Following a commission for hip chip shop Kerbisher &
Malt in London’s Shepherd’s Bush, its portfolio blossomed and now spans
residential and commercial projects in New York, Paris and Puglia.
Founder Alexander Evangelou, 34, graduated from Middlesex University in 2004 in product design. “After learning of the processes and creative range one has, I was intrigued & mesmerised. I found myself drawn to furniture design and based my final year project around this, exhibiting at New Designers,” he says.
He was snapped up by king of restaurant revamps Martin Brudnizki, cutting his teeth in high-glamour style. After nearly seven years under Brudnizki’s wing, Evangelou set up AWI in 2011.
The company counts the Soho House Group and Selfridges among previous clients and has offices in Shoreditch and Manhattan. Now comprised of 10 designers, one financial manager and an office manager, the young team works to tight deadlines.
“I try to implement a relaxed and welcoming environment but demand the highest level of concentration and commitment,” says Evangelou. “I am strong believer of creating a work environment that gives back as much as you put in, work is 80-90 per cent of our lives so we must enjoy what we do. A happier staff member is a more creative, productive one thus excelling the company further
The firm has scooped numerous awards including a UK Restaurant & Bar Design Award and the American Hospitality Design Award for The Musket Room in New York. “I am very proud of The Musket Room as we were given the full backing of the team there to produce a design we felt married with their product. Likewise, I love the spaces we have completed at the Doyle Hotel in South Kensington. They are of a more sophisticated nature but still represent our DNA.”
Upcoming projects include a restaurant in New York for Michelin-star chef Guenter Seeger, “he is from Atlanta but heading to the Big Apple to open his first space”. There is also a “very top secret” restaurant concept for a Michelin group in the UK, opening later this year. Watch this space.
Founder Alexander Evangelou, 34, graduated from Middlesex University in 2004 in product design. “After learning of the processes and creative range one has, I was intrigued & mesmerised. I found myself drawn to furniture design and based my final year project around this, exhibiting at New Designers,” he says.
He was snapped up by king of restaurant revamps Martin Brudnizki, cutting his teeth in high-glamour style. After nearly seven years under Brudnizki’s wing, Evangelou set up AWI in 2011.
The company counts the Soho House Group and Selfridges among previous clients and has offices in Shoreditch and Manhattan. Now comprised of 10 designers, one financial manager and an office manager, the young team works to tight deadlines.
“I try to implement a relaxed and welcoming environment but demand the highest level of concentration and commitment,” says Evangelou. “I am strong believer of creating a work environment that gives back as much as you put in, work is 80-90 per cent of our lives so we must enjoy what we do. A happier staff member is a more creative, productive one thus excelling the company further
The firm has scooped numerous awards including a UK Restaurant & Bar Design Award and the American Hospitality Design Award for The Musket Room in New York. “I am very proud of The Musket Room as we were given the full backing of the team there to produce a design we felt married with their product. Likewise, I love the spaces we have completed at the Doyle Hotel in South Kensington. They are of a more sophisticated nature but still represent our DNA.”
Upcoming projects include a restaurant in New York for Michelin-star chef Guenter Seeger, “he is from Atlanta but heading to the Big Apple to open his first space”. There is also a “very top secret” restaurant concept for a Michelin group in the UK, opening later this year. Watch this space.
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