FAQ
Q - What services does Whichelo Design Studio provide, and how are they integrated?
Whichelo Design Studio provides interior design, creative lighting design and specialist spa/wellness design predominantly for retirement and senior living projects. What sets us apart is that these disciplines are not delivered in isolation—they are fully integrated from the outset.
Rather than coordinating multiple consultants, our clients work with one design partner and one cohesive vision. Interiors, lighting and spa environments are developed together, ensuring design intent, technical coordination and operational considerations are aligned from concept through to completion. This integrated approach reduces risk, improves efficiency and delivers environments that feel considered, coherent and genuinely supportive of resident wellbeing.
One studio, multiple specialisms—fully coordinated from day one.
Q - At what stage of a project should we engage Whichelo Design Studio?
Ideally, we are engaged as early as possible, often at feasibility or concept stage (RIBA 0–2). Early involvement allows us to influence layouts, circulation, joinery positioning, lighting strategy and spa planning before decisions are locked in—saving time, cost and rework later.
That said, we regularly join projects at later stages, including during technical design or even construction, where we help resolve coordination issues, protect design intent and improve build quality. Wherever you are in the process, we focus on adding value quickly and pragmatically.
TL;DR: Early engagement delivers the greatest value—but we can support at any stage.
Q - How does Whichelo Design Studio work with our wider consultant and contractor team?
We see ourselves as a collaborative partner, not a siloed consultant. We work closely with architects, M&E engineers, QS teams, project managers and contractors to ensure our designs are buildable, coordinated and clearly communicated.
Our experience in retirement living means we understand the pressures each discipline faces. We proactively resolve design issues, provide clear information, and support decision-making to reduce RFIs, variations and on-site friction. During construction, we remain actively involved to ensure design intent is maintained and on-site challenges are addressed from a design perspective.
We reduce coordination burden by working collaboratively and proactively.
Q - How are your design fees structured and what do they include?
Our fees are transparent, scope-defined and agreed upfront. They are typically structured as a fixed fee or stage-based fee aligned to the project programme, depending on complexity and client preference.
Fees cover design development, coordination, documentation and agreed construction-stage support. We do not discount our design fees to recover costs elsewhere, and we do not rely on product mark-ups to supplement our income. This ensures our advice and design decisions are always made in the best interests of the client and the project.
Clear fees, no hidden margins, no conflicts of interest.
Q - Do you provide procurement services, and how do you handle FF&E specification and costing?
We provide independent, unbiased FF&E specification, budgeting and cost planning as part of our design service. We work with a trusted network of third-party suppliers, but we do not purchase FF&E on behalf of clients or apply mark-ups.
This approach gives clients full transparency, access to the wider market and confidence that products are selected for suitability, durability and value not margin. Clients retain control of procurement, warranties and supplier relationships, while benefiting from our expertise in specification and coordination.
Independent specification that protects value and transparency.
Q - What level of involvement do you have during construction and installation?
We believe design responsibility does not end when drawings and specifications are issued. Whichelo Design Studio maintains an active role during construction, both on and off site, to ensure the finished environment reflects the approved design.
Our involvement includes responding to site queries, reviewing samples and mock-ups, attending key site visits, coordinating with contractors and supporting snagging. This hands-on approach helps prevent design dilution, resolves issues early and ensures the final build quality aligns with the client’s aspirations and our design documentation.
We stay involved to protect design intent and build quality.
Q - Can we appoint Whichelo Design Studio for interior design only?
Yes. While many clients engage us for our fully integrated service, we also offer interior design as a standalone appointment. Our interior design work for example in retirement living focuses on spatial planning, joinery design, FF&E specification, colour and material palettes, and operational functionality.
We bring extensive experience in designing communal spaces such as receptions, lounges, dining areas, cafés, cinemas, salons and back-of-house support areas. Our approach balances warmth, accessibility and durability, ensuring interiors support resident wellbeing while remaining practical and cost-effective for operators.
Interior design can be appointed independently, with the same rigour and sector expertise.
Q - What experience does Whichelo Design Studio have in creative lighting design?
Lighting design is a core specialism within our studio, not an afterthought. We design lighting specifically that always considers older users, where glare control, contrast, vertical illumination and emotional comfort are critical.
Our experience spans communal areas, circulation spaces, apartments, spas and key external environments. We work alongside M&E consultants to ensure lighting is fully compliant, but also layered, human-centred and supportive of the interior design intent. The result is lighting that enhances mood, legibility and wellbeing rather than simply meeting a prescribed standard.
Specialist lighting design that balances compliance, comfort and atmosphere.
Q - Can Whichelo Design Studio provide lighting design without full interior design services?
Yes. We regularly provide standalone lighting design services, particularly on projects where interiors are already developed but the lighting strategy needs refinement.
This can include concept lighting design, detailed layouts, luminaire specification, coordination with M&E, and construction-phase support. We often add value by identifying issues such as over-lighting, glare, poor contrast or missed opportunities to support wayfinding and social interaction—especially in retirement living environments.
Lighting design can be commissioned independently at any project stage.
Q - What specialist experience do you have in spa and wellness design?
Spa and wellness design is a dedicated specialism within Whichelo Design Studio. We have experience designing hydrotherapy pools, swimming pools, thermal suites, treatment areas, changing facilities and relaxation spaces specifically for senior and retirement living.
Our expertise covers customer journey planning, accessibility, staff operation, safety, and the technical coordination of pools, thermal cabins and wet environments. We design spas that are not only visually calming, but functional, compliant, and economically viable to operate long-term.
Spa design grounded in operational and technical expertise, not just aesthetics.
Q - Can you be appointed solely as a spa or wellness design consultant?
Yes. We are frequently appointed to provide specialist spa design input alongside architects and interior designers.
In these cases, we focus on planning layouts, defining user and staff journeys, coordinating technical requirements, and ensuring the spa integrates seamlessly with the wider building design. Our role is to prevent costly mistakes, improve functionality, and ensure the finished spa delivers genuine wellbeing benefits for residents.
Specialist spa design can be appointed independently or as part of a wider team.
Q - How do your individual specialist services integrate with other consultants?
Whether appointed for interiors, lighting or spa design, we work collaboratively with the wider project team. Our specialist input is always coordinated, clearly documented and aligned with architectural, M&E and operational requirements.
We understand the pressures of complex developments and aim to reduce—not add to—coordination burden. Our experience across disciplines allows us to identify conflicts early and support smoother project delivery.
Specialist input that strengthens coordination rather than complicating it.