As a Senior Interior Designer within our residential interiors team, Bonnie Guo tells us about her approach to design and some of the projects she’s currently working on.
You joined Carr in March 2022. How’s the journey been so far?
I feel thankful to work with an incredible group of colleagues. To experience new ways of approaching design within the studio environment means I am constantly learning.
I also came into interior design with a background in urban planning. I have always been interested in the idea of placemaking and now I’m fortunate to be actively involved in the design and creation of a fundamental space within a person’s life – their home!
Design always has its challenges, but exchanging ideas and exploring new materials and technologies in the pursuit of great design is a privilege.
What have you enjoyed most about being at Carr? Can you share some highlights?
I appreciate the contemporary and refined design approach at Carr – the language is restrained, detailed and timeless.
One of the first projects I worked on at Carr was Aurora for Royal Far West in Manly, New South Wales. The project has given me an appreciation for the honesty of materiality and taught me how to pare back when needed without compromising on function.
What drew you to practice within the residential interiors sector? Particularly on multi-residential projects.
I have a fascination with how the design of homes can have such a strong impact on our psychology and behaviour. Concerning multi-residential development, I think it is universally acknowledged that they are a necessary alternative to urban sprawl. Our role as designers is to reframe the way people think about apartments, so the conversation becomes more focused on design rather than density.
People should be able to live near amenities, green spaces and public transport. But also live in a home that has been designed in a meaningful way, which offers a calm respite from the outside world.
Besides design, where do you draw inspiration?
Outside of design, my inspiration often comes from art. There is a strong connection between art and design as they share fundamental creative principles of colour, contrast, line, balance, and scale.
Similar to art, good design strives to convey a narrative to evoke an emotional response from the user or viewer. And like artists, I think designers aim to create work that is relevant, reflective of the human experience, and have a high degree of aesthetic interest. Art, like design, keeps me curious, challenges my perceptions and expands my view of the world.
You have worked on multi-residential projects in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. How do you find designing in different cities?
I’m always learning new things as I continue to work in different places and be conscious of shifting contexts.
My perceptions and understanding of the differences and similarities in what people value is another key consideration. How they relate to their surroundings, and how in turn, their surroundings influence their behaviour is such an important component of our work.
I’ve also enjoyed getting to know interstate clients and tapping into their knowledge of the local markets. There is a wealth of interesting and meaningful design throughout Australia, and it has been wonderful to be part of the design community making it happen.
Amid the busy project schedules, how do you maintain a measured and organised workflow?
I love a good list! I keep a to-do list for different purposes to stay calm and remain organised. I try to structure my day efficiently and focus on one task at a time but I also feel that it is important to take a step back and keep some perspective – there’s always tomorrow. I’ve also learnt to appreciate the process, even if it occasionally feels bustling!
Tell us about some projects you’ve worked on and what’s in the pipeline.
I’ve been fortunate to have worked on some incredible projects – Aurora for Royal Far West in Manly, The Cambium in Red Hill, Victoria, and currently working on two exciting Queensland developments called The Windermere, in Ascot, and Teneriffe Banks
The Queensland projects are different scales with The Windermere being a boutique high-end apartment offering where we’ve worked very collaboratively with the client, and Teneriffe Banks is a large mixed commercial precinct consisting of multiple towers, which has allowed me to approach design more holistically and within a larger team.
Read Director Richard Beel’s insight into the Queensland property market.
