Piers Smerin is the founder of Smerin Architects, a Royal Institute of British Architects Chartered Practice. They offer a bespoke service designing all the elements needed to create stunning modern homes or effective work spaces carefully tailored to the needs of the individual client. The practice’s work includes architecture, landscape, interior and product design as well as strategic advice for building owners and typifies Piers Smerin’s interest in fusing bold ideas with attention to the smallest detail coupled with the ability to get the best out of the planning system. We are proud to present the designer insights of Piers Smerin.
Image Credit: 1) Concreate Flooring 2) Crosswater 3) Astro Lighting 4) Iitala 5) Vitrendo
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
Fusing bold ideas with attention to the smallest detail that like a Savile Row suit results in something understatedly elegant in appearance and enjoyable to live in.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
I always think design should be carefully tailored to the needs of the individual client and appropriate to its location so the creative process always starts with discussion with the client to try to understand what they want from the project followed by study of the site and setting for the project. Only after that would I put pen to paper.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
I worked for some very good British architects in the early days of my career including Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Simon Conder and John McAslan. I learnt different things from each but they all had a common desire to get the most from each project that still inspires me today.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
Buildings and the spaces within should always be carefully thought through and made to last not just built for superficial effect so I am always receptive to anything I come across that is well designed and timeless whether an interior, piece of furniture or item of product design, irrespective of its age or style.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
I was always making things as a child so wanted to be a designer of some sort. I initially studied landscape architecture but as I kept putting buildings into my designs realised I had better do architecture as it allows you to work across the whole spectrum. As such my advice would be to start out with a clear aim but keep an open mind along the way.
