SURFACES THAT SHAPE MODERN INTERIORS
Casa More Interiors joins the BIID panel at Grand Designs Live Birmingham
Earlier this month, I was delighted to be invited by the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) to take part in a panel discussion exploring the role of surfaces and material choices in contemporary interiors, held alongside Grand Designs Live at the NEC Birmingham.
The conversation brought together different perspectives on how materials can influence more than a space’s aesthetics. From light and acoustics to sustainability, functionality, texture, and atmosphere, the surfaces we choose can fundamentally change how an interior is experienced.
It was a pleasure to share the panel with Anne Hainnes and Carly Wise, with Ruth Turner Jones chairing the discussion. For me, it was a chance to talk about something fundamental to my approach as an architect and interior designer: materials should always have a purpose.
They should not simply look beautiful. They should work with the architecture.
A Project as a Real Life Example
To illustrate some of these ideas, I brought the Berkswell Hallway project to the discussion. Rather than simply talking about materials in theory, the project allowed us to explore how decisions around layout, light, acoustics, reuse and material selection can work together to transform an interior.
Before & After
The original hallway was dark and enclosed, with two separate staircases and an existing connection between the different parts of the house positioned directly above the entrance. The clients’ brief was to create something with a real wow factor, while bringing more natural light and a greater sense of openness into the space. The external openings could not be changed. So the answer came through the architecture and the layout.
After
The circulation was completely rethought, with one central staircase and a glass bridge replacing the enclosed connection. The glass became a key material and architectural intervention, letting light and views travel through the space while creating a strong contemporary feature. This was a good example of how material choice can directly respond to an architectural challenge.
When Materials Do More Than Look Good
The discussion also touched on the importance of balancing different surface qualities. The hallway contains a significant amount of hard surfaces, including glass, timber and flooring. Introducing a carpet runner and carpeted upper landing brought softness, warmth, and texture while also helping the space’s acoustic balance. Acoustic panels were incorporated to further improve the space’s acoustic performance.
This is why I believe material selection should happen as part of the design process, rather than at the very end. A material can influence how a space looks, but it can also influence how it sounds, feels and performs.
Reuse as a Design Decision
Another example from the project was the reuse of the existing floor tiles from the adjoining kitchen. Rather than replacing a material that was already suitable, we incorporated it into the new hallway design. This created continuity between the two spaces while giving an existing material a renewed purpose.
For me, this is an important part of the conversation around sustainable interior design. Sometimes the most sustainable choice is not to introduce something new. It is to make better use of what already exists.
Old and New in Dialogue
During construction, existing timber beams were unexpectedly revealed. Instead of concealing them, we chose to expose them. They became an important part of the finished interior, creating a dialogue between the original character of the building and the contemporary glass intervention. It was a reminder that materials can also tell the story of a building.
Why Surfaces Matter
The conversation at the BIID panel reinforced an important principle in my own work. Surfaces are not simply finishes. They can shape:
- Light
- Acoustics
- Comfort
- Durability
- Sustainability
- Circulation
- Atmosphere
The most successful interiors are often created when these elements are considered together. For me, material selection is about understanding the relationship between the material, the architecture and the people who will experience the space.
Beyond the Panel
Being part of the BIID Panel was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow design professionals and discuss the role of materials beyond current trends. It was also a pleasure to experience Grand Designs Live, including a tour of the Grand House and a very warm welcome from Kevin McCloud.
A big thank you to BIID, Ruth Turner Jones, Anne Haand Carly for such an engaging conversation, and to everyone who joined us. It was a privilege to contribute to the discussion and to share how thoughtful material choices can help create interiors that are not only beautiful, but considered, functional and enduring.
From the Studio
The team at Casa More Interiors approaches interior architecture and design through the relationship between space, light, materials and the way people live. Great interiors are not simply about what you see. They are about what you experience.