Paul Archer Design

2024 has been all about celebrating Paul Archer Design’s 25th anniversary – and so it’s only fitting that the final issue of the year is dedicated to Spaces for Celebrating. Architecture has the power to define the way we live, and how we spend time and celebrate with the people we love. Putting together this issue, one thing that became apparent was just how different celebrations are for different people, and the importance of a designer understanding a client’s way of living to create spaces that can elevate life’s most important moments – whatever they are.

This understanding is expressed in the sheer diversity found in the PAD portfolio, from basement bars complete with disco balls and sunken lounges, to dining zones that seamlessly flow into outdoor entertaining areas. “Entertaining spaces are so personal and are so much more varied than they ever used to be,” says Emil Neumann, Director at PAD. “Some people want the focus to be an enormous kitchen with separate spaces for prepping, while others want a really theatrical bar. It’s all about personal expression.”

Each home designed by PAD is a narrative woven together from the client’s life, the history of the site, and how they envision living in the space – and it’s a story that begins from the moment of arrival, setting the scene and hinting at the kinds of experiences the home might offer. Richard Gill, Director at PAD, describes this as the “architectural joy” of a home that is designed for celebrating. “It’s something special and out of the ordinary,” he says. “It’s more generous, there’s more light, and it just flows better.”

In the spaces we gather, it’s essential to think about how architecture will impact our relationships. A dining table might introduce a formality to conversation, for example, while bench seating offers a more informal setting that invites a more casual ambiance, or a sunken lounge encourages more relaxed exchanges. “This is all spatial psychology,” says Paul Archer. “It’s the understanding of how a space changes the way we interact.”

Perhaps most importantly, our homes need to be spaces where we can celebrate not only the big milestones, but also the everyday. The homes by PAD that I explored for this issue epitomise this approach, imbuing daily life with moments of joy through subtle yet meaningful gestures – a thoughtful approach to the way light transforms a space, a pop of colour that brightens even the greyest of days, or a dining area that brings families together through considered bespoke furniture. 

This desire for spaces to adapt from everyday use to special occasions – and to different kinds of celebrations – also drives a need for flexibility. As one team member I spoke to put it, “We unfold different scenarios, to understand how the house will work in all situations.”

While celebrations happen in every home, it is undoubtedly true that spaces designed specifically to bring people together in various ways can transform our relationships and shape celebrations that will be remembered for a lifetime.

See the full issue of SPACES FOR CELEBRATING.