b-ing Interiors
UKIO BCN
Home from home
There’s no doubt that in the short term at least the travel sector is undergoing huge changes because of Covid-19. The debate whether these changes are here to stay still rages on, but right now we are beginning to see an explosion of new emerging business models and services. At the vanguard of this shake up is UKIO, a Spanish based real estate / lifestyle initiative that offers fresh thinking on both travelling and working in the new world that is emerging.
The French-American Fourteau brothers, Stanley and Jeremy, are the catalysing forces behind UKIO, the word means to enjoy the moment in the Japanese language. Stanley’s background in the travel industry is combined with Jeremy’s experience in technology. Their project caters to a new type of traveller who can move around the globe for work or other reasons, and always be guaranteed a sensation of ‘home’. This is made possible by offering a choice of completely furnished apartments always situated in prime locations, with a carefully curated interior design together with everything the 21st traveller could need to live and work during an extended stay, up to 11 months. The idea is the very opposite of other accommodation platforms, it’s all about experiencing the place where you live. But in a sustainable way that plugs into the local economy and culture.
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The idea involves a holistic understanding of home, one that today must also include the option of working from home. But without sacrificing the very reasons that we travel in the first place: that is to live and connect with the places that we are visiting. In terms of layout and design the apartments are configured for sharing or living alone. There are 5 different interior design models that are ‘grafted’ onto the found apartments. This means that every apartment is unique some with spectacular architectural features. Every apartment has its coordinates, latitude and longitude included within its décor. The basics that you would expect are covered; security, utilities, online check-in facility, an optional cleaning service etc. However it’s the extras that make the difference, abundant plants, an old style deck record player with Bluetooth facility, quality locally produced furniture and bed linens etc.
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Inteiror design of the Douro apartment, created by designer Louise Nascimento and her team
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The typical UKIO client includes anyone who needs to displace themselves for work, study or any other reason to live in another city. For periods of anywhere between 1 and 11 months with no need to pack any furniture or bed clothes, it’s all covered. Right now accommodation is being offered in Madrid and Barcelona, with Lisbon coming soon and then the rest of the world!
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All the apartments are individually designed according to 5 style criteria, each have a unique name, Nevis is pictured here.
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Photo of brothers Jeremy and Stanley Fourteau, founder of UKIO
