Frans Spanjaart is founder and CEO of AVIP Interiors, a commercial interior design company in operation since 1986, he moved to Indonesia in 1998. Frans talks about how he built his company in Indonesia, and how he believes the future of the world of interior design industry is to "go green." AVIP Interior is the first interior design business in Indonesia for creating an interior Greenship Platinum certified.
How you originally have in the world of interior design?
I started playing in the studio of my father in the Netherlands -it was a cabinetmaker and finally, in 1986, I started my own business, AVIP Interiors. AVIP means Advies Verkoop van in Interior Products; Dutch for 'Consulting and sales for indoor products'. Create my own company was a big step for me, as I forked away from a family business. AVIP originally made cabinets and furniture, on a contract by contract; Items that are not sold in showrooms.
What was your first big break in your business?
I am connected to the largest global network of bank, Citibank North America, and was invited to join the design team in New York as a technical adviser and engineer . Citibank asked to build prototypes of their offices and their branches. In 1990, I built the prototype back in the Netherlands and Citibank representatives all over the world came to see them, after which I immediately received orders for branches all over the world: Germany, Greece Belgium, New York, Washington and Jakarta. I conceived, designed, built prototypes and served for Citibank for more than ten years worldwide in 60 countries, the construction of over 600 branches.
Yes, and in 1995, I came to Indonesia and literally fell in love. Having traveled extensively in Asia for five years, I came to Jakarta and I thought 'this is nice. Jakarta has its charm you can not find anywhere else. I am an Indonesian citizen. I love Indonesian people; they are warm, so interested and willing to learn.
With my vision and what I observed to be a low density of knowledge here at the time, I saw a huge opportunity to build AVIP in Indonesia, taking with me the efficiency and quality standards From the Netherlands. Indonesians are very skilled, but there was no history of industrial furniture in this country, which is why they were behind.
I decided to move to AVIP Indonesia and open office directly after the riots in 1998. We had a large project with Standard Chartered in the city, making a number of branches for them, and this is how the Indonesian chapter began.
Tell us some of the clients that you have had so far.
Customers we have had include Bank Danamon, for which we designed 400 branches, Siemens, Danone, Medco, BMW, ING, KLM, Turkish Airlines L'Oréal and Frisian Flag .
How many people do you have today?
In the office, we have 65 staff (designers, project managers, sales and administrative) and 65 in the production plant.
What are the project budget ranges AVIP?
In our industry, we value a project in square meters. The professional line for us is Rp.3 million per square meter to Rp.10 million per square meter, which is very dependent on specifications.
You created the office of Indonesia in Jakarta Oréal with a Platinum certification Greenship Green Building Council -. We say about this feat
The Greenship certification means that you have an environmental and human environment of the environment. Being energy efficient is certainly important, but what is also important is the quality of life in space. For interiors, we designed and built for indoor Oréal Indonesia, which originally asked us to design something that was certified at least gold. Our original designs exceeded actually the certification-the highest level awarded Platinum AVIP making the first interior design company in Indonesia to have designed and built an indoor Certified Platinum Greenship.
Do you believe a well-designed office can increase staff productivity?
I always tell customers that if you make a place where an employee feels good and comfortable, they will be proud to work for you.
It does not matter if they have to walk a half hour, they will be proud, comfortable and will not consider leaving for a few rupees. If you invest in people, people will invest in you in return.
What has been your favorite project?
L'Oréal was certainly one of my favorite projects. We were able to work with a reasonable budget, with furniture designs are original or real. When I say real, I mean that it is not copied.
We have a 7000m2 production plant in Tangerang - custom made furniture like wardrobes, desking systems and special furnishings are all products there. We import the raw materials and produce to Western standards, using materials from Germany, equipment of England, etc.
Is it difficult for you to import materials?
My personal experience is that if you have the proper import license and follow the rules, it is not difficult. We do not have complications during import and we import a lot.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I get my inspiration exhibitions three times a year around the world, my favorite being the Bienalle Interior in Kortrijk, Belgium. It is a very creative and interesting exhibition where I source fabrics, furniture, etc. After each trip, I sat down with my team and I share this knowledge with them.
What is the procedure of a typical project AVIP?
First, a customer comes to us with their requirements, telling us how much space and how many staff they have in different divisions, giving us a chart . We have a crucial interview with the client to find out what their office culture, so that we understand and translate their thoughts into reality.
With each project, we have the design team and project managers involved immediately and we break a project into smaller parts to spread the risk, which is actually easier to control.
What are the strengths of AVIP?
AVIP is very strong in design and strong in management. We are one of the most successful design-build companies and most prestigious in Indonesia. Our approach is always that of an interior needs work. Everything we design is designed so that we design what is done, not entrepreneurs, what makes us stand out from other companies.
What is one of the challenges you face in your industry?
There is never enough time. Our interiors are all unique and must be designed and constructed in most cases an impossible deadline.
What trends have you noticed in the world of interior design?
As I often travel internationally, I see that the trend is "green," in regard I believe AVIP is ahead of the industry. This will certainly increase. In this part of the world that we are a little late in establishing trends; instead, we follow trends.
How could anyone make their office a little green
The first step is energy efficient ?; Instead of air conditioning, we can think of a fan. Put screens when not in use. Instead of too many lights on the ceiling, use a desk lamp. Here in our office, we have incorporated a water filtration process, so that we all drink the tap - no need to buy bottled water anymore. You can also boost your staff to come to work on public transport.
For contact, please e-mail: frans_spanjaart@avip.com