As LW Design celebrates its 20th year of delivering functional and eclectic spatial solutions, we look back at how far the practice has come since it started its journey.
The LW Design story began when a group of friends discovered an opportunity to develop a design office based upon their Scandinavian roots. Initially, the three founders had no understanding of how a creative business works, but soon learned that creativity needs to be channelled in a systematic fashion. Launching a company with no prior knowledge was the first test, but their determination helped them to get through challenging circumstances.
There’s very little comparison between today’s world and that of 20 years ago; one example could be that, back then, LW Design relied on faxes, but now it’s LinkedIn, Instagram, and email. However, one thing that has remained consistent is how the field values a sense of trust in people rather than their qualifications. As a result, the joy of developing individuals as designers has remained at the heart of the firm’s ethos.
In terms of projects, LW Design has most definitely experienced a shift in paradigms. Where it once served in the capacities of designers and architects, it now acts as operators and advisers, informing clients on how they can achieve the best results. Moreover, clients’ expectations have risen dramatically, as they follow new trends and concepts, with brands playing a major role in current developments.
Today, LW Design has a strong reputation in the GCC – clients trust it implicitly. The firm has made a significant contribution to establishing high-quality projects and giving them distinct identities in line with the region’s culture.
Ongoing Growth and Expansion
From a small start-up, LW Design has grown into an international operation with offices in Hong Kong and Sao Paola. It is expanding into Europe too, with a Denmark office opening in February 2020.
Starting out with projects in the Middle East, LW Design is rapidly tapping into new markets. For instance, it has recently designed the Raffles Hotel in Shenzhen and numerous F&B outlets in Vietnam – successful ventures like these are a reflection of Asia’s scope as a new market. In Europe, the firm is already completing a five-star resort in Montenegro.
LW Design’s portfolio includes some of the world’s biggest brands, and it will continue to grow as it completes new successful ventures, such as the Edition Hotel in Dubai.
Crucial to the firm’s success is how the entire team work as a family, having fun and being both focused and professional at the same time. And the partners would like to thank all of LW Design’s employees, former and current, for standing with them over the years. Some have been part of this incredible journey for the full 20 years, and this underlines how far the firm has come – today it is much more than just another company, it’s an innovative haven for creatives.