Fernanda Scholz tells us how interior design and architecture fit together for perfect workplace projects…
Hi Fernanda, when we were arranging to meet for this interview, you mentioned that you have been in the interiors and fit out industry for 13 years. You must have seen so many changes in that time, not least because you originally qualified as an architect in Brazil!
That’s very true! I worked on a variety of commercial projects in Brazil, including restaurants and hotels and was very much architecturally focussed. But from these beginnings I began to see how interior design complemented the users’ experience – from the outside, interior design is seen as a “soft” skill that anyone can pick up after a quick scroll through Pinterest but in fact the way that people use a space is very much influenced by the environment that you bring them into.
With all this in mind, I decided to study for a master’s in interior design and I find I use both disciplines every day.
You do a lot of work in industrial and logistics settings; how does interior design fit into that sector?
Because my primary qualification is in architecture, our design team is always thinking about the practical needs of any project first and of course there are times where there is little “fancy” design needed, if say, we are looking at a straightforward mezzanine floor installation in a warehouse. But even then, every project starts with a consultation about how clients want to utilise their space so we use our interiors expertise to work through how things could work day-to-day.
So it’s all about adaptability then?
Very much so. And of course, some businesses are put off at the thought of “design” and talk of cushions and surface finishes, so the fact that our studio can pivot to a fully practical, architecture-led solution really pays off.
We have to ask you about the trends that you are seeing – what’s your take on the workspace of 2026?
People always talk about the rise of hybrid working and the various stages of Work From Home that have transitioned into “how do we get the team back into the office?” as the key trend, but for me, the most significant development is how respect and inclusion for colleagues has become an intrinsic part of our workspace design. From prayer rooms to wellness spaces and from sensory areas to parent and child zones, we are designing for so many scenarios. Just recently, we have created designs for parent spaces for UNICEF, wellness pods for DPD and a sensory room for ITN. You couldn’t get a more varied customer group but the core driver in each case was to genuinely make things easier for their teams.
How do you ensure that your studio stays current?
This is where great supplier relationships come in. Our Commercial Director, Scott Newland, has 30 years of experience around the furniture industry and he bridges the gap from Design to procurement and installation where furniture innovation is key. Some of the developments that have made projects so different for us recently have been centred on furniture, especially where privacy pods have been a game changer in awkward spaces.
It’s absolutely crucial for us to spend time with suppliers and this has given us other inspiration recently with the use of preserved plants and acoustic panels that look like pieces of art – we didn’t have any of this when I started out.