The 'The Limitless Interior Design Contest by Sansiri & DM HOME' has become a highly anticipated platform for undergraduate design students to showcase their skills. Recently, Sansiri Public Company Limited, a leading real estate developer, and DM HOME, a premium home decor product importer, selected 10 finalist teams to present their creative concepts for designing a two-bedroom unit at the KHUN by yoo inspired by Starck condominium project in Thonglor, using DM HOME furniture and pieces designed by Philippe Starck.

  

          This competition saw two best friends from Chulalongkorn University, Nattanee Jiramanee Mai and Wannachwee Likitratnaporn, third-year students from the Faculty of Architecture, present their impressive work under the concept 'Life Lab', winning unanimous approval from a panel of esteemed judges, including Jariya Janjerdsuk, Assistant Managing Director of Product Development at Sansiri, Pimruja Santarakul, Executive Director of DM HOME, Wasu Virachasilp, a professor at a renowned private university, and Pitupong Chaowakul from SuperMachine Studio, who designed the Sales Gallery for the KHUN by yoo inspired by Starck project. They received a cash prize and a luxurious furniture set valued at over 160,000 baht.

  

          Jariya Janjerdsuk, Assistant Managing Director of Product Development at Sansiri, explained the project and contest, stating, "Sansiri's intention in using the KHUN by yoo inspired by Starck project as a challenge is to create opportunities for students to learn about the development concepts of Philippe Starck, who helped define the design direction of the KHUN by yoo inspired by Starck project under yoo studio. The students can see design perspectives that respond to both functionality and design identity under the Industrial Heritage concept.


          When the judges saw the students' work, it was beyond expectations, leading them to believe they were professional designers due to their courage to design differently by applying various ideas in their design and presentation. They successfully expanded upon Starck's concepts in terms of color tones, styles, and furniture. Perhaps because everything is now globalized, inspiration can be found all around. Those who are diligent can continuously create interesting new things. At the same time, the judges felt refreshed by seeing the students' work, which provided new perspectives, potentially leading to a more vibrant outcome. Therefore, we will definitely organize such contests again in the future as it fosters mutual learning. I would like to encourage students participating in future projects to be bold and innovative, and when stepping into the real working world, they must prioritize responsibility while considering budget and time constraints as well."

          Pimruja Santarakul, Executive Director of DM HOME, another partner in the contest, added, "The students have great creative ideas and understand the design challenge, showing that today's Thai youth are not inferior to anyone. Importantly, they have independent thoughts reflected in their submitted works. Additionally, we can see that the advancement in the design industry will significantly come from these new generations who know how to utilize new technologies and materials in their designs, blending various elements due to easier access to media and inspiration. Most importantly, we witnessed creativity in design that can make our furniture stand out, leading the judges to sometimes wonder if today's youth can think this way. Therefore, we will definitely organize similar activities in the future as it serves to push and support the new generation, giving them opportunities to experience real work and connect with global inspirations."

          The winners of the 'The Limitless Interior Design Contest by Sansiri & DM HOME', Nattanee Jiramanee Mai and Wannachwee Likitratnaporn, third-year students from the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University, were declared winners for their interpretation of the Industrial Heritage concept set by Philippe Starck for the KHUN by yoo inspired by Starck project, combined with the modernity of Thonglor and the continuous innovation of the era. They deepened this interpretation into an interior design concept called 'Life + Lab'. The 'Lab' represents users as experimenters who create and explore new things in their daily lives, viewing life as a canvas for creativity and vibrancy every day. Starting from the 'Lab' area at the entrance, which features an angular design leading to a Free Wall, symbolizing a free-thinking board where the owner can pin or attach inspirations or cherished memories that can be continuously changed, thus reflecting the owner's identity even before entering the living and dining areas. The bedroom area focuses on the 'Life' concept as a private space for relaxation. Additionally, the bathroom incorporates copper as a decorative material to connect with the exterior design of the project as envisioned by Philippe Starck.

          Nattanee Jiramanee Mai and Wannachwee Likitratnaporn expressed their feelings about winning, saying, "This has been a valuable experience for all of us before stepping into the real design industry because we got to work on real projects with clients, allowing us to see how clients think. The feedback from clients differs from that of professors. Moreover, the challenge was significant as KHUN by yoo inspired by Starck was designed under the main concept by world-renowned designer Philippe Starck, which taught us how a world-class designer thinks and how to build upon the core ideas to develop the 'Life Lab' concept that draws out the essence of Industrial Heritage. In the industrial era, new innovations are constantly emerging. When combined with our research on the character of the vibrant and dynamic Thonglor area, along with the contest's theme of Limitless, it led to a design that reflects the absence of boundaries and limitations, allowing residents to play with their living space and continuously innovate their lifestyle. We believe this can resonate with the personality and insights of the target clientele. After that, we decided to use white tiles and wood that symbolize life and designed spaces for Starck's furniture to be the focal point of the area. With just over a month to prepare and both of us traveling abroad, we learned valuable time management and task division skills. We were fortunate to have a good rapport, which facilitated our collaboration. This competition taught us that design is not just about aesthetics; it must also enhance the art of living. Therefore, when we fully enter the working world, we will continue to think creatively to contribute positively to the design industry and bring happiness to residents. We would like to thank Sansiri, DM HOME, and the judges for giving us this opportunity and sharing their knowledge and ideas with our generation."

          A representative from the judging panel, Pitupong Chaowakul from SuperMachine Studio, who designed the Sales Gallery for the KHUN by yoo inspired by Starck project, commented on the creativity of the new generation's works in this contest, stating, "I must say that the skills of today's youth have advanced significantly, and many teams impressed us. Many works displayed a high level of professionalism, especially the winning team, who bravely presented their work. They managed to interpret luxury beyond classic boundaries. The work aligns with the Industrial Heritage concept yet appears incredibly modern, effectively addressing the lifestyle and character of the project's residents."

Students interested in participating in exciting activities from Sansiri and DM HOME
can follow the news at www.sansiri.com and dm-home.com

Source: www.sansiri.com