DV8 Designs was born in 2006, starting life in a small home studio filled with fabric samples, design sketches and, of course, plenty of big dreams. In those early days, Managing Director Lee Birchall, balanced busy workdays with family life, often working late into the evening after time with his young children, delivering projects for clients single-handedly. The original DV8 logo was even traced by hand on tracing paper, a humble beginning for what would become a thriving design practice.
Lee’s journey into the world of interior design came in an unexpected way. While at school, his English teacher spotted an opportunity at an architectural practice and suggested Lee would be a great fit. It was there, that his passion for the industry truly began. Working alongside architects gave Lee an early understanding of the architectural side of design and how spaces are conceived, structured and brought to life.
After gaining experience on larger projects and honing his skills, Lee’s ambition to build his own design practice continued to grow. This vision ultimately led to the launch of DV8 Designs. The name reflected Lee’s desire to create something different, a practice that would deviate from the norm, and challenge conventional approaches to design.
From the very beginning, Lee’s mission was clear: to deliver unique, imaginative, transformational and functional design solutions, guiding projects from the earliest sketches through to fully realised spaces.
What began in a home studio in 2006 has, twenty years later, grown into a nationally recognised architectural and design practice. Today, DV8 Designs delivers projects both across the UK and internationally, working across a wide range of sectors including hospitality, commercial, meanwhile use, leisure, aviation, food halls and business parks, partnering with both private and public sector organisations.
Transforming Places, Enhancing Spaces
Over the past two decades, DV8 Designs has stayed true to its original ethos, consistently transforming places, enhancing spaces, and delivering outstanding designs. Chosen time and time again for its unique skills, sector knowledge, and determination, the firm continues to create projects that make a lasting impact for its clients.
Along the journey there have been triumphs, challenges and memorable moments, shaped by the dedication of the DV8 team and the trust of clients and the collaboration of valued partners.
Highlights from 20 Years
Two decades of creativity, growth, and impact, here are the defining milestones that have shaped DV8 Designs into the industry-leading practice it is today.
2006: DV8 Designs was founded by Lee Birchall, starting life as a small home-based studio with big ambitions. With a passion for creative thinking and a desire to do things differently, the foundations of the business were built on developing imaginative, practical design solutions that could take a project from early ideas through to a completed space.
Early Milestones & Industry Beginnings
Lee secured the role of consultant Project Manager, bringing DV8 Designs its first official client, Punch Tavern Group. This marked an exciting early milestone and the beginning of delivering projects for well-known brands, marketing a pivotal moment for the beginning of DV8’s reputation for excellence, creativity and trusted client partnerships that continue to define its work today.
2008: Client Wins & a Growing Team
As demand from hospitality clients surged, DV8 Designs appointed its first team member, and welcomed an Interior Designer to the team. It marked an exciting milestone for the business and the beginning of building a larger team capable of delivering a growing number of projects.
Weathering the Recession
Like many businesses, DV8 faced challenges during the recession. However, these testing times helped shape the company’s resilience and future direction. During this period, the team began expanding beyond hospitality projects, diversifying the portfolio and laying the foundations for long-term growth.
2009: Expansion at Birchwood Park
As DV8’s client base continued to grow across both commercial and hospitality sectors, the team expanded alongside it. Lovell House at Birchwood Park, Warrington became the new home for DV8 Designs, providing the perfect base to support the company’s next phase of growth.
2010: The Start of Long-Term Partnerships
This period also marked the beginning of several long-term client relationships that remain central to the DV8 portfolio today. One of the earliest was Hydes Brewery, who joined the client roster and have continued to work with DV8 ever since. Over time, other respected names such as Greene King also became long-standing partners.
2013: A Local Office with National Clients
While the design practice remained proudly based in Warrington, the DV8 brand reputation extended far beyond the NW region. With a growing reputation for design excellence, DV8 continued to be a design practice of choice from the commercial & hospitality sectors from all over the UK
2016: Celebrating 10 Years of DV8 Designs
DV8 Designs proudly marked its 10th anniversary, a milestone that reflected not just a decade of creativity, but a track record of delivering real value to clients. From innovative design solutions to enduring partnerships, the first ten years showcased the team’s ability to turn vision into impact, shaping spaces, experiences, and relationships that continue to define the firm’s reputation for excellence.
