design:retail - September/October 2019 - 41

"His fascination with understanding the
future state of retail has been instrumental
in driving design teams forward and
engaging them in discussions about what's
next, and relevant. Bruce is a big thinker
who understands the details."
DAVID KEPRON, MARRIOTT INTL.

specialties. "We have found our most successful
projects are those that result from a diverse, multidisciplinary team of experts with a wide variety of
viewpoints and expertise," he says. "That's where
the notion of 'disruption' comes from, right? I
collaborate with our leadership team to uncover
new areas of expertise to broaden and deepen our
multidisciplinary approach even further."
"Bruce is exceptionally well-organized and is
both focused on details while at the same time
having a long-range vision. He brings both the creative spirit and the mind of a fiscally responsible
executive to projects," says David Kepron, vice
president, global design strategies, distinctive premium brands of Marriott Intl.
Barteldt is especially proud of one of the firm's recent endeavors, a conceptual project called "Air" that
is already receiving industry accolades. This portable
pop-up park concept emerged from a retail rethink
effort led by Barteldt. The goal was to consider solutions for the challenges experienced by retailers and
developers as retail continues to evolve. The team
addressed two core principles: people's desire for
freshness and people's desire for community.
As Barteldt continues to explore solutions that
will make the world better and encourages his team
to join him in the process, he expresses gratitude to
those who supported him along his path. While his
listen-and-learn mentality has allowed him to pick

Bruce A. Barteldt Jr.
Chief Innovation Officer
Little

up insights from everyone he has worked with, he
credits his father-a true renaissance man-as his
greatest mentor and source of inspiration.
He is also grateful to Bill Little, the founder of
Little, for teaching him the fundamental principles
of client service. "But one thing I'll never forget, and
I try to pass along with the relationships I have with
my peers and younger professionals, is the genuine
encouragement and personal commitment shown
to me personally by Bill Little," Barteldt says.
This commitment to encouragement and mentorship is evidenced by what Barteldt takes the
greatest pride in these days-the accomplishments
of others. "When I see someone I have worked with
or hired get promoted or have a client blown away
by their work, I am so delighted," he says. "Or when
team members have worked so hard to improve
the quality of their work that I can stand back and
watch them lead, that puts a lump in my throat. It is
through these coming-of-age moments of my team
and colleagues that I become inspired."

[Top left] Tokyo
Central Market/
Marukai Corp.,
Yorba Linda, Calif.
PHOTO BY HENRY CABALA

[Bottom] Chedraui,
Guadalajara, Mexico
PHOTO BY MX CAMERON
TRIGGS

[Top right] AirA Pop-up Park
PHOTO BY SKYSCRAPER 3D,
A STUDIO OF LITTLE

design:retail - September/October 2019

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