Name: Oshri Aviram & Dana Kushmirski
Company: Aviram – Kushmirski
Position within company: Owners
Website: www.oshridana.com
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
We benefit from a combination of academic education and further training in Israel and abroad over the years. But the most important learning process has been autodidactic; our interest in the entire world of design and the fields ancillary to it. 25 years of experience.
How would you describe your personal interior design style?
We believe in: “First Concept, then Design. That means: Deep, creative thought as the precursor to the planning and design stage; thorough examination of the space and the environment; full exploration of the client’s program, character and lifestyle with the aim of creating a personal design that matches their individual nature and circumstances. That customization process is followed until the crystallization of a tight, design concept unique to the project and only then do we begin working on the actual design.
Our commitment to creativity, design and love for people spurs us towards original, creative thinking that challenges us in every new project. Throughout the process, we seek the different, without falling into the convenient trap that is the obvious and the safe. The acute need for original thinking creates the unique difference instilled into every project.
We use only minimalist, natural materials in every project. Those natural materials are worked by specialist artisans and their richness forms a precise, composite whole. We ensure that all the strengths of those materials are expressed. The three main materials form a cascade of metals, wood and stone combined as a range of materials, displayed as surfaces and as significant masses with different finishes. Together they create a work of art comprising layers and blocks, small details and broad statements; a spectrum of textures. Each natural material has its own language in perfect synergy with the distinct language of every other material.
When selecting the processes through which natural materials are implemented, we feel that it is vital to make minimal use of “readymade” and we accentuate manufacturing processes employing precious artisanal inputs displaying the artistic value in the traditional skills found locally.
The results express our enthusiasm and respect for natural materials and our never-ending efforts in the examination of boundaries and to go beyond the boundaries of natural materials. All that comes together in our design approach, which is based on “honest design”, emphasizing the purity and practicality in natural materials. This is organic design inserting nature itself into the space to create a feeling and a look that resonates with vitality and freshness.
Our designs are minimalist but very warm, with clean lines and forms based on precision and careful tuning of the fine details. We will always aim to create a design that is timeless, creative, fresh and modern. Very importantly, our designs are highly germane to the convenience modern lifestyles can provide.
Not only do we love design, but we enjoy creating spaces that will stand the test of timeless classic design that is not only accurate, but that will be relevant for many years to come as well as now.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
We are inspired by the people we work with and we are captivated by all that we see in the world around us – the smallest detail, the glory and scale of nature and all that succeeds in exciting us.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
We believe that the future is not just modern and digital. There must be constant dialogue with traditional aesthetics and culture; deep respect for nature and its links with our culture. Therefore, we are constantly rethinking and searching for new ways to use materials, form, light, color and more…
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design.
Honest design, personal design, using natural materials, providing originality and creativity design and self-design language.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Love for people is our primary motivation to think creatively and originally. It provides the challenge in each new project.
How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
The awards enable access to design on a global scale and make a very positive contribution to improving design worldwide; a change in perspective from local to global.
What projects are you currently working on?
An apartment in a Tel Aviv Bauhaus building designated for conservation; two apartments joined to make one in a modern, Tel Aviv residential tower; a town house close to the seashore; a penthouse in Givatayim (a town adjacent to and merging with Tel Aviv) a duplex in north Tel Aviv and 5 rooms apartment in Tel Aviv.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To continue strengthening our studio’s design language and distinctive style. To continue developing new ways to use natural materials.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
The home of each of us.
Your favourite holiday destination?
Food markets and design worldwide.
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Hotel national des Arts Et Metiers in Paris.
Your favourite book, film & song?
Book – Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
Film – Fargo
Song – Thinking of a place by “The war on drugs”.
Your favourite food and drink?
Italian food and win.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Sunset on the beach.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Musician.
Anything else interesting?
Passion for all kind of design.