Pouné Parsanejad Mitchell, Director of Pouné Design was shortlisted for the Asia-Pacific Design & Architecture Awards 2013  for Gwinganna Health Retreat.

What direction do you feel design is moving towards in general terms?

Design is becoming more and more innovative, designers are experimenting with new materials and juxtaposing them with traditional ideas and design elements. There is a big move towards using recycled or reclaimed materials which is essential to the principles of ESD.

What are the key influencing elements at present?

The environment is one that is influencing the way we all design and think.

What sort of projects are you working on at the moment?

We work on a wide variety of project types, from commercial to residential, a lot of fit out design for health clubs and retail.

A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?

Good question as I respond to this while bouncing on a fit ball so my 3mth old sleeps in my ergo pouch! I believe that if you love your career, it becomes part of your life, so it is not so distinct as work v life, it is a merging of both. In this day and age with the advent if technology you are able to work from anywhere, anytime. My lab top goes everywhere. You just need to want to do it really and love to do it.

Name 5 key essentials for 2012 and beyond:

• Recycle and reuse
• Make each project unique- after all that is what we do create.
• Be influential but be influenced, learn from the great design and designers around you.
• Go beyond form and function and tell a story.
• Sensuality- Design for the senses, feel it , see it , smell it, taste it, hear it.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Model it – we build models of most of our schematic designs and use them to inform the design at various stages.

How important do you feel Design Awards are as recognition of designers talents and achievements?

Imperative, especially for young and up and coming designers it provides an opportunity to showcase their work and be noticed.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

I am loving where our practice us right now- as we have recently gone from being a sole practitioner to collaborating with other staff and designers which has brought a whole new perspective to the our design and development methodologies. So the next 12 mths will see this continue and grow. We are really enjoying the variety of projects we currently have on and would love to see this continue.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself

The car you drive?

Jeep cheroki

Your favourite place to travel to in the world?

Capri, lugano or Waikiki

Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar?

So many to pick from really, I love the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki – not for any other reason as we have so many memories of good times from there. Design wise I do love the Establishment Bar and hotel in Sydney.

The place that gives you the most energy?

The beach

And the place that enables you to totally relax?

In water

Your favourite food and drink?

I am definitely a foody rather than a drinker- so – but I just love food so I cant think of one favourite

Anything else interesting?

Born in Iran, married with 2 beautiful daughters and 1 son.

Pouné Design shortlisted for the Asia-Pacific Design & Architecture Awards 2013 in the Spa Hotel category for Gwinganna Health Retreat. To reserve your space at the next shortlist meeting, please click here.