Seven minutes with HBA London’s creative director

Creative Director of HBA London The Gallary
800 533 Hamish Kilburn
  • 1

Hotel Designs editor Hamish Kilburn sits down with Constantina Tsoutsikou to discuss emerging trends, common pitfalls and future projects…

“We would never design a hotel that felt out of place,” leaks a confident and assured spark in Constantina Tsoutsikou, creative director of HBA London.

I first met the now award-winning designer at Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at the backend of 2015, just days ahead of its opening. The hotel, which in my opinion took airport hotel design to new and exciting heights, couldn’t have felt more in place if it had tried. I mean that literally as well as laterally. The shape of the furniture in the lobby, for example, referenced Amsterdam from an aerial point of view, while a glass ceiling captured the occasional plane flying in overhead.

Three years on from completing the striking Dutch hotel, things around us have changed – politics, trends, technology, even job descriptions. Other elements, though, such as Constantina’s naturally warm presence and beaming personality remain very much the same. I caught up with the now Creative Director in HBA London’s Headquarters on the stylish end of Westbourne Grove.

Hamish Kilburn: What is the first thing you consider when presented with a new project?

Constantina Tsoutsikou: Looking at where the hotel is in the world is always my first move. We are blessed with amazing projects that span continents and are very diverse. As such, location and culture set the framework for my narrative, from the very start.

HK: Have you got any tips for designing a modern interior in a heritage property?

CT: I believe in a ‘less is more’  approach when it comes to designing in period buildings. In this context, the designer becomes more of a curator, to make these properties, steeped in history, relevant and fresh again.  I love studying the architecture and find inspiration and charm in the details, from panelling proportions down to staircase details and railings.

Plush public area featuring

Heritage hotel in Zagreb that HBA London are working on will feature an art nouveau relief in the ceiling

In a boutique hotel project in Zagreb, opening soon, we have used an art nouveau relief in the ceiling, which directly relates to the style of when the property was built. I personally love working on heritage spaces because there are so many opportunities as well as limitations. This week I was in Munich to be briefed by the heritage and preservation expert who advises on what we can and can’t do to a listed building we are turning into a luxury hotel. It was fascinating as well as educative.

Large corridor with subtle accents of gold in the wallcoverings and carpet mixed with deep blue doors

Renderings of the interior of a heritage hotel in Zagreb that HBA London are working on to open in late 2018

HK: You have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to spotting emerging trends. What are you seeing at the moment?

CT: Trends are fun and really interesting to spot. I consider ourselves trend makers however, as we work so much in advance, designing happens somewhere around  two-three years before a project opens. You can see how important it is for our work to endure the test of time. As a creative director, I spend a lot of time in the year travelling, looking at different innovative industries and art collaborations. My eyes are always open to what is happening around me and by nature am constantly curious!

I think the notion of luxury is becoming less formal and more relaxed. Spaces are becoming warmer and more intimate. And even though I don’t advocate trends, I admit that we use, and have been for some time, many warm metals for example. In a way it has been an enduring trend. The colour gold used to be seen an illustrious statement, whereas now we use gold as a satin or brushed finish in many tonal variations, down to brown hues and sometimes also mixed with the more raw hammered, darkened irons. A nice example of this mix you can see in the guest bathrooms of the Orient in Jerusalem, where been copper and dark bronze blend nicely with each other.

Large bathroom featuring dark bath and sinks and intricate floor tiles

Guest bathroom in the Orient in Jerusalem

HK: Can you give our readers a little insight on the future projects you are working on?

I am very excited about our upcoming opening of a heritage hotel in Zagreb, in late 2018 as well as the St. Regis, the Palm, Dubai which will become one of the region’s flagship hotels. With many more new build hotels as well as refurbishment projects currently on the boards, it is a very busy and exciting time for us at HBA London’s studio. You’ll be finding more about what we are up to very soon!

You can follow HBA London on Instagram: @HBA_London

Hamish Kilburn / 21.05.2018

Share

  • 1

You might also like

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.