Name: Richard Archer
Company: Archer Design
Position within company: Principal
Website: http://www.archerdesign.com.au/
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
Though I am a registered architect, I have always been passionate about great Interior Design and now have the opportunity to apply that to all of our projects. Since graduating in architecture over 35 years ago have specialised in blending quality architectural and interior design across a range of projects in corporate, multi-residential developments and high end private commissions. I greatly enjoy employing the skills my team and I have developed in both disciplines and feel the combination of the two creates the best end results for our clients.
How would you describe your personal interior design style?
If there is a ‘signature style’ to our work, it could be described best as ‘classic modern’. As Yves Saint Laurent said so well: ”Fashions fades, style is eternal”. Though each project is different, we always employ a finely tuned language of clear and concise planning augmented with sophisticated finishes, exemplary detailing and finally curating top quality artworks and furniture to create relaxed yet elegant environments for our clients to live and enjoy.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
Many of our private residential commissions are located on or very close to the stunning natural beauty of Sydney Harbour. Its ever changing light and multitude of colours therefore have significant impact on much of our design work. Creating stylish, elegant living environments to complement its unique, natural beauty is one of our most on-going tasks and treasured challenges.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
We live in a global village where a localised act of creation can almost instantly become an international trend. Seeing how people live in a wide range of environments and cultures not only opens a designer’s eyes to other ways of designing, it can focus their minds on how to interpret the unique challenges of their individual project, and how it can in some way contribute to that international dialogue.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2018 and beyond.
The Client’s Voice: Respect the client’s ‘voice’. It is their home after all and I love being able to provide them with what they want but something far better than they ever expected.
Smart Home Technology: Understand how smart home systems can be a wonderful tool in enhancing people’s living experience, but never at the expense of simplicity.
Digital Artwork: Technological advancement has brought new depth and dimension to interior architecture. Movement in form, content, colour and light can add incredible excitement and depth to a space. Worldwide, leading and emerging digital artists are producing wonderful work that designers should embrace and use as a marvellous counterpoint to the inherit stillness of our craft.
ESD: Environmentally sustainable design is not a ‘trend’, it is a necessity. This doesn’t however mean every home need look like a crofter’s cottage. With modern advances in digital technology it is possible to have the look and feel of rare, glamorous and exotic materials without damaging the natural environment.
Professional Design Skill: Design has become a highly accessible and marketable resource with a plethora of onsite forums, videos and do-it-yourself exponents. It is important that interior designers constantly develop their skills to showcase how our expertise and understanding of spatial planning and materiality are far more than ‘just’ decoration. We can fundamentally change a way someone lives and wants to be seen to be living and it is with our skill set that we can ensure this will always be for the better.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Designers: believe in yourselves (but watch and listen). Interior design is an applied art, wherein a multitude of possible options can all be right. A designer that trusts themselves and follows through on their convictions is what their client wants. However, the client’s voice must be heard. A designer that has the skill set to swiftly evolve and adapt their original vision will provide their client with comfort and security. It is after all what they are paying for.
How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
In a global design community recognition from a highly respected body such as the International Design & Architecture Awards not only provides a valuable forum to showcase one’s work, it also gives designers from far and wide the opportunity to understand how we all work. Our shared goal must surely be to provide our clients with the best design solutions possible for them, so these awards provide us all with a wonderful opportunity to understand how others in our craft have approached that same principle and skilfully applied themselves to the task.
What projects are you currently working on?
All of the Archer Design team are excited to be working on several private residential commissions located next to the Sydney’s stunning Harbour and on our leafy North Shore (with several more in the pipeline!) We are also part of the construction of a large multi-residential development in Sydney where we are applying our expertise to the interiors of a twin tower, 330 apartment development that embraces technological advancement and stylish design in equal measure.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I have the privilege to work with a small but amazing team of designers and architects whom I want to continue to have the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills on a wide range of exciting and stimulating projects. I also want to travel.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
My business: Archer Design. Work is a joy for me and I am exceptionally proud of the work my team and I do.
Your favourite holiday destination?
The Far North of New Zealand. Peace, tranquillity and the love of dear friends.
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Hotel: The Mercer in New York. So stylish, so New York
Restaurant: Billy Kwong in Potts Point Sydney. The best flavours of fine Chinese cuisine combined with fascinating native Australian ingredients.
Bar: The Sunset Bar, Waitapu Bay. Utter bliss…
Your favourite book, film & song?
Film: Gosford Park
Song: ‘Perfect Day’ by Lou Reed,
Book: ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North’ by Richard Flanagan.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Bored.