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WOD Feature: Amy Simpson, BDP

November 6, 2024

Following our recent Studio Tour at BDP in London, we caught up with Associate Interior Designer, Amy Simpson.

WOD: Let’s start off with your background and how you became involved with the workspace sector…

AS: I have always been a highly creative person and wanted to find a career that was a good balance of business, creativity human behaviours, technical knowledge (and much more!) interior architecture and design was the perfect path for me.

I took a two-year break to learn and practice Lighting Design which was actually my first exposure to the workplace sector. I was very much taken with how crucial Lighting, interior design and planning is in the workplace and enjoyed challenging the norm with clients to deliver something completely unique to encourage and enhance progression in the office environment.

WOD: Tell us more about your current role…

AS: As an Associate at BDP I do many different roles; designing and delivering projects with my incredibly talented colleagues, business development, and nurturing client relationships to name a few.

To keep building my skills and challenging my ideas for current, future clients and briefs, I tend to work across sectors however one of my main projects is in workplace which is major workplace refurbishment in central London.

I enjoy all parts of the design project process. We start off with in depth engagement workshops with key stakeholders to fully understand and envision the project pathway and ultimately the overarching interior look and feel of the project. From that we piece together the concept drivers to establish the narrative and inform the ‘golden thread’ of the design.

WOD: What are the key issues relevant to your client base at the moment?

AS: For me it’s the exciting bridge between the familiar ‘business as usual’ embarking on what feels like an accelerated journey into applying Ai tools on established working systems. It has been incredibly interesting to see and hear how clients are trialling new and much more efficient ways of working in their various industries for their own clients, and how we can possibly apply such methodology to our design practice and projects.

WOD: Can you provide some examples of recent projects or initiatives you have worked on? And tell us what makes them stand out to you…

AS: I’m excited to be working on various projects and initiatives now. We are working with a high-profile client in the Heritage sector on a complex refurbishment, using artefacts found on site to create an immersive exhibition, connecting visitors to the past through the interior design, and found materials on site are being reused where possible in bespoke materials, details and finishes.

Our current workplace refurbishment project is a proud example of sustainable reuse, whereby we are utilising around 70% of existing furniture in the new scheme. Much of the architectural scope factors existing materials avoiding demolition where possible, giving intelligent solutions to existing ceiling, glazing retention where possible.

I am also proud to be working with educational institutions, particularly London Metropolitan University, meeting and sharing my knowledge with students and understanding the next generation of makers and thinkers.

WOD: What are your thoughts about the role of women in our industry? Are there still barriers and ‘glass ceilings’? What changes are needed, if any, to support women in office design?

AS: After a decade in the construction industry, I am happy to see many more women collaborators out there than when I started. I feel the role of women, (and all) is to continue to set the best possible example to others as well as respecting and appreciating other people’s point of view, always. I try not to acknowledge and highlight barriers to others whether they are there or not, and instead take a much more optimistic perspective of focusing on mentoring, supporting and practising solid communication with those around me to help people fulfil their potential, and then some…

To learn more about BDP, click here. You can also connect with Amy on LinkedIn here.