Tina Norden is the principal and partner at Conran & Partners, an architecture and interior design practice with studios in Hong Kong and London. The firm is behind the interiors of Hong Kong’s Townplace West Kowloon and the upscale residential complex Villa Lucca. 
Could you share your thought process when approaching a luxury hotel design?
We approach every project with the same meticulous research, a close investigation of the brief and careful development of the unique concept vision – no matter at what level.
But for our luxury level hotels there is an extra level of detail and care required to ensure the high quality is reflected in every layout and every detail. The key for us is always to understand the brand and its ambition, or help our owner create one, and then craft an authentic and outstanding experience around the target guest.
Could you tell us about your journey into the world of interior design/architecture?
In many ways my career path was determined at a very early age – my father was a landscape architect and I spent many happy days with him on site and drawing in his studio. Unfortunately I don’t seem to have his green thumb so it made sense to direct my creative output towards buildings rather than plants.
I wavered for a time wanting to become a diplomat as I loved (and still do) travelling and experiencing other cultures, and meeting people from around the world and learning about local conventions. But I realise now that my profession combines the best of both worlds – as a designer or architect we have to be creative and diplomatic at the same time. Most of our work is in working with clients and project teams and keeping the communication and relationships open.
After completing my schooling in Germany, I studied architecture in London and never left! A work placement at Conran and Partners, then CD Partnership, opened my eyes to interior architecture which I fell in love with. An MA at the Royal College of Art cemented this and whilst I am a fully qualified architect my work is predominantly in the interior sphere.
Which project(s) are you most proud of this year?
The last project is always the most exciting, but this year was particularly successful with regards to projects. We opened Park Hyatt Changsha, our third Park, but the first hotel project in PRC. It is a beautiful project in a super high rise and we were responsible not just for the interior, but also the architecture of the arrival podium – we love being able to create such a holistic experience.
Lanson Place in Melbourne was a very different, but equally lovely project for this boutique operator. We created a long and short stay hotel in the city’s exciting CBD. We worked closely with local architect DCM to craft a hotel out of an old Salvation Army HQ and printworks which DCM extended with a glass tower. We managed to bring in many references back to this storied history resulting in a bright and contemporary design that is rooted in its place.
And to make it three, our new KEF Music Gallery in London’s Great Portland Street, continuing our collaboration with KEF following the HK version. An exquisite backdrop with a carefully detailed industrial language combines with warm timber and perfect acoustics as a foil to not just the beautiful products, but also a lovely series of events and podcasts.
Could you name a book, movie or music track that has significantly inspired your designs or art?
One of my absolute favourite directors remains David Lynch, he crafts whole worlds in his films that I find captivating and original. He inspires me to think differently and forge my own way.
My favourite film of this year is Perfect Days by Wim Wenders, a quiet, but life affirming film around the fabulous Tokyo Toilet Project.
I read ferociously and my current favourite is Anthony Bourdain. I love the combination of food and restaurants and his frank and take-no-prisoners attitude. Like Lynch, he reminds me to be fearless and be honest about my opinions. My husband is a musician so music features large in our lives – we love all sorts of music, but one of my perennial favourites is Max Richter for structured, yet dreamy contemporary classical. He inspires me to create calm, yet original work that doesn’t need to shout to be powerful.
Art is another one of my passions – I adore Donald Judd, in particular his spatial works in Marfa, Texas. He had a completely unique vision of the world that cared for every detail, and created spaces and works with simplicity and genius.
