The Drawing Board
3 FOLLOWERS
Welcome to WATG's architecture and interior design podcast, The Drawing Board, hosted by award-winning journalist and former CNN anchor Monita Rajpal.
The Drawing Board addresses questions such as 'How do you ensure a hospitality design project stands the test of time?' 'What does the architect of the future look like?' 'Is it wise to relocate a capital city?'..
The Drawing Board
5M ago
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 ..read more
The Drawing Board
6M ago
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 o ..read more
The Drawing Board
6M ago
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 t ..read more
The Drawing Board
7M ago
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 f ..read more
The Drawing Board
7M ago
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 ..read more
The Drawing Board
8M ago
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 psychologi ..read more
The Drawing Board
8M ago
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 tool ..read more
The Drawing Board
8M ago
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.
Follow us: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat ..read more
The Drawing Board
8M ago
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.
Follow us: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat ..read more
The Drawing Board
8M ago
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.
Follow us: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat ..read more