Catching up With Designer Scott Posno

Scott Posno is the owner and principal at Scott Posno Design, a Vancouver-based design studio dedicated to creating timeless and elegant homes. Before establishing his own studio in 2003, Scott worked in the local industry for 8 years, such as Acton Ostry Architects, Henriquez Partners, and DGBK Architects. Scott’s practice is personalized and hands-on, focusing on the specific ways clients inhabit their spaces to create a design that uniquely complements their needs and lifestyles. Scott's work has been featured among global leaders in design in Arch Daily, Dwell Magazine, Dezeen, Western Living, Canadian House and Home, and Nuvo Magazine. Recently, Scott shared his philosophy on working closely with designers and clients to build unique, functional, and beautiful spaces.

Take us back to where it all started – tell us a bit about your background and how you began your career in architecture?

I grew up in London Ontario doing a lot of drawing and painting, so much so that I ended up studying Visual Art at Western University in London. I was always quite a technician in art school and I thrived on getting details perfect. After this degree, I moved to Vancouver to study architecture at UBC, focusing more on design.
When I finished architecture school I worked for a handful of local Vancouver firms for 8 years. I always picked up work on the side and eventually these projects were taking more time than I could handle with a full-time job. This was the point where I decided to take the plunge and go out and work on my own.

As a designer, you help clients build a home to specifically fit their needs. Why do you feel investing in home customization is important?

The realization of personal details in a home is very fulfilling. Every family has different needs for a home and we take pride in building close relationships to understand these needs. To see our clients interact with these actualized design ideas and details is one of the most rewarding things about my work.

"To see our clients interact with these actualized design ideas and details is one of the most rewarding things about my work."

Do you take furnishings and appliances into account when designing a home? How can interior designers collaborate with architects to bring a client’s dream home to life?

We do many projects where we work on both the house design and the interiors, so even when we aren’t explicitly asked to design the inside we are thinking about it in great detail. Architecture and interiors are two parts of a whole, and they cannot exist without each other. It is best when Interior designers can get involved early with us and the clients. The earlier the interior designer is involved in the project, the easier it is for the team to get on the same page and cultivate the vibe of the space from the start. This is the best way to achieve a “dream home”.

Typically, how do new projects come about for you? Do you tend to work more on renovations are new builds?

We work on new builds and renovations, but most of our projects are new houses. Projects come to us mostly by word of mouth. Many come from builders, realtors, design colleagues, or from people who see our name on job sites. Instagram, blogs, and publications also get our name out there.

"The earlier the interior designer is involved in the project, the easier it is for the team to get on the same page and cultivate the vibe of the space from the start. This is the best way to achieve a “dream home”."

Where do you find inspiration for your work? Are you drawn to a certain style or era of architecture?

I have worked on homes for decades, so at this point, I notice and study them wherever I go. For me, the best source of inspiration is to travel to an unfamiliar place with building typologies that are new to me. I would also say it is important to visit famous historic houses in real life to understand the nuances that make them great. On a recent trip to LA, I was lucky to visit a few modern houses on my list and I returned very inspired. Now that we can travel again, I'm looking forward to getting to Japan and definitely Scandinavia as well.

You have an impressive portfolio of builds in Vancouver. What is your favourite project you've worked on and why?

Thanks, that means a lot!! Our project on Marine Drive is my favourite project thus far both for the challenge, and the amount of design freedom we were awarded. We worked closely with the client on the house design, the full interior package, the landscape design, as well as the furniture selection and we picked the artwork. The clients trusted us wholeheartedly and the results exceeded all our expectations. We are presently working on another house for these clients.

"For me, the best source of inspiration is to travel to an

unfamiliar place"

What’s your favourite thing about being a part of the design community in Vancouver and globally?

At this point in my practice, I have cultivated many loyal relationships with designers, builders and trades that go back years to the very beginning of my career. We are all very supportive of one another. Our businesses have grown up and changed together, through the good and the bad. It’s a great feeling to be a part of this.

What advice do you have for designers wanting to build a relationship with an architect?

To get involved early on in the design process. Our best projects happen when designers and architects are both involved early in the project and work to solve problems collaboratively. Working together in tandem can streamline the process, minimize revisions, and ultimately the result will be something greater than any of the parties could have done alone.