Speakeasy: Design Et Al interview with Geila Daughtrey.
Rockett was recently shortlisted for The International Hotel and Property Awards. Design Et Al interviewed Creative Director, Geila Daughtrey about her design inspirations, recent projects and future plans for the studio.
Tell us a little about your background in design:
I studied Interior Architecture at University in the UK but went straight into doing set design for feature films after graduating. I worked on movie sets for four years before eventually transitioning back into Interior Design. The lessons I learned in the film industry surrounding how to make a space look and feel relatable and believable without looking themed still influence my work today.
How would you describe your personal interior design style?
Working in Asia for over 13 years has opened my eyes to so many different cultural influences and sensibilities and the journey has been fascinating. I often get told my style is ‘very British’, but if I have a personal interior design style, it’s subconscious - ultimately for me, it’s the project brief that dictates the interior design style, rather than any personal style preference.
Residential Project, Singapore.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
It varies a lot, but the historical context surrounding a project site or location is often our starting point when it comes to designing a project.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Always trust your gut.
Wallpaper* Magazine Exhibition by Rockett Studio.
How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Hugely important. We are a tiny team that mostly flies under the radar, so this is a wonderful opportunity for us to step onto a global stage.
What projects are you currently working on?
One positive aspect to come out of the pandemic is the opportunity to work remotely. Pre Covid, we only did projects in Singapore, where our studio originated. Post-pandemic, we are working on restaurants and private members’ clubs in London, Bordeaux, Verbier, Mumbai, Bangkok, Doha, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore! Thank you Zoom.
As such, we have now opened a studio in Guernsey, to better service our European-based clients.
What was your favourite project to work on and why?
We recently completed 67 Pall Mall Singapore, the London-born private members’ wine club - it is their first club in Asia and was so much fun to work on because of everyone involved in the project. From the client to the consultants, the trades and the suppliers – we all worked as a unified team, even during the most stressful moments.
67 Pall Mall Singapore.
What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
67 Pall Mall Singapore, because of the unique conditions of the project site. Our client had the brilliant but crazy idea to include a six-metre floor-to-ceiling wine tower on the 27th floor of a 1970’s building that wasn’t constructed to hold an enormous wine tower which stores over 6,800 bottles of wine! It was a huge challenge, but I am incredibly proud of the project outcome, and it’s been so rewarding seeing club members enjoying the space.
Wine Tower, 67 Pall Mall Singapore.
Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
A good old Moleskin notebook - I carry one with me wherever I go. I have boxes and boxes of filled Moleskins in my attic and it’s always a trip down memory lane diving into them. They chronicle my 20+ year career.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
My idea of what success is has shifted over the past couple of years; I no longer feel the need to be constantly growing my team and taking on projects just to feed the machine. I now intentionally keep my team small and nibble and I am much happier when I can oversee and design every project we work on. Most important to me now is having a happy team, clients that become friends, and projects that we have chosen to take on instead of having to take on.
Final thoughts; Tell us a little more about yourself:
Your most treasured possession?
An unfinished painted study of a draft horse done in oil, given to me by my husband. I love the unashamed rawness and honesty of it.
Your favourite food and drink?
Thai… with a spicy ginger margarita.
Kinki Restaurant & Bar, Singapore.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Being around horses, in any capacity. I am just as happy mucking out stables and plaiting horses manes as I am actually horse riding.
Geila Daughtrey has over twenty years of experience designing commercial interiors for projects spanning the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.
Geila founded Rockett Studio in Singapore in 2014, shortly after which she was recognized for her 'design excellence and outstanding contribution to the design industry' by Hong Kong’s premier architecture and design magazine, Perspective. In 2022, Rockett Studio opened a second office in Guernsey, UK.
Geila’s empathetic approach is led by passion and meticulous research. Each project is inspired by the local architecture, historical context, and thoughtful cinematic nuances, resulting in timeless, story-led designs. Her innate sensibility for nature is reflected in a commitment to ethical and sustainable design whenever possible.
Geila has gained an impressive list of credits for prestigious brands and global hospitality projects including InterContinental Hotels, Accor Hotels, BMW, Rolls Royce, Gordon Ramsay, Burger & Lobster at Raffles Hotel, private concierge service Quintessentially, and most recently, 67 Pall Mall Private Members’ Club in Singapore.
Geila is an Executive Member of The Interior Design Confederation Singapore (IDCS), and a registered member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).