Sibley Grove

What do the 'waste-of-money' box, a cleaning ring and a carpet tile chair have in common? When Shaun East, Kate Sibley and Jeremy Grove met at #Goldsmiths in the noughties, a shared concern for the environmental impact of consumerism sparked a desire to explore sustainable design. Above are just some of the projects that made it from "design meetings" in the Hob Goblin pub, into reality. This week, Shaun shares the thinking behind the projects and how Sibley Grove's ethos continues to embody a shared passion for sustainable design.

Hotel brands and hotel developers can have conflicting desires... and as interior designers, it's our job to make sure we satisfy both. This can feel like being the 'design piggy in the middle', but understanding and bringing together the needs of both parties can lead to some exciting and creative outcomes. #luxuryhotel #hoteldesign #designthinking

The unexpected link between Wimbledon, VAR and luxury design. When Wimbledon announced that after 147 years, line judges would be replaces by VAR, it got us thinking about how AI is becoming more prevalent in not just sport, but the world of design. And as designers, how and when we work with it. AI offers precision and speed - but is that what the design process is about? #designthinking #AI #AIdesign

As a studio, we steer away from following ‘trends’, preferring to take guidance and inspiration from a building’s architecture and cultural setting, both past and present. That said, there are some current trends in sustainable design that will hopefully make the much needed transition to ‘design norms’. This week we look at 6 design trends that are hopefully here to stay... #sustainabledesign #designtrends #interiordesign

Are you a Project Manager or QS who wants to know more about sourcing sustainable materials? Then this post is for you! Over the years, we’ve built a wealth of knowledge when it comes to sourcing sustainable materials for a project. And that’s knowledge we do our best to share when it comes to collaborating in project teams. This week’s journal piece looks at some of the key checks that QS and Project Managers could consider to ensure their material supply chains are sustainable and free from forced labour. #sustainablesourcing #projectmanagement #QS

This week we explore the difference between designing a product-led and an experience-led space, and what it communicates about your brand. There is value in both approaches, but good design should allow people to connect with a space and leave a lasting impression... #designthinking #designfordisassembly #circulareconomy

We're a finalist in the Brit List Awards 2024 - for Interior Designer of the Year! 🥳 And what a year it's been for our Devon-based Studio, with the team applying our signature ‘Design for Disassembly’ approach to a number of exciting luxury hotel, retail and hospitality projects, both at home and abroad. In the past 12 months, our team has grown adding some fantastic people, all of whom work with a passion for excellence in design, underpinned by a circular design ethos. Now in its eighth year, The Brit List Awards is Hotel Designs nationwide search to find the most influential designers, architects, hoteliers and suppliers operating in Britain. So, it's fab to be shortlisted and we're very much looking forward to the awards ceremony on November 6th at the Ministry of Sound...wish us luck!

Is greenwashing all bad? Or does it tell us something positive - that this is a market heading in the right direction on sustainability? We need to cultivate curiosity, scepticism, and a willingness to look beyond surface-level claims, recognising marketing for what it is - a sales pitch - rather than a source of detailed technical information.

Luxury retail spaces that tell a story about a brand's commitment to sustainability are becoming increasingly important. Using circular design principles to create compelling retail spaces that can be repaired, reused, refurbished or recycled at the end of life, is just savvy design. It saves money and materials and is one area in a complex picture where luxury brands can really make an impact on reducing waste and carbon... #designthinking #circulardesign #luxuryretail

According to the World Green Building Council, the building and construction industry is responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions. 28% from operations and 11% from construction and materials. By anyone's standards that's a large slice of the carbon emissions pie. So, it's an issue that as an industry, we all have a responsibility to address. But in some cases, using the word 'sustainability' in a buildings project planning meeting can evoke anxieties around budget, cost and time. This is often an understandable reaction, but one that isn't necessarily informed. This article explores why putting sustainability at the heart of a project is better for budgets, people and a world where we need to reduce carbon emissions and reverse the loss of nature, now. #circulardesign #sustainabledesign