With higher wealth comes a greater desire for sophistication. Ultra high-net-worth-individuals in China and globally have exceptionally high standards, this is a common trait amongst APERTUS clientele who value their private charter experience. APERTUS has worked with many clients to match them to the jets which best suit their needs and preferences over the years, many of whom seek comfort and smart interior designs.
Thus we ask, when it comes to the interior design of their private jets, what do the individuals who fly with APERTUS actually want?
Today we have the privilege to talk to Chris Godfrey, Global Principal, HBA Residential, about his experience and expertise on designing private jets for some of the world’s ultra-rich.
An award-winning architect and interior designer with over 25 years’ experience, Chris designs prime residences, private villas, penthouses, luxury apartments, as well as private jets, for some of the most distinguished Chinese and international individuals and families.
APERTUS is glad to introduce Chris Godfrey, HBA Residential, and their potential contributions to your high-flying experience.
1. Tell us about HBA Residential. Why and how did you found it?
HBA Residential is Hirsch Bedner Associates’ highly specialised boutique brand and global team that provides exquisite residential architecture and interiors for their clients’ private villas, penthouses, luxury apartments and residences around the world.
In 2014, I was given the opportunity to set up the residential division of HBA, thanks to our similar appreciation for excellence in design and a joint aspiration of creating unique offerings. On a personal level, the set-up of HBA Residential was a perfect vehicle to satisfy my ambitions in the East; before that, I was based in London, working with private clients mostly based out of Europe.
Today, HBA is the world’s biggest and leading hospitality interior design firm, with over 1,400 designers around the globe in 24 offices in nearly every major city. HBA Residential can leverage on HBA’s solid experience and reputation in the interior design world in both the East and the West.
In forming HBA Residential, myself and HBA have combined our skills in interior design, architecture, FFE (furniture, fixtures and equipment), and our knowledge in infrastructure, resourcing and management. Having such a range of skills enables us great scalability and flexibility to design for select private clients in different geographies around the world. We “craft luxury” on both individual and holistic levels, which results in exceptional, one-of-a-kind spaces that are highly tailored to each person’s preferences, from designing a single chair to a 40,000 sq ft private home.
2. Who are your typical clients?
Our private clients share a similar appreciation for the value of good design. And through a cultivated symbiosis between the architecture and the interiors, we are able to deliver exceptional, one-of-a-kind spaces that are highly tailored to each person’s preferences.
But, generally we don’t have typical clients. We look for unique people to create unique projects for. This is always the joy of design for me.
We enjoy and are invigorated by the challenge of aiming to create something truly unique, exude personality, heart and soul, is a reflection of our clients’ needs, while also developing and nurturing good craftmanship at the same time.
Our projects genuinely range and vary, from clients’ private villas, residences, penthouses, private clubhouses, private members clubs and equestrian facility clubs to yachts and private jets.
3. HBA Residential primarily focuses on designing private residences. How did the private jet project come about? Tell us more about this project.
A number of our clients like to have consistency in the design of all their global physical assets. We were given the opportunity to design a private jet for a client for whom we have previously designed many projects, including his private residences, private offices, and other facilities. And it was important for this client that we understood their lifestyles and requirements and blended their idiosyncrasies to the interior of their private jet.
For me, as a designer, it’s also hugely beneficial and rewarding to develop close relationships with our private clients, and gain a detailed understanding of their tastes, needs and aspirations, so that we can successfully advise and realise their design ambitions across different typologies, geographies and scales.
4. How different is the experience of designing a jet to that of designing a luxury residence?
There are far greater restrictions in designing a jet due to limited space, configuration, materiality and all the technical requirements. Hence the opportunity for uniqueness is limited when it comes to designing a jet as opposed to designing a residence.
Having said that, to a designer, constraints offer focus as well. The opportunities a project like this presents are to be inventive. We need to be very selective, precise and detail-oriented. For instance, through the design language we built together with the client on our previous projects, we brought specific colors forward, including a blue that has become the family color. It’s very subtle but adds personality and personifies the DNA that runs through all of the client’s global physical assets and spaces in the private jet.
5. What are distinct challenges in designing a private jet project, particularly during a Global pandemic? How did you overcome these?
Certainly, trying to complete any international projects last year (2020) has been challenging. For example, during our last jet project, the design team were based in Singapore, the client in Central Europe, while the jet was being built in the US.
Throughout lockdowns, we had to develop new, creative ways for becoming familiar with the finer details of the jet, through a range of video conferencing and virtual meetings, to compensate for not being able to visit the site itself. At the same time, although we are a boutique design studio, we have a global team and reach with HBA behind us. We can leverage on HBA’s infrastructure in 22 countries. This time, we were able to position a team from our Atlantic Office to inspect the site on our behalf. This is a prime example of showcasing how we align to deliver global projects for our private clients around the world.
6. What are your growth plans and aspirations for HBA Residential, especially in China, over the next few years?
Designing a jet was something we always desired to do. It’s an interesting, unique and informative process that we wish to pursue and develop further. Similarly, we are in the process of signing two yacht contracts in Mainland China. I believe there will be more exciting projects to come.
Consistency truly is key, and we are glad that Chris feels the same way in his attitude towards design. A great designer will take the time to get to know the client and ensure that their needs are met in every way possible, just like how APERTUS guarantees a seamless and personalized charter experience for every client.
No two clients are the same, and an effort will always be made to understand a client’s needs for their flight or interior design needs. We are proud to be partnering with HBA Residential, and they should be one of your top considerations when seeing out an interior designer for many of your physical properties and assets. Just reach out to the APERTUS team for any inquiries, we will be happy to connect you with Chris, or anyone else on the HBA Residential team.
