The Secret Sauce Behind the World’s Best Workspaces

Designing a space is so much more than offering people a place to walk into and have a seat. It’s an offering that’s made to every one of our senses - an attempt to create an experience that evokes feeling. At least that’s what successful design is! In the latest episode of Space by Stansons, host Guy Stanley welcomes Susan Bold, Design Director at Echospace, for an exploration into the fascinating intersection of design, culture and psychology in the interior design space. From her journey starting in South Africa to leading projects in London, Susan shares invaluable insights on boutique design practices and how different cultural perspectives shape modern workplaces. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on creating spaces that truly connect with their users, in every sense of the word.

Successful design is an offering that’s made to every one of our senses - an attempt to create an experience that evokes feeling. In the latest episode of Space by Stansons, host Guy Stanley welcomes Susan Bold, Design Director at Echospace, for an exploration into the fascinating intersection of design, culture and psychology in the interior design space.

What You’ll Learn

What the psychology of space is and how it shapes user experience
How cultural differences add nuance to design approaches
The value of maintaining boutique agency culture while scaling for growth
How teaching experience transforms leadership approaches in design teams
Why successful workplace design requires balancing brand guidelines with holistic space psychology
The critical importance of combining technical knowledge with on-site practical experience in interior design
How budget considerations and labour costs fundamentally impact design possibilities across different markets

As the Design Director at Echospace, Susan Bold brings a wealth of international design expertise from South Africa to London's dynamic interior architecture scene. With a background in interior architecture and experience across hospitality, commercial, and educational design sectors, she has successfully managed projects for major international brands while maintaining a boutique, personalised approach to client relationships. Prior to joining Echospace, Susan ran her own design studio in South Africa, co-managed an art gallery, and taught design, developing a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and psychological aspects of space design. Her unique perspective on bringing vibrant South African design influences to the more reserved UK market offers fresh insights for design professionals looking to push creative boundaries while maintaining commercial success.

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Episode Highlights

[00:00] Intro
[01:45] Susan’s Magic Moment: Choosing Interior Design
[03:40] Designing for the 5 Senses & New Approaches
[09:07] Designing In South Africa & Opening an Art Gallery
[11:53] Bringing South African Design to the UK & Culture-Forward Design
[14:40] What It Means to Bring a Brand to Life
[17:30] Biggest Design Challenges in the UK
[19:38] The Echo Island Approach to Building Design Teams
[23:31] The Worst Thing About Working with Big Brands?
[25:25] Big Brands vs. Boutique Brands: What’s Right For You?
[26:13] The Teaching Approach & The Value of Patience
[29:48]Susan’s Advice for New Designers
[35:08] The Next Big Thing for Susan: Fashion Houses & More
[36:31] Susan’s Recommendations & Closing Thoughts

Episode Resources:

Susan Bold on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-bold-24351238/
Echospace on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/echospace-limited/
Guy Stanley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guystanley
Learn more about Stansons Group Ltd. here: https://stansons.co.uk