Boutique Design - July/August 2014 - 52

Bob Puccini and Amy
Jakubowski are plotting
a course to take Puccini
Group from a restaurant
design/operations
specialist to a heavy
hitter in the luxury
boutique and lifestyle
sector as well.

PROJECT
PARTICIPANTS
PROJECT
5

Four Seasons Resort
Orlando at Walt Disney
World, Golden Oak, Fla.
CLIENT DESIGN TEAM

Hotels and Resorts; Strategic Hotels & Resorts; Starwood Hotels and
Resorts, specifically Westins and Sheratons; Las Vegas Sands Corp;
Alila Hotels and Resorts, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHANGES AHEAD ON THE DESIGN SIDE?

Global accessibility to technology has made cultural barriers less
rigid. This has heightened global travelers' expectations, as they seek
out increasingly unique experiences. Within the design industry,
technology has sparked an explosion in new product launches (like
the ability to put lights in wallpaper!), and I don't expect this level of
product development to slow down any time soon.
Sense of place isn't going away, but it is changing. Exploration also
plays a role, and the Discover America Campaign is a great example,
as it encourages visitors to the U.S. to experience the country in its
entirety. With the advent of this program, and having recently crossed
the country on my road-trip from NYC to my new home in San Francisco, I'm excited about the opportunity to give others that same
wonderful experience right here at home by encouraging emotional
connections to a place through thoughtful design.
Research has shown that an additional 9-plus million travelers
from China alone will visit the U.S. next year, and the average
Chinese traveler will spend a week while here. This creates a huge
opportunity for design firms to seek inspiration from the local
market when designing a project, as global travelers demand a
particular sort of space (one that references its neighborhood
rather than its nationality) when experiencing new destinations.
In addition, the health and wellness-focused traveler will drive
outdoor experiences, as guests crave discovery and balance.
We've noticed this first-hand, as we've looked at three mountain
resort projects just this year alone.
Lastly, vacations centered around volunteerism are trending
and, as technology continues to unite people from one country
to another across the world, I see this travel experience as having
a lasting effect on design.

ON THE PERSONAL SIDE, WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO RELOCATE
FROM NEW YORK CITY TO SAN FRANCISCO?

WHAT'S ON YOUR BOARDS?

For more from Amy Jakubowski and what's ahead for Bob Puccini,
go to boutiquedesign.com

When I moved, I drove cross-country by myself. I travel globally, but
had not had the time to see the beauty of America first-hand. I was
able to scratch one thing off of the bucket list! The move was my
chance to take the first real deep breath I'd had in a while. The move
wasn't so much emotional as life-changing-a chance to refresh and
reset. And, this is the first time in my life I've had a balcony!
OBVIOUSLY, YOU'RE NOT AFRAID OF TAKING RISKS. BUT HOW
DID THAT LEAD TO SKYDIVING AND CAR RACING?

The love of skydiving came about during a time in my personal
life when I needed something liberating. With over 175 jumps, I
finally reached a point in my career where I could no longer dedicate the necessary time needed to continue. Most people don't
know this, but the time and training are actually what keeps you
safe. In the end, my passion for the hospitality industry and desire
to see the world through my job won out. Never, say never
though; I may do it again someday.
As for racing, a dear friend, Alan Benjamin (president of the
hospitality purchasing firm, Benjamin West) invited me to a Track
Day about 10 years ago. That was the first time I raced a car, and
it's still the only event I do. Alan does such a great job of bringing
in new cars to drive. I consider myself an adrenaline junkie, and
the feeling of racing cars fills a void and leaves me feeling exhilarated. Interestingly enough, I learned to drive a stick in these race
cars and applied all that I've learned over the course of the last 10
years to my cross-country adventure to San Francisco, which
subsequently resulted in my first speeding ticket. 

DESIGN:

Puccini Group: Amy
Jakubowski, partner
and managing director;
Rob Polacek, creative
director; Ashley Wilkins,
job captain/lead designer;
Grace Mack, designer; Al
Claxton, designer; Derrick
Prodigalidad, project
manager; Marta Pavone
Vasquez, designer; Blake
Utne, brand strategist
LIGHTING DESIGN

Lang Lighting

FOODSERVICE DESIGN

The Marshall Associates

PURCHASING COMPANY

Four Seasons Hotels
and Resorts
ARCHITECT

HKS Architects, Inc.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Turner Construction
FLOORING

Mortensen Woodwork Inc.
FURNITURE

Dzine

SIGNAGE/GRAPHICS

Puccini Group
PROJECT

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite,
Fish Camp, Calif.
CLIENT

Delaware North
Companies Inc.
DESIGN:

Puccini Group: Rob
Polacek, creative director;
Al Claxton, job captain;
Ashley Wilkins, designer;
Grace Mack, designer;
Derrick Prodigalidad,
project manager; Marta
Pavone Vasquez, designer;
Marta Pavone Vasquez,
designer
PURCHASING COMPANY

Purchasing Dimensions

We're working on projects for Delta Hotels and Resorts; Four Seasons
52

boutiquedesign.com JULY/AUGUST 2014

WALLCOVERINGS
AND MATERIALS

Astek Wallcovering

PE TE MCM A NU S

cally. I also feel a lot of responsibility to make a mark and to garner
success for this company and this team of people.

Four Seasons Hotels and
Resorts: Dana Kalczak. vp
of design; John Mackinnon,
svp design and construction

http://www.boutiquedesign.com http://www.boutiquedesign.com

Boutique Design - July/August 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boutique Design - July/August 2014