John Howell MP Opens Henley Design Day

John Howell MP was pleased to be invited to open the first RIBA Henley Design Day on Saturday.  He said, “It was great timing for the Neighbourhood Plan and it was good to see such creative talent all in one place.”

Sixteeen architectural practices in the area who specialise in building conservation, sustainable projects, new build, self-build and small domestic extensions and conversions attended Henley Design Day to showcase their work including Anthony Duckett Architecture & Design, AP Architects, Giuliani Architects, Simon Mack Architecture and  Spratley Studios from Henley. It was a great chance for the public to go along and explore their building needs and desires and to find inventive, practical ways of achieving them.

Alison Pressley from AP Architects, Henley, commented “The popularity of the event suggests that people do value the input of an architect, but for many, this was the first time that they had spoken to one. I hope that by talking to a few of us, they were able to see how the skills and expertise of an architect could help them realise their building projects. I believe that I was able to offer some useful advice and give some direction as to how some of them could proceed. With a number of follow up appointments already booked, it was certainly a great way for me to illustrate the type of work that I do and meet local people who need direction to get their projects off the ground.”

Henley Author, Niki Schäfer was also there signing her new book Creating Space.  Creating Space is a step-by-step guide to help busy women, mums and house-husbands design a calm, sane and, what the author calls ‘outrageously gorgeous’ home and family-life.  It is not another pretty interiors book, in fact it contains only line drawings, it is a practical journey through the seven spaces of the home, taking the reader through the design process while incorporating the thinking strategies required for each space.  “An understanding of psychology is fundamental to successful interior design and Niki’s fascinating book clarifies this ineluctable fact,” says fellow interior designer, Naomi Cleaver of Channel 4’s Grand Designs.

Anne Haimes Interiors of Bell Street were also exhibiting their range of soft furnishings and were available to chat to about their interior design service.

Says Regional Director James Robinson, “We really wanted to give the people of Henley the opportunity to see the full range of architect’s skills and take advantage of the fantastic design talent on their doorstep.”