November Summary

This month has been a rollercoaster for the SKM team to say the least!

Firstly, it is with a heavy heart that SKM Design must say goodbye to one of its directing partners, Kiran Munde, who leaves us to start a new life in Australia. She has been a fundamental part of the practice from the beginning, not only with building it up and driving it forward but also as a bubbly, energetic personality who will be sorely missed in the office. Kiran’s enthusiasm and passion for architecture has been inspirational to those who have subsequently joined our team. We send her our love and wish her the absolute best for the future.

With regards to our involvement in the Golden Mile Shop Front Improvement Scheme, we have successfully completed Anokhi House of Sarees’ brand new signage on Belgrave Road ready for Diwali on 13^th November. It has received plenty of attention and positive feedback from the local community, council and media. Click below to read an LCC article, and check out our website for photos!

http://news.leicester.gov.uk/newsArchiveDetail.aspx?Id=1814

Also new this month is the introduction of our brand new logo, designed and created in-house by our graphic designer Vandana. Give her a shout for any graphics requirements you may have! That's all for now, more updates in December.

Grand Designs 2012

The Interiors team were at the Grand Designs exhibition on 12th October, not only rubbing shoulders with Kevin McCloud and the Restoration Man but also sourcing a few products for the Milton Keynes hotel project. They also picked up some exciting new product literature and a handy tote bag for Sarju to transport samples and swatches for her client visits!

40 years for Ugandan Asians

On 5th October, Sanjay Mistry, Sarju Lad and Vandana Soma attended an event at New Walk Museum by invitation from Dharmesh Lakhani, chairman of the Belgrave Business Association. This was the reception evening marking the 40th anniversary of the arrival and achievements of Ugandan Asians in Leicester and their contribution to the city.

The exhibition was a fascinating trip down memory lane for those who were around at the time! For those who came into the world in the 80s onwards, it was fascinating nonetheless. Photos of the Belgrave Road area during the 70s showed just how much the area has developed over the years, along with personal mementos of local Ugandan Asians kindly sharing their lives, journeys and experiences.

We at SKM Design hope to soon contribute to the new wave of regeneration for the area through our work with Leicester City Council.

 

Above: the speakers for the evening.

Above: looking towards Bobby's and the Macdonald Road corner, and what is now the Belgrave Commercial Centre circa 1976.

Bombay Wok (Mansah Lounge)

Here is a sneak peek of the new Bombay Wok buffet restaurant (previously Mansah Lounge) that our interiors team are working on. The bespoke frosted glass balustrading has been installed and adds not only a touch of elegance but also provides privacy for diners seated on the mezzanine level.

September

We've had an amazing summer of sport with the Olympics and Paralympics on our home soil, and a few final days of good weather in Leicester! Now we are just wondering how long we can hold out before we are forced to give in and put the heating on...

In other news, September proudly marked the 1st birthday of SKM Interiors! The business has gone from strength to strength since incorporation, undertaking the Shreeji Dham Haveli project (converting the old Royale Cars showroom on Melton Road), the Belgrave Road shop signage projects and a number of large-scale residential jobs.

Current works include Bombay Wok/Mansah Lounge in Syston and hotel refurbishments in Milton Keynes and Oxford, for which we'll have more updates soon...

Start of August

Hope you're enjoying the Olympics, we certainly try to catch up with events every lunchtime. There were mixed feelings in the office about the opening ceremony, however. What did you think?

We've had a few staff changes recently and sadly say goodbye to two fantastic placement students who return to uni to complete their Part 2 Architecture qualifications. We wish them all the best and hopefully see them here again in the near future; they will be missed! We welcome on board three placement students; two who are back for second placements and one new face for SKM Interiors.

We have picked up hotel projects in Oxford and Milton Keynes, the latter which is undergoing a speedy refurbishment of kitchen and dining facilities to be ready in time for a mid-August wedding. Interiors projects are moving along well with specialist balustrading being installed at Bombay Wok in Syston. The Interiors office is brimming with wallpaper samples, swatches and colours at the moment!

Congratulations to...

...our very own Minal Patel who has worked extremely hard for her architectural studies, impressed at final interview and become our fourth architect! Now she has plenty more responsibilities to take on but we have every confidence in her.

July News

Some of the SKM team were lucky enough to nip out of the office and glimpse the Olympic Torch making its way down London Road on 2nd July.




 Below: transferring the flame to the next torchbearer.