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.

Managing the Honolulu office, where WATG was founded, brings a unique sense of pride. Rooted in Hawaii, WATG draws profound inspiration from its surroundings, shaping its design ethos around cultural sensitivity, a strong sense of place, and sustainable practices.

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As well as his professional accomplishments, Shan is known for his humor and transparency. He enjoys telling stories and connecting with people, embodying a spirit of optimism and humility. These qualities, instilled by his parents, have shaped his approach to life and architecture.

https://www.watg.com/embracing-the-journey/

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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 storytelling.

Listen to Damien talk about his career journey and design ethos.

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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 the fundamentals 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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