For Ilse Crawford, the beauty of a space lies not just in its aesthetic authority, but also in its ability to improve the human condition.
This concern with the impact of our surroundings on our physical and cognitive experience has earned the designer and her London-based practice Studioilse international acclaim, with an impressive portfolio of projects including Ett Hem Hotel in Stockholm, Soho House New York, and Duddell’s and the Cathay Pacific lounges in Hong Kong.
Tell us about a recent collaboration with Plaza 66.
We were asked to design The Lounge because Plaza 66 was looking at making the whole experience of the place more hospitable, which is interesting, because while a shopping centre is about shops, it's also about people. So, essentially, it was about creating a space where the fashion community will feel comfortable and where they will naturally gather; where they can work, socialise, present, party.
What's your approach to design?
Design for me is not an aesthetic, it’s a response to questions. I’m firmly of the view that you make your environment and then it makes you.
Do you still work on personal homes?
It’s important to do residential projects because you have to constantly be reminded of what’s important to individuals in their daily lives. Designing someone’s house is confronting. Every home is different, but nearly always what people want is a is a place that will help their family be more functional.
Do you have an aesthetic preference when it comes to design?
There’s this whole discussion that I’ve had quite a bit around whether something is modern or whether it is traditional, but actually I don’t think that makes sense when you’re talking about design and architecture. It’s either good or it’s not good. And good is obviously about design, but it’s also about how it’s made, the integrity of the supply chain, will it last, does it fit the purpose. It’s irrelevant whether it was made last week.
How do you judge a well-designed home?
Being able to design and execute really good bathrooms is so important; bathrooms tell you everything.
A version of this article originally appeared on our October 2017 issue.
