Shareen Joel Design is a multidisciplinary studio of interior design, interior architecture and industrial design. Since 2003, the studio has truly pushed the envelope of creative practice across many sectors – including residential. Here we catch up with Shareen Joel, the force behind her eponymous studio, to learn the latest insights transforming design in the home.

As a designer, you’ve worked with Zip Water products for years. What makes you turn back to the brand time and again for your projects?

Shareen Joel: Zip Water designs its products similarly to how I approach designing a kitchen. For both the brand and myself, it’s a question of clutter management. Achieving a clean, simple benchtop that’s ready at a moment’s notice for some impromptu cooking is no easy feat. But through selecting products like Zip Water’s HydroTaps that combine several functions in one simple appliance, you can free up vital bench space and minimise clutter. Plus, the convenience of instant boiling, chilled and sparkling water makes sure that everyone’s happy!

What is something that is commonly overlooked when designing kitchen spaces?

SJ: While convenience is always important from a functional perspective, sometimes people overlook the ‘experience’ of the kitchen space. Whenever I master plan layouts, I prefer to not separate guests from the kitchen with things like island benches or pony walls. Bring the dining table into the space and let people be a part of the entertaining experience. Zip Water understand this, which is why its products are easy to use and accessible for all ages. Zip knows how important it is to make sure that the heart of your home is warm and sociable.

Navigating the sheer variety of appliance and tapware options for the kitchen space can be gruelling. What’s your recommendation for selecting the perfect fit?

SJ: Find a brand that understands your needs. As both an industrial designer and an interior architect I know just how much these smaller design elements can elevate spaces. But it is true that brands can go too far in offering too many choices for specifiers and consumers to navigate. In Zip Water’s case, it’s marketing, research and development teams have really refined the core functions and form of its portfolio. It offers a generous number of choices in colour, size, form and finish so that the product appeals to a wide array of different interior design schemes.

And where do you see Zip Water embracing the future of kitchen design?

SJ: What we’re seeing a lot of at the moment is an interest in slimline and discreet interfaces that are user-friendly for all ages. I believe that this is only going to increase in importance in the near future – so it’s heartening to see brands like Zip Water anticipate these user needs. Generally, residential floorplates are decreasing, meaning that our kitchens are becoming smaller. All elements in the smaller kitchen not only need to be smaller, but also need to become multi-purpose. It’s pretty clear how Zip Water understands this, ensuring that its designs really do work harder.