Safiyah Seth PORTFOLIO
53 Great Suffolk Street
A collaboration with a Hawkins\Brown architectural team for the front of house areas for a sensitive refurbishment and extension of a Victorian Warehouse to create a hgh end office space.
The design was based on the industrial aesthetic of the building whilst also bearing in mind the high-end offering of the business premises. I was responsible for
• Design of reception area and joinery
• Specification of furniture and finishes
• Design of public bathrooms (finishes and sanware)
• Liaising with render team
Advertising Agency Ninety9 Cents. The design of this space involved a playful approach with a consciously industrial aesthetic to suit the building’s architecture.
As part of a team of 3 designers, I was involved from concept to completion. My key roles included
• Joinery - design and technicals
• Construction - various drawing packages
• Upholstery - specification of all fabrics, execution of all upholstery
• FF&E - assisting in FF&E specification, sample boards and presentation graphics
• Project Co-ordination - liaising with suppliers & contractors , tracking orders, on-site supervision & completion of snags and extras
• Signage - producing all concept & graphics for signage
Hill House; High-rise Residential
A 1970’s office block converted into ‘buy to let’ housing as a Permitted Development.
This design and build project entailed working in conjunction with the architectural team to design and specify all interior finishes, fittings and joinery. These items included
• Reception Area; design, joinery, lighting and FF&E documentation
• Apartment kitchens and bathrooms; finishes, fittings and joinery
• Specification of all interior fixtures and fittings for 11 floors and 12 unit types
• Co-ordination of services within an existing building (working with engineers and contractors)
• Mock-up unit
• Lighting and Electrical Layouts
Floors: 11
Unit Types: 12
Total units: 150
CONCIERGE & COMMUNAL AREAS
LIVING SPACES
BEDROOMS
BATHROOMS
Old Mutual Specialised Finance
A striking minimalist space where timber and glass finishes abound.
This project required extensive drawing work, site supervision, client liaison and FF&E scheduling from my side, working in a small team of two (myself and a senior). In summary, my key responsibilities included
• Joinery - sole responsibility for all technicals and design of certain items too
• Construction - various drawing packages
• FF&E - sole responsibility for all schedules
• Project Co-ordination - liaising with suppliers & contractors , tracking orders, on-site supervision & completion of snags and extras after handover
Entitled ‘Desert Rituals’, I based my entry on the concept of Petrichor (a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.)
I created a hypothetical arid landscape reminiscent of curved and swirling rocks, cracked earth, charcoal and ostrich eggshell with the deep green of the walls reminiscent of desert succulents.
Saffron Studio // Design & Interiors
CONCEPT I DESERT RITUALS
DREAM IN KOHLER 2018
Left: A rock-like composition for the basin plinth, comprised of red jade top, a metal insert and an Ann Sacks Selvaggio mosaicked base.
Right: Custom terracotta screen, inspired by the undulating curves and orange-hued sand of the desert.
Below: Mirrors inspired by dramatic desert sun -
Above: Concept sketch
Saffron Studio // Design & Interiors
Desert
Petrichor: the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil. The word is constructed from Greek petra” meaning “stone”, and “ichor”, the fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology.
Charles Bell House, Medical Research Centre, University College London
A technical piece of design work for a centre housing research, office and public engagement facilities, within a grade II listed building.
A complex project, with a 4 year history, I ran this project single handedly and was responsible for
• FF&E (including lab furniture) for 6 floors
• Change Control
• Feasibility Studies
• Project co-ordination; site progress and liaison with various stakeholders
• Reviewing of technical submissions from architectural team
• Signage and wayfinding package
• Client liaison
• Commissioning of renders
PRODUCT DESIGN l Champagne Cart
GH Mumm Champagne Cart and Cabanas Pernod Ricard South Africa commissioned a number of installations and products for the champagne brand GH Mumm.
These included a showpiece, prototype champagne cart and a flatpackable cabana that could withstand the elements of its intended seaside location.
Project responsibilities
• Concept design and Sketchup 3Ds
• Liaising with supplier to create prototype cart
• Producing technical drawings and material specifications for Cabanas
• On site supervision
Pamperfest
A self-initiated campaign proposal. Our goal was to create a unique fashion experience; introducing South African Fashion to an a new and un-tapped market.
In collaboration with Mercedes Benz South Africa, my team of 3 devised a complete experience and strategy for this event; our objective being to attract a greater cross section of the Mercedes Benz’s target market than was possible with their numerous sponsored fashion weeks.
My Key roles included
• Concept -creating overall concept along with a digital strategist and fashion buyer.
• Spatial Design - design of key festival and pop-up elements such as fashion runway and fashion retail space
• Presentation work - writing text and preparing imagery for pitch presentations and sponsor communications
• Conceptualising of a companion app for the festival and the pop-ups
• Budget - liaising with the various stakeholders to produce an overall initial budget
The Butcher Shop & Grill
An interesting concept, where retail and restaurant spaces are combined. Honest, heavy materials re-inforce a feeling of a traditional steakhouse.
My involvement on this project was in the design and concept for all items. The project co-ordination and site supervision was completed by another team member.
• Concept design
• 3D Sketchup modelling
• Joinery - design and technicals
Produced for alcohol brand Pernod Ricard, this project had an incredibly quick turnaround, where we combined bespoke items with readymades that we customised.
My involvement therefore included
• Concept and Sketchup 3Ds
• Joinery - design and technicals
• Liaising with 3D rendered for client presentation
• Furniture sourcing
• Finishes specification
Absolut Vodka Lounge at Zone 6. An outdoor poolside lounge and bar at a Soweto superclub.
Bakery Kiosk for Food Market Concept Stage
A small bakery kiosk, utilizing curved corian and rainbow slats, aimed to appeal to children. I was involved in
• Concept
• Joinery drawings for costing
Little Elves Pop-Up Shop
In aid of the Santa Shoebox Project, we created a pop-up shop in the middle of a busy shopping mall. The aim was to generate awareness and interest in the project, creating a space where people can assemble their own shoeboxes in a fun, yet convenient environment.
The overall structure was constructed from X-board and was made to resemble a shoebox, with a lid that appears to be popping off due to all the presents. Budget on this one was low, so we did almost all of the work ourselves. Some serious festive fun ! Duties included (but were not limited to)
• Concept Design
• Signage design and DTP
• Project management
• Site supervision
• Liaising sponsorships from various stakeholders
• Wrapping lots of boxes by hand!
Basement/Man Cave
Walnut panelling with raised brass inlay strips creates a sense of enclosure and warmth as well as providing concealed enclaves for various pieces of equipment.
The integration of audiovisual hardware, wine storage, cigar humidifiers and a concealed gun safe played a key role in the design of this comfortable and highly customised space.
Saffron Studio designed the custom joinery as well as selecting the finishes for the space.
House H
A modern, new-build, family home in leafy Newlands, Cape Town. Currently under constrution.
Situated on the banks of the Liesbeek River, this family home’s design has been centred on a timeless, Scandinavian minimalism with subtle nautical touches in honor of the owner’s love of fishing and the open seas.
Saffron Studio was commissioned to provide:
• Concept Design
• Selection of hard finishes
• Joinery design for all cabinetry including, kitchen,bar, study, bedrooms and all bathrooms
