to Twitter, Dyson vacuum cleaners and many others, are formed

(audience) and that lack of feedback cost it dearly. Iridium eventually folded, defaulting on $1.5bn of debt as it went, purely by not understanding the world around it, or the people it wanted to serve. There are many other examples of catastrophic failures caused by a lack of connected design thinking, but there are also tales of how iteration turned failure into huge success. In 2009, TIME Magazine rated YouTube as one of the decade’s biggest failures due to a lack of revenue, saying ‘Google bought YouTube for $1.65bn. There is a good chance they will never get a return on that investment’. Via

constant iteration and working through user feedback, connection and understanding, in 2015 YouTube earned over $9bn in revenue. Allowing our people the freedom and space to experiment is an art, not a science. It’s in these undefined spaces that ideas, from Gmail to Twitter, Dyson vacuum cleaners and many others, are formed. By taking a cyclical approach, we can move backward and forward in development processes, piloting solutions without putting everything at risk by going all-in from the start. By allowing people to collaborate internally and externally on ideas, we add a level of crowd-filtering that insures against pursuing bad ideas too far without iterating. Pet projects are out, good projects are in! Whether people should take permission to experiment because they believe they’re acting in the interests of the organisation they work for, or should wait for it to be given, depends on each of us as individuals. What’s most important is that we act. Do you believe enough in something to risk your job in pursuit of it? If so, then the chances are that if you pursue it and it fails, you will never be fired – because you were acting in the best interests of the company. It’s time for us all to be out of our comfort zones, all the time, because that’s how we can create a successful future together. By understanding what problem we’re actually solving, then doing so in an iterative way, failure becomes a positive part of the journey to success. By collaborating and obtaining constant audience feedback, we insure against catastrophic failure as we go. If at first you don’t succeed, iterate! As you go through your day, experiment and do something that takes you out of your comfort zone, however big or small it may be. You’ll be surprised by the new perspective it gives you.

Andy Swann is a Human, an Over-Excited Work Explorer and Change Maker at BDG architecture + design. Andy’s book The Human Workplace will be published by Kogan Page in October 2017. andyswann@bdg-a-d.com

Design: Jessica Engelhardt

Join us for the official launch of our Dauphin Fiore at our London Office Wednesday 14th June 2017, all day event from 10:00 am till late. Already available to order

DAUPHIN FIORE – NATURAL PURISM IN VARIOUS FORMS AND FACETS

Inspired by the smooth contour of a petal, the seating shells of the Fiore collection offer a perfectly shaped basis for many different designs. The various chair frames follow this nature-inspired stylistic idiom, too: no matter if you choose a cantilever, four-legged frame or a swivel chair, all models can be customised to meet individual needs.

NEW ADDRESS LONDON OFFICE Dauphin HumanDesign® UK Limited 1 Albemarle Way I GB London EC1V 4JB Phone +44 207 2537774 I Fax +44 207 2531629 www.dauphinuk.com I info@dauphinuk.com

Head Office

London Showroom

Contacts

Eastwood Trading Estate Rotherham South Yorkshire S65 1EN United Kingdom +44 (0)1709 829 511

99 Charterhouse Street Clerkenwell London EC1M 6HR United Kingdom +44 (0)20 7251 7080

t: 01709 385470 e: sales@cmd-ltd.com w: www.cmd-ltd.com