In this episode of the OLISE Podcast, Bilen sits down with award-winning architect and interior designer Natalia Miyar for a candid and deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and a decade of building one of London's most distinctive design studios. Natalia shares her unconventional path into architecture, a journey that began in Mexico City, moved through Miami, and led her to London, where she has now spent almost twenty years. She speaks openly about the naivety of starting her own studio, the toughest lessons of the first few years, and why she believes happiness, like resilience, is ultimately a choice. The conversation explores her award-winning hospitality project, The 22 in Grosvenor Square, her instinctive, sensory approach to design, and the deeply personal realisation that women, particularly first-born daughters, are often conditioned to please rather than protect their own peace. Natalia also opens up about leadership, friendship, and what she has learned about giving herself grace, sharing how a decade of running her own business, through a pandemic, Brexit, and constant change, has shaped both her studio and the woman she has become. This episode is a celebration of patience, self-awareness, and the quiet confidence that comes from a decade of showing up. In this episode: From Mexico City to Miami to London, an unconventional path into architectureBuilding a design studio from scratch, and the naivety of the early yearsInside The 22, an immersive hospitality project in Grosvenor SquareDesigning through the senses, scent, texture, light and atmosphereWhy women are conditioned to please, and what it means to unlearn itLeadership built on transparency and bringing your team into the visionSelf-care, silence, and the discipline of switching offA decade of resilience, through a pandemic, Brexit and constant changeWhy happiness is a choice, and failure is simply a lessonAdvice for the next generation of designers and architectsHeadline Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Calibre Climate, specialists in bespoke climate control for high-end homes. Calibre Climate works closely with architects and interior designers to deliver quiet, beautifully integrated air conditioning solutions, creating environments that feel effortless, balanced, and considered. https://www.calibreclimate.com/ Perfect for: Architects, interior designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone interested in resilience, leadership, and building a design business with longevity and purpose. Listen & Watch: Full video available on YouTube Audio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms Guest Links: Natalia Miyar Studio https://www.nataliamiyar.com/ Natalia Miyar https://www.instagram.com/nataliamiyar/ Follow OLISE Magazine: Website: https://olisemagazine.com Instagram: @olisemagazine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/olise-magazine/
