Isabel Maria Andrade Silva -Nini- s-a nascut in Funchal (Insula Madeira, Portugalia), in anul 1962. A absolvit sectia de Design din cadrul Institutului de Arte Vizuale, Design si Marketing (IADE) din Lisabona, ocupandu-se in paralel de instruirea sa academica si profesionala, si peste hotare. A studiat si lucrat in New York, Londra, Africa de Sud si Danemarca. Nini Andrade Silva este un arhitect de talie internationala, foarte apreciat pe sectiunea de design si arhitectura de interior.
Realizarile sale au promovat Portugalia in randul celor mai mari designeri din lume. Ca rezultat al muncii sale, in iunie 2011, Nini Andrade Silva a fost distinsa cu titlul onorific de "Grau de Oficial da Ordem Ordem do Infante D. Henrique”, acordat de guvernul portughez pentru proiectele sale deosebite din tara natala dar si din strainatate.
In decembrie 2006, Nini a primit Premiul Award of Culture din partea presedintelui guvernului regional. Este, de asemenea, consultant international al IADE, ceea ce i-a adus un premiu pentru cariera - IADE CAREER AWARD 2010. De curand, Nini a fost numita Ambasador Cultural al orasului Guimarães 2012 – capitala culturala europeana in 2012.
Cateva din cele mai frumoase lucrari ale lui Nini Andrade Silva: Hotel Teatro, inaugurat in mai 2010 la Oporto - un omagiu adus lumii teatrului si actorilor interpreti. Acest proiect a castigat doua mari premii: Best Interior Design of Europe Award in cadrul International Property Awards in Londra (noiembrie 2010) si European Hotel Design Award.
Vine Hotel, cel mai fastuos hotel din Funchal, Insula Madeira, a fost castigatorul Marele Premiu European Property Awards (Londra) la sectiunea "design de interior" si a fost nominalizat la patru categorii de catre Design Hotels, fiind castigatorul de necontestat in categoria "best suit". Cu proiectul Vine Hotel, Atelierul Nini Andrade Silva a reprezentat Europa la International Property Awards in San Diego in noiembrie 2009, cea mai prestigioasa competitie de design din lume. De asemenea, proiectul Vine a fost nominalizat si la World Architecture Festival 09 (Barcelona).
Fontana Park Hotel din Lisabona a fost declarat castigator la categoria The Best Interior Design for Bedrooms and Bathrooms de catre juriul European Hotel Design Awards.
Revista Harrolds desemneaza hotelul Aquapura Douro Valley ca fiind unul din cele mai frumoase 100 hoteluri ale lumii, fiind inclus recent si in ghidul Tatler Guide 2009 care realizeaza top 101 hoteluri din lume.
Momentan, Nini este implicata in numeroare proiecte in mai multe tari: Columbia, Brazilia, India, Arabia Saudita, Cape Verde, Malaezia, Argentina si Austria. In paralel cu activitatea sa de arhitectura si design, Nini este si creatoarea unei linii de mobilier care este promovata la nivel international.
MOBILA & DESIGN INTERIOR:
2011 Ceramic Collection | 2011 Garota do Calhau Outdoor Collection | 2010 Costa Verde Collection | 2010 Garota do Calhau Collection | 2010 Garota do Calhau Outdoor Collection | 2010 Teatro Collection | 2009 Sensation Collection | 2008 Tamariz Collection | 2008 The Vine Collection | 2008 Fontana Collection | 2007 Aquapura Collection | 2006 Boxes Pebble Collection
PREMII:
2011 Interior Design & Architecture Awards 2011 | 2010 Best Interior Design from Europe (European & Africa Property Awards) | 2010 Best Interior Design from Portugal (European & Africa Property Awards) | 2010 Best Design Award (Malasian International Trade Fair) | 2009 Best Suite (Design Hotels Award) | 2009 World Architecture Festival, Barcelona | 2009 European Property Awards, San Diego, EUA
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Interviu cu Nini ANDRADE SILVA, martie 2012
What is a design hotel?
