Our Place: a unique music-inspired installation for hotel design event HIX2024, inspired by a love of music and the creative forces around it. Visitors were invited to step into the Our Place listening bar, inspired by a Japanese kissa. First seen a century ago as a place for jazz aficionados, the concept has evolved and bars are now found worldwide. Each has its own character - small spaces, filled with vinyl & an excellent sound system. These elements were key to our concept, with a structure built from OSB engineered wood, one wall covered with gig flyers, another with a bar area, turntable and a stylised version of our logo, the F comprising 24 albums. Chosen for their music and their portrait cover designs, they inspired the strapline ‘Your Face / Our Place’.

While music is the inspiration, furniture & hospitality design are at the heart of the project, drawing on experience working with hotel, bar & restaurant operators over two decades. Our UK made bespoke furniture showcased sustainable, recyclable materials. OSB engineered wood was chosen for colour, texture & warmth - the recycled material creates a blank canvas for furniture, accessories & design details. We used Foresso for table tops - recycled material made from unavoidable waste material with minimal impact. Foresso has the feel of terrazzo & works well with the natural wood finishes of the stand & furniture.

Distinctive BlackCork seating is also sustainable - a sphere, stool & side chair made with expanded black cork. Easy to move, comfortable to sit on & looks fantastic. With specially-selected seating, including a bespoke bench & pebble stools, this was more than just an exhibition stand. The stools were upholstered in bouclé fabric & faux leather from Panaz & ILIV - this fun, informal seating could be moved easily to open up smaller conversations or join a larger one. This mirrors the flow of seating in a bar or lounge, so guests can make the stand their own. Visitors can take a seat & relax, have a drink & a chat, listen to music an&d catch up with colleagues, friends & contacts.

The palette of dark green, terracotta & cream was chosen to communicate an understated sense of midcentury modern and Japandi style plus a touch of luxury with tactile fabrics & finishes used. The campaign included specially-commissioned content looking at how music shapes our lives and sense of place.

The team and key suppliers created playlists of songs which meant something to them, to listen on the day or to stream. We invited guests to take a candid Polaroid snap, building engagement and interest on the stand, creating channels of communication for business partnerships following the event.

The concept reflects the creativity & connection that music brings - we loved welcoming guests to join us, share a drink & some sounds. We embrace the technology that transforms how we work, but this installation shows how much we gain spending time together in a space that fosters collaboration & creativity.