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Welcome to our March issue, which has a strong materials focus running throughout the magazine. Our cover story features three well-known design practices: Barber and Osgerby, Studio Job and Giles Miller, who have come up with gamechanging designs for tiles. For anyone contemplating a refresh of a workplace (or in my case bathroom) this should provide surface inspiration aplenty. Our photography friends Ilka and Franz once again worked their magic for us and the results are dreamily hyper real.
Font fans will delight in Monotype’s new London office. The work of Ben Adams Architects and SEA Design, the scheme includes a plywood surface that incorporates 750 versions of the letter M, whether you’re a Times New Roman, Gill Sans or Arial kind of person.
Various nods to Britishness through the medium of materials was what caught our eye at Clarges Street in Mayfair whether that was racing green leather panels or a herringbone arrangement of etched glass leaves inspired by nearby Green Park. The roof terrace also affords spectacular views of the rest of London’s greenery, a timely reminder that it is edging ever closer to springtime when office workers can take advantage of their outdoor space.
Cork was the order of the day for Selencky Parsons’ new south London workspace. It’s easy to work with and smells great they say in the OnSite story. Speaking of all things scent-like, Steve Lang, a director in the commercial research team at Savills talks us through the importance of smell in the office and how it can even enhance employee wellness. If supermarkets can use baked bread to encourage shoppers, hotels have a certain fragrance associated with them and like it or loathe it Lush is pretty unavoidable on the high street, then there’s no reason why workplace can’t brand themselves in a similarly non-visual way.
Our materials obsession this month even extends to the Shredder as Dan Pilling, who we first met at the Surface and Materials Live event in October last year, puts forth his pet hates. Just don’t mention shiny tiles in his presence. Plus there’s a chance to design a reception desk in our exciting competition.
This month sees us jet off to Cannes to see what this year’s MIPIM exhibition has in store, beyond the yacht charters and Ray Ban’d property folk. Filippo Rean, the event’s director of the Real Estate Division gives us his top tips on everything from hot topics for debate to appropriate footwear. Expect a full rundown in the next issue.
INSIDE THE ISSUE
OnGoing
From the editor The March issue looks at surfaces game-changers
News Hut Architecture completes refurb of 33 Welbeck Street
Grant Gibson on… High Nest furniture by Form Us With Love for +Halle
On London Peter Murray asks what new London will actually look like
On topic Steve Lang explores the benefits of scent in the office
Products Brands showcase their latest launches, all in one place
The Shredder Source8’s Dan Pilling protests day to day office nuisances
OnSite
Strong silent type Monotype’s London office is full of references to fonts
What a corker Selencky Parsons opts for cork throughout its new office
On the money Squire and Partners’ bespoke office development in Mayfair
OnTop
Bright young things The Wheat Youth Arts Hotel teams art with design
Old friends Hawkins\Brown updates UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture
OnStage
Material world Three leading designers’ surface collaborations
On co-working Building BloQ is an open-access workshop for makers
The Sophist Mary Ann de Lares Norris and Neil Usher talk collaboration
OnOff
Design Shanghai preview The show returns to celebrate China’s flourishing industry
Mipim preview What to expect at this year’s event in Cannes
Creative corian Cutting Edge to create one winning reception desk design
Work by Barber and Osgerby, Ben Adams, Studio Job and Giles Miller feature in our latest issue
