Daniel Sanders: Four Decades of Fireplace Design Expertise at Modus
As Modus Fireplaces enters its 40th year in business, we meet Director Daniel Sanders, whose work spans extraordinary private homes, some of the world's most prestigious hotels and just about every technical complexity that comes with designing around fire.
The art of architectural fire
Most people look at a fireplace and see a source of warmth. Daniel Sanders sees the architecture, the engineering, the materials, the ventilation and, more often than not, an opportunity to do something rather interesting. It's something of an occupational hazard.
As Director of Modus Fireplaces, a London-based specialist in luxury bespoke fireplaces, Daniel has spent much of his professional life immersed in the world of architectural fire. And while fireplaces might appear to be a rather niche subject, the possibilities are considerably more extensive than most people imagine.
From suspended sculptural masterpieces and fireplaces that emerge from beneath the floor to discreetly integrated flames in beautifully considered private homes, Daniel and his team have made a speciality of pushing the boundaries of contemporary fireplace design. And with Modus now entering its 40th year in business, that creative ambition is underpinned by an impressive depth of technical knowledge and industry experience.
Not your average fireplace company
Over four decades, Modus has evolved into a trusted creative and technical resource for leading architects, interior designers and discerning homeowners, working across luxury residential and hospitality projects in the UK and internationally.
Its portfolio includes installations for some of the world's most prestigious hotels, including Claridge's, The Berkeley, The Chancery Rosewood London, Six Senses and The BoTree, alongside exceptional private residences for an international clientele.
The breadth of these projects is revealing.
At Claridge's, Modus installed a sculptural suspended Focus fireplace within the André Fu-designed Residence, incorporating sophisticated holographic flame technology to achieve the desired architectural effect.
At The Berkeley, the team delivered bespoke fireplaces across several spaces, including a striking bioethanol installation beneath an architectural plaster flue and double-sided fireplaces connecting bedroom and lounge areas.
More recently, at The BoTree London, Modus created five entirely bespoke fireplaces, each responding to a different setting, from the hotel's bars and suites to its spa and outdoor terraces.
Yet Daniel is equally at home creating a beautifully proportioned fireplace for a family living room. Whether the project calls for a subtle wall fire, an architectural room divider or something considerably more adventurous, the principle remains the same: the fireplace should feel as though it belongs. And sometimes, making something look beautifully simple is considerably more complicated than creating something spectacular.
A fire architect, if you will
Daniel's expertise sits somewhere between architecture, design, engineering and a rather detailed understanding of what happens when you introduce a real flame into a building. He knows the difference between a fireplace that looks beautiful on a drawing and one that will actually work.
That means understanding everything from sculptural proportions, material finishes and architectural integration to combustion technologies, heat outputs, flue design, ventilation, emissions and the legislation governing different fuel types. It's a breadth of knowledge that makes him a valuable sounding board for architects and interior designers, particularly when their ambitions extend beyond the conventional.
And those ambitions can be extraordinary. Modus has developed fireplaces that rise from beneath the floor at the touch of a button, exceptionally long linear flame installations and suspended sculptural designs that appear almost to defy gravity.
The challenge is rarely just making something look beautiful. It's finding a way to make it work, safely and reliably, without compromising the original architectural vision. It's what makes Daniel something of a Fire Architect - someone who understands fire not simply as a product, but as an integral architectural element.
Fireplace design has moved on. Considerably.
If your idea of a fireplace is still a traditional mantelpiece or a shiny metal box with a flame inside, you may be surprised by what's possible today.
Advances in fireplace technology have transformed how fire can be incorporated into contemporary interiors.
Bioethanol fireplaces, for example, can now be integrated into sweeping plaster forms, monumental stone structures and sculptural suspended designs. Selected premium burners can create dancing linear flames up to two metres long, realistic log effects and even offer smart home connectivity with app-based control.
Gas fireplaces can become dramatic double-sided room dividers, allowing fire to be enjoyed from adjoining spaces while maintaining the visual openness of contemporary interiors.
Modern wood-burning fireplaces have evolved into extraordinary sculptural forms, while sophisticated electric flame technologies offer new possibilities where traditional combustion systems may not be appropriate.
The exciting part, from Daniel's perspective, is how these developments are changing the relationship between fire and architecture. A fireplace no longer has to sit politely within a chimney breast. It can help define the entire space.
The less glamorous side of beautiful fireplaces
Of course, there's another side to the fireplace industry that rarely makes it into glossy interiors magazines. Building Regulations. Ventilation requirements. Fuel legislation. Heat management. Safety clearances. Emissions.
Not quite as photogenic as a spectacular suspended fireplace in the centre of a beautifully designed living room, but arguably rather more important and this is where Daniel's experience becomes particularly valuable.
Whether advising on the legality of wood-burning fireplaces in London, comparing gas and bioethanol technologies, or resolving the complexities of a bespoke installation in an international hotel, his expertise extends well beyond aesthetics. A striking fireplace is one thing. A striking fireplace that has been properly engineered, specified and installed to perform safely for years to come is quite another.
It's also why Modus places such emphasis on its in-house design, technical coordination and project management capabilities, working closely with leading European manufacturers and specialist craftspeople from initial concept through to installation.
What does the future of fireplace design look like?
As Modus approaches its 40th anniversary, Daniel is seeing an interesting shift in how architects, interior designers and homeowners think about fire.
Traditional chimney breasts are giving way to sculptural forms, curved plaster, unusual metals and dramatic stone installations. Suspended fireplaces are increasingly treated as works of art, while double-sided designs help define open-plan spaces without the need for solid walls. Technology is bringing greater flexibility too, particularly as smart home integration, sophisticated flame effects and alternative fuel systems continue to develop.
And within luxury hospitality, fire is playing an increasingly considered role in creating atmosphere, from statement installations in hotel bars to beautifully designed fireplaces in spas, suites and outdoor terraces. For Daniel, the most interesting projects are those where architecture, technology and craftsmanship come together almost invisibly. Because despite all the advances in design and engineering, the fundamental appeal of a fireplace remains remarkably simple.
People like being around fire. They always have. The challenge and the pleasure, is finding new and beautiful ways to make it part of our lives.
About Daniel Sanders
Daniel Sanders is Director of Modus Fireplaces, a London-based specialist in luxury bespoke and architectural fireplaces. His expertise spans contemporary fireplace design, engineering, fuel technologies, technical innovation and UK regulations.
He works alongside leading architects, interior designers and discerning residential clients, delivering fireplaces for private homes and prestigious hospitality projects across the UK and internationally.
About Modus Fireplaces
Entering its 40th year in business, Modus Fireplaces is one of the UK's leading specialists in bespoke architectural fireplaces. Renowned for its design expertise, technical precision and customisation capabilities, the company designs and delivers exceptional indoor and outdoor fireplaces for luxury residential and hospitality projects.
Working with leading European manufacturers, Modus provides a comprehensive service encompassing design, specification, technical coordination, project management and installation.
Discover more: Explore our recent projects and indoor fireplace collections, or contact Modus Fireplaces to discuss your project.
