96 | Harnessing design passion Key to an amazing design outcome is to work closely with clients from the get-go. Kanat Studio T T Sue Russell DESIGN While from very different backgrounds, Kanat Studio directors Kate Pilot and Natalia Glucina share a singular passion for interior design. Their Karangahape Road, Central Auckland studio is a melting pot of ideas, visions and inspirations they draw on collaboratively to create thoughtful engaging design environments for their clients. Kate says it is their love of their clients and their investment in creating special spaces for them that underpins the culture and methodologies they apply to each brief, regardless of its size, situation or intent. “We certainly don’t prescribe to a rigid set of rules or a singular style. We encourage a desire for the unique, an appreciation of quality and an enthusiasm for unearthing those bespoke details that truly express their identity,” Kate explains. Key to an amazing design outcome is to work closely with clients from the get-go. Understanding how they live and work is important to ensuring the design is functional. It’s about creating special spaces that link and work together to enhance a client’s day to day living. “Great interiors should be a reflection of the client and their lifestyle. Good design creates a sense of ease, both in the process and end result. It enhances the experience of space and makes it a joy to inhabit.” In this year’s prestigious Australasian Dulux Colour Awards, Kanat Studio were selected as a finalist in the Residential Interior category, one of only two New Zealand based studios to be chosen. Asked to give some background to ‘The Tea House’ entry Kate says the concept grew very much around the mother of the client who is living with dementia. “She had been living in Australia and couldn’t live there on her own anymore so my clients wanted to have her close but create her own space by building a second dwelling at their Auckland property.” The project involved a great deal of research as to the needs of someone with dementia which, Kate says, informed a lot of their initial concept. “We looked at familiarity, material clarity in an architectural sense and wandering paths that all play an important role for people living with dementia. As for colour, the red posts and veranda layout was very similar to where she lived before and with the other colours we wanted to create an environment that was relatable but improved the feeling of wellbeing. Stark white was avoided, staying with warm and calm hues.” Guiding the outside landscaping was the desire to reflect the green rainforest environment she had lived in, with lush gardening around the home to create more of a secluded feel. “The garden and gardening are important and she enjoys caring for a little piece of land, in the process maintaining her autonomy, allowing her to stay independent for longer.” Since establishing in 2021 Kate and Natalia’s flair and captivating approach to design has been recognised within the industry, with several awards and citations, including 2023 RED Awards category winner, 2022 Best Design Awards silver winner and 2022 Home Magazine Interior Design Excellent Award winner, to name a few. Both Natalia and Kate feel design is a conversation between themselves, their clients and the spaces they create together. “Each project has its unique character, process and outcome and that makes it a really exciting place to be in. “Both Natalia and I gain great energy from collaborating our thoughts, ideals and values into every design brief we undertake. “It’s an extremely positive industry to be a part of.”
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