The Drawing Board

We sat down to chat with Tiffany Lee, Project and Operations Director at WATG Honolulu, to explore the delicate interplay between managing a thriving architectural career and nurturing a passion for jewelry design. Tiffany generously shared insights into her leadership journey, the influence of WATG's Hawaiian heritage, and the multifaceted avenues through which she finds creative fulfillment. Man...

Raghavendra ‘Shan’ Shanbhag , Creative Director, WATG Singapore, is an architect whose journey spans continents and cultures, from the vibrant streets of Bangalore, India, to the bustling metropolis of Singapore. Shan has established himself as a prominent figure in hospitality design across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, showcasing the power of curiosity, resilience, and the art of storytell...

Damien Follone, Senior Designer at Wimberly Interiors London, is an acclaimed interior architect known for his dynamic and immersive designs in the hospitality industry. Originally from Australia, Damien's work has earned him recognition as one of Space magazine's rising stars in 2020. His unique approach to interior design is deeply rooted in his personal experiences and a profound passion for st...

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 pers...

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...

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 cons...

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 t...

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 fut...

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 getti...

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, S...

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 WAT...

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 crea...

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 st...

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...

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 Dir...

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 ar...

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...