Name: Mr. Warren Foster-Brown
Company: FBEYE International
Position within company: Managing Director
Website: www.f-b-eye.com
.Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc).
My career to date has spanned several continents, from Europe to Asia and beyond, living in London, Hong Kong and presently in Singapore for more than a decade. After obtaining a degree with honours in Interior Architectural design, from Brunel University, London, I started at London’s most famous department store Harrods in their Interior Design studio. This was followed by appointments at two of the worlds leading Interior design companies leading projects such as St. Regis Hotel, Singapore, Sheraton Sanya Resort, Hainan Island, China (home to Miss World Competition) and China World Hotel, Beijing, China.
After the successful openings of hotels in China, Korea, India and London, I established FBEYE 10 years ago to concentrate and further explore the fundamentals of hospitality design combined with new concepts in guest expectations and the future of hotel design. We are proud at having designed numerous award winning hotel properties with leading developers and operators around the World.
. How would you describe your personal design style?
Our projects range from luxury hotels and resorts to casinos, yachts and high-end residential projects yet there is no set style as all our projects are unique and are a true reflection of the client’s requirements and the operators brief.
. Where does your design inspiration come from?
Design inspiration comes from anything and everything that happens around you, from sitting on a plane to art galleries, magazines, social media, interactions with others and every thing u see and experience.
. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
The Design in hospitality industry is constantly evolving and in a same way that we do not have a set style of design, this is the case for the hospitality industry. Each project comes with its own merits and sense of style be it country specific, brand specific or personal tastes.
. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2016 and beyond.
1. Timeless
2. Technology
3. Health and Wellness
4. Palate
5. Sustainability
. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design, what would it be?
Giving utmost attention to the clients and operators brief together with an extensive research on the location of the project, local culture, arts and cuisines is the key to success in designing an award winning Project. Aesthetics, functionality and practicality are equally important and there should be no compromise on guest’s comforts.
. How important are The International Hotel and Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
Awards are like testimonials of one’s accomplishments and any award is special. Being awarded IHPA 2014 for Best Hotel Design – Asia Pacific for our project The Westin Hotel Singapore elevated us to a new level of exposure and recognition not only in Asia but also in Europe. It gave us an added inspiration to pursue an excellence in design and to design many more award winning projects.
. What projects are you currently working on?
1 InterContinental Singapore
2 Park Hotel, Farrer Park, Singapore
3 Amari Hotel, Johor Bahru Malaysia
4 Shama Branded Residences, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
5 Westin Bayshore Hotel, Manila, Philippines
6 Westin Sonata Hotel, Manila, Philippines
7 Westin Resort, Nusa Dua Bali, Indonesia
8 Sonata Premier Residences, Philippines
9 Savoy Resort, Boracay, Philippines
10 Sheraton Hotel, Yangon, Myanmar
11 Holiday Inn Hotel, Chennai, India
12 Holiday Inn Express, Bangalore, India
13 Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Kochi, India
14 Assonora Resort, Goa, India
. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To carry on creating unique spaces, destination resorts and city properties, ensuring we surpass our clients and operators expectations and foster successful business relations for future projects. We are fortunate to have many repeat clients.
. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself.
Your most treasured possession?
My Health
Your favourite holiday destination?
Botswana
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?
Chateau Les Crayeres, France / Saint Pierre, Singapore / Cook & Brew, Westin Hotel, Singapore
Your favourite book / film / song?
The Fountainhead / Dead Poets Society / A variety of Genres
Your favourite food and drink?
Thai Cuisine / Champagne
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? (in no more than 25 words)
A nice lunch followed by a nice massage leading to cocktails with friends and family.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Pop Star / Theatre Set Designer