A Design Hotel is a Hotel that matches design, modernity and functionality! The design is a toolbox for large scale, with a complete look on the world and has a significant impact on crucial issues related to society, people, culture, communication, different forms of organization of space and time. A design hotel should be associated with innovation and the creation of new scenarios and solutions, this is our talent!
What are the differences between a design hotel and a „normal“ one?
I think in each project should be considered and studied the distinctive factors that determine it’s range, like its location, its size, the target audience and eventually (if applicable) a theme. As such, when you create a design hotel has to be taken into consideration, new and different ways to create each area and each piece. Because deep down, this is what defines the design ... to take the idea to its extreme measures, studying the best way in each individual piece, and 100% functional, completely fulfilling its role, but at the same time being a fantastic and unique piece. Obviously every project is a huge challenge for me and a huge responsibility, grabbing it with all my strength and dedicating myself completely regardless of size or function. Projects are always unique and very important!
Your projects include exhaustive designs from the building itself to furniture and interior design. How does a project evolve from the briefing stage to its delivery to the client? (I'm interested in details about the exchange of ideas between you and the client, the creative process behind the proposals, trying to adapt to the specific/exact needs of the client and project )?
Everything starts on the client’s briefing... From that stage to the creative process is a meanwhile! Although, I should say that it is very satisfactory when it is undergoing a design creation, the energy and satisfaction that it gives us. From the moment I am briefly in contact with the client, my imagination starts to fly, finding reference points in my life, in my travels, in different cultures for which I was aware over the years, and sometimes in small details. Sometimes even these tiny things that appears are the most daring and different ideas, resulting in wonderful projects.
Although a very creative job, being a hotel designer infers having to consider a large amount of uncreative mathematical variables (from humidity level in the building to safety rules). How do you see the mix between the two - creativity and practicality? Do you have to take down a notch your creativity in order to follow the rules?
Not really! As I said, design is exactly the right match between fashion and functionality! This is the challenge! I have to always be ahead of time, being this, I hardly use creativity and practicality in my projects. I am always in front of fashion, since the projects take at least two years to run and if you use what is in fashion, and by the time it is ready, it’s was no longer new. I like to create my fashion.
Do you think of yourself as being part of specific creative/architectural style?
Yes, I can say that my studio has its own style which is several times recognized as Ninimalist! I believe that it is essential to have my own style that everyone can identify and distinguish immediately my work.
A hotel is a home far from home. What is different between creating a house and a hotel? What's the same?
Every project is a huge challenge and a huge responsibility, grabbing it with all my strength and dedicating myself completely regardless of size or function. Design comes from the soul – what I feel about the place at that moment. This means that my emotion will be translated into designs, and it makes that bough projects are developed with the same commitment!
You are a Portuguese woman designing for Brasil, Columbia, India, Malaysia etc exposing in Milan, working with designers from all over the world, traveling. How do all these multicultural influences affect you?
Everything ultimately inspires me... The main influences in my career are everything which reaches the distinction! In the beginning of my career I had some different influences but, behind the years, experience means everything! I like the simple lines, comfort and total contrasts. I like to create the “WOW” to whoever enters the space created by me. I like a bit of fantasy and as art is a part of me, I try to put art in everything I do.
With few exceptions Romania doesn't express much through design. What would you say is the best starting point for creating a „design-oriented-culture“ both for architects/designers and the general audience?
Events like GIS 2012 are the right starting point.
You have lots and lots of prizes. Is ever an architect tempted to draw for prizes more than its audience?
Absolutely not! A Designer works always for the community! The feeling of seeing my work recognized is wonderful and as good as the feeling of the day when I get to see the work finished.When you win prizes such as the European Property Awards, the European Hotel Design Awards, to take part in The World Architecture Festival in Barcelona (short list) is undoubtedly a great pride and a moment of recognition and commitment throughout our work.
What will you be talking about at Romanian GIS Architecture Expo Conference?
About life and design...
