Nobu Hotel, London’s Portman Square
Jochen Holz, 2018 David Collins Foundation winner
David Collins Studio Celebrates 35th Anniversary, and 5th Anniversary of David Collins Foundation
The award-winning British interior architecture practice, David Collins Studio, celebrates 35 years since its founding by visionary designer and tastemaker David Collins (1955 - 2013). Known for its refined luxury interior design, the Studio realises creative and inspirational hospitality, residential and retail projects worldwide. Some of its most renowned projects are being celebrated in 14 beautiful illustrations of select landmark projects by the artist Sam Wood, including The Wolseley, Harrods, Alexander McQueen and The Delaunay just to name a few. The illustrations are drawn by hand to illustrate David Collins Studio beguiling, elegant and timeless signature style from furniture design to luxurious interiors for hospitality, residential and retail projects.
‘As a designer I am always inspired, challenged, and excited by a unique and special project’ adds Creative Director Simon Rawlings. ‘You have to ensure that each opportunity receives its own distinct vision, an idea that can be built as an interior which will forever be iconic, successful and enjoyed by many. By striving for layered perfection, perfect balance, and operational obsession we ensure that we give each and every interior the time it deserves. This approach has never changed. And never will. The last 35 years has seen us collaborate with a very special group of clients. Those who want to invest in great design, on the understanding it will stay with them. The understanding that doing something really thoughtfully means a lot more effort. 35 years of iconic, timeless creations, and there are plenty more to come.’
This year also sees the 5th anniversary of the David Collins Foundation, which was created in 2015 to commemorate the late designer, his work, his passion for the arts, and his love of beauty. Since 2017, The David Collins Foundation has partnered with The Arts Foundation and sponsored a series of awards as a part of their annual arts programme. The 2020 winner is Onyeka Igwe, a London-based artist and researcher who works between cinema and art installations. Onyeka’s winning experimental short film No Archive Can Restore You reflects on the now-abandoned Nigerian Film Unit building in Lagos, and re-imagines its lost archive of historical footage. Later this year, the foundation hopes to present Future Arts, a site-specific installation showcasing works by artists across various artistic mediums.
Iain Watson, Trustee, The David Collins Foundation and CEO & Founder, David Collins Studio remarks, “David’s work was in many ways also his hobby, and he was obsessed with finding beauty in all of its forms. Partnering with The Arts Foundation allows us to support artists across a number of the disciplines that David was so invested in, including film, poetry, craft, and furniture design. It is wonderful to be able to promote these artists and present their work to a global audience, in our continued support of them.”
Recent projects of the Studio include:
Mandarin Oriental in Doha
Harrods Men Superbrands section in London
Owner’s Villa of the Delaire Graff Estate in South Africa
TAK Room Restaurant in New York
1010 Park Avenue common areas in New York
Aficionados of David Collins Studio’s unique eye for luxury can now revel in the graceful interiors of the recently completed Mandarin Oriental in Doha, whilst looking forward to the studio’s next project: the highly anticipated opening of the Nobu Hotel on London’s Portman Square in the autumn of 2020.