Name: Gareth James
Company: SRSS Interior Design Studio
Position within company: Creative Design Director

Name: Joshua Judd
Company: SRSS Interior Design Studio
Position within company: Projects Director

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
GJ: Studied at The London College of Furniture.
London based spending time at EAA International, GA International before I started my own company providing concepts for companies around London after my daughter was born. 2008 took me to Singapore.

JJ: Joshua is a graduate of the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London and has been designing hotels for over 25 years with projects in Europe, The U.S.A, the Middle East and across Asia. For ten years he ran his own design business and is now joint head of the SRSS Interior Design Studio in Singapore.
How would you describe your personal design style?
We do have a design philosophy which we feel sets us apart from other studios though we always approach every brief and project on its own merits as we believe our broad portfolio echoes.

. Where does your design inspiration come from?
GJ : Mainly my wife Charlotte, she knows exactly what I need to enliven my thought process, we kind of think as one. She can prompt me easily along the most exciting of design avenues, whatever the style. And keep prompting.
Every now and then I fall in design love with someone and I study them to death to see what makes them tick.

JJ: Design is a never-ending education. Inspiration for new projects can be overt or subliminal and can be the result of in depth study or spring from moments of wonder.
. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

A general sense of timeless sophistication, whatever the brand or indeed, the star rating. One need not have to empty a client’s wallet. That said one does love a beautiful material to make good use of.

. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design, what would it be?
Enjoy the process; keep a happy, content and mentally rewarded studio.

. How important are The International Hotel and Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Of course it is nice to be recognised as a company, it is also important to recognise others. We are always learning, well we should be….

. What projects are you currently working on?
Waldorf Astoria at DIFC Dubai
The Langham Hotel & Residences Jakarta, Indonesia
Sheraton Kathmandu, Nepal
Fairmont La Marina Hotel & Branded Residences – Rabat, Morocco
ITC Namada – Ahmedabad, India
Mễ Trì – Paradise Residential Development – Vietnam
Vida Hotel & Branded Apartments Jeddah Gate – Jeddah, KSA
Radisson Blu Chongqing – China
Four Points Bintan – Indonesia

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
GJ: To perfect the projects we currently own and for our studio to remain happy, to aid and support them on their continued growth within their field and us.

JJ: To develop our existing client base and always strive to improve our work. You are only as good as your last project and the world becomes ever more competitive.
. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession?
GJ: My classic Alfa Romeo GTV (before my father sold it without my knowledge!) that is an ex possession.
JJ: Late nineteenth century katana
Your favourite holiday destination?
GJ: London and Suffolk these days and all those beautiful villages scattered around the coast of the UK.
JJ: Austrian Alps
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?
GJ: Café Royal, London / Goddards of Greenwich, London / The Ship Wandsworth, London.
JJ: The Connaught, London / Le Caprice restaurant, London / The Grenadier, London
Your favourite book / film / song?
GJ: FourFourTwo (does that count?) / TV is basically film these days so I’ll say Peaky Blinders / I listen to BBC radio 6 Music all day
JJ: The Master and Margarita / Dr Strangelove / anything by Steve Ray Vaughn or BB King.
Your favourite food and drink?
GJ: Pie and Mash with liquor and a mug of tea, very sweet.
JJ: Navarin d’agneau printanier and a glass of good red burgundy.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
GJ: Sunday papers next to a woodburner with my wife and pint of bitter, and if my kids are around even better.
JJ: Long walk with the family and the dogs, followed by a pint of IPA in The Woodcock and a roast beef with the Sunday papers.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
GJ: Making pottery somewhere in the UK by the sea
JJ: Restaurateur