Exclusive Interview: Marc Achkar Creative Studio

Marc Achkar

After graduating in Interior Architecture in 2001 in Beirut, Marc Achkar went to Paris where he worked mostly for Oger International for over 15 years. While he worked there he had the opportunity to collaborate on great projects all over Europe and the MENA region.

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In 2018, Marc Achkar finally decided to create his own studio Marc Achkar Creative Studio in Nice, with two main specializations: Interior Design ( public & private space, high-end residential, hospitality, spa & fitness, conference center, offices buildings, restaurants, sports facilities, museum… ) and Architectural Visualization ( illustrating unbuild architecture using today’s technology, images, animations, real-time, virtual reality… ).

CAREER

How did you get involved in the interior design industry?

Everything began at the fine arts university of Beirut, where I graduated in 2001.
Then I worked in Paris for many design agencies. Finally, in 2018, I decided to create my own studio in Nice (Côte d’Azur).

How would you describe your work style? Do you have any kind of signatures that help to identify your projects?

I don’t specifically have a “style”, all projects are different. I’m more influenced by the culture and heritage, African (where I grew up), Oriental (my origins), and Mediterranean (where I live now). It’s all about little details, colors, textures, moods…

Being in love with our work is always the key to achieving better results. Are you in love with this job? What do you love most about being an interior designer?

What I love the most is the freedom to create, and of course the client satisfaction when the project is a success.

What is your philosophy on design and life?

This citation from Picasso :
“Chaque enfant est un artiste. Le problème, c’est de rester un artiste lorsqu’on grandit.”

I will let you translate.

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INSPIRATION

Keeping up to date on all the trends is essential for anyone who wants to conquer this market. In what ways do you keep current with new trends?

I have to say that social networks are important to keep up to date on all trends… I use Instagram for that.

Which major international events do you attend/follow to get the latest novelties?

“Architects at works” in Paris, and “Salone Del Mobile” in Milan.

How would you describe your personal decorating style?

As mentioned above, I try to adapt each project to his context. I like to keep things as simple as possible, playing with textures and colors to get the right mood. Also, having a functional layout is very important.

All artists need some inspiration to work, and interior designers are artists too. So, what or who really inspires you?

Yes, inspiration is very important. I try to get it not only from other artists or projects but also from nature, textures, technology…

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Inspiration is something that pushes everyone to create unique things. What makes you see the world in a different way?

The world is moving forward so fast! So are all new technologies… The creation process is now completely linked to these technologies. So we have to adapt quickly.

PROJECTS

How important is a perfect chemistry between you and your clients to achieve the best results?

The alchemy between the client and the designer is the key to a successful project.

Do you think working with teams in interior design is better or worse than working alone? Why?

I have been working for years with teams, and now I work on my own. There is no better or worse.
Alone, you won’t be able to do big-scale projects, so you have to choose your target.

FUTURE

Is there anything exciting that you are working on at the moment that you can tell us about?

Yes, I’m working on a beach resort in Africa, in collaboration with Architects from Tulum (Mexico).
It’s a very special project, but I can’t say anything else right now, this is confidential.