d+a | Issue 128 • 2023

84 design and architecture #128 people Clint Nagata sets a new bar for excellence in hospitality design. Text by Amy Van Photography by BLINK Design Group visionary placemaker (Below) Clint Nagata who sets the strategic direction for the BLINK Design Group aims for simplicity, balance, and proportion for his designs. (Facing page) Roku Kyoto’s design embraces regional craftsmanship and incorporates the area’s natural surroundings into the interiors . Clint Nagata, founder of BLINK Design Group, is most known in the design realm for his upscale hospitality projects. Born and bred in Oahu, Hawaii, the Japanese- American relocated to Bangkok 17 years ago. After more than a decade at international architectural firmWATG in Honolulu, Nagata decided to establish his own firm in the Thai capital. Today BLINK is a leading multi-disciplinary design studio specialising in luxury lifestyle hotels and resorts, and residential projects. The 17-year-old firm has since expanded its presence in Asia with studios in Shanghai and Singapore. Nagata’s passion for travel has shaped his company’s design philosophy and approach for every project. In 2022, BLINK received an impressive collection of regional and international awards for its hotel and resort projects. In Asia, BLINK won the award for Best Guestrooms at Ahead Asia awards for Roku Kyoto (Hilton’s first LXR resort in the Asia Pacific). The resort was also a finalist (for Best Luxury Guestroom and Best Luxury Lobby) at the prestigious 42nd Gold Key awards in the US. At the same awards, BLINK’s Regent Phu Quoc project was a finalist for Best Luxury Resort. Nagata was also recognised as Interior Designer of the Year 2022 – Designer’s Choice – at the Design Excellence Awards held in Singapore. Nagata tells us more about his design journey.