Famous interior architect and designer originally from Turkey, has been awarded an honorary degree from a London university.
Sevil Peach was awarded the accolade from Middlesex University at a special ceremony on Monday 24 June which she described as a “privilege and unexpected honour”. In 1994, Sevil founded her studio Sevil Peach Architecture & Design with Gary Turnbull.
Their new workplace concept for furniture design company Vitra, completed in 2000, led to a long-running consultancy with Vitra on the creation of new office concepts and products, plus the design of showrooms and furniture fair stands. Other major projects include Microsoft’s HQ in the Netherlands, Novartis’s offices in Basel, Shanghai and Boston, Kvadrat HQ in Denmark, Swiss Re’s new head office in Zurich with Diener+Diener.
They were also instrumental in developing the Spaces Co-working Brand from 2006. While initially based in the Netherlands, it is now international with more than 500 locations. They have collaborated with architects such as Herzog & de Meuron on the Tate Modern extension and most recently, with David Chipperfield Architects on Rolex’s new head offices in New York.
Born in Istanbul in Turkey, Sevil began her career studying Interior Architecture at Brighton College of Art, which is now University of Brighton. After graduating, she worked with Sir Frederick Gibberd & Partners designing the interiors for the new Intercontinental Hotel in Hyde Park London and a tapestry which is now in the permanent collection of the V&A – the UK’s largest and most prestigious museum for arts and design.
Dr Francesca Murialdo, a director of interior architecture and design programmes at Middlesex University, said: “As a Turkish immigrant to the UK she has carved out a successful career in an industry that is not always easy to navigate, notoriously dominated by white, male designers. At Middlesex University, we champion inclusivity and creativity as an agent for positive change. Sevil Peach is a role model and an inspiration to us all, and we are so happy and honoured to celebrate her achievements here today.”
On her message to students Sevil said: “The design world and the role of design is very broad. You will find your niche, which may be far from what you originally imagined, but be just as fulfilling. Design is a never-ending learning process and experience. Enjoy it, believe in yourself and never say never.”
