Designer in Profile: Warren Foster-Brown, Managing Director of FBEYE International, designer of Oakwood Studios Singapore

Name: Warren Foster-BrownOakwood_Property Logo_Studios_Singapore_B2_FA_Mono Black
Company: FBEYE International
Position within company: Owner / Managing Director
Website: www.f-b-eye.com
. Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc.)

I studied in London at Brunel university before joining the world-famous department store Harrods in their Interior design studio, designing for the rich and famous around the world. A life changing event took me to Hong Kong a few years later where I worked on luxury hotels, feedships (uber yachts) and then was head hunted to Singapore to work for one of the world’s top two hospitality design firms, before establishing my company in 2005.

. How would you describe your personal design style?

My personal design style reflects my companies, in that no trends are followed, be it modern, traditional, transitional, I design for how I feel at the time, my home in Singapore is very different from my home in France, and as a company we design to suit the client, not a style we stick to and only work for clients who like that style.

. Where does your design inspiration come from?

Inspiration comes from many sources, everyday events, no particular source. I also feel if you’re in design, your mind will conjure up a look and feel after just a short conversation with your client on what they are imagining for their spaces.

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

Every project we do as a company is different, so design for us is new each and every time we do a project, be it hospitality, residential, airports or casinos.

. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2017 and beyond.

Space, proportion, light, colour, association to the outside

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

No matter what you’re doing, whatever the fee is, wherever the project is, if you have committed to do the project, give it your all, as at the end of the day it’s your name that everyone talks about, be it a big or a small project, and if your client’s happy, you’re happy, then that, in our case, means many repeat clients and years of happy working and personal relationships.

. How important are The International Hotel and Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

We have been fortunate to have been awarded several awards from the IHPA and they are highly recognised within the industry, it is also a great boost to myself and my team to know that the voting was carried out by our colleagues, friends and people we have never met who are into design, its very humbling and flattering at the same time.

. What projects are you currently working on?

We are currently working on several 5 and 4 star hotels in 8 Asia cities the United States, a new Oakwood Premier and Studios In Jakarta Indonesia, residence in France and the UK.

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

To keep providing our clients with the service they have come to expect, to design award winning properties and to grow as a family, we are currently expanding in both our Singapore head office and our office in Manila.

. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession? My health
Your favourite holiday destination? Difficult to answer as my profession takes me to new places around the globe every other week.
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar? Same answer as fav holiday destination
Your favourite food and drink? Champagne and oysters
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? Relaxing with friends and family
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be? Something in film and television

Oakwood_Property Logo_Studios_Singapore_B2_FA_Mono Black