ART4D HAD A CONVERSATION WITH VAIR, A THAI INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO ABOUT THE STUDIO’S IDENTITY AND CONVICTION TO CREATE UNIQUE DESIGNS AND BREAK CONVENTION WITH MATERIAL AND DETAILS

TEXT: PRATCHAYAPOL LERTWICHA
PHOTO COURTESY OF VAIR EXCEPT AS NOTED

(For Thai, press here)

At the globally renowned Restaurant & Bar Design Awards held in London in 2023, a Thai interior designer won big in the Standalone category. Crowned the winner of the Asia-Standalone category at the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards is the design of the restaurant, FUEGO, by Benyapa Sirisopon, the founder of the interior design studio, VAIR.

VAIR’s track record spans over a decade and has amassed numerous international accolades. While luxury, sophistication, and meticulous attention to detail are the apparent qualities in VAIR’s works, the depth and backstory behind the pristine, stunning designs reveal the studio’s intention to meticulously craft each project to possess and convey its own unique character. It’s the kind of endeavor that reflects a dedication to excellence and a commitment to exploring new concepts, materials, and details outside of conventional frameworks.

Beyond these elements, what Benyapa Sirisopon and her team consistently prioritize in their work is the relaxed atmosphere inside the common area of one of the condominiums that VAIR designed. Sitting down together, the designer shares insights into her identity, the studio’s stories, and its evolving body of work.

art4d: What do you believe makes good interior design? 

Benyapa Sirisopon: There are numerous elements to good interior design. First and foremost, I believe that effective interior design must cater to the needs of the individuals present in that space, addressing and fulfilling what they desire. Secondly, good interior design should start with the space itself, meaning the space must be of high quality. Then, we incorporate characters and elements that align with each client’s preferences. Certainly, there are different aspects of material selection involved, which is fundamentally important. The most significant aspect for me is that I believe good interior design has to be unique, something crafted specifically for that particular place, for certain people, or a specific establishment, ensuring that it distinguishes itself from others.

art4d: How did you first become interested in interior design? 

BS:  I think my passion for interior design started way back when I was a child, long before I even knew the term ‘interior design.’ It was about the joy of decorating my home when I was a kid. I was always thinking, “Would this chair look good here? What if we moved the table over there?” I’ve always had a love for visiting and exploring beautiful villages and stunningly designed hotels.

Growing up, my mother worked as a wedding dress designer, which exposed me to the world of beauty and aesthetics. Meanwhile, my  father designed our family home. This is why the house I grew up in has such vibrant spaces, with a yellow ceiling, red stairs, and a bold red floor. With my father’s artistic touch, it seems that artistic inclination has been passed down to me. When it came time to choose a field of study, I opted for industrial design at the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University. After graduation, I delved into the world of interior design, working at a company with branches across various countries for around eight years before taking the plunge and establishing my own company. It’s been about a decade since then.

art4d: How did you transition from studying industrial design to working in interior design? 

BS:  During my time studying in the Industrial Design program (ID), I studied interior design, graphic design, marketing, and textiles. I think I did particularly well with interior design, and the awards I received during my studies primarily came from interior design projects. The ID program taught me to have a holistic view, as in, I was taught to design a counter that would stand out if i used a product design way of thinking. I got to learn about marketing and branding, which are instrumental when I collaborate with developers or when I design homes and various establishments. I’m able to incorporate each client’s character into my design and create a strong, cohesive story.

art4d: What prompted you to start your own office, VAIR? 

BS:  There were numerous reasons behind that decision. I had been working at the previous company for about eight years, and I was content there. It was like a second home to me. But I felt the urge to explore and do something of my own. Initially, my plan was to design my own house, and I wanted to dedicate my time to it. However, as fate would have it, opportunities arose. Developers offered me a chance to design small showrooms. I executed it with finesse. Positive feedback followed, leading to more projects. Regarding the name VAIR, I was looking for something unique that reflected my own style of interior design.

art4d: How would you define the design direction of VAIR? 

BS:  I consider our work a blend of artistic, natural, and futuristic elements. Each design stands out as a unique entity, incorporating elements like natural lines, patterns, and silhouettes and experimenting with new materials or details. 

But when I work on a project, I always integrate each client’s character and personality. For instance, in designing a single-family home, I start by studying the homeowner’s lifestyle and preferences. Each project is tailored for a specific client, so the houses I’ve designed are never the same. The approach applies to working with developers, where I base a design on the concept of each specific project.

art4d: What types of projects do you usually work on? 

BS:  I mainly specialize in residential projects, designing lobby spaces and restaurants. But I’m open to all kinds of work, such as retail.

art4d: Could you share a bit about a project you particularly enjoyed, one that reflects your personal style? 

BS:  I love all our projects, but if I had to choose, it would be FUEGO, the restaurant. The project was chosen as the winner in the Asia-Standalone category of the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. FUEGO translates to ‘fire’ in Spanish. The restaurant is a fusion of Spanish and Japanese cuisine, so rather than opting for a design that conveys purely Spanish or Japanese interior design, I chose to base the design on the unique characteristics of the food. Their dishes are made of fresh ingredients such as raw fish. I chose the wood that showcases its real surfaces, demonstrating the truth-to-material elements arranged in a flame-like pattern. I asked an artist to design the smoke-like pattern of the black tiles. The tile color resembles the smoke coming from when the food is being cooked. The seating area has a distinctive curved structure that is reminiscent of Spanish food culture as well.

Another project is a room designed to store and display Van Cleef & Arpels’s FONTAINE AUX OISEAUX AUTOMATION. With the piece’s character of two birds perched on a water basin, I designed the space to resemble the legendary Himaphan forest, paying attention to details such as color, patterns, and carpet design. Fabric and wire were used on the ceiling to create an intricate coil-like pattern, enhanced with the color, which is a mix of navy blue and turquoise to render the surreal look.

art4d: How do you strike a balance between maintaining your own style and approach to design and responding to your clients’ needs? 

BS: I believe that my experiences and the works I’ve created over the years have developed into a distinctive style, essentially becoming my signature. I see this as incredibly important because clients who approach me already appreciate my work to a certain extent. My responsibility is to find their preferences—at times, things that they like at an instinctive level—and combine them to create something entirely new. I think this is the way to produce truly unique works.

This is the crux of it all. In reality, I could stick to the same formula that I know will be successful over and over, but I don’t want that. Each project is time-consuming, from the initial discussions to completion. The time I spend on creating each work is precious time in my life, so I want each project to be not just good but distinctive in and of itself.

art4d: What do you consider the most challenging aspect of the design process?

BS: The pressure not to compromise the quality of my work is a significant challenge. Once you’ve produced a successful work, the next one has to match or exceed those standards. This constant challenge is something every designer faces in maintaining those benchmarks.

art4d: How do you envision the future of VAIR?

BS: I want more people to know more about VAIR, gradually over time. When they hear the name VAIR, I want them to instantly associate it with the unique style of our interior design. Another thing I have envisioned involves my team. I aspire to have a team, what I call the ‘House of VAIR,’ where everyone feels like they’re at home, enjoying their work and creating art in the realm of interior design together. I aim for people to remember and appreciate the works we have created and will continue to create for a long time to come.

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