2024

    Oscar Lucien Ono talks about the inspiration behind his design work in the latest episode of DESIGN POD

    Episode 42: Inspiration Translated into Design

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    In the last episode of series five of DESIGN POD, sponsored by EquipHotel, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper talks to Oscar Lucien Ono, Founder and Director, Maison Numéro 20, about the influence of art and history in his design work and how he took an opportunity 20 years ago that formed the basis of his success today…

     

    Oscar Lucien Ono describes his early forays into the design world as instinctive and fortuitous, driven by a love of art and a good eye for pairing colours and objects together. Not officially trained in design, Oscar learnt his trade on the job, having taken a leap of faith 20 years ago. Ten years later, Oscar had learnt enough to found his own studio, Maison Numéro 20.

    Inspired by 20th century interior designers like Pierre Chareau, Oscar brings his own interior architecture expertise and creative flair to projects in which custom-made is paramount. Hotels, large residences, restaurants, and bars around the world have been the subjects of Oscar and his team’s design work with a focus on immersion and timelessness. The studio is made up of the talents of a team of architects, decorators, space designers, graphic designers as well as experts in hospitality.

     

    You can catch Oscar at this year’s installation of EquipHotel Paris on 3rd – 7th November:

    For the first time ever, EquipHotel has created a space designed as a mini-museum to play host to four designers and their take on the perfect seat for conversing, talking and sharing. That’s why the new Inspiration Gallery is featuring a new exhibition called “Confidences pour confidences”, giving carte blanche to four talents to showcase four tête-à-têtes (also known as conversation benches) in four different 30 square metre settings. Designer Fanny Perrier, architect Marco Lavit, interior architect Oscar Ono and the creative duo Marthe Simon & Paul Peller took part and set their tête-à-tête chairs in a winter garden, a dressing room, a salon and a space designed as a spa lobby, creating a way to show a piece of furniture differently by focusing on the experience.

    Conversation is also at the heart of interior architect Oscar Ono’s design. His “Disco Bathroom” transports visitors into an undefinable space that’s part bar, part bathroom, part boudoir, part dressing room, all punctuated by creations made using traditional know-how and others using recycled plastic 3D printing, because the world is changing and so are practices.

     

    DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs. This series is sponsored by EquipHotel, produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper.

    Emma King speaks to Sophie Harper about Implementing Sustainable Measures as Brand Standard

    Episode 41: Implementing Sustainable Measures as Brand Standard

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    In the seventh episode of series five of DESIGN POD, sponsored by EquipHotel, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper chats to Emma King, Head of Premium, Luxury, and Lifestyle Design – Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, about the changes the hotel company is making to its brand standards to ensure each of its hotel rooms is as sustainable as possible, from collaborating with external companies to forming its own Green Team!

    Leading InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Design team in Europe, Emma King is responsible for the design, development and product quality of all new openings and refurbishments. Having been instrumental in developing new brand standards and design handbooks for IHG and taking a closer look at the products and materials used within their projects, Emma tells us how she and her team are working towards a more sustainable future.

     

     

    From working with external companies such as MindClick and We Want More, to placing more responsibility on internal teams to find more sustainable solutions, Emma tells us how IHG is making waves to ensure their sustainable commitment is not only met, but shared with other hotel operators to help the industry as a whole.

     

    DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs. This series is sponsored by EquipHotel, produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper.

    Andre Straja talks about creating the perfect vision

    Episode 40: Creating the Perfect Vision

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    In the sixth episode of series five of DESIGN POD, sponsored by EquipHotel, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper catches up with Founder and Principal at Goring and Straja (GaS) Studio, Andre Straja, about the mechanics of crafting and delivering the perfect design vision – especially when reality kicks in…

    Andre Straja describes himself as a ‘cultural chameleon and professional immigrant’ – born in Romania, he then moved to Quebec, then Texas, then California before going back to his European roots and settling in Milan.

    He brings logic and acute understanding of what makes a luxury experience to his designs, and in this episode he talks about the reality of delivering that all-important five-star experience where landscape plays a major role in the hotel architecture.

    Straja talks about one of the studio’s recent projects, Casa di Langa, in Piedmont, Italy and the intricacies of the design and impact of the site.

    He tells us more about his career and his views on the design world in general, believing if we want to know what’s in store for the future of design, we should refer to the past…

     

    DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs. This series is sponsored by EquipHotel, produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper.

     

     

     

    Tina Norden speaks to Sophie Harper about Experiential Design on the latest DESIGN POD podcast

    Episode 39: Experiential Design

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    In the fifth show of series five of DESIGN POD, sponsored by EquipHotel, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper catches up with Partner and Principal at Conran and Partners, Tina Norden, about the logistics of working on global projects and creating experiential hospitality design that appeals to tourists and locals alike…

    A well-known personality in the design industry, Tina tells us about her evolving role from architecture to design through to her current role as partner at Conran and Partners and how she’s excited to see her peers’ careers unfold.

