Boutique Design - May/June 2011 - 28

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b o u t i q u e

Ashley Rumsey
Yabu Pushelberg

b i g g es t ac h i evemen t having the opportunity to work in a dynamic studio with a creative team to develop innovative concepts for hotel operators such as hyatt, W hotels and Langham Place. the Viceroy hotel in the Maldives (shown) is the project in which i have been most actively involved. After recently returning from a site coordination meeting, i’m excited to see the development of the property and our work coming into fruition. Perched out in the middle of the indian ocean, this island resort has a laid-back and pared-down approach to luxury, consisting of carefully crafted interior spaces that veer away from overly complex detailing and formal furniture pieces.

b i g g es t c h allen g e the hospitality industry as a whole has difficulties in maintaining the design intent throughout the procurement process. our role as designers within the scope of the project is first and foremost to ensure the aesthetic and functional requirements are met. in achieving these goals, we strive to specify and design specialty furniture pieces, millwork, lighting and finishes within these parameters. unfortunately, during the procurement process, our development and experience with specific vendors is sometimes set aside by the procurement agent. to overcome these obstacles, it’s necessary to have a trusting relationship between the procurement agent and the designers.

Kelly Sutton
hbA/hirsch bedner Associates

b i g g es t ac h i evemen t A two-year stint at the hbA hong Kong office, during which i worked on the Four Seasons, Macau, part of the massive Cotai Strip development. i was able to do what i love the most—design and travel. originally a small-town girl from Louisiana, i found myself amidst that city’s skyscrapers on an unbelievable journey. i had to drop the “ya’ll” and “good morning” and replace them with “jo sun.” in addition to working with a fun-loving and diverse team of people, i gained invaluable design exposure and a truly incredible life experience.

b i g g es t c h al l en g e With the downturn in the economy came a huge shift to international work and an even greater learning curve for all involved. We have to fight and educate on a daily basis to keep design integrity in these markets. on the products side of the business, i was sitting with a wall covering rep going over new collections, and to my surprise, it was all low VoC. it wasn’t the “green” collection; it was standard. Great design that just happens to be green! Why can’t we apply that motto to our projects, even the international ones? China going green? this may sound like a crazy concept, but it’s already happening—one project at a time.

Abigail Troutman
Pierre-Yves Rochon

b i g g es t ac h i evemen t Working in the hospitality design industry has always been a dream of mine, and working at Pierre-Yves Rochon alongside so many experienced and creative minds has filled me with a great sense of achievement. Recently, Pierre-Yves Rochon completed the design of the Four Seasons hotel London at Park Lane. it was a great pleasure being a part of this process, and seeing the hotel come to life has been an educational and rewarding experience.

b i g g es t c h al l en g e As the economy begins to look up, clients are anxious to emerge with new and improved properties. though they want a product that will awe and excite their clientele, they are wary of the large expense that this can require. they want more for much less. As designers, we strive to provide innovative and thoughtprovoking designs. i believe that by focusing on locally sourced products and finding inspiration from the immediate surroundings of the properties, we will not only achieve an enriched sense of place, but we will also be fulfilling our professional responsibilities to the public and our communities. BD

Boutique Design | May+June 2011

Boutique Design - May/June 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boutique Design - May/June 2011