Name: Terry A. Spinolo

 Company: Inarc Design Hong Kong Limited

 Position in company: Managing Director

 Website: www.inarc.com

 Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

After graduating from the University of New South Wales, Australia in 1977 with a Bachelor  of Architecture (Hons), I completed my professional training to be a Chartered Architect in  1982 and in 1983 came to Hong Kong to further develop my career.

After spending several years in various senior positions with other companies, I commenced  my own business in January 1988 to focus on selected client groups in Hong Kong and Asia  with a need for quality consultancy design services. The focus of our company’s vision would  be on ‘knowledge’ and ‘quality’ to strategically position our design services in the market.

Now, in our 26th year of operations, we continue our passion for creative design supported  by proven management skills in both the interior and architectural markets based on the  never-ending pursuit of sustainable knowledge in the art, science and business of delivering  quality projects. In 2014, we were honoured to be the recipient of the seven prestigious international design awards for the Asia Pacific region in addition to having won the 2013 Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) Quality Award for Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). To receive recognition in both the achievements of design and total quality management is very gratifying for the company.

How would you describe your personal interior design style?

Client focused, well-crafted and with an elegant and timeless style.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

My passion for creative design is based on the never-ending pursuit of sustainable knowledge in the art, science and business of delivering quality projects. We are based in Hong Kong and are surrounded by a diverse range of cultures, climates and their respective histories. Accordingly, with each project location, we are influenced in our design solutions by the culture, climate and history of the respective location of each project.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

We are focused in a specific segment of the hospitality, residential and corporate markets where our Clients expect quality, sustainability and a sense of time-less-ness for their design solutions due to the significant expenditures involved in these projects.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2014 and beyond.

The five key themes in our approaching design in 2014 and beyond are always the central idea, the continuity of story telling in the design solution, materials, details and the quality of construction.

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

This is a difficult question to try to answer but based on personal experience, the one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes would be to align the design process with the goals of the Client. If this can be done well and mutual trust is developed with the Client, then there is even a chance that the design solution can exceed the expectations of the Client!

How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

Winning Design Awards probably doesn’t contribute too much to the bottom line of a business but they do provide an important opportunity for designers to be recognised by the industry and their peers for their contribution to the on-going pursuit of design excellence.

What projects are you currently working on?

We currently enjoy a diverse range of hospitality, corporate and residential projects in Hong Kong, China, Philippines, India, France and Switzerland.

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

Our aims and goals as a design firm for the next twelve months are to stick with what we do best_create and deliver quality design solutions that make our Clients proud.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself

Your most treasured possession?

The blessing of good health, a loving family and supportive friends.

Your favourite holiday destination?

My favourite place to travel to in the world is still Rome, Italy. The combination of history, architecture, fashion style and food fits very comfortably with me.

Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?

My favourite restaurant is a small seafood place on the shores of Lake Geneve.

Your favourite book / film / song?

One of my favourite books is “The Architecture of Happiness” by Alain de Botton.

Your favourite food and drink?

My favourite food and drink are a simple Italian pasta dish with a Barolo red wine.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

To chill out, go surfing with a few friends and enjoy the outdoors.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

The other interest I had as a kid was to be a veterinarian.

Anything else interesting?

My family and friends who support me_always.