Continuing our design team series, we’re getting to know our talented interior designer who’s been with us for 8 months. We sat down with Mimi to chat about her journey from architecture to interiors, her design philosophy, and what keeps her inspired.
𝗤. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻?
A. I originally studied Architecture for my undergraduate, and worked as an architectural assistant on large scale interior projects at Populous UK. I realised how I liked the detail that came from interior design. From there I diverted my career into solely interior design roles, working as an interior designer at Patriarche UK. I’ve worked a lot in conceptual design, and have done a lot of competition work in the past.
𝗤. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻?
A. The design world is ever-changing, they say “a true master is an eternal student”. I love that there is always something new to learn and experiment with. It means that there is never a boring day!
𝗤. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
A. I never know what my typical day looks like, I may be on site one day, and the next designing in the office. I love the conceptual stages of a project, where design is given full reins. I also like quick problem solving problems on site, and thinking of innovative solutions.
𝗤. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁?
A. We are currently working with a company called TGG, based in Altrincham, who are taking over the top 3rd floor of the Foundation building that CubicWorks delivered. This is an exciting project as the client was as eager to push the design of the space as we were. It is always great to have design led clients. The design looks at blending organic forms, with a darker industrial colour palette. A core focus for the project was their entrance reception and lobby, to give a lasting impact as you first enter the space. The organic flowing forms guide you to the different areas for the teams, enhanced by a guided LED light that meanders around the floor plate.
𝗤. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟯 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀?
A. Layered, contextual and narrative. A good design should speak to its environment, user and community.
𝗤. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
A. I’m a sucker for pinterest, but the best place for inspiration is in tangible places. A good designer is well travelled, picking up inspiration from different and diverse places.
𝗤. 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗿𝗲.
A. O’Donnell and Tuomey have been my favourite architects ever since my first year of university! I’m drawn to how their work creates architecture that feels rooted in its place, deeply contextual yet quietly bold. Each project tells a story, not through spectacle, but through carefully considered details and spatial narratives. Their work reminds me that design can be both poetic and purposeful, and that beauty often lies in the subtle, the honest, and the human.
𝗤. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁?
A. Creativity isn’t constant, and it’s often when you need it most that you get a block. Learn to accept this ebb and flow, move onto another project, get a fresh set of eyes on the design from a colleague, or go on a walk outside! The idea will come… your design will thank you for not forcing a bad idea as a ‘quick fix’.
𝗤. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝘆𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘁?
A. We just come in at the end to make it look nice! Interior design makes up the interior fabric of buildings, and is as equally important as the building itself. Of course, a well designed building and well designed interiors makes for a match made in heaven!
Mimi’s journey from architecture to interior design brings a unique perspective to our team, blending her understanding of building structure with the intimate details that make spaces truly work for people. Her thoughtful approach to contextual, narrative-driven design continues to elevate our projects.
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