d+a | Issue 128 • 2023

86 design and architecture #128 people with requests to create Instagram-worthy assets for guests. This brings me to a point where I am not sure if, as designers, we are doing them a favour or disfavour. I have been lured to places that look amazing on Instagram but once you get there, it is a huge disappointment. I feel we should be focusing on creating inspirational guest moments without getting caught in the web of needing to be a social media sensation. The focus should return to creating precious experiences for time immemorial. We see hotels now that have openly embraced the idea of WFH (work from home) and are transforming themselves into places that support this. One of our projects involves transforming the hotel lobby into a “WeWork” that has all the attributes to attract guests for long-term stays. Similarly, hotels have also been rethinking the spa and it has gone from being only about calmness and solitude to perhaps something more social. A good example is the wow spa (Bar-B Spa) at W Dubai Mina Seyahi – the heart of the spa is the lounge bar with swing seats that are meant to become a social gathering space. I think the trend now is the blurring between work and going on holiday or what is popularly called ‘bleisure’. Is there a project that you felt was more challenging yet fulfilling in your career? Working on the Regent Phu Quoc was most challenging during the pandemic as all our meetings were conducted on Zoom as we could not travel to the location. We had people on site that were our eyes and ears. They walked through the site with their mobile phones and that was how we could view the interiors. The resort turned out beautifully and exceeded our expectations. Could you elaborate more on your guiding philosophy: ‘placemaking’? How do you research or immerse your design ideas in the culture and people of a place? At BLINK, we aim to translate our clients’ visions into awesome, unforgettable pieces of architecture inspired by travel experiences and cultural encounters. To do this, we need to listen to our client’s narrative for choice of location, its site history, the community relationship and connection with guests. This is a crucial preliminary part of the process which we spend a lot of time on and it applies to all projects. For instance, our objective for the Regent Phu Quoc was to create a luxury resort experience infused with the soul and culture of Phu Quoc – sited favourably on the island’s longest beach on its western shore. We use materials like laquerwork with the delicate duck eggshell inlays for which the region is famous. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on natural materials in line with the island's pristine natural setting such How has your design style evolved over the years? My design philosophy is to take both clients and guests on a passage that tells the story of a place through a modern design lens. We seek to create wonderful interior-based designs that capture the spirit of the place. Throughout the years, I have never been one to get caught up in trends, and trends come and go. I have always felt a strong desire to be timeless and believe in simplicity, balance, and proportion. I have stayed true to this approach regardless of the location. I think if anything, through time, we have been able to refine our approach and designs more than we did 17 years ago by being sensitive to clients’ needs and the personality of the location. What do you keep in mind when you set out to design a hotel these days? In this age of heavy social media, we have been faced (Below) Nagata’s design vision for Fullerton Ocean Park in Hong Kong is a contemporary interpretation of a seaside hotel.