A new initiative – Workshops on Interior Design- were run from 06 December till 10 December 2004 at Western University with the support of British Council. The main goal of the project was to introduce British interior design to local designers and students from the design departments of the Academy of Fine Arts and the Western University. Over five days the participants had a chance to become familiarized with methods in UK interior design practice, explore lighting and materials, make models and develop ideas for exhibition display. By the end of the workshop the participants significantly increased their knowledge of UK interior design practice and trends.
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The workshops were run by Layton Reid, the head of Interior Design at Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication (www.rave.ac.uk). Layton is a practising designer, author of numerous works on design and architecture and has taken part in such international events as Society des Arts Decoratifs, The Louvre, Paris, London International Architecture Biennale Exhibition, Zollverein School of Design and Management inaugural international re-cycle materials workshop. He has also had various commercial and residential projects in architecture and design in Turkey, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Tunisia and UK.
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For this project the British Council had donated books and other reading materials on contemporary world architecture and design to the Design Department of Western University.
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The British Council announced the competition for the best design of the Museum of Musical Culture during the workshop. The best work will be selected by a local jury and a UK designer and will be the new design of the main exhibition hall at the Museum of Musical Culture of Azerbaijan. The renovation work will be provided with assistance of a local construction company.
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The Azerbaijan Museum of Musical Culture is one of 45 Museums of Musical Culture in the world. The museum’s collection includes more than 35000 rare and historically valuable exhibits. There is an ensemble of Ancient National Music Instruments that includes 14 musicians in the museum.