Shanth Fernando
Multi Story Thinking
Shanth Fernando is a Sri Lankan entrepreneur and chairman of the Paradise Road group of companies, which includes the Paradise Road homeware stores, The Gallery Café, and the TIntagel boutique hotel. The Paradise Road Stores feature homeware, serveware, décor, objets d’art, souvenirs and more. All products are curated and designed by Shanth Fernando. Locally made items are manufactured by independent craftspeople, ensuring a sustainable growth of the Sri Lankan art and craft industries. I met Shanth at the Gallery Cafe in Colombo with my partner Monica in October 2024 during a visit to Sri...
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Alicia Nelson and Jessica Long
Multi Story Thinking
Jessica Long and Alicia Nelson are the co-founders of interior design consultancy Nelson and Long; an award-winning independent design studio specialising in purpose-built student accommodation. With over 25 years of combined experience in the commercial sector, their extensive expertise allows them to craft inclusive, engaging, and unique interiors with a sense of home and well-being at the heart. Nelson and Long are based near Manchester in the UK. I spoke to Jessica and Alicia via Zoom in February 2025. In this episode, we discover how the folding of their employer during the...
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Annika Fernando
Multi Story Thinking
Annika Fernando is a retailer and interior designer based in Sri Lanka. She runs Annika Fernando Design, a multi-disciplinary practice in Colombo, Sri Lanka specialising in interior design and decorating for residential, boutique hotels and unique & select hospitality projects. And is the owner of PR, a boutique selling clothing, jewelry, accessories, natural bath products, and gift and small homeware items. I met Annika in person at her Colombo studio in October 2024. In this episode we discover how a fascination with science has influenced her approach and methods. The importance...
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Ben Rousseau
Multi Story Thinking
Ben Rousseau is the owner and founder of Ben Rousseau Studio, an award-winning British design house based in Brighton, UK. He works across the interior sectors with a particular focus on lighting with projects combining art, technology, and functionality, that reflect his passion for design, light, and time. I interviewed Ben just before Christmas in December 2024. In this episode we discover how a side line in DJing at dingy nightclubs prompted experimentation with lights and light effects. Ben’s journey from creating illuminated furniture to developing unique timepieces that redefine...
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Asheni Alwis from The Woodberry House
Multi Story Thinking
Asheni Alwis is an interior designer based in Columbo, Sri Lanka and founder and head of design of The Woodbury House. Described as an Experience Centre, The Woodberry House showcases design ideas and settings to help clients visualise how they can create their dream space. The spaces combines interior, furniture, and accessories which combine traditional Sri Lankan craft and production techniques alongside contemporary and innovative design approaches. I met Asheni during a visit to Sri Lanka with my partner Monica in October 2024 as part of a Flying Faculty visit to teach...
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Thushar Jayamanne and Lakshinie Rathnapala from Talk Design Studios
Multi Story Thinking
Thushar Jayamanne and Lakshinie Rathnapala run Talk Design Studios which is a Sri Lankan architectural and interior design consultancy based in Colombo, Together they lead a dynamic team of associate architects, interior designers, furniture designers, technicians, and experienced consultants, working across the residential and commercial design sectors. I interviewed them during a visit to Sri Lanka in 2022 when I was teaching at the NSBM Green University as part of the academic partnerships program with the University of Plymouth. In this episode, we discover the importance of integrating...
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Simon Hamilton-GATEway Project
Multi Story Thinking
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Migette Kaup
Multi Story Thinking
Migette Kaup, Ph.D., is a Professor and Director of Interior Design in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Kansas State University. She also serves as the Coordinator of Aging Research and Graduate Studies for the K-State Center on Aging. As a designer and gerontologist, her research is focused on aging and environmental relationships. She uses organisational culture and long-term care policy structures as a lens to understand place-type practices and to investigate progressive changes occurring in nursing homes. I spoke to Migette in January 2023 via Zoom. In this episode,...
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Sharon Simpson
Multi Story Thinking
Sharon Simpson is an interior and home decor designer, public speaker, and photographer She founded her design company, Dark Romantix Design Studio, after studying at The Interior Design School, in London. The business has evolved with a recent name change to Sharon Simpson Studio, which reflects her growing confidence and the wider appeal of her design services offer. She is a member of the British Institute of Interior Design and a key member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee and has taken part in design talks as part of Clerkenwell Design Week in London. In this episode, we...
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Gus Zogolovitch
Multi Story Thinking
Gus Zogolovitch is a property developer and founder of Unboxed Homes, whose aim is to help people build their own homes and to find ways to make it easier. Gus is on a mission to change new builds in the UK. His aim is to build homes to be great quality, brilliantly designed, tailored to a customer's needs and most importantly, they should represent good value for money. Their Blenheim Grove development in Peckham, South London, has won the BuildIt Award for Best Custom Build Project, the Silver Award for London Design Awards 2021, as well as made the shortlist for the Telegraph's...
info_outlineNaomi Cleaver is an interior designer, television presenter, and writer active in a broad range of sectors and specialising in communal living.
Her work includes groundbreaking designs for student accommodation, co-Living, and co-working schemes across the UK. She combines a theatrical approach to shaping spaces alongside a deep understanding of the emotional and psychological impact of her work.
In this episode, we discover the importance of integrating student communities into the wider community.
Why you need to think like the client and how Naomi’s role within projects has shifted.
The challenges of designing for young people and how to create a sense of ownership and belonging
Why universities and accommodation providers need to adapt to the changing landscape of learning
And we discover what may be the next black
Links
All Together Now: The co-living and co-working revolution
https://www.ribabooks.com/All-Together-Now-The-co-living-and-co-working-revolution_9781859468982
The Class Foundation
https://www.theclassfoundation.com/
How to be a kick-ass Interior Designer.
Come and join us on the Interior Design BA(Hons) course at the University of Plymouth.
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-interior-design
Thanks to
Dave Clarke from @iamthehow (http://www.iamthehow.com) for production support and invaluable advice in the setting up of this Podcast.
Kay Hanson (https://www.instagram.com/kay_v_hanson/) for her planning support and co-hosting for these and our educational podcasts for the University of Plymouth
Mark Frith (https://www.instagram.com/fritzthekat/) for composing the music and all your support and advice along the way.
I’d really like to hear feedback on the podcast. Leave a comment or get in touch via the website or Instagram.
Website
https://www.instagram.com/forster_jonathan/
http://www.multistorythinking.com/contact
Thanks for listening. Bye for now.