International Hospitality interior design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) have announced a major expansion into Western Europe with the opening of one new office in London and investment in another, which will focus on bespoke, high-concept boutique projects.

In addition to opening the new division, the firm have also appointed a new principal to its main London office. Matt White, who has 25 years of luxury hospitality design experience, including at HBA Singapore, will drive development for the firm in Europe, “raising the bar in designing the finest hotels, resorts, restaurants and spas.”

HBA will invest in a new standalone studio called MUSE, which will open in early 2017. Led by former HBA designer Inge Moore and Nathan Hutchins, it will cater to clients seeking specialised, one-off hospitality projects.

The second new office, called HBA Residential London, will focus on “ultra-high-end” residential design such as elite private villas, penthouses, luxury buildings and homes. It will be spearheaded by Chris Godfrey, global principal of HBA Residential, and shall cater to clientele throughout Europe and internationally.

Commenting on the expansion plans, HBA Co-CEO Ian Carr said: “As the global market continues to demand exceptional interior design services, HBA is leading the way in Western Europe by expanding in the intercontinental hub that is London. We take the same approach to our firm’s growth as we do to our design philosophy – we stay nimble and responsive to client needs and always looking to raise the standard for design worldwide.”

HBA have 23 offices and more than 1,500 designers around the world. In the past six years, the firm have launched six additional divisions: Illuminate, Studio HBA, Canvas, HBA Architecture, HBA Graphics and HBA Residential.

High-profile projects currently being designed by HBA include Four Seasons Hotel Kingdom Towers Jeddah, St. Regis Palm Dubai, Waldorf Astoria Doha and The Ritz-Carlton Tunis.