Hospitality Design - March/April 2018 - 162

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A reception area and double-height atrium nod
to an outdoor café in Airbnb's Tokyo office

direct feedback. I get the chance to continually
refine the design and apply the lessons learned
on the next project.

Airbnb's in-house designer embraces
hospitality

Is there a standout office for you?
Since Rebecca Ruggles joined Airbnb almost
three years ago, the lead interior designer has
been responsible for eight of the homesharing
service's global offices in places as farflung as
Singapore and as close to home as San Francisco,
infusing them with an authentic look that calls
to mind the homes of Airbnb hosts. With the
launch of Airbnb Plus, which is a selection of the
highest quality homes that are visited in person
for inspection, Airbnb continues to incorporate
the basic principles of hospitality in its mission.
Ruggles, a speaker on this year's Disrupters
panel, chats with us about designing in Paris, the
effect of hospitality, and empowering hosts.

What has it been like moving from
hospitality at Gensler to Airbnb?
One of the biggest differences and benefits of
working in-house at Airbnb is that I get to work
in the spaces that I help design. I can directly
observe what's working and what's not, I
overhear candid conversations about it, and get

In Paris, we found a really quirky attic space in
a Haussmann building and transformed it into
an office that feels much more like a Parisianstyle loft. I was also able to shop for furniture
and accessories at the local flea markets, and
that experience is hard to beat.

And you use various Airbnb listings as
inspiration for your office projects.
It was an idea the founders had early on. They
wanted to connect employees to hosts and the
product and allow them the chance to travel
throughout their day even if they haven't left
the office.

How are you trying to push the idea on
what an office space is?
It's no surprise that food is the best way to
bring people together to collaborate and
build relationships. Our cafés have become
key hospitality elements within the office
spaces. They range from residential-style
kitchens in Paris and London where

In Paris, natural light and plants give the
solarium a greenhouse effect

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March/April 2018 hospitalitydesign.com

employees can prepare a meal and eat together,
to outdoor style cafés that can be a nice break
from the dense urban environments that
surround them like what we have in Tokyo
and Beijing.

What are some lessons that Airbnb
hosts can learn from hotels?
Hoteliers have been experts in this field for a
long time and they have set a high bar for guest
expectations. There are some key elements
that hosts can implement to step up their
game. Many are now incorporated into our new
Plus and Beyond standards.

Speaking of, you've have been working
on Airbnb Plus for a year now. What can
you tell us about it?
Setting standards for excellence is important
so we have something to measure against. It
highlights great home design in a way that we
haven't done before, helps reward our highest
performing hosts-giving them much more
exposure-and it gives guests more confidence
to book.
Panel: The Disrupters: May 2nd, 11:30 a.m.

Expansive windows surround
a sitting area in Beijing

Photos by DONAL MURPHY and STUDIO PERIPHERY

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Hospitality Design - March/April 2018

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