Why We Host

Bringing people together lies at the core of every project Universal embarks upon. Be it a building, interior, event or even a product, human connection is engrained with the company’s psyche. So why, through the art of hosting, is fostering such interaction so important to the studio’s creatives? “There’s a wonderful synergy between the team,” says Director Carly Sweeney. “We’re all interested in each other’s lives, and we really care for each other. In being a part of this we understand the positive benefits that such a community can bring and, within the spaces we create, we hope to translate this to others.”

In discussing the skill of hosting well and creating spaces that facilitate seamless interaction, the team reveals the secret lies in the art of subtlety. “I want everyone to feel comfortable and secure with a space that’s safe,” comments Universal’s Creative Director Ieva Kristapaviciute. “In my opinion, if the memory of an event is the positive interaction with friends or colleagues, and you haven’t really noticed the space, that means it has done exactly what it needs to do.” However, as subtle as it sounds, creating a space that emanates a quiet luxury with an intrinsic sensoriality is no easy feat. Through extreme care and attention to detail, coupled with a humble, human-centred approach, Universal is passionately refining the art of hosting.

Photography by Rowben Lantion.

Looking back over projects where sensitivity has been key, the team recalls the communal area within the former Ace Hotel in Shoreditch. With the central table placed to host a multitude of different interactions, from social gatherings, to work meetings or intimate dates, it became a hub of social success thanks to its shape, dimensions and materiality. “The way we designed that space felt very relevant to the area,” Carly explains.

Courtesy of the Ace Hotel.

With multiple connections taking place within a venue such as the Ace Hotel, it again highlights the importance of creating a unique experience that visitors wouldn’t find at home. “In drawing people to these spaces, you have to create something special,” Carly continues. “People don’t want to come to an anonymous space when they have the opportunity to stay in the comfort of their own home.”

When contemplating the art of hosting, ordinarily our minds connect it straight to the home – a space where we can entertain friends and family with a personal and individual approach. However, it is interesting to see how Universal are translating the language of hosting across to workplace environments. In one of its most recent projects, Norton Folgate - a series of office spaces in Bishopsgate owned by British Land, the team sought to create a convivial environment that once again facilitates a seamless hosting experience, catering for a vast array of occasions. “Employers are wanting their spaces to be more inviting for their employees and we took that into consideration when designing the interiors at Norton Folgate,” explains Senior Designer Charlotte Fitzgerald. “For instance, the room on the 13th floor that overlooks the city, we designed this to be utilised in multiple ways. Be it a board meeting, a business dinner or cocktail event, the room can adapt to the needs of the user at any point. Having this flexibility is key to the success of a workspace today and in layering a project through a sensorial design lens, even such as scent and sound within a workspace, it allows visitors to be hosted comfortably in a discreet and unobtrusive manner.”

Photography by Felix Speller.

In working with independent makers and creating bespoke commissions for the workspace, it also allows visitors to become immersed within a narrative that transcends the function of the interior itself. From handwoven curtains by Lara Pain that pay homage to the Hugenot silk weavers who originally inhabited the building to the timber tables by Lewis Kemmenoe that reference the original Arts and Crafts architecture, it is these distinct stories interlaced into the design of the interiors that set them apart. And, in doing so, visitors can feel grounded within the local area and become inspired to spark discussions around these conversation points.

When it comes to their own events, Carly goes on to say how this meticulous attention to detail is key. Recounting an event they hosted in partnership with Benchmark at Copenhagen’s 3DaysofDesign earlier this year, she says it all started with a location that was beautiful but not overwhelming. “The warehouse we found was a neutral space, so the focus is placed on the details such as flowers and food – the touch points that will get people talking, allowing them to feel like they’ve been hosted.” Aside from these details, she also comments how the seating plan was likely the most important point.

Photography by Direction Bureaux.

It's the generosity seen in Universal’s own events that mirrors the atmosphere the team hopes to create for others within the spaces they develop. And, while part of a collective effort, the purpose behind their work remains immensely personal.“I truly care about the people I work with and the spaces we create,” concludes Ieva. “And I think from this the impact is only positive as it radiates throughout the work we do. Translating it to others is extremely important to me.”

Photography by Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet.

In a world that can feel physically disjointed and fragmented, Universal’s work is a reminder to see the influence and impact our environments can have upon us. As spaces come and go, as buildings change, adapt and evolve, one thing remains eternal - the memories created with them. Be it unique, individual and different for all of us, the experiences and connections we make, enabled by the organic construction of the spaces around us, become the cornerstone of how we perceive them. And that sole factor remains the driver behind Universal’s approach to hosting – facilitating positive human connection that can uplift and enhance society on a collective and individual level.

— Words by Roddy Clarke