Design by Roselind Wilson Design
InteriorLAB’s Peter Forfar: Raising the Bar in Luxury Construction
OLISE Interviews Peter Forfar, Founder of InteriorLAB, to find out what makes this construction guru so successful.
Design by Roselind Wilson Design
Q: You’ve been in the construction industry in London and the South East for 25 years, working on incredible buildings and homes. What is the most memorable commercial project you've worked on and why?
I have been fortunate enough to enjoy a history of repeat projects, a couple of which are emotionally important to me, on a personal level. However, our project on Wardour Street was a landmark moment for us as a business. The assembled project team was one I had always wanted to collaborate with on a large commercial project. The location, Soho, is iconic, and it's a street I’ve walked down many times – it was technically challenging and achieved a very rare accreditation – BREEAM Outstanding. It was a great result for everyone involved.
Q: Your career began in the commercial market, and now you also work in high-end residential projects. How did you transition into residential work?
The shift into residential work wasn’t something I planned - it came organically. A commercial client asked for my help with their home. I was initially daunted but also excited by the challenge. I quickly realised the principles are very similar to commercial projects. I am a person devoted to detail, who appreciates great artisan work, which is more difficult in the commercial sector due to the fast-track nature of the sequencing.
Design by K&H Design
With super-prime residential projects, there's more flexibility, and I enjoy working with designers to bring a client’s vision to life. The pace in the residential sector is different, and my experience in commercial work has made me very efficient, allowing us to deliver detailed finishes in highly organised scheduling. Plus, the residential market aligns more with my design passion, giving me greater depth to explore new finishes and techniques.
Design by Roselind Wilson Design
Q: Your first residential project was in Belsize Park. How was it different from your usual commercial projects, and what did you learn from it?
I quickly learned that a fast programme and superior quality are two things that are so hard to bring together – the supply chain in commercial is typically working on lower cost and time on site, whereas the opposite is true with residential. As a team we focus really hard on getting the design details right in advance – helping the design side team in advance, this helps us to remove risk in the programme and maintain scheduling at a good pace whilst delivering absolute quality.
Design by Roselind Wilson Design
Q: Tell us about the fire and how it created your big break into prime real estate.
A project of ours was sadly devastated by fire and water damage because the property next door was practically burnt to cinders. It was a very emotional time for our client because we had just created their dream home. It was hard and moving to see the devastation of the hard work and home that was created – but our client became motivated to begin again and make some changes which perhaps they wouldn’t have made in the first project. The changes really gave us a second opportunity, and another project to demonstrate our ‘social proof’ and capability – I was proud of the result and I still look fondly at the case study in our portfolio. We also started our relationship with insurance reinstatement projects from this point, which we continue to deliver to this day.
Q: You’re known as the go-to construction company for some of the UK’s top interior designers. How did you build this network?
Building a network takes time, multiple touchpoints, and a lot of honesty. I don't subscribe to the "fake it until you make it" mentality. If people trust me with their projects, it’s my responsibility to deliver at the highest level with my team. I prefer smaller, more intimate gatherings rather than big events where you have to pitch to a room. We have a varied network that we nurture through collaboration. It’s about trust and making sure that we achieve perfection every time. I also enjoy being a leader who knows and understands every project in detail, including challenges we face - we harness very open communication across our team.
Design by K&H Design
Q: How do you choose an interior designer to collaborate with?
The UK has some exceptional interior design talent. I enjoy following designers and understanding their aesthetic. Many say they are a reflection of the client’s taste, but I enjoy working with designers who aren’t afraid to express their own style. We’ve been fortunate to work with designers like Piero Lissoni, Laura Hammett, K&H Design, and Goddard & Studio, all of whom have distinct styles that align with the client’s vision.
Design by Laura Hammett
Desgin by Goddard&Studio
Q: You started your business as a one-man operation in 2013 and now lead a successful company with 18 people. What has been the key to your success?
Being agile and flexible is key. Early on, I viewed mistakes as failures, but now I embrace them as they’ve been my greatest teachers. I’m fortunate to have an exceptional team, and some real friends amongst them. Surrounding myself with passionate people who care about detail and problem-solving has made the journey more enjoyable. Construction is challenging, but if you care about the details, it’s worth it. I’m often described as obsessive about the minor details, and I take that as a compliment. Every problem is an opportunity, and I’ve learned valuable lessons from challenges along the way.
Q: If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice when you were starting your business, what would it be?
I would advise myself to embrace the competition. The commercial sector is very cut-throat, and we rarely meet our competitors. But in the residential sector, there are more opportunities to engage and learn from fellow contractors. It’s essential to observe who’s doing things well and learn from them. Being a business owner can be isolating, so having trusted mentors is crucial in navigating the challenges of running a business.
Design by Laura Hammett
Q: How do you see InteriorLAB growing in the future?
In the past year, we’ve delivered some outstanding projects in London’s most iconic buildings, including One Grosvenor Square, The Peninsula, and Cambridge Gate. We have collaborated with amazing designers, architects, and consultants on these projects and built a fantastic network as a result. Moving forward, we aim to continue this momentum with a trusted inner circle that always delivers. We've recently acquired a bespoke joinery workshop, which reflects my passion for design and allows us more control over our on-site delivery. This is the start of InteriorLAB’s expansion, which already includes a mechanical and electrical division and InteriorLAB 360, where we maintain properties long after the build is complete. I aim to be a best-in-class employer, and we’re focused on continually improving. Trust is everything and maintaining it with our clients is key to our success.
