Australian interior design practice TomMarkHenry has taken out the World Interiors News Award for Best Retail Interior less than 200 square metres. The unique butcher shop, 1888 Certified, has been carefully and creatively designed to express the client’s commitment to honesty, transparency and integrity in their craft.

The annual awards, held this year at the new Design Museum in London, recognise and showcase the designs that have made the biggest impact on the cultural landscape in the last year. Cushla McFadden, one of the directors of TomMarkHenry, attended the ceremony in February 2017 to receive the coveted award for 1888 Certified.
 
1888 Certified
Located in Double Bay, Sydney, 1888 Certified is a high-quality butcher owned by fourth-generation farmers who are committed to sustainable practices. The brand was borne from the belief that people care about where their food comes from and how it has been raised. The directors of TomMarkHenry similarly believe people care about where they shop and the environment in which they purchase their food and they created an interior that reflects the ethos of the brand and tells the story of the producers.
 
TomMarkHenry’s design concept was inspired by the client, their grass fed and hormone-free produce, and their pride in following strict farm-to-table principles. The resulting 130-square-metre fitout is a tactile and sequential space that demonstrates the client’s pride in their product and encourages customers to engage in conversation about its origin. Like the meat itself, the materials and objects have been sourced locally; and like the legacy of the farmers, many are rich in history. This includes recycled hardwood used to help construct the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and old butcher’s knives that have been collected from the farmers and arranged to make an artwork symbolising the spine of a cow. Colours and textures have been chosen to complement the raw meat on display: timber and copper add a rustic feel; concrete is natural and neutral; and Calacatta marble has pattern and colouring reminiscent of marbling in meat. 
 
1888 Certified is a business founded on transparency and craftsmanship, both of which are evident throughout TomMarkHenry’s design. Windows in the façade of the building offer behind-the-scenes views of the cool and preparatory rooms where the meat is stored and processed before it is displayed at the retail counter in the front of the shop. An eight-metre-long counter and dry-age cabinet visually connect these spaces, and like all bespoke interior and joinery items, were designed by TomMarkHenry specifically for the site. This attention to expressing the brand’s honesty and high level of workmanship enabled the clients to tell their story to their customers and community while also bridging the distance between the city and the country.  

Project Data
Project: 1888 Certified
Location: Double Bay, Sydney, Australia
Client: 1888 Certified
Architect: TomMarkHenry
Designer: TomMarkHenry
Project Manager: Chloe Matters  
Budget: $800 k
Project end date: September 2015
Photographer: Damian Bennett 

TomMarkHenry was also honoured for their Dead Ringer project, taking home the Best Bar award in the Bars Category.

About TomMarkHenry
Based in Sydney, Australia, TomMarkHenry is led by Chloe Matters, Cushla McFadden and Jade Nottage who place a high value on human connection and creating unique and exceptional spaces that make a positive contribution to their physical and cultural environment. The talented trio work on residential, commercial, retail, hospitality and workspace projects, offering a full scope of services from interior architecture and design to managing and consulting on the finest of details. The directors take an authentic and adaptable approach to creating spaces that push the boundaries of design and expectation.