LA-based interior designer Bobby Berk has joined Dezeen Awards 2024 as a judge. Here, he selects five projects that best reflect his work.
Berk is the founder of design studio Bobby Berk and defines the core ethos of his work as "compelling spaces that exist at the intersection of interior design and mental health".
"I believe that every space should feel like a true reflection of its inhabitants and utilise furnishings, materials, colours, and lighting that actively contribute to your mental well-being," Berk told Dezeen.
Having just won an Emmy award for Netflix show Queer Eye, the designer considers this recognition holds special significance, reflecting his passion for using design to enhance lives.
"I just won an Emmy award for Queer Eye!" said Berk. "I had previously been nominated four times, so it felt fantastic to win and to be honoured for something I feel so passionately about, which is using design to improve the lives of others."
"My firm has also won several Gold Nugget Awards for residential design, which also feels quite special since you are being honoured by other design professionals," he continued.
Last year, Berk released his first book, Right at Home: How Good Design Is Good For The Mind, which provides practical advice on setting up spaces to prioritise comfort, and style, to demonstrate how good design positively impacts mental wellness.
The designer is currently working on several residential projects in the US, including a renovation of a home in Palm Desert, California, as well as model housing communities for home developer Tri Pointe Homes in Las Vegas, Seattle, Charlotte, and Washington DC.
Berk among Dezeen Awards 2024 judges
Dezeen Awards 2024 launched last month in partnership with Bentley. On Monday we announced our third set of Dezeen Awards judges, including architects Keiji Ashizawa and Arjun Malik, and interior designers Justina Blakeney and Claudia Afsha.
Submit your entry by Wednesday 27 March to save 20 per cent on entry fees. Click here to find out more.
Read on to find Berk's views on the five projects that best represent the work of his studio:
Casa Tierra
"I started looking for a vacation home in the desert of Southern California when I stumbled upon this property.
"It was a secluded, Spanish-style estate with multiple buildings and expansive views of the wide-open landscape. This was my first time designing a vacation home and rental property, which had its own set of challenges.
"I created a captivating and calming desert escape by blending the original Spanish architecture of the 1970s home with organic modern details, global-inspired furnishings, and unique materials and textures."
Bobby Berk Headquarters
"My team had outgrown our previous office space – my old apartment in downtown Los Angeles – and I was looking for a new office that could function as a workspace, showroom, and locale for photoshoots and creating content.
"I discovered this 1970s home nestled in the hills near Lake Hollywood and it seemed like the perfect fit, as well as a unique design challenge. After a gut remodel, the new headquarters has proven to be indispensable for the entire team, and an inspiring place to work from.
"Sticking to the materials, colours, and elements that are my trademarks, I crafted a non-traditional workspace that brings together neutral tones and sculptural shapes for a pleasing new take on an office."
Los Feliz Traditional
"After becoming close friends whilst filming Queer Eye in Austin, actor Frieda Pinto and photographer Cory Tran reached out to me about designing their new home in LA.
"Drawing on a mix of influences and styles, I turned this 1950s traditional space into an eclectic and comfortable home.
"A cool colour palette of blues, greens, and lighter tones accentuates the classic architecture, while an array of patterns and natural textures connect to the client’s childhood growing up in India. It's a space that feels formal but not stuffy, elegant but inviting."
Las Vegas Sandalwood
"As part of the Sandalwood community by Tri Pointe Homes, this model home in Las Vegas takes a simple colour scheme of black and white and injects it with lots of personality and considered details.
"Strong linear shapes and black metal balance with soft textiles and warm wood tones, creating a home that combines bold moments with subtle surprises.
"I think black and white are incredibly chic and I love working with them. For this model home, I paired back the palette and embraced just black, white and grey tones for every room.
"This restraint made me and the team think even more closely about the small details and how to create interest by playing with material, texture and pattern – sometimes the best design comes from restricting yourself."
Las Vegas Highview
"A truly colourful take on bohemian design, this unique model home is part of the Highview community by Tri Pointe Homes.
"Normally, I don't gravitate towards bright, saturated colours in my interior projects but for this model home, I wanted an eye-catching shade to set the tone for my new collaboration of 10 design collections with Tri Pointe Homes.
"A brilliant shade of turquoise sets the tone for this interior, combined with wood tones, eclectic patterns, and natural textures for an uplifting space that is an instant mood booster.
"This home also had a smaller footprint and lower budget than previous projects, which added another challenge when furnishing the home."
Dezeen Awards 2024 in partnership with Bentley
Dezeen Awards is the ultimate accolade for architects and designers across the globe. The seventh edition of the annual awards programme is in partnership with Bentley as part of a wider collaboration to inspire, support and champion design excellence and showcase innovation that creates a better and more sustainable world. This ambition complements Bentley's architecture and design business initiatives, including the Bentley Home range of furnishings and real estate projects around the world.