Space by Stansons

Guy Stanley

Welcome to Space by Stansons. Listen to raw, thought-provoking conversations with key players in the interiors industry, as we challenge conventional thinking towards aesthetics and sustainability. Most importantly our objective is to inspire designers to think holistically, creating spaces where people of today and the future, truly flourish.

  1. 1 Sept

    Why Good Design Is About Concept, Not Cost with Marta Gordiychuk

    ✨ Subscribe to Show Notes for more from Space by Stansons at https://www.stansons.co.uk/space ✨ This week on Space by Stansons, Guy heads to Paris with designer Marta Gordiychuk to explore how taste, emotion and honest material choices can shape spaces that feel memorable rather than simply functional. Marta shares why Paris is a place she returns to for inspiration and recharge, from its food and fashion to the way interiors combine beauty, simplicity and everyday experience. She reflects on the connection between environment and emotion, and why good workplace design should offer people something beyond the basic purpose of getting work done. The conversation also explores breakout spaces, materials, budget and the importance of a strong concept. Marta explains why a breakout area should feel like a genuine getaway for staff, how colour and shape can communicate an idea at almost any budget, and why designers should be honest with materials rather than imitate high-end finishes cheaply. From natural surfaces and organic forms to the balance of old and new found across Paris, the episode looks at how thoughtful design decisions create spaces with identity. Marta also shares how she protects the “heart” of a project: once the core concept is clear and understood by the wider team and client, other elements can flex without losing the idea that holds the design together. Whether you’re designing workplaces, leading a team or simply interested in how physical environments influence emotion, this episode offers practical insight into creating spaces that are honest, purposeful and full of character. In this episode: Why workplace design should offer more than the basic purpose of work.Creating breakout spaces that help people recharge and connect.Using colour and shape to create impact across different budgets.Why materials should be honest rather than imitate what they are not.Balancing heritage, modern design and natural forms within a clear concept.How protecting the core concept keeps a project coherent when details change.

    Why Good Design Is About Concept, Not Cost with Marta Gordiychuk
  2. 18 Aug

    Why every space needs a purpose with Daniel Martin

    ✨ Subscribe to Show Notes for more from Space by Stansons at https://www.stansons.co.uk/space ✨ This week on Space by Stansons, Guy sits down with Daniel Martin, Senior Designer at AIS, to explore why the best workplaces are designed with purpose rather than simply filled with features. Daniel shares how inspiration can come from anywhere, from Pinterest and Instagram to conversations with colleagues, and why a clear brief is essential to turning ideas into spaces that genuinely work. He reflects on the importance of giving every area a reason to exist, while still allowing a workplace enough room to breathe. The conversation also explores materials, changing design trends and the role of AI in the creative process. Daniel explains why technology can be a useful tool but still struggles to replace the human understanding, experience and decision-making behind great design. From Japanese wabi-sabi and timeless materials to dedicated video-call spaces and warmer colour palettes, the episode looks at how thoughtful choices can shape the way people feel and behave at work. Daniel also shares a memorable example of redesigning a waiting area around the needs of the people using it, reinforcing a simple principle that runs through the episode: good design should make things better. Whether you’re designing workplaces, leading a team or simply interested in how physical environments influence behaviour, this episode offers practical insight into creating spaces that are purposeful, considered and genuinely useful. In this episode: Designing spaces around purpose rather than filling every available area.Why a clear brief can save time, money and unnecessary design revisions.How materials, colour, lighting and sensory details influence how a space feels.Why AI can support designers without replacing human judgement and experience.The shift from overly flexible spaces towards areas designed for specific tasks.How good workplace design can improve comfort, behaviour and everyday experience.

    Why every space needs a purpose with Daniel Martin
  3. 4 Aug

    Designing offices that feel more human with Lizzie Hand

    ✨ Subscribe to Show Notes for more from Space by Stansons at https://www.stansons.co.uk/space ✨ This week on Space by Stansons, Guy visits Victoria Park with designer Lizzie Hand to explore how nature, creativity and thoughtful workplace design can shape the way people feel and work. Joined by Lizzie Hand of Thirdway, the conversation explores how natural light, sound, texture and even scent can bring a stronger sense of the outdoors into the workplace. Lizzie challenges familiar nature led trends such as moss walls and explains why successful design is less about filling an office with plants and more about creating an experience that feels natural and personal. As they walk through the park, Guy and Lizzie discuss collaboration without hierarchy, the importance of zoning quiet and energetic areas, and why practical details such as power, location and layout determine whether shared spaces are genuinely used. Lizzie also reflects on creativity, explaining why ideas often arrive when the pressure is off and how different people need different ways to decompress. Whether you’re designing workplaces, leading a team or simply interested in how physical environments affect creativity and wellbeing, this episode offers practical ideas for building spaces around the people who use them. In this episode: • Creative ways to bring nature indoors beyond plants and moss walls. • How natural light, sound, texture and scent shape the workplace experience. • Creating collaborative spaces without hierarchy. • Why zoning quiet, focused and energetic areas matters. • Designing around different ways people work and decompress. • Why the best ideas often arrive when the pressure is off.

    Designing offices that feel more human with Lizzie Hand
  4. 21 Jul

    The secret to design better conferences with Elliott Sparsis

    ✨ Subscribe to Show Notes for more from Space by Stansons at https://www.stansons.co.uk/space ✨ This week on Space by Stansons, Guy visits Together to explore how thoughtful design can completely transform the way people experience meetings, conferences and events. Joined by founder Elliott Sparsis, the conversation uncovers why Together sees itself as a hospitality business rather than a traditional venue. Elliott explains how every detail has been designed around the people using the space, from natural light, flexible layouts and seamless wayfinding to air quality, acoustics and food that keeps delegates energised throughout the day. As they tour the venue, Guy and Elliott discuss what it means to create a truly human-first environment, why wellbeing should be at the heart of workplace and event design, and how spaces that prioritise comfort and experience can lead to better conversations, stronger engagement and more meaningful connections. Whether you’re designing workplaces, planning events or simply interested in the relationship between people and space, this episode offers practical insights into the details that make the biggest difference. In this episode: Why Together operates more like a hospitality business than an event venue.Designing spaces around wellbeing, not just capacity.The role of natural light, air quality and acoustics in keeping people engaged.Why flexibility is essential for modern event spaces.How food, flow and thoughtful design shape the delegate experience.What it really means to be a human-first business.

    The secret to design better conferences with Elliott Sparsis

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Space by Stansons. Listen to raw, thought-provoking conversations with key players in the interiors industry, as we challenge conventional thinking towards aesthetics and sustainability. Most importantly our objective is to inspire designers to think holistically, creating spaces where people of today and the future, truly flourish.