Considered Spaces by Ward & Co. | Rise Art

How do you see the relationship between interior architecture and storytelling? Particularly regarding how space and design can embody a place or person's identity.

We think the two are inextricably linked whether you intend them to be or not. The spaces we inhabit will naturally reflect certain elements of our personality and tell a story, without us even having to think about it. We think it’s also interesting to see how a space draws out a different part of us; a light and bright space might encourage openness and a more welcoming approach, a dark and moody space may lead to looking inward and slowing down.

How do you balance beauty and function in your designs?

Everything we spec for a project has some kind of function, which may or may not be tangible. For instance, a curtain fabric might need to block out light and be able to withstand strong UV light. We will consider how that material will age and wear and opt for something which will stand the test of time whilst still looking beautiful.

Collectors often speak about art evoking emotional responses or stimulating memory and imagination. How do you design spaces that evoke specific emotional or sensory experiences akin to experiencing a powerful artwork?

It’s all about having moments of pause which allow a person to linger in a space for a moment longer. It might be putting a piece of artwork in a sightline as you walk into a property, or an unexpected trim detail on the edge of a lampshade, how a handle feels when you open the front door or the feel of a fabric when you relax on the sofa. All these moments elicit an emotional response and are an important consideration in every project.

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