Episodes
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Ever notice how we often put photos of our loved ones on our desk regardless of whether our desk is at home or in an office? We do so to remind ourselves of what is important to us in our life. Let’s take it further. Ever notice how plants and paintings soften a space not just aesthetically but also improve the air and energy in that room? Even how we place furniture can have an impact on our perspective and how we feel. Good design is deliberate. It not only shapes a space to be aesthetically pleasing, it sees a space for its ability to affect our health and wellbeing. And today, we need that more than ever. With mental ill health on the rise and a sense of feeling disconnected to others becoming more prevalent, the spaces we occupy can help bridge the gap between existing and thriving. And that is where Paolo De Simone, design director and WELL Accredited Professional comes in.
Paolo De Simone is passionate about how design can affect our health and wellness. As a WELL accredited professional, his job is to ensure that every aspect of a design project meets the standards that affect our health, mental and physical in a positive way. For him, growing up in a small town outside Naples in a close-knit family that shaped his view oftthe world, one that was filled with an appreciation for art, for culture, for family, and for how it all leads to an important ingredient in life, and that is connection—to others and to ourselves.
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It’s perhaps not something we think much about until we need it. But where we live when we get older will become a priority especially when our physical and social needs dictate our choices. Today, those choices have become much more palatable and even enticing when it comes to Luxury Senior Living. The demand for these high-end homes designed with community, health and wellness in mind continues to rise. It is also where WATG’s Daun St. Amand comes in.
As Managing Principal focusing on Residential and Senior Living projects, Daun recognises that later living is an opportunity to up the ante on thefundamentals in design when it comes to creating spaces with purpose. It is that kind of thinking that Daun has always found himself drawn to especially how form and function can enhance the health and wellbeing of those who will end up occupying those places.
With over 30 years of experience in a career that has largely been focused on residential, landmark high-rise and urban-density projects, for Daun, new concepts in design was something he grew up exploring, an imagination fostered by days of playing near his home in the suburbs of Los Angeles to getting lost in the magic of making music.
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Ronnie Tan’s love for the outdoors is palpable – growing up in a city like Singapore, there was no shortage of lush greenery for him to be inspired and nurtured by. It would be that sense of wonder that would inform his career choices from his role as an outdoor educator and corporate trainer with the Outward Bound movement to taking a leap of faith by retraining as a landscape architect. The constant was and continues to be Ronnie’s desire to explore the beauty and intelligence of the natural world and how we can thrive with all that Mother Nature offers. This, along with an interest in how technology influences and shapes our relationship with the natural world, is what he brings to WATG as Director of Landscape at WATG Singapore, and despite being a self-described introvert, this conversation is truly engaging.
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Every single one of us has a story worth telling. It’s that story that shapes who we are at home and what we bring to our work every single day. It’s in the details where we discover the moments that shaped us, the people who inspired us and the choices that changed the course of our lives. When we start to get to know people on a deeper level, there is an appreciation for all that they bring to the table. So what better way to understand what separates from the rest and to get to know the extraordinary talent that makes WATG the world class architecture and design firm that it truly is?
The first guest in this series is Sean Harry. With a big smile and an all-American openness, Sean exudes curiosity, kindness and love for his work as Managing Principal of Digital Design. Sean brings a wealth of experience and love for technology to the over 100 global projects in his portfolio. So what brought a kid from the cornfields of Ohio to a global architecture and design firm? And how has his love of science fiction helped to inspire his passion for futuristic concepts?
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In this week's episode of The Drawing Board, David Moore, CEO, reflects on enduring lessons from WATG’s founders, emphasizing collaboration and passion as the company’s core values. He discusses the responsibility of preserving the firm’s legacy, highlighting the importance of credibility, knowledge, and authenticity in leadership.
WATG leverages its rich history as a bridge to the present and future, prioritizing its people as the true asset and fostering an environment that encourages risk-taking and innovation. WATG's hospitality legacy informs the translation of operator needs into design, while a commitment to excellence drives its continuous boundary-pushing journey.
Dave's ambition for WATG embodies ‘The WATG Way,’ and his profound passion for architecture and design stems from a lifelong love for the profession, shaped by his All-American upbringing and enriched by global experiences.
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When you think of gaming, the kind you find in real life, what comes to mind? Roulette tables? Windowless casinos? All-you-can-eat buffets? While you can certainly find that, WATG believes that gaming has upped its game to elevate the customer experience into the world of entertainment. 5-star treatment where even thinking is effortless from the moment you arrive is a given—and that includes getting to and from that perfect lucky parking spot. So how is the entertainment space pushing boundaries and creating spaces that go beyond expectations? What is the ultimate goal? What are the psychological and emotional components that need to be satisfied when creating a social space and what materials or design elements are key to achieving that?
