Cover Nikki Hunt is currently studying to get her formal qualification in Building Biology from Germany’s Institute of Building Biology + Sustainability
Nikki Hunt is currently studying to get her formal qualification in Building Biology from Germany’s Institute of Building Biology + Sustainability
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Not content to rest on her laurels, award-winning interior designer Nikki Hunt personifies the lifelong learning maxim espoused by Singapore—her newly adopted home country—and continues to refine how she crafts healthy spaces that evoke joy
“I became Singaporean last year,” proclaims a beaming Nikki Hunt at one point during her meeting with the Tatler Homes Singapore team. “I’m very proud to be Singaporean.”
Having created award-winning interiors for clients here for 20 years, and establishing herself as a mainstay of Singapore’s interior design scene in the process, the UK native’s revelation of her new citizenship seems almost like a tangible affirmation of her work in the sector. Her interior design and architectural consultancy, Nikki Hunt’s Design Intervention, was established in 2004, and soon carved a niche for itself with stunning, personalised spaces that boost their users’ well-being, underpinned by Hunt’s signature use of pattern and colour.
As with Singapore’s lifelong learning policy, which promotes continuous learning and upskilling, Hunt herself is on a constant drive towards self-improvement. Most notably, the past few years have proved something of a watershed, setting her on a path of discovery.
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The dining area of a home featuring biophilic elements
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It all started when Hunt came across A Space for Being, Google’s installation at Milan Design Week 2019. Visitors were invited to enter three rooms with subtle differences in décor. Special wristbands would record their physical and physiological responses, such as their blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate, to each room.
“What was incredible was that in 50 per cent of the cases, people said that they liked a certain room, but their body said otherwise,” says Hunt. “It changed my whole approach to design,” she adds. “I wanted to understand the power of the home and how it affects our well-being.”
The pandemic struck soon after, and a housebound Hunt, inspired by the Google installation and captivated by the principles of neuroaesthetics—the effect visual aesthetics have on people’s brains and physiology—delved headlong into its study.
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Above The décor of this bedroom echoes its lush surroundings; connecting with nature has been shown to have a restorative effect on mind, body and soul
The décor of this bedroom echoes its lush surroundings; connecting with nature has been shown to have a restorative effect on mind, body and soul
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Her research unearthed fascinating findings about the impact interiors and building materials have on people’s moods and health. She cites various compelling examples. “You might consciously view an open-plan environment as big and grand, but your unconscious mind tells you that you’re exposed and you can’t see what’s behind you,” she says, citing the dining room as an example. “If your unconscious mind is alert and your body is tense, you won’t digest your food as well, and you won’t absorb all the nutrients. If you are in an enclosed environment, your unconscious mind can relax because you’re not worried about a threat from behind.”
Even certain forms can wield a significant influence. “Our conscious brain might look at an angular shape and think it’s very contemporary,” she says. “Our unconscious mind, which governs our physiological reaction will see angles as sharp points, weapons, danger. Softer forms make people more comfortable.”
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Hunt’s research has also led her to take a greater interest in indoor air quality. “We think that with airtight windows, we are being more sustainable and conserving electricity, but they are preventing the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. The air inside is the air from the outside with our chemicals added to it: from the cleaning solutions, bleach, paint, coatings and sealants, adhesives, and even our body cream.
Above An inviting seating area
Above A lively nook
An inviting seating area
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All these chemicals are micro stressors; they are slowly affecting us and have been linked to health issues,” she adds. “We can’t control this, it’s the modern world we live in. But we can reduce our exposure by making informed decisions.”
Hunt considers the bedroom her “repair shop”; she minimises electrical and radio signals at night by turning off the Wi-Fi and switching her phone to aeroplane mode. Work-wise, she collaborates closely with her suppliers to specify the types of adhesives to use and the utilisation of safe coats on cut timber joints, among other measures. With clients, Hunt also offers informed recommendations.
“Like if they are choosing a rug, I say: ‘These are your options’ and I show them, for example, a viscose rug, this is what I liked to use, but it’s highly processed, or you can have a natural wool rug, which is quite soft. I’ve always believed that design affects how you feel, but now I understand the science behind it,” she explains. “It’s all evidence-based. As a designer, it’s almost like a superpower, because you can craft spaces that improve people’s health and increase longevity.”
Above Dining with a view over tranquil waters
Dining with a view over tranquil waters
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Before we leave, Hunt shows us samples from her upcoming tableware collection. The pieces feature delicate designs inspired by the flora and fauna of Singapore, among other local-influenced motifs, and represent a nod to her masterful use of pattern as well as her new citizenship.
“I wanted to do smaller things that could bring a little touch of pleasure,” she smiles. “To me, tableware is a healthful item because it encourages family interaction and little moments of joy.” Suffice it to say, they are delightful microcosms of the enterprising Hunt’s pet passions. Watch this space for more.
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Credits
Images: Courtesy of Nikki Hunt
Jakarta-born, Bandung-raised and Singapore-based, Asih Jenie trained in Visual Communication Design at Bandung Institute of Technology and Architecture at Parahyangan Catholic University. She brings both rigour and heart to design journalism, infused with a distinct Southeast Asian voice.
As a child, she doodled on the edges of her schoolbooks and never outgrew her fascination with all things well-made and well-told. Her 15-year career spans editorial roles and bylines in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Australia, across spatial design titles such as Dwell Asia, Cubes, Design Anthology, Habitus Living, and Home & Decor.
After a brief stint in public relations, she returned to publishing in 2023 to lead Tatler Homes Singapore, where she continues to tell stories about how we shape the spaces that shape us.
