David Collins Stduio

During this episode of DESIGN POD, sponsored by Schlüter-Systems Ltd,  Lewis Taylor, Design Director at David Collins Studio, talks to Sophie Harper about everything design – from cherished projects to team dynamics, and the ongoing achievements on the studio as it approaches its 40th anniversary…

Founded by David Collins and Iain Watson in 1985, David Collins Studio attracts and fosters industry-leading interior designers. United by an obsession with detail, a team of 60 interior designers sit across commercial, residential, and FF&E teams.

Since Collins’ death in 2013, co-founder Iain Watson leads the Studio as CEO. The Studio’s creative vision is led by Simon Rawlings, and closely supported by Design Director Lewis Taylor.

As Design Director of David Collins Studio, Lewis has led the design and delivery of the Studio’s hospitality and retail projects including the Alexander McQueen and Jimmy Choo worldwide store roll-outs, projects for Harrods, David Morris, McQ, Louis Leeman, Pret A Manger and de Grisogono and most recently Cunard’s latest luxury cruise ship, the Queen Anne. He works closely with Creative Director Simon Rawlings, ensuring that Simon’s creative vision is realised and oversees each element of the design and delivery process.

Since joining David Collins Studio in 2006, Lewis has tackled an increasingly global scope of projects. “The Alexander McQueen store roll-out was one of the most memorable,” he says. “Each of the 50 stores channels the same design concept – the signature element being a large-scale carved wax panel – yet each is unique. The New York store has double-height ceilings, Tokyo is edgier, while some of the stores were created on much smaller budgets while maintaining the core aesthetic elements. It was both creatively challenging and extremely rewarding.”

Lewis has a particular passion for the FF&E aspect of his work, having started out as a furniture designer – a passion for beautifully made furnishings instilled from an early age with visits to his grandfather’s antique shop. He studied for his BA in Product & Furniture Design at De Montford University and while showing his graduation work at New Designers, was invited to bring in his portfolio by a member of the David Collins Studio team. He was immediately offered a job and started on a part-time basis while studying for his Masters in Design Products at the Royal College of Art (under Ron Arad, in his valedictory year as professor). Lewis eventually joined The Studio full-time in 2008, working closely with David Collins on a variety of projects.

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