Saturday Indesign is fast approaching and we couldn’t be more excited! Working with us is a group of industry Ambassadors, each of which we’ll be profiling in the lead up to the big day – set for Saturday 20 June, 2020. Up first is Richie Healy, Associate at Bates Smart.
March 4th, 2020
Richie hails from Ireland and has been based in Melbourne for eight years. Over that time, he has been building his workplace design repertoire, having been at Bates Smart for the past few years.
For Richie, workplace is appealing because, “we spend so much time at work and it’s really exciting to have an impact in that sphere, in people’s lives, and how they engage. It’s also constantly changing and evolving,” he says.
Richie shares that “ABW is the new norm”, but things have changed a lot over the eight years he’s been in workplace design, “Now it’s a very tailored approach. All of these changes have come about with the advent of modern technology. You can pretty much work from anywhere. It’s such an exciting time”.
Designing for the future is one of those big questions. No one truly knows the answer but for Richie, the best starting point is that “The design needs to be timeless. For workplace projects we talk to the company, talk to their brand and their future aspirations.
“This comes through in spatial planning, sensitive use of materials, and a close look at ‘modularity’. Questioning how things can evolve and easily change, consideration for future planning and flex – that’s designing for the future,” says Richie.
It can’t just be about aesthetics, or ‘trend-focused’ lest it will fall into a moment in time more easily. For Richie, designers have a responsibility to guide the client and question trends. “Is it the best investment that we as a designer can put forward for a client? I don’t think it is because trends come and go. You have a responsibility to question what staff are actually getting back holistically from the business, not just aesthetically.”
The fluid, messy design process has some structure at Bates Smart, with plenty of early stage work being undertaken. “The briefing stage is really critical as it gives the building blocks,” he says, “it helps with understanding the brand, understanding the business, the people and the culture.”
Truly understanding the needs of the clients is key, which is achieved through the exploration of work aesthetic. “It’s really important that we’re on the same page.” One project that brought the process to life was BCG Melbourne, “they really challenged us as much as we challenged them.”
Events like Saturday Indesign help to build community. “You can learn so much from shared experiences. Being able to meet with peers, see suppliers and even your own colleagues in a new environment, we can all learn so much from each other,” says Richie. He even attended a Saturday Indesign in Melbourne not long after arriving, an experience that has stuck with him over the years.
Even coming from halfway around the world to city as big as Melbourne, in a short space of time Richie has come to realise that the design industry is still relatively small but incredibly friendly. “I’ve found the design scene to be welcoming,” Richie says.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Architecture with Pride (AWP) 2024 has kicked off with style! The Architecture Ball just took place in Sydney, with more events to follow soon.
Architecture with Pride (AWP), bringing together the LGBTQI+ design community, is back again with events coming very soon – tickets are on sale now.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Artificial intelligence is one of the defining issues of our time. Here are five ideas articles addressing the anxieties and possibilities of the technology in design.
Continuing our new series on the design enthusiasts who work in all sorts of different roles across the industry, we hear from Innerspace’s Creative Collaborator and State Manager NSW.