Designer in profile: Konrad Krusiewicz

The Design Group have been shortlisted for Lobby/Public Areas Award in The International Hotel & Property Awards 2021. Read more about the Architect and Founder below:

Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc):
My adventure with architecture started from the moment I realized that I was constantly watching the surroundings – how it is built and how it works; this awakened in me the need to explore the utilitarian nature of space and the surrounding world, which naturally took me to the world of design.
So I decided to go in this direction professionally. I graduated from the Faculty of Architecture and spent the first 10 years at Cushman & Wakefield RE Agency. In 2015, I founded my architectural studio, The Design Group, and together with my team, we provided design services for over 400,000 sqm throughout Poland and won many domestic and international industry awards.

How would you describe your personal interior design style?
Comfort and perfectionism. In my opinion, there is nothing more necessary in a human’s life than to be able to spend their life in a conducive environment that gives peace of mind. I’m thinking mainly of the physical and socio-cultural environment. These are the elements that guide us in our daily activities – when designing public spaces such as offices – to create an environment in which users can perform their tasks in comfortable conditions. This should also be the architecture globally. The architecture should allow us to use it to create a comfortable space around ourselves. The well-designed architecture of a place, object or interior should also have a beneficial influence on the users by building positive social relations among them. Perfection should overlap all of this because every detail matters.

Where does your design inspiration come from?
Life, the surrounding world, nature, artists of all kinds. I love to draw from what I see and what I experience in everyday life that can be dynamic and colourful.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Utilitarianism and social functionality.
Design as a medium for wellbeing and everyday comfort – improving the quality of life and work. An ergonomic and ecological design that allows us to live in harmony with nature.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design.
Utilitarianism, flexibility, ecology, wellbeing, ergonomics.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Design as if you were to use your design. The key to good space design is getting into the shoes of the future user… understanding their needs and how they functions.

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
I believe that any initiative that promotes unusual and unique projects is very important. In our opinion, the International Hotel & Property Awards plays a kind of educational role. By indicating, in this case: awarding, an exceptional, qualitative and valuable project, potential clients can actually easily reach really good specialists and professionals, but also find out in what this particular project was better than the others, what solutions it offered, etc. This gives them more knowledge about what is better in terms of quality and what is appreciated on the market.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?
That’s a hard question for me to answer. In fact – it is each project – because with every project we set ourselves new goals and challenges and thanks to that we develop and discover new things and objectives.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Each project has its challenges, each is unique, each is special…
We approach each project individually, with passion, with maximum commitment. Each project is ‘the one’ for us – that is why each office realisation is also a big challenge.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Music and Outlook mailbox

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
Improve our work, create more unique spaces, increase customer awareness of what and how to implement to improve the quality of offices.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
My daily inspiration is our life, the surrounding world, nature, artists of all kinds. I love to draw from what I see and what I experience in everyday life that can be dynamic and colourful.

Your most treasured possession?
Our team – we create and pursue our passions together.

Your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere with sun and wifi

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
Andaz San Diego, Der Elefant Warsaw, Scarfes Bar Rosewood London

Your favourite book, film & song?
The Iron Heel – Jack London; The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; Hella Good – No Doubt

Your favourite food and drink?
Ramen soup and Old Fashioned drink

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Restaurant & drinks with friends

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Sailor

Anything else interesting?
Everything