NEWH UK Chapter honours design excellence at TopID Awards 2021

As the seasons change and a new year approaches, it is clear that a new design landscape has emerged, placing increased emphasis on the ‘contactless journey’ and the importance of natural materials in connecting interior spaces to the outside world in order to foster a sense of space and wellbeing.

While adapting to a myriad of challenges, the industry’s dedication to exceptional design has not wavered. In acknowledgement of this fact, each year NEWH, an international not-for-profit network for the hospitality community that provides scholarships, education, leadership development, professional recognition of excellence and business development, has the honour of recognising design excellence within the UK through its TopID Awards. The prestigious accolade is determined with consideration to both the quality of a firm’s work and the support and dedication provided to NEWH membership and events, allowing winning practices to be celebrated internationally across the vast NEWH network.

In February of this year, NEWH UK Chapter bestowed the 2021 TopID Awards to three deserving studios. Unfortunately, at the time, lockdown regulations prevented the opportunity to present these awards physically. However, on November 20, the practices were aptly celebrated (in person) in spectacular fashion at Roca London Gallery.

This year’s winners

Dennis Irvine Studio

Dennis Irvine Studio, led by Dennis Irvine who recently became Director at Richmond International, was an award-winning interior design practice that specialised in hospitality and residential projects, both in the UK and internationally. Working in collaboration with a diverse range of partners – from international private clients, to residential developers and hotel operators – the multidisciplinary team had a world-class reputation for creating spaces that acknowledge cultural context whilst appreciating the spirit of a brand or individual – a reputation that Irvine has taken with him.

Image credit: Dennis Irvine Studio

From conception through to delivery, the studio provided a comprehensive, holistic range of services including initial feasibility and space planning, interior concept, tender documentation, bespoke FF&E design and procurement.

The Estate House is the signature restaurant and bar at Jumby Bay, the exclusive island resort located off the northeast coast of Antigua. This 1830s plantation house and centrepiece of the island was extensively refurbished by Dennis Irvine Studio to create a luxurious fine-dining experience that celebrates the island’s local spirit and rich history. In keeping with the local architecture, an airy courtyard and surrounding terrace connect the main restaurant, bar, and private dining areas.

Whilst each space has its own identity, the entire project has been carefully curated to deliver a considered and elegant design, conscious of contemporary comforts whilst also being sympathetic to local design and traditions. Originally designed as a Rosewood resort, the Estate House references the brand’s ‘Sense of Place’ philosophy, with the interiors capturing the essence of island life whilst creating a serene, sophisticated environment for discerning travellers.

Image credit: The Estate House, designed by Dennis Irvine Studio

Goddard Littlefair

Established in 2012 by Martin Goddard and Jo Littlefair, Goddard Littlefair is a luxury interior design practice based in London and Porto, Portugal. The company’s talented international team delivers award-winning hospitality, residential and wellness projects across the globe, creating sophisticated, stylish interiors with the people that inhabit them at the forefront of every design decision.

Image credit: Mel Yates/Goddard Littlefair

The brand’s ethos seeks to combine aesthetic perfectionism and boundless curiosity with a team-playing, service-driven attitude. “The firm’s unique selling point is the ability to knit smart, sensual design with a healthy dose of pragmatism,” said The Irish Times.

Goddard Littlefair is currently working on some of London’s most high-profile residential developments including One Park Drive, Southbank Place, Ebury Square and Grosvenor Waterside, as well as luxury spa projects in London, Prague and Tripoli. Their burgeoning hospitality portfolio includes projects for Corinthia, InterContinental, Principal, Cadogan and Hilton Hotels, with projects in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, York and across Europe.

Originally built in 1912, Villa Copenhagen is an impressive new hotel opened within the capital’s historic Central Post & Telegraph Head Office. Epicurean – Goddard Littlefair’s emerging F&B sister company – was called upon to transform all five of the hotel’s food and beverage outlets within this iconic building, in addition to casting their creative eye over a selection of public spaces, including the wellness and pool area and various meeting and event spaces.

The vision for the F&B venues was to create five distinctive destinations with several points of difference; introducing something new and fun to the marketplace whilst honouring Scandinavian design sensibility and recognising the specific locale. Styled to be familiar yet magical for the Danish market and authentic to guests, each space channels unpretentious mid-century design with beautifully crafted references to both past and present.

Image credit: F&B areas inside Villa Copenhagen, designed by Goddard Littlefair

Nous Design

Nous Design, founded by Director Nir Gilad, is an international design company creating experiences that tell a story, connecting people to places through their emotions via tailor-made design solutions.

Starting each project with fresh eyes, their design inspiration begins by listening, and then combines the client’s aspirations with the unrevealed potential of the location, to produce a unique multisensory experience.

Whether evoking calming stillness in a spa or a dynamic statement at a rooftop bar, ​Nous Design places the future guest at the heart of the narrative and considers how to connect and immerse them in the story.  Their aim is to ‘gift’ the guest another five minutes in their day or perhaps increase their work productivity when away from their day-to-day environment.

Based in London, this award-winning interior design company is currently working on projects in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia that vary from standalone restaurants and spas to luxury resort hotels and city-centre hubs.

Immersed in the natural beauty of the Galil and Golan mountains in the north of Israel, Setai Hotel award-winning hospitality experience that comprises 158 luxury suites with direct access to individual infinity pools. The spacious public areas include lounges, restaurants and an upmarket spa with 14 unique treatment rooms arranged in a circular building around a central skylight.

Working closely with local builders and manufacturers, Nous Design created an environment inspired by the surrounding countryside and using native materials. The reception area is one such example, with decorative partitions that imitate eucalyptus trees and guide guests’ view towards the lake vista, creating an oasis feel.

The restaurant continues this theme, with wooden louvres and a large central table displaying the richness of the local Middle Eastern cuisine through decorative elements from the region, whilst creating a relaxed but refined environment.

Image credit: Setai Hotel, designed by Nous Design

NEWH UK Chapter, which Hotel Designs is a media partner for, hosts a plethora of events throughout the year, including an up-coming brunch at HIX Event and the Cruise Ship Interiors Expo in December.

Main image credits: Dennis Irvine Studio/Goddard Littlefair/Mel Yates/Nous Design