Build Architecture Awards

Build Architecture Awards 2015 62 Irvine Nash is a small focused practice dedicated to the delivery of design excellence. We talk to Caroline Irvine who gives us an overview of the company and how they have reached this impressive level of success. First of all, how does it feel to have been given the ‘Award for Innovation in Interior Design & Best for Client Support 2015 – Ireland’? We are proud to have been selected for this award and to be able to showcase Irvine Nash in ‘Build’ together with some of the most com- mitted organisations in the construction sector. Please give us a brief overview of Irvine Nash - Architecture & Interiors, your clients and the services you offer. At Irvine Nash we provide full architectural, interior design and fit-out services across a variety of property types and scales. We pride ourselves on our ability to bring efficiencies to the construction process; from initial feasi- bility studies and innovative and sustainable design solutions through planning to the suc- cessful commissioning and handover of build- ings. Our clients are diverse; large and small, private and corporate, which provides us with many exciting opportunities for projects. Please tell us about your philosophy. What is the inspiration behind your work and what factors influence your designs? How people live, work and spend their leisure time are the biggest influencers on how the practice responds to any project. Design can be transformative; working with clients to realise their goals by maximising a project’s potential in creating quality buildings and inspiring interiors that are reflective of people’s lifestyle require- ments is exciting, challenging and rewarding. Historically, art, architecture and design have been richly intertwined, always providing inspiration and fuelling our imaginations when exploring ideas for our designs. Likewise, in the modern design environment, both artists and industrial design brands such as Pininfarina have expanded their work to include architecture, similarly fashion and product designers to include interiors. Design is a fast moving industry and technological advances enables us to draw inspiration from international architects and interior designers working both independently and in collabora- tion across all fields of design. When working in an industry that is constantly evolving, how do you ensure that you are up to speed with the current zeitgeist as well as any emerging trends in your industry? Travel, CPD, exhibitions, constant research and our active interest in all matters relating to design keeps us up to date with trends in the industry. Liaising with peers across all design disciplines leads to a cross pollination of ideas that further informs our designs and the appropriate application of current building technologies, products and materials. What makes your firm unique? How do you distinguish yourselves from your competitors and present yourselves as the best option for your clients? We are passionate about design and take every project as a fresh challenge. The practice does not have a predetermined house style; build- ings and interiors are designed in response to the brief with specific respect for environment, function, form, current legislation and building regulations to achieve design excellence and deliver maximum value for both the client and end user within individual project restraints. Our success and satisfaction in the achieve- ment of design excellence is proportional to the fulfilment of client and end user requirements. What would you say is the ethos behind your firm? Is there a certain culture that defines your company and how to do you ensure that these values are maintained across all areas of your company? Award for Innovation in Interior Design & Best for Client Support 2015 - Ireland Architecture & Interior Solutions Company: IRVINE NASH – Architecture & Interiors Name: Caroline Irvine Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.irvine-nash.com Telephone: +353 (0)87 2987401 Our interior design services are enhanced by diverse industry knowledge. We carefully handpick suppliers for furniture, soft furnish- ings, artwork and accessories, enabling us to accommodate a diverse range of styles that make each project unique. Our suppliers work with us to develop our designs into bespoke one off pieces to further differentiate and enhance individual projects. Each project benefits from a holistic design approach and the collaboration of a highly qual- ified team of architects, quantity surveyors, en- gineers, interior designers, landscape architects and building contractors that are focused on the delivery of design excellence to satisfy client expectations. The practice is enriched through this cross practice collaboration drawing from both local knowledge and global experience. Working collaboratively has become essential to the digitally networked creative enterprise. What does the future hold for your firm? What plans do you have to sustain your success as well as further advance and innovate your services? Using our skills collaboratively we plan to continue delivering design excellence in the future and to focus on further developing our understanding of client issues and market requirements, which we believe will increase the quality and effectiveness of our services to deliver innovative and inspiring architectural and interior design solutions. We also plan to make the most of all opportu- nities; exploiting new tools for mobility, cross discipline collaboration and communication will open up further efficiencies, integration and cost reduction enabling us to compete in a wider market. The selection of projects that best match our skill set will allow us to grow while still operating a personalised service providing our clients with one point of contact which has been instrumental in our success.