Design Joburg: A coffee with the Atelier team

A Cape Town based interior design and architectural studio, Atelier, consisting of Adri van Zyl and Vincent Clery, will be participating in the Collaborative Roomsets feature at Design Joburg this weekend. We chat to them about their feature entitled ‘Sanctuary’.

Who are the members in your team and what do you each bring to the work you do?

The studio is currently run by founder Adri van Zyl and partner Vincent Clery. Adri brings all the talent while Vincent keeps the wheels turning. Atelier also works with an incredible network of very talented collaborators and architects whom we employ on a project basis.

What can we expect from your stand at Design Joburg?

We are big fans of bold design. As such we’ll be doing a unique take on the contemporary bathroom/ boudoir setting. We’re looking to explore the boundaries between relaxation and invigoration.

What has been the most exciting part of conceptualizing your stand?

Working with incredible suppliers. Besides having free reign to use their amazing products, it’s been a very exciting process conceptualizing various unique applications with them. We’re huge believers in collaboration, it’s always fresh and the results are so often bigger than the sum of their parts.

What has been the most challenging aspect of this collaborative room set feature?

Coming up with a clear, cohesive and strong design concept that manages to incorporate all of the suppliers and different brand personalities we’re collaborating with… all within a 36sqm space.

Which brands are you collaborating with?

Newport Lighting are creating the moody ambience on our stand with their latest lighting. Kohler are doing all our sanitaryware and taps. Whilst MERQ-Cabinetry all our beautiful cabinetry. Andrea Brand’s “art as fabric” will also feature on the stand.

What is Atelier best known for?

Clean, bold design that pays homage to classic principals. Some of our projects include Mulberry & Prince restaurant, Work Shop New Town, Famke Jewellery and Honest Chocolate Café

What aspect of design inspires you right now?

We’re going through a big furniture and finishes phase. Particularly obsessed with black-and-white terrazzo tiles and all things Jamie Hayon. Check out his playful collaboration with furniture maker Whittmann, his Ceasarstone stand at Salon del Mobile and most importantly the phenomenal Barcelo Torre de Madrid Hotel. Design Joburg takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre, from 12-14 May 2017.

For more info visit www.designjoburg.com.