There are hotels around the world that stand out. From being amazing experiences to being landmarks because of their design, there are hotels that are just different.
We wanted to find out how do you create something amazing and incorporate aspects of the local culture, modern design and a unique sense of flair. To get a better sense of this, we jumped at a chance to speak to a design maverick and leader.
Clint Nagata spent thirteen years of his career at WATG in Honolulu, Hawaii and left as their
youngest partner before establishing BLINK Design Group in 2006. His fascination with Asian Culture and design attracted him to open the first studio in Thailand.
BLINK Design Group has since expanded its presence in Asia with studios in Shanghai and Singapore.
Clint has grown the company into a rising star in the global design stage since its inception, BLINK is a collective of bold thinkers with an open-minded approach that provides the opportunity to explore creative ideas with a restless enthusiasm.
Clint’s constant exploration and enjoyment of the world and its diverse cultures and landscapes have shaped BLINK’s culture and attracted and retained some of the best talent in the industry.
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In this interview, he shares his insights and vision into the design world as well as his passion for travel. Find out what he had to share below.
Do you have a broader design philosophy that drives your work?
What drives me as a designer is to take our clients on a journey, one that is focused on creating a bespoke design only created once that captures the unique essence of a place through a modern lens.
Sustainability is now a hot topic in hospitality and travel. How do you incorporate this into your design?
Sustainability especially in recent years has been a big buzzword. A lot of our projects start off with very lofty goals of being sustainable but in the end, there are too often compromised by economic constraints or realities.
We try to embed sustainability into our design ethos for every project and by doing this it becomes so integral to the design that it must be retained. Sourcing of local materials is key in creating not only a sustainable destination but in creating a design that speaks of the location it is in.
For all of our renovation work, we really try to push the idea of upcycling. At the JW Marriott Khao Lak, the resort had some wonderfully built teak furniture and solid flooring that we were able to modify and give a new life.
How do you also incorporate local aspects into your design? What do you look for to make a hotel instantly local, while at the same time contemporary?
In our design work, we understand the importance of the value of creating places that feel like they belong. Places that feel like they were literally grown from the earth. Although the end results may be different our design process is unwavering in our drive to create something only once and to never repeat designs.
We are always driven to source local materials that help to convey a sense of locality but we always look to use the material in a different way or take a common design pattern and explore ways to modernize it. Design should be respectful of the past yet look forward to the future and evolve.
What are some of the trends you are seeing when it comes to architecture and interior design?
A trend I see developing not only in architecture and interior design but in other creative industries too is the art of storytelling in creating a design with personal significance. Perhaps this is driven by the need to differentiate designs and woo users by trying to capture their emotions.
In your travels, what are some of the destinations that you love?
I think I’m addicted to travel. Pre-pandemic I travelled for more than 200 days in a year. I love exploring places in Europe for their storied history and at the same time, I love big bustling cities like Tokyo and New York for their energy and neighbourhood vibes. On the other hand, travelling to amazing beach destinations like Hawaii and the Maldives really helps me to reset and rejuvenate.
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