Creating spaces is only the beginning for Paloma Estay, especially with a wide range of experience and expertise under her hat.
Estay is head of design at Zhoosh, experts in corporate interior design. An architect by profession, since gaining extensive knowledge whilst in Chile, Estay worked in various areas such as housing and healthcare architecture.
Throughout her day, Estay engages in a variety of tasks. Some of these include meeting with potential clients to gain insight into their specific requirements and expectations, organising presentations to showcase design proposals, coordinating projects with the Zhoosh team, and primarily developing new fit-outs using BIM methodology.
Estay began her career in high-rise housing construction but eventually realised that she preferred working on a more intimate level with people’s perception of space and materials. This led her to pursue a career in interior design, and in 2017, joined an international company which specialises in developing workplaces and offices.
Designing is all about being focused on the project in Estay’s view, and said it is important to ask questions.
“To me, the crucial part of my design process is actively listening to our clients and the future users of the spaces we create. Whether we're working in an office or a commercial space, I ask questions to understand their vision and identify potential solutions to issues they may not have considered yet,” said Estay.
“Additionally, I stay up-to-date with the latest challenges in designing spaces, always eager to learn and challenge my existing knowledge. This approach ensures that each project is unique and distinct from the previous ones.”
Estay said that as a designer and architect, it can be disheartening when proposals that a lot of passion and effort have gone into, don’t go into fruition.
“We truly believe in our ideas and seeing them materialise is our ultimate objective. However, we know that challenges are a part of the journey and we continue to strive towards creating innovative and impactful designs.”
Some of her design inspirations stem from a blend of her Latin American ethnicity and its landscapes, and also her visits to Nordic countries where Estay appreciates the practical and cosy interior design above all the good use of natural materials. She also looks for inspiration in other art forms such as painting, photography and films.
Estay said that prioritising the client’s well-being and enjoyment is crucial when designing fit-out interiors.
“This involves carefully considering every decision, including the dimensions and design of the furniture, the materials used, and the lighting. Ultimately, the goal is to create an inspiring space, whether it is a work or a retail space.”
Creating unique commercial fit-outs are some of her passions, as well as incorporating innovative and playful elements. The idea of thinking outside the box is something that Estay recognises, along with pushing boundaries to achieve the end result.
Being able to showcase her design vision is something she is very proud of, and in the future, she hopes to be a part of a sustainability interior design movement.
