Talking design with Thierry Despont

What’s the secret of your success?

The secret is always to love what you do. There are many things that fascinate me, so I’ve carefully evolved my career into a diverse portfolio, one that holds my interest and sparks my creativity.

What’s the best part of what you do?

I love seeing a building for the first time and immediately recognising its potential. To be able to make such a difference to very different properties is very rewarding. The end of a project is very special too, when you look back at your initial ideas and see them transformed into reality.

What are your thoughts on Dorchester Collection?

I firmly believe Dorchester Collection to be the best collection of five-star hotels in the world. I’ve worked on The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane in London, and Hotel Principe di Savoia, which I consider to be the finest hotel in Milan. I’m a big fan of the collection’s Paris hotels too, and who doesn’t love The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air. Every Dorchester Collection hotel has its own unique aesthetic and you always know where you are in the world, they all have such a sense of place, history and exceptional service.

What was your vision for 45 Park Lane?

The idea was to create a brand new 21st century version of The Dorchester. We wanted it to have a private club feel, somewhere that was modern and elegant but not stuffy. I worked on the entire building from redesigning the exterior to all the interiors. What I’m most proud of though is the relaxed atmosphere, it’s somewhere you always feel comfortable.

Can you share some of your design tips?

The first thing is to take your time to really consider how you use the space inside your home and whether there’s a natural flow to the property, it’s the reason we took down that wall at The Principe! Be it a private apartment or a grand hotel, the philosophy is the same ‒ define the strongest elements and make them really stand out. The other most important thing is light. Consider the best way to make use of natural and artificial light, I’m always amazed by the difference it can make.