Hospitality Design - June 2014 - 87

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architecture, courtyard, art, and repurposed
design connected with me on so many levels.
It left a lasting impression on me.
I began with a fine arts degree at a liberal
arts university. However, during my first
year, my painting teacher Ira Greenberg
convinced me that I was a creative problem
solver, and I was better suited as a designer.
(He obviously didn't love my paintings.) I
was only 19 at the time, and I had never been
exposed to the design world outside of books,
but he helped me put together a portfolio
that eventually allowed me to land a fulltime design position at a firm in Chelsea
in New York. I worked professionally as a
designer during the day, and in the evenings
I continued my design education at the
Fashion Institute of Technology.
Within a few years my professional work
in brand design evolved into 3D branded
environments. It was then that I realized my
passion for dimensional and experiential
design. Soon after, I moved to San Francisco

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to formally train as an interior architect.
During my first few weeks working at the
Gensler lifestyle studio, I had the amazing
opportunity to help pitch the design for
Joie de Vivre's Hotel Kabuki. Our team was
awarded the project, and I was fortunate
enough to work on it from inception. The
knowledge I gained from working under
the guidance of Jeff Henry, a principal at
Gensler, and from Chip Conley, the founder
of Joie de Vivre, was immeasurable.
My most challenging project to date is
the W Dubai - Sheikh Zayed Road [while
a senior designer at Starwood Hotels &
Resorts]. It is a large-scale property that
incorporates three hotels, multiple towers, a
Vegas-style performance theater, and wideranging programming that offered rare and
unique design opportunities-along with
tremendous complications. It still is yet to
be completed.

1. A rendering of the
indoor pool of the Park
Hyatt New York, set
to open later this year
with a design by Yabu
Pushelberg.
2. The speakeasyinspired Bluespoon Bar
at the Andaz Amsterdam
by Marcel Wanders.

3. A rendering of the
FG Stijl-designed all-day
dining restaurant the
Bank, at the soon-toopen Park Hyatt Vienna.
4. A model room for
the Park Hyatt New
York, designed by Yabu
Pushelberg.

Guilty pleasures: smoky/peaty scotches,
almost anything pickled, salivating over
vintage sports cars and bicycles that I'll
never be able to afford, playing Candy Crush
Saga in transit, obsessively posting to my
design blog, and staying up late to work
on my jewelry designs (my personal mini
architecture).
My tombstone will read: 'It takes courage to
grow up and become who you really are.'
-E. E. Cummings

A hotel isn't just a static product-it's an
all-encompassing experience that touches
on all our senses. It is amazing to be part
of creating such an experience. I thrive on
creating experiences that people connect
with emotionally and intellectually.

Recently Completed Projects:
Andaz Maui at Wailea
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo
Park Hyatt Siem Reap
Park Hyatt Changbaishan
Park Hyatt Busan

The most challenging part of the job is
maintaining the integrity of a brand while
preserving the original vision of the hotel
until completion.

Projects on the Boards:
Andaz Tokyo
Andaz Gurgaon
Andaz Munich
Park Hyatt New York
Park Hyatt Vienna
Park Hyatt Marrakech
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
Park Hyatt St. Kitts
Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort

My fashion icons are the two Alexanders-
Wang and McQueen.
My personal style is probably best described
as California rustic modern.

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