BDP interior designer is one of the UK's top 10 LGBTQ+ future leaders

Our interior designer, Luke Kolbohm has been shortlisted at this year’s British LGBT Awards in the Top 10 Future Leader’s category. Luke joins an array of famous faces, top businesses, charities and LGBTQ+ diversity champions across the UK within nominations for the awards.

The Top 10 Future Leaders category recognises LGBTQ+ individuals who have taken responsibly to further the LGBTQ+ inclusion agenda within their workplace and industry.

Of his nomination, Luke commented: “I am so unbelievably honoured to be recognised as a 'Top 10 Future Leader' at the British LGBT Awards. I am immensely proud to have helped shape the LGBTQ+ agenda at BDP and associated works as the BDP representative and Co-Chair for Building Equality in Greater Manchester.

“Interior design is not just about beautiful 'Instagram moment' spaces. As designers we have an obligation to shape the experiences of the end user. I strive to design barrier-free spaces for all and I particularly focus my efforts in designing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. The current building regulations and guidance are simply not enough. We must challenge the bare minimum and design by listening to the lived experiences of everyone.”

Last year, as part of Luke’s work at Building Equality, he collaborated with the wider member companies to produce a report in response to the Government’s call for evidence on toilet provision for men and women. The report outlined international precedent for best design practice for inclusive washrooms and changing facilities. The report features the great work of Stalled! which is a project based on a cross-disciplinary research on the need to create safe, sustainable and inclusive public restrooms for everyone regardless of age, gender, race, religion and disability.

Of the report, he said: “Whilst there is still a long way to go across the UK for LGBTQ+ rights, designers have a real opportunity to help change not only how they design spaces but how they are subsequently using design and technical evidence to educate clients. I hope that by putting this document out in the public realm that other designers can use the evidence in their own projects to help design more inclusive spaces.”

The full report is available to download and view from the Building Equality website, here. For more information on how to get involved in Building Equality initiatives, contact buildingequalitylgbt@googlemail.com.

Luke and the team will be attending the 2022 British LGBT Awards in London on June 24th where the award winners will be announced.