    Her design knowledge and understanding of the human condition has contributed to her natural ability to sculpt hospitality environments that offer guests an all-encompassing hotel experience.

    Listen now to hear Tina talk about working closely with clients to really get under the skin of their target market and showcase the visual expression of the brand, as well as incorporating each project’s locality to add depth and immersion.

    DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs. This series is sponsored by EquipHotel, produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper.

    Nicholas Oakwell speak to Hotel Designs about Fashion's Affinity with Hospitality for DESIGN POD

    Episode 38: Fashion’s Affinity with Hospitality

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    In the fourth show of series five of DESIGN POD, sponsored by EquipHotel, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper talks to Creative Director and Founder of NO Uniform, Nicholas Oakwell, about his career and the inspiration behind his unique clothing collections designed specifically for the hospitality sector.

    Ahead of the opening of the brand-new Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London, we caught up with Nicholas Oakwell, who designed the team’s wardrobe to honour the hotel brand’s Asian heritage while keeping the styling modern and respectful of its surroundings.

    Having started his career in millinery and gone on to launch his own couture design label, Nicholas didn’t anticipate the swerve ball that led him to establish No Uniform, a bespoke clothing design service that now dresses the teams at the most exclusive hotels in the world.

     

     

    Listen now to hear about some of No Uniform’s most notable project collections, from Raffles and Fairmont Doha, to Rosewood London, and Nobu Portman Square. Talking about the complexities of fabric choices to ensure durability and practicality, Nicholas explains that one of the most important aspects of his designs are that they wholeheartedly represent the hotel brand – as well as making the team feel fabulous whilst wearing them!

     

    DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs. This series is sponsored by EquipHotel, produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper.

     

    Main image credit: NOUNIFORM

    Louis Thompson talks about Unconventional Design on episode 37 of DESIGN POD

    Episode 37: Unconventional Design

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    In the third show of series five of DESIGN POD, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper chats to Nomadic Resorts Founder, Louis Thompson, about his ideas on unconventional design and how he applies different forms of architecture and craftsmanship to some truly unique hotel projects.

    A true believer in creating experiences that enhance a guest’s stay and that complement the local surroundings, Louis Thompson thinks so far out of the box, it makes you question why there was even the option of a box in the first place.

    Talking about customer demand for more interesting and adventurous hotels and resorts, Louis tells us about the projects he has worked on and why going back to basics is key to making unique experiences that are in harmony with and utilise their natural settings.

    Here he unravels his thought process and the research that goes into creating some of the most stunning hospitality projects in the world which, as it turns out, are built in a more conventional way than stereotypical developments.

    Listen now to hear about Nomadic Resorts‘ projects, including a restaurant in the Maldives made in the form of a stingray and constructed from bamboo, and  a completely accessible luxury development in Fiji.

    DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs. This series is sponsored by EquipHotel, produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper.

    Main image credit: Nomadic Resorts

    Episode 36: Creating Timeless Design Within an Ever-Changing Landscape

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    On the second show of series 5 of DESIGN POD, Sponsored by EquipHotel, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper talks to Tatiana Sheveleva, from Chapi Chapo Design Inc., about creating timeless design within an ever-changing landscape and Tatiana tells us about some of her latest design projects…

    Tatiana Sheveleva comes from a diverse background that has shaped where she is today. Moving to the United States of America opened her eyes to interior design, where she made a massive career move to be part of the beauty she saw in front of her.

    She talks about the definition of luxury and what that meant to her, and how we can use timeless details to bring together design, both in interiors and in fashion. If it’s not comfortable and it’s not beautiful, it’s not timeless design. We discuss how to bring timeless design to multiple generations, especially in a world that moves as fast as ours does today.

    DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs. This series is sponsored by EquipHotel, produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper.

    Main image credit: Tatiana Sheveleva

    Jacu Strauss, Creative Director, Lore Group

    Episode 35: Storytelling in Design

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    On the first show of series 5 of DESIGN POD, Sponsored by EquipHotel, Hotel Designs Editor Sophie Harper talks to Jacu Strauss, Creative Director at LORE Group, about the storytelling process of hotel design to get a better understanding of how forming a narrative directly impacts the guest experience…

    Jacu Strauss is, by his own admission, a serial country dweller and culture seeker… this has opened his eyes to a number of fascinating local communities and the stories to which they relate – which is why he considers storytelling such an integral part of the design process for hotel projects.

    Speaking about the storied design projects he has directed, Jacu tells us how he lived in Amsterdam to soak up the local atmosphere whilst working on Pulitzer Amsterdam and in the ‘States whilst working on Riggs Washington DC.

    He describes the buildings’ historic relevance and the stories already imbedded within their walls, and what his go-to is when a building doesn’t offer up immediate inspiration.

    We also discuss the features that make a hotel special and memorable, and how in turn that makes its staff and guests feel. Storytelling is, after all, an inherently human trait of connection and familiarity offering a sense of intrigue and experience whilst giving us a level of safety and comfort.

    DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs. This series is sponsored by EquipHotel, produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper.

    Main image credit: LORE Group