How did come to start your own firm?
Andy Goodwin: Tom and I met while working at United Designers in London nearly 10 years ago. Following this, we also worked at Martin Brudnizki Design Studio together and formed a close working relationship and friendship, as we both lived nearby in Kentish Town.
Tom Parker: Andy and I share very similar tastes and complementary skillsets. We talked about the possibility of working together quite quickly after meeting all those years ago. We also have an incredibly strong friendship, which is a huge benefit when running a business.
Big break?
TP: The first few projects we secured, Argyll Road [townhouse] and the Oxford Blue [restaurant] in Old Windsor, are very special, as they allowed us to start the business. The Draycott [restaurant in Pacific Palisades, California] was huge for us, as this was our first U.S. project, and similarly the Hoxton hotel in Portland. This was the first time we worked with the Ennismore team, and on a project of this scale. However, in reality, we consider each new project as our next big break.
On the boards?
AG: We are currently working on Moncks in Mayfair. Part of the project brief was to ensure that the restaurant appears as though it has always been there and diners have stumbled across a hidden gem. As a result, we have designed bespoke lighting and furniture throughout where the references are historical but the details or finishes have been twisted to ensure they include a more relevant contemporary take.
Lessons learned from working together?
TP: In an industry such as ours where there are no real right or wrong answers, it’s important that we trust ourselves and each other to make decisions that are right for the client, the project, and the company as a whole. It takes a great deal of confidence to start a company, and we have learned over time that having confidence in ourselves, each other, and the work that we produce is vital.
What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you first started?
AG: If you keep working hard, it will all work out.
TP: It’s important to try and enjoy the quieter, less crazy periods.
Why is two better than one?
TP: We often find, particularly when developing concepts for new projects, that the team is far more than the sum of its parts. One breakthrough in either conceptual thinking or design by one person can lead to a chain of great dialogue, ideas, and development that all feed off of each other.
An inviting seating nook in the Pantry meeting space at the Hoxton, Portland
The lobby at the Hoxton, Portland features communal seating and walls wrapped in brick and stone
Patterned tile flooring adds dimension to the Pantry’s kitchen in the Hoxton, Portland
Blue tile juxtaposes a brick wall at the Hoxton, Portland’s lobby bar
