Harrison have been shortlisted in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2023. Read more about Senior Designer, Nathan Stevenson, below:

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Name: Nathan Stevenson

Company: Harrison

Position within company: Senior Designer

Website: www.weareharrison.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:

While in school, I always had a love of art and building things in design technology. I followed this instinct into my higher education and was later accepted into a design college after leaving school. This gave me the opportunity to sample a variety of subjects which included fine art, fashion, graphics, product and furniture design, interior design, and architecture.

I enjoyed building detailed scale models and wanted to carry on studying, so I made the decision to move to London to get a degree in Interior Architecture. When I was in London, I was constantly surrounded by so much inspiration and like-minded people, which helped me to see what was possible in design.

How would you describe your personal interior design style?

I wouldn’t say that I have a style, I like simplicity and I’m very much about fine details. I think you have to be intuitive and be able to adapt to suit different clients and brands.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

We research every project to create a concept and narrative – this becomes the filter we use to make all the design decisions and create a strong thread which runs through all aspects of the project.

For me, inspiration can come from many places, a piece of art, the texture of an old wall, the design of a classic car, and then it’s the process of using those ideas in the right context that works for the project.

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

I think as designers, it’s our responsibility to make projects as sustainable as possible. Over the last several years, we have integrated sustainable materials into our design criteria. In this, we specify materials that have been recycled and have low embodied energy and carbon footprints. I feel that design will continue to include sustainable products and materials within their strategies.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2023 and beyond.

1. Enhancing the customer experience
2. Sustainability
3. Technology
4. Multi-functional spaces
5. Strong brand identity

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

Be confident in your ideas and don’t be afraid to go against the grain.

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

The industry is full of dedicated, hard-working people and The International Hotel & Property Awards shine a light on that and the incredible talent across the industry, which can only be a good thing. At Harrison, we are connected globally, which gives us a fantastic opportunity to gain inspiration from our global colleagues.

The awards not only celebrate the work done to date but are a great way to push designers to continue to innovate and be at the forefront of design. They also showcase to potential clients what can be achieved if we step outside the box, with blue sky thinking.

What projects are you currently working on?

Hickory’s Smokehouse, a leading authentic BBQ smokehouse restaurant predominantly based in the Midlands and North West. Harrison has been appointed to be their strategic brand and design partners. The partnership will see Hickory’s Smokehouse and Harrison open five new sites across the UK as part of Greene King’s plans to leverage its scale and expertise to accelerate the national roll out of the Hickory’s brand.  

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

Dishoom restaurants. The client was so passionate about the projects being authentic and we had great fun creating individual narratives for each project, this permeated through every aspect of the design and made the projects very special.

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

The Big Easy (Covent Garden). The site was the first electrical power station in London and was built to provide the electricity for the theatres in the area. The building is constructed in thick reinforced concrete with a huge supporting steelwork frame which was incredibly challenging to work with, but also very unusual and interesting.

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

Design software for sure – Autocad, SketchUp and the Adobe suite.

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

Try and eat healthier and maybe take up Yoga.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?

A vintage watch that belonged to my late grandfather.

Your favourite holiday destination?

Ibiza or Thailand.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

Pikes Hotel, Ibiza because of its casual charm and history.

Your favourite book, film & song?

I enjoyed reading ‘Shoe dog’ recently (the autobiography of Phil Knight, the founder of Nike), he’s a character and has a great story.

Blade Runner (the original).

Heroes by David Bowie.

Your favourite food and drink?

I love Asian food and a Mojito (if it’s made well).

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

Cycling or walking.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

Something outdoors and active, maybe a diving instructor.

Harrison

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If you think you have what it takes to compete in The International Hotel & Property Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

How to Apply  /  The Categories