UK Enterprise 2017

WORLDWIDE BUSINESS REVIEW / UK Enterprise Awards 2017 43 , Blue Rose Interior Architecture Ltd provides full architectural services for small scale residential projects in South-East England. We spoke to Founder Fiona Rose to find out more. Best Interior Architecture Firm - Home Counties Established by Fiona in 2011 Blue Rose’s projects focus mainly on sustainable low cost urban design that enhances the client’s lifestyle. As a relatively new company, the firm’s initial focus has been on clients in need of rear extensions, loft conversions and internal reconfiguration of their existing homes. Fiona explains the firm’s mission and how it works to achieve excellence on behalf of its clients from the very start. “At Blue Rose, our mission is to provide innovative and sustainable client-led design services which are accessible for all. In order to achieve this, we take a client focused approach on every project, and as such our pricing structure is based upon a day rate for our designers, making our service affordable and we spend time with the client, carefully listening to their ideas, hopes, concerns and constraints. We then provide recommendations to the client on sustainable design features such as renewable heating and energy efficient materials which can be incorporated into their project. For every client, to ensure excellence, we produce a bespoke design which optimises the use of space and natural light, and incorporates personalised features wherever possible and, overall, we ensure that the client is absolutely happy with the finished design, making any necessary changes before WUK17034 moving onto the construction phase. “When we first meet with our clients, we often hear that they have already held meetings or discussions with other architectural firms before getting in touch with us. We are surprised at the figures that some have been quoted, as they are rather high by comparison and seemingly unrealistic with regards to the clients overall budget. “Fundamentally, Blue Rose has sought to fill this gap in the market, providing good design at an affordable price. Additionally, our sustainable design recommendations really set us apart from our competitors. On a number of our projects, the drive for sustainable design has been client-led - and thanks to our in-house engineering capability we have been well positioned to properly incorporate sustainable features into schemes from the start. Other firms may try and persist with more traditional designs and either hire in expensive third party consultants or use some ‘token’ features to add to the design just to ‘tick the box’.” Operating in such an innovative market, Blue Rose has to work hard to remain at the forefront of innovation and provide clients with solutions that meet their ever evolving needs, as Fiona discusses. “Overall, the world of innovative design is constantly changing, and we are seeing advancements in sustainable building technology every day. Therefore, it is essential that Blue Rose keeps abreast of these developments if we are to stay effective and fit for purpose. Our directors are pursuing professional membership of The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) in order to enhance the profile of the firm and ensure that their knowledge remains relevant through continuing professional development (CPD).” Moving forward, despite facing many challenges, Blue Rose will be continuing to innovate and adapt in order to continue providing clients with the very highest standards of service, as Fiona proudly concludes. “Looking to the future, Blue Rose seeks to venture into larger residential projects and commercial developments. We would also like to revisit our Enhanced Living Project, which focuses on the provision of sustainable and affordable homes on brownfield sites in town and city centres. We envisage taking on apprentice designers to help us reach our full potential, helping them to realise their own full potential in the process. However, as we move forward, our core theme of innovative and sustainable client-led design will remain our guiding principal. “With the advent of Brexit, we are obviously facing some uncertain times here in the UK. However, at Blue Rose we are of the opinion that the glass is very much half full and not half empty – and with change comes new opportunity. One of the biggest challenges in the UK is turning around the housing market to ensure that young people have a realistic chance of buying a home. Blue Rose will be actively seeking out new opportunities to help make this a reality.” Company: Blue Rose Interior Architecture Ltd Contact: Fiona Rose Contact Email: [email protected] Address: 1 High Street, The Old Bank House, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AD Phone: 01903 366262 Website: www.bluerose3d.co.uk