In this episode, Monita is joined by Mark Yoshizaki, Managing Principal of Architecture at WATG. With close to 2 decades of experience, Mark has worked on numerous notable hospitality, leisure, and entertainment projects throughout the Middle East, the United States, and the Caribbean; a couple of which include the Mohegan Sun Phase III Expansion which is a 1,000 room hotel and casino expansion that includes retail, dining and entertainment venues; as well as the Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Hotel Resort, a 2,500-room resort hotel with a 750,000-square-foot podium containing a casino, retail, dining, and entertainment facilities.
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What goes into creating a place that becomes a chosen space to live, to explore, to rest? Where do you even begin, how do you avoid sameness? And what are the crucial building blocks that must be present in order to ensure a destination is one that lasts?
In this episode, Monita is joined by Rob Sykes, Studio Director, Advisory Services, London, and Guy Cooke. Studio Director, Advisory Services, Singapore. Rob is a real estate economist whose extensive knowledge of the hospitality sector in global markets equips developers, investors, hospitality operators, and other stakeholders with the tools needed for effective project planning. Guy focuses on market analysis, development strategy, and financial feasibility for the hotel, resort, branded residential, mixed-use, and attraction sectors. He is an avid follower of lifestyle trends and market insights. Both collaborate with WATG’s design teams to ensure creative and future-proof solutions for clients.
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Our Earth Day episode. The nature of human beings is the need to build, grow, and change, to find new landscapes and terrain on which to call our own. The desire for legacy, for impact, is huge. What kind of architectural styles and techniques can help not hinder our planet? And what can architects and interior designers learn from the intelligence of nature? Chiara Calufetti-Lim, Principal at WATG, discusses the issue of how we satisfy an innate human need with the challenges and pressures already felt by the environment.
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We discuss designing for fun with Senior Master Planner, Dan Hinch. So much of what we talk about these days, and so much of what is on our minds, is serious stuff. Even when it comes to hospitality design, we tend to focus on wellness, sustainability, and comfort – which are all important, of course. But what about fun? Where does that fit into the architecture and design process? How do you create a fun experience? After all, fun isn’t just for kids.
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In the latest episode, we spoke with Monica Cuervo who, with 30 years of experience at WATG, shared with us her perspective on what skills and talents are needed for architects, both present and future, to succeed in an ever-evolving landscape and climate. In part 2 of this discussion, we have a similar conversation but from the perspective of an architect who is considered one of WATG’s rising stars – Nora Pui, Senior Project Designer, based in our Singapore office.
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The built landscape is a reflection of us, of our need to develop, to grow, to live, to thrive, and to be remembered. It is also a reflection of our relationship to our environment. Architects and interior designers have always been translators between a need and a vision. Today, they are also leading the way in helping us change the way we relate to our environment towards a more sustainable and respectful relationship. The challenges facing architects today are vast and complex. What about the architect of the future? We get back to basics and ask what makes a good architect. How is talent defined? How are conversations between design teams and clients changing? And what will the architect of the future need to be ready for? Monita is joined by Monica Cuervo, Managing Director, Americas.
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Opulent. Grand. Expensive. Aspirational.. Words that were once used to describe luxury. But what words would architects and interior designers use today? What does luxury mean? How has the pandemic reshaped our perspective and redefined our vision of what luxury hospitality really means?
In this episode of The Drawing Board, Monita Rajpal is joined by Rachel Johnson and Jeremy Heyes. As Studio Director of Wimberly Interiors, Rachel is experienced in advising on new innovative design techniques that introduce individuality to projects. Jeremy, Senior Vice President at WATG, has over 35 years of experience in master planning and architecture and an extensive background in design and project management.
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How do you rebuild one of the world’s most overpopulated capitals? And what happens to the old one?
The city of Jakarta will no longer be the capital of Indonesia with plans to relocate the government to Kalimantan in Borneo. The new capital, named Nusantara, is a bid to redistribute wealth and create a new ‘center of economic gravity’. So, How do you conceive an entirely new capital city? What are the main factors that architects and master planners need to consider? And what are the challenges ahead?
In Episode 2, Monita Rajpal is joined by Chris Panfil, Vice President and Director of Planning and Urban Design at WATG. Chris’s work has included master planning and urban design for new communities, resort towns and villages, as well as planning strategies for cultural tourism destinations. His work has taken him throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and South America, including Brazil. Chris joins us from our Singapore studio.
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Welcome to WATGs first episode of The Drawing Board, hosted by Monita Rajpal, award winning journalist and former CNN anchor. WATG’S Bryan Algeo Senior Vice President, Architect and Master Planner and Xin Li, Associate Vice President and Senior Planner discuss the psychology of design.
The built environment is not only about the marriage of form and function. It is also about identity and emotions. How do architects identify the goals when it comes to how clients/users/public want to feel? What are the factors involved when looking at emotional goals and architecture design principles? Is emotional intelligence a key characteristic of a good designer?
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