AVIP Interiors, an Industry Leader from the Design along with Build of Commercial Spaces
Frans Spanjaart is usually Founder along with CEO of AVIP Interiors, a commercial Internal design company in operation since 1986, which he moved to Indonesia in 1998. Frans talks to us about how he built his business in Indonesia, along with how he believes the future for the global Internal design industry is usually to ‘go green’. AVIP Internal is usually the first Internal design company in Indonesia to have created a Platinum Greenship-Certified Internal.
How did you originally get into the entire world of Internal design?
I began by playing in my father’s workshop from the Netherlands—he was a cabinet-maker—along with eventually, in 1986, I began my own company, AVIP Interiors. AVIP stands for Advies en Verkoop van Interieur Producten; Dutch for ‘Advice along with Sales for Internal Products’. Creating my own business was a big step for me, as I branched away coming from a family business. AVIP originally made cabinets along with furniture, on a contract-by-contract basis; items which were not sold in showrooms.
What was your company’s first big break?
I was connected to the entire world’s largest network bank, Citibank North America, along with was asked to join the design team in brand-new York as a technical adviser along with engineer. Citibank asked me to build prototypes of their offices for their branches. In 1990 I built the prototypes back from the Netherlands along with Citibank representatives coming from all over the entire world came to see them, after which I immediately received orders for branches all over the entire world: Germany, Greece, Belgium, brand-new York, Washington, along with Jakarta. I have designed, engineered, built prototypes for along with served Citibank for over ten years worldwide in 60 countries, building over 600 branches.
Yes, along with in 1995 I came to Indonesia along with literally fell in love. After travelling in Asia intensively for a few years, I arrived in Jakarta along with I thought ‘This kind of is usually nice’. Jakarta has its charm which you don’t find anywhere else. I’m an Indonesian citizen. I love the Indonesian people; they are warm, so interested along with willing to learn.
Together with my vision along with what I noticed to be a low density of knowledge here at the time, I saw an enormous opportunity to build AVIP in Indonesia, taking with me the efficiency along with quality standards coming from the Netherlands. Indonesians are very skilled, yet there was no industrial furniture history in This kind of country, which is usually why they were behind.
I decided to move AVIP to Indonesia along with the office opened directly after the riots in 1998. We got a sizeable project with Standard Chartered from the city, doing many branches for them, along with which’s how the Indonesian chapter began.
Tell us some of the clients you’ve had so far.
Clients we’ve had include Danamon Bank, for whom we designed 400 branches, Siemens, Danone, Medco, BMW, ING, KLM, Turkish Airlines L’Oreal along with Frisian Flag.
How many staff do you have today?
from the office we have 65 staff members (designers, project managers, commercial along with administrative) along with 65 from the production plant.
What are the project budget ranges at AVIP?
In our industry, we value a project in square metres. The professional range for us is usually coming from Rp.3 million per square metre up to Rp.10 million per square metre, along with This kind of is usually very much dependent on specifications.
You created the L’Oreal Indonesia headquarters in Jakarta that has a Platinum Greenship Certification coming from the Green Building Council – tell us about This kind of feat.
The Greenship Certification means which you have an environmental along with human-friendly environment. Being low-energy is usually definitely an important factor, yet what is usually also important is usually the quality of life from the space. For interiors, we designed along with built an Internal for L’Oreal Indonesia, who originally asked us to design something which was at least gold-certified. Our original designs actually exceeded the Platinum Certification—the highest level awarded—producing AVIP the first Internal design company in Indonesia to have designed along with built a Platinum Greenship Certified Internal.
Do you believe a well-designed office can increase staff productivity?
I always tell clients which if you make a place where an employee feels not bad along with comfortable, they will be proud to work for you.
the idea doesn’t matter if they have to travel half an hour longer, they will be proud, comfortable along with won’t consider leaving for a few rupiah. If you invest from the people, the people will invest in you in return.
What has been your favourite project?
L’Oreal was definitely one of my favourite projects. We were able to work that has a reasonable budget, with furniture designs being original or real. When I say real I mean which the idea is usually not copied.
We have a 7,000m2 production plant in Tangerang – the custom-made furniture like cabinetry, desking systems along with special furniture is usually all produced there. We import raw materials along with we produce up to Western standards, using materials coming from Germany, hardware coming from England, etc.
is usually the idea difficult for you to import materials?
My personal experience is usually if you contain the correct import license along with follow the rules, the idea is usually not difficult. We don’t have any complications when importing along with we do import a lot.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I get my inspiration coming from exhibitions three times a year, all over the entire world, my favourite being the Bienalle Interieur in Kortrijk, Belgium. the idea’s a very creative along with interesting exhibition where I source fabrics, furniture, etc. After each trip, I sit down with my team along with I share This kind of knowledge with them.
What is usually the procedure of a typical project at AVIP?
First a client comes to us with their requirements, telling us how much space along with how many staff members they have in different divisions, giving us an organization chart. We have a crucial interview with the client to find out what their office culture is usually, to ensure which we understand them along with translate their thoughts into reality.
With every single project, we contain the design team along with project managers immediately involved along with we break a project down into smaller parts to spread the risk, which is usually in fact easier to control.
What are AVIP’s strengths?
AVIP is usually very strong in design along with very strong in management. We are one of the most successful along with prestigious design-along with-build companies in Indonesia. Our approach is usually always which an Internal needs to work. Everything we design is usually engineered so we design what is usually made, not the contractors, which makes us stand out coming from additional companies.
What is usually one of the challenges you face in your industry?
There is usually never enough time. Our interiors are all unique along with need to be designed along with built in most cases to an impossible timeframe.
What trends are you noticing from the Internal design world?
As I frequently travel internationally, I see which the trend is usually ‘going green’, in which regard I believe AVIP is usually ahead of the industry. This kind of is usually definitely going to grow further. In This kind of part of the entire world we are a little bit behind in trend-setting; instead we follow the trends.
How could someone make their office a little bit green?
The first step is usually low energy consumption; instead of air-conditioning we can think of a fan. Switch screens off when you’re not using them. Instead of too many ceiling lights, use a desk lamp. Here at our office we have incorporated a water filtration process, to ensure which we all drink the tap water – no need to purchase bottled water anymore. You could also stimulate your staff to come to work on public transport.
To get in touch, please e-mail: frans_spanjaart@avip.com
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AVIP Interiors, an Industry Leader from the Design along with Build of Commercial Spaces
AVIP Interiors, an Industry Leader from the Design along with Build of Commercial Spaces