Vadim Maltsev Design Bureau have been shortlisted for Bespoke Cabinetry/Installation Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021. Read more about Owner & Art Director, Vadim Maltsev below:

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Name: Vadim Maltsev
Company: VADIM MALTSEV DESIGN bureau
Position within company: Owner and Art-Director
Website: https://maltsevdesign.com/

1. Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)

VADIM MALTSEV DESIGN bureau has 10 years of experience working on private and commercial projects. I was educated in design at the Parsons School of Design in New York, a place where the best studied — Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Tang. My understanding of the aesthetics of the space is different from the style of other designers in Russia. It is the experience of foreign training that allows us to implement projects to the highest standards around the world. Recent projects include an apartment for world ballet star Diana Vishneva in St. Petersburg, a hotel in Dubai, and apartments in Manhattan. We collaborate with leading art galleries, furniture and design houses, and fill our projects with unique interior items.

2. How would you describe your personal design style?

It is difficult to evaluate yourself, this should be left to the critics from the field of design. For myself, I see it this way: any interior is always a bit on a knife edge, with objects that, at first glance, are not from here, but they are here and this is their place. If you remove them, the interior will crumble.

3. Where does your design inspiration come from?

It’s always different, but I’m probably more inspired by nature than by people. It’s hard to say that architecture inspires me, because then my inspiration is secondary. Perhaps you need to look for inspiration in something primary. Therefore, nature is primary not created by us.

4. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Probably environmental friendliness. Now this is the main motive everywhere. Not inventing the new, but rethinking the old. Understanding how to use what is already ready, how to recycle it and make it useful and functional, and not produce new ones.

5. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2020 and beyond.

I think the main trend now everywhere is environmental friendliness. And this leads to many related trends, for example, the rationality of consumption, the emphasis on timeless design, the overall aesthetics of the lightness of the space without unnecessary overload, and, of course, the use of art objects and art objects in the interior to emphasize the individuality of the owner.

6. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Every house is a reflection of the owner, and every person who comes to this house, a guest or a family member, and even the owner himself, he must feed on this house, so inside this interior there must be objects that fill him with energy and show what this person is, how deep his principles, qualities and emotions are in him. For this, functionality is important — each item should have its own place, this house should be as comfortable as possible for the owner and mobile, we can change the interior, change the parterres, change the upholstery of the sofa and this design will sparkle with new colors. It should change in the course of life, but at the same time keep the style and show taste.

7. How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

Yes, they are definitely important. This is a good platform for sharing experiences and new ideas. A great opportunity for beginners to start. In general, any professional community is always good for establishing communication and generating new ideas.

8. What projects are you currently working on?

Right now, the bureau has several large-scale projects. The first is the design of the office space as a showroom with art objects and limited furniture. We also plan to develop a full-fledged collection of tableware, now we have already developed a small limited collection of several types of glasses and saw that our customers have a request for these products. Therefore, we plan to expand the line, we are not talking about mass production — we adhere to the concept of collectible design, we just want to diversify the choice for our customers. And we are also beginning to prepare for the opening of a full-fledged gallery in Moscow, where our pieces of furniture, decor and glasses will be presented. This is a large-scale project, which is scheduled to start in 2022, but we are already carefully considering the concept and working out the format in our office space.

9. What was your favourite project to work on and why?

Apartment project for Diana Vishneva. Here everything worked out: a love of ballet, an incredible admiration for Diana’s talent and an interesting complex case. The task was to rework the space and make it more airy, light, comfortable and cozy. The implementation period was short — only 2 months. It was also necessary to think through and fit into the new interior all the valuables, decor items and furniture collected by the family over the years.

10. What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

Right now we are completing a large-scale project that we have been implementing for the last 9 months. This period is due to the large number of collectible items made to order, sometimes the production time of one item reached 3 months, so it took such a significant period of time to assemble the entire concept of interior design. But the result was definitely worth it. The main thing in assessing the success of the project is still how satisfied the client was, and this is just this case.

11. Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

As banal as it may sound, this is a calendar. In the modern world, when you need to perform a huge number of tasks every day, meet deadlines and be always punctual, you can not do without this tool.

12. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

As I said, right now we are testing the format of the showroom in our office space in order to approach the opening of a full-fledged gallery in Moscow as prepared as possible. In addition to producing a collection of glasses, we continue to develop new interior items specifically for the design projects of our clients. And of course we are working to be represented in foreign galleries.

13. Your most treasured possession?

The most precious thing I have is my family.

14. Your favourite holiday destination?

Most of all I like to come to my parents  house and spend time with my family in my childhood home.

15. Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

Favorite restaurant-La Fattoria.

Hotel-there is a special charm in historical hotels. I always try to visit them if I have the opportunity.

16. Your favourite book, film & song?

I have read a lot of books and watched a lot of movies, for me it is one of the tools of inspiration. I do not want to single out one thing, but they are all connected by a historical plot and are often based on real events or tell about some historically important era. Songs are those that remind you of important moments in your life.

17. Your favourite food and drink?

Neapolitan Pizza and latte

18. Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

Have breakfast in your favourite place, take a coffee with you and go for a walk in the park or estate with my dog Pluto. And in the evening, watch a movie and when everyone is already asleep, sit down in your office to work on new sketches.
19. If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

I can’t imagine myself being anything else.

Vadim Maltsev Design Bureau have been shortlisted for Bespoke Cabinetry/Installation Award in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2021.

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