In this series, Hospitality Design magazine's editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen talks with influential hotel and design leaders on how they got to where the...
Icelandic hotelier Sigurlaug Sverrisdóttir has built a reputation for her innovative approach to creating immersive guest experiences.Growing up in a small town near Reykjavik, she developed a deep connection to Iceland’s rugged natural beauty, a bond that would later shape her career.After nearly two decades with Icelandic Airline, Sigurlaug returned to Iceland in 2013, where she transformed a former geothermal power plant staff building into the ION Adventure Hotel—a boutique property that blends with the surrounding volcanic landscape.Her collection of properties, including a second hotel in Reykjavik, embodies her dedication to connecting guests with Iceland’s vibrant culture and authentic spirit.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.
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Vincent Celano, Celano Design Studio
From working in a butcher shop as a child to immersing himself in the world of art and architecture, Vincent Celano’s upbringing in Brooklyn, New York instilled in him a love of storytelling and a deep appreciation for the power of design.After graduating from Pratt Institute, he cut his teeth at design giants like Rockwell Group, Jeffrey Beers International, and ICRAVE, where he honed his craft in experiential and hospitality design.In 2005, he founded Celano Design Studio, a multidisciplinary firm dedicated to creating dynamic, guest-centered environments. Today, the studio has expanded to include furniture and industrial design, reflecting Celano’s unwavering commitment to human-centered experiences.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.
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Matt Goodrich, Goodrich
Matt Goodrich, principal of his New York-based design studio Goodrich, has cultivated an approach that is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and pursuing the unexpected. With a career that spans more than two decades, including stints at Rockwell Group and AvroKO, Goodrich’s perspective champions the art of storytelling.Since founding his eponymous firm in 2017, Goodrich, who was recently named Boutique Design's 2024 Designer of the Year, has leaned into projects that push boundaries, taking on challenges that stretch the team’s capabilities, from Ci Siamo, his collaboration with restaurateur Danny Meyer to the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The latter, home to the New York Islanders hockey team, challenged the studio, which had little prior experience in either live entertainment or sports venues, to create a unique, hospitality-driven project. It became a defining moment for the firm, reinforcing Goodrich’s ethos: learning by doing and embracing the unfamiliar to create something extraordinary.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.
Revisit our conversation with prolific designer Tara Bernerd, founder of her eponymous London-based firm Tara Bernerd & Partners. Back in 2020, as the world was facing an unprecedented pandemic, Tara shared how her team was navigating Covid, as well as detailed her work on projects including the Hari Hong Kong. This year, Tara was guest editor of our November 2024 issue, where she and her team highlighted the New Dolce Vita, a celebration of all things Milan, from its people, places, and projects. Read the issue here.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.
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Aliya Khan, Marriott
Having lived across continents—from Hong Kong to Houston and Singapore to Pakistan—Aliya Khan’s upbringing instilled a appreciation for culture, architecture, and art.After studying architecture at Pratt Institute in New York, Khan began her career in residential design before transitioning to the hospitality industry, working for Starwood Hotels & Resorts (now Marriott), helping launch brands like W Hotels, Aloft, and Le Méridien.Today, as vice president of global design strategies for Marriott International's lifestyle brands, Khan has redefined the design language for Aloft, Moxy, AC Hotels, and Westin.Thank you for listening! For more of our great interviews, find us at hospitalitydesign.com.
In this series, Hospitality Design magazine's editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen talks with influential hotel and design leaders on how they got to where they are today, what drives them, and their biggest lessons learned navigating an ever-changing industry.
South Africa