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[June 2007]
Material Lab Crown Newcastle Duo Design Winners
H&R Johnson Tiles Ltd is delighted to announce the winner of its groundbreaking student design competition – Future Designs. After a day of intense deliberation the judges finally chose, University of Northumbria students, Henry Marks and Rebecca Williams' team entry as the successful design.
Their entry was chosen because of its strong conceptual notion and the use of a parachutist was, to the judges, both witty and unique. The design fulfilled all aspects of the brief by using tiles and other surface decoration materials in an innovative and eye catching manner, whilst giving consideration to practicalities of design, to create an inspirational 'space' within Material Lab.
Henry and Rebecca's work will now be installed in Material Lab, the design resource centre, on Great Titchfield Street, London, where it will be seen by all visitors; including representatives from some of London's top design practices. The duo will also be flying off to South Africa, where H&R Johnson have a wall and floor tile factory, as part of their prize.
Both were thrilled to have won the competition and are looking forward to seeing their design in Material Lab. Henry said: “To have our design installed in Material Lab is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity, and we knew as soon as we found out about the competition we had to enter. There are very few chances for students to interact with the commercial world. The fact that our design will be seen by a number of design practices, and prospective employers, is even more pleasing.”
Rebecca added: “We had a great time brain-storming our design and were really pleased with what we finally came up with. It's a real honour to know that such high-profile judges favoured our designs, and I can't wait to go to South Africa.”
The judging panel was made up of some of the design world's top names and included:
- Dean Keyworth – Chairman, British Interior Design Association
- Peter Kelly – Reporter, Blueprint Magazine
- Ken Wilder - Tutor, Chelsea College of Arts
- Stephen Dixon – Marketing Director, H&R Johnson Tiles Ltd
- Danielle Proud - Sunday Times journalist and designer
- Grant Kanik - Associate for the Commercial Interiors team, Gensler
Stephen Dixon said: “When H&R Johnson opened Material Lab our mission was to keep it fresh, while helping to promote the design talent of the future. The Future Designs competition has enabled students to see their work actually come to life. Material Lab now has a fantastic new space to look forward to as well.”
Dean Keyworth added: “One of the key aims of the British Interior Design Association is to foster new talent and if the calibre of the short-listed entries in the Material Lab competition is anything to go by, the next generation of interior designers is a very exciting one. I loved the boldness of the design and the way the winner had taken a cutting edge bathroom product and pushed its limits even further.”
Ken Wilder agrees: “The scheme was one with a real narrative, it managed to combine intellectual rigour with a proposal that was both realisable and used tiles as an integral part of the idea. It was beautifully presented as a project, with by far the strongest drawings of all applications, and a very convincing text which communicated the scheme's narrative.”
Rebecca and Henry's work will be built in Material Lab later in the year and will remain in place for around 12 months, ensuring that the design gets the attention it deserves.
ENDS