Interview with Paul Bishop, Owner & Founder of Bishop Design by Paul Bishop, AE

From our humble beginnings in 2004, the Bishop Design name has now established itself as one of the leading interior design companies across the Middle East. Recognized consistently for breaking boundaries, we take pride in delivering designs that disrupt the norm.

15 years in the game has led to an award-winning portfolio of commercial, hospitality, retail and residential interior design projects which have been secured through recommendation, referral and repeat business – a true endorsement to our unparalleled capabilities in the industry.

Some might ponder the idea that the definition of a “good” design has changed over the years as design evolves with generations, technology and innovation. Whilst design can certainly be enhanced perhaps more than before by these modern factors, I believe that the core sentiments of a truly “good” design remain the same. We can agree that the latest furniture collections, perfect insta-opportunity and immersive experiences are important factors to any design, but inevitably it comes down to functionality and how the space works. Spatial planning is always the first step to approaching any interior design, and done correctly will ensure all of the other design elements reach their maximum aesthetic and operational potential; but done incorrectly will guarantee failure of the space.

Whilst the UAE has diverse cultural heritage, Dubai in particular is well-known for its fast-paced development. As a country, the UAE is no more than 48 years old yet has honed some of the worlds most impressive achievements, specifically in terms of technology, design and architecture. It is this mindset of Dubai and the UAE that impacts my design process. Having to keep up with the countries relentless dedication to be a global leader across the creative and technological industry means that we are not only designing for the present moment, but rather creating designs that are ahead of their time.

MUSE Awards set an unprecedented benchmark for designers through a celebration of incredibly high caliber projects. This showcase of top-quality design creates a tough competition to award the best names in the industry, therefore it is an incredible honor to win the Platinum Interior Design Award for an awarding body so prestigious.

Bringing nothing but fun, colour and nostalgia to Dubai’s food and beverage landscape; Torno Subito is the latest addition to World Best Chef Massimo Bottura’s culinary collection. Whilst Massimo is not the direct chef at the helm in this particular destination, the story behind the design is inspired by his own memories of Italian summers back in the 1950s/60s. Encompassed within a beautifully intoxicating narrative, everything from the black and white suspended polaroid photos through to the playful beachball lighting is an innovative solution to the distinctive brief from Massimo himself; creating a venue that truly breaks away from the norm of what we have become accustomed to in Dubai. Brainchild of Massimo and award-winning designer Paul Bishop, Torno Subito reflects everything that the MUSE Awards stands for - creating beyond imagination. It is Torno’s utterly engaging and immersive narrative that sets the venue far beyond other restaurants in the region, setting a benchmark for the design landscape moving forward as it showcases design thinking ahead of time; a perfect contribution to the high calibre projects recognized by MUSE.