2018: DV8 Appointed by Aspire Lounges
DV8 expanded into the aviation sector through the appointment of Aspire Lounges at key U.K. airports, including Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle, marking an important step in the companies growth and diversification.
Further Office Expansion
Growing client demand and an expanding portfolio drove DV8 to move into a larger office, a milestone that reflected both the team’s growth and the firm’s rising influence in the design world. By this stage, DV8 had firmly established a reputation for delivering high-quality, impactful design solutions across diverse sectors, proving its ability to scale without compromising creativity, innovation, or client excellence.
2019: Liverpool Gin Distillery & Award Recognition
2019 brought one of DV8’s standout projects, securing the contract with Halewood International for the Liverpool Gin Distillery. The project proved to be a proud moment for the team and gained industry recognition, earning two major accolades including an award celebrating the design itself.
2020: Adapting During COVID & Diversifying
The COVID pandemic challenged many industries, but DV8 continued evolving and adapting. The business broadened its scope beyond hospitality and commercial, expanding into sectors including aviation, leisure, regeneration developments, meanwhile use, competitive socialising spaces food halls, and business parks, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of the team and continuing to be seen as a valued partner to these client by consistently adding value both operational and commercial over and above design.
2023: Swissport Appoint DV8 as Lead Designers
The client relationship was further strengthened with Swissport appointing DV8 as lead designers, to roll out their international business and leisure club lounges collaboration within the wider design community.
Giving Back: Charity & Community
Giving back is at the heart of DV8’s ethos. The team has consistently championed both local and industry causes, raising funds and awareness for Cheshire charities such as St Rocco’s Hospice and Macmillan through dragon boat races, marathons, and creative fundraising initiatives. At the same time, DV8 has actively supported the hospitality sector, partnering with industry charity Hospitality Action to give back to the very community it serves. Across every project and initiative, the firm demonstrates that success is measured not just in design excellence, but in the positive impact it creates for people and communities alike.
2024: A Brand Refresh for the Future
This year marked a pivotal new chapter for DV8 Designs with a full brand refresh, an evolution driven by the firm’s growth and the expanding scope of its work. The updated logo, rooted in the original, and the immersive new website were designed not only to showcase a diverse and impressive portfolio but to project DV8’s vision for the future. This refresh ensures the brand presence reflects the practice it has become: innovative, ambitious, and ready to shape the next era of design excellence.
Industry Recognition & Thought Leadership
Managing Director Lee stands out as a trusted voice and industry trailblazer. From keynote speaker at exhibitions, conferences, and design events across the UK and beyond, to influential contributions in leading publications including Design Insider, Lee consistently drives the conversation on emerging trends and innovation. DV8’s bi-monthly insight papers and thought pieces, shared with clients and across professional networks, underscore a commitment to thought leadership that has earned respect, influence, and a legacy of excellence over two decades.
2025: Recognised Among the UK’s Top Interior Design Practices
Nearly two decades of design excellence have seen DV8 collect a host of awards, from the Grafters Best Hospitality & Commercial Interior Design Award to Best Commercial Scheme. A crowning achievement came in 2025, when DV8 was celebrated as one of the UK’s leading interior design practices, taking home the prestigious UK TOPID Award from NEWH, a recognition that highlights the firm’s enduring creativity, innovation, and influence in the design world.
The People Behind DV8
While projects and awards are significant milestones, the people who have been part of DV8’s journey remain its greatest achievement. Strong relationships, shared successes and a culture of collaboration have helped shape the business over the years and celebrated through team events, social activities and memorable moments together.
2026: Celebrating 20 Years of Design Thinking
DV8 Designs proudly marks 20 years of creativity, innovation, and design excellence. This milestone isn’t just a celebration of the past, it signals the start of an exciting new chapter, where immersive experiences, bold design vision, and forward-thinking projects will continue to shape the future of hospitality and commercial spaces. Two decades strong, our mission remains unwavering: to push boundaries, set new benchmarks, and redefine what exceptional design can achieve. Here’s to the next 20 years of transforming places and enhancing spaces!
