Can you provide a brief overview of Block 1 Design’s history and mission?
Block1: Design grew out of a passion shared by Laura and Justin for concept-led design. Successful design is about attention to detail and collaboration. This is the ethos of Block1: Design. We are involved in each project from concept to completion, regardless of scale, and believe that working closely with our clients gives us the ability to create individual spaces that work for them.
What sets Block 1 Design apart from other design firms in the industry?
We understand that successful design is about attention to detail and this is why we are involved in each project from concept to completion. Our approach is to consider each design as a separate challenge, taking the brand and the architectural language of the space into consideration regardless of scale. We believe that working in collaboration with our clients allows us to gain a detailed understanding of the requirements of each project. Over the years we are proud to have created a diverse portfolio ranging from small independent coffee shops to large scale restaurants as well as roll out stores for multi-site operators. We have experience working within the European, Asian and South American markets on large scale projects for international brands.
Could you share a recent project that you are particularly proud of? What were the challenges and successes?
We completed a complete transformation of a previous pizza restaurant on Greek street into a chic, luxurious space Indian Restaurant. The space was a listed building but all of the original features had been removed so we had to reinstate character and a sense of history into the building. Through the use of bespoke joinery and luxurious materials we created a unique space that reflects the restaurant ethos and respects the fabric of the building.
Sustainability and eco-conscious design are increasingly important in today’s world. How does Block 1 Design incorporate these principles into its projects?
We try wherever possible to reuse materials and source reclaimed materials to incorporate into our design. This not only gives new life to items previously considered past their use by date, it also reduces the consumption of new materials and so reduces the overall carbon footprint of a project.
At Blacklock Shoreditch we reclaimed and reused a huge amount of materials. All wood paneling and doors were reclaimed and all furniture was original mid century. It gives the space a layer of texture and sense of character and longevity that reproduction or new materials cannot give.
At Island Poke we really focused on sustainable materials and sourcing items that are specific to ocean sustainability. This follows through from the brand ethos of sustainability and it was important to reflect this within the interior. All of the fabrics used are made from recycled ocean plastics and the feature faux Palm Tree within the flagship store is also made from reclaimed ocean plastics. We also use reclaimed wooden floors and sustainable ceramics.
In what ways do you see design trends evolving in the coming years, and how does Block 1 Design stay ahead of these trends?
The industrial trend of bare bulbs and copper piping is gone and has been replaced with a more refined and modern aesthetic. I think that designers and clients are looking for a more luxurious experience and I can see this trend continuing for some time. Lines are getting softer, fabrics are getting more textural and forms are becoming more rounded and organic. Postmodern and Memphis design revivals are being seen more and more. I think that we will see this influence for some time to come.
