No passion, no success

How do you typically start your workday?

On days I do not travel, I get into the office after the first three hours of the day spent checking emails, having breakfast with the family and accompanying the kids all the way to their &classrooms. I then walk around the office to say ‘good morning’ to all the early birds... after which, the work day can begin. 

Describe your work in a sentence.

When guests enter a high-end hotel or resort, they want to experience a sense of place and luxury that is beyond all expectations. Making this a reality is my job. 

What is your #1 personal principle/success mantra at work?

No creative business can be successful &without passion. It drives not only the design — but the service we provide to our clients as well. And I share this mindset with my team every day. 

In your workday, what is the one thing you &cannot do without?

My phone. Communication is key in the success of our business. Our clients — developers and operators — want and, I feel, deserve my full attention. 

Most challenging project to date?

One thing that makes hospitality design so interesting is that every project has its own challenges — different location, culture, developer, operator, brand etc. One of the most &challenging ones to date, however, has been a small scale hotel, part of Sifang — an arts and culture complex of over 20 buildings located around the Foshou Lake in China — opening later this year. In what is the last building imagined by the late Ettore Sotsass, the interiors had to respect the soul of his vision, without literally copying his work. 

Your favourite indulgence when you need a break from work?

Wishful thinking... turning my phone off! 

What is your greatest dream, professionally?

I consider myself very lucky to have started hospitality design right from the beginning of my career. My greatest dream is to be doing the same in 30+ years, with the same passion.

— As told to Karen Ann Monsy