People
Claire Menzies: Leadership and Work-Life Balance in the Design Industry
Written by Claire Menzies, Group Chairwoman & Founder at Istoria Group Modern Leadership in Design We’ve all heard many horror stories of design agencies where the culture focuses on output, void of balance, well-being and creativity. The impact is not only costly to the business through a high staff turnover, but leads to a lack… Read More >
HLW Marks 140 Years with Bold New Global Leadership Team
As HLW celebrates its 140th year, the global architecture firm is embracing a new era of leadership. Founded in 1885 and built on a spirit of collaboration since 1900, HLW has continually evolved, shaping skylines and redefining spaces from its headquarters in New York to its international flagship office in London. Now, in a historic… Read More >
Column: Crazy Design, Crazy Interiors!
So here’s the big question: can the commercial interiors industry take a cue from the “crazy ones” and embrace a bit more madness to truly innovate? George Bernard Shaw would say yes! He believed progress relies on the “unreasonable” people who push boundaries. Even Steve Jobs called out to “the crazy ones” who “change the… Read More >
A conversation between Jim Biddulph & Kevin Haley
Creating eye-catching spaces and installations is a skill in itself, and embuing them with meaning and connectivity that fosters connection and memory is no mean feat. It’s something design duo Aberrant Architecture have been achieving for over a decade, but after the completion of their reinvention of an existing MUGA (multi-use games area) in Wales,… Read More >
You’re Invited! Dining with Cultural Inspirations: Pippa Nissen, Director at Nissen Richards Studio
Imagine hosting a dinner party where every detail – from the enchanting venue to the eclectic guest list – reflects the passions and inspirations that have shaped your creative life and work. In this joyful feature, we step into the mind of Pippa Nissen, Director at Nissen Richards Studio, to explore her ultimate dinner party… Read More >
Joyful Spaces: The Mackintosh Building – Kate Mooney, Founder and Principal, OCCA
Outside our homes, the commercial spaces we inhabit daily should do more than just function – they should enrich our lives and spark joy. Our new Joyful Spaces series will form a collection of inspiring spaces, chosen by designers and professionals who share their personal connections to the places that brighten their days. Each article… Read More >
Build to Rent: Residential Design with Wayfinding and Placemaking – An Interview with f.r.a.
Build to Rent (BTR) is a rapidly expanding sector, reshaping the way we think about residential living in the UK and beyond. At Design Insider, we’re dedicating 2025 to exploring the design and suppliers opportunities within this market. To begin this exploration, we spoke with Wesley Meyer, Creative Director of f.r.a., a studio renowned for… Read More >
MoreySmith Marks 30 Years With Expansion of Senior Team
Marking over 30 years in business, London-based RIBA chartered interior and architectural practice MoreySmith has announced its latest promotions. Eva Aetopoulou, Barry Adams and Zoe Bailey The practice was founded by Linda Morey-Burrows in 1993 and collaborates with some of the world’s biggest brands, designing commercial interiors that add value to the people that inhabit… Read More >
A Conversation Between: Jim Biddulph & Kiki and Joost
Living in a broadly individualistic society that is fraught with divisive messaging, exasperated by a collective reliance on social media platforms, can often make the world feel like a disconnected and even lonely place to be. Perhaps more than ever, collaboration seems like a pertinent antidote to the situation, which is something Dutch designers Kiki… Read More >
Column: Carolyn Mitchell – Celebration of 2024
As I look back at 2024, I realize what an incredibly busy year it has been for the industry, for each of us personally and professionally, and how much we have packed into the calendar at Commercial Interiors UK and Design Insider. We all work at “Contract Speed,” focused on hitting budgets, sales targets, and… Read More >
Column: The cost of good lighting design & the cost of not using it
Historically, good lighting design would often fall victim during the costing process of a project, either by not being considered early enough in the cost plan or being allocated a piecemeal allowance – or, if it escaped one of those two fates, by being one of the first hits on the dreaded VE (value-engineering) list,… Read More >
Craft & Draft: Redefining the Pub as a Community Hub
The humble pub has long served a unique set of purposes and rituals in British society, offering a space to meet, socialise, watch sports, eat, play games, discover entertainment or shelter from the rain – along with enjoying a drink or two. Yet the first half of the year saw 50 pubs closing per month… Read More >
Rhubard Seating: Social Enterprise in Practice
What do a school, a prison, a power distribution solutions provider and a seating manufacturer have in common? They certainly are not the most immediately obvious partners, but in this case there was a school with a need, and the others had the means to fulfil that need. As an ongoing part of their sustainability… Read More >