Winner of the Emerging Design Professional category at the 2019 Interior Awards, Kristen Basra, founded Spatial Studio three years ago. Judges noted that she had “tenacity, passion for the industry and an innate understanding of the commercial imperatives of her work”, which helped her stand out from the other highly competent entrants.

Basra finished university five years ago, and since creating Spatial Studio has worked on projects such as the fitout for Archant’s showroom space in Parnell and APT Innovations’ Home Ideas Centre. She says of her design ethos that she aims to “create a poetic description to [the] interiors through dichotomies – a division of contrasting elements – which seamlessly work together. There needs to be a balance of substance versus weight, colour versus white on black, texture versus smooth.”

Full jury citation:

In a particularly strong and highly contested category, Kristen came to the fore, thanks to a combination of tenacity, passion for the industry and an innate understanding of the commercial imperatives of her work. Throughout her nascent career, Kristen has displayed a quietly driven attitude that has seen her: launch her own interior design business; develop a wide-ranging portfolio; employ full-time, in-house staff; and maintain all this momentum while becoming a mother for the first time.

Kristen’s description of her designs for the Archant showroom hinted at a certain stylistic maturity while, at the same time, understanding her place within the client’s vision. She is definitely one to watch.

See Kristen’s winning presentation here:

See the full list of winners from the 2019 Interior Awards here.

Purchase your copy of the June 2019 issue of Interior magazine here for extended Awards coverage.

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