Award Winning designer Joyce Wang provides us with her thoughts on Design Trends for 2012. Her Award Winnning project Ammo will feature in the ‘Design Issue’ after claiming the Restaurant Award at the International Hotel and Property Awards
What direction do you feel hospitality design is moving toward in general terms?
You don’t yearn for the bells and whistles; you yearn for well-designed experiences.
What projects are you currently working on? Currently, we’re focusing on luxury hospitality projects and selective residential clients. We’re working on a hotel renovation in Hong Kong, club and lounge re-conceptualizations; as well as house and penthouse renovations in Los Angeles and Shanghai respectively.
A designer’s work is so diverse – how do you manage to hold down a career and a life?
When design is a passion and a way of life, there’s nothing that needs holding down.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
It’s as much about the music, the scent, textures and flavors as it is about the design.
How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
The awards are an international platform for exposure; for emerging talent as well as established practices. It creates a common platform for discussion, exchange, appreciation and celebration for our industry. Without which, we would be designing within our own comfort zone.
How do you relax?
Run a bath, light up some candles and play music.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months? To broaden our portfolio internationally with clients who value design as much as we do.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
The car you drive?
Golf GTI.
Your favourite place to travel to in the world?
Rome; what can beat fresh tomato sauce pizza, cycling through monuments and catching an outdoor concert at Renzo Piano’s Parco della Musica
Your favourite hotel/ restaurant/ bar?
Hotel Fasano in Rio De Janeiro, The Delaunay (Grand European Café) in London, The Varnish bar in Los Angeles
The place that gives you the most energy?
The studio – as I am constantly challenged by my staff and peers. As a ground floor design office, we attract a many impromptu guests and passer-bys- often we find ourselves in conversation with artists, entrepreneurs or those more curious to come in to ask what we’re up to.
And the place that enables you to totally relax?
At home.
Your favourite food and drink?
Dollar tacos and bloody marys