James 'JJ' Acuña, a celebrated Filipino architectural designer, has opened his second studio in Makati, Manila. Acuña, who has been based in Hong Kong since 2005, launched his multi-disciplinary interiors and concept architecture practice, JJ Acuña / Bespoke Studio, in 2015. The new studio is located in a four-storey creative hub called Comuna. Acuña sees this as a reinstatement of his legacy, having left the Philippines during the 1986 People Power Revolution. Acuña splits his time between Hong Kong and Manila, which allows him to keep a broader perspective and be a tourist in both cities. He loves using design apps like Pattern and My Human Design, as well as Instagram for inspiration. Acuña believes that Filipinos have started combining the Filipino vernacular with a more contemporary aesthetic. He also mentioned that he is opening an Italian-American concept in BGC with restaurateur Carlo Alvarez in the second quarter of the year. [2e8bbd65]
Clint Nagata, an interior designer known for his strong placemaking sensibilities, has revived the Regent brand through his design of the Regent Phu Quoc hotel. The hotel, opened in 2022, received accolades for reclaiming the brand's glory days and reconnecting with its location's history and culture. Nagata's design studio, Blink Design Group, created a luxury resort experience infused with the soul and culture of Phu Quoc. The design incorporates elements of local Vietnamese houses and traditional craftsmanship, while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere with clean lines and a tone-on-tone palette. Nagata's approach to design involves thorough research of the location's history, customs, traditions, and natural environment, allowing him to create unique properties that resonate with the spirit of the place. Nagata's upcoming projects include Six Senses Kyoto, Banyan Tree Dongguan Songshan Lake, and Huvafen Fushi Maldives, where he continues to infuse contemporary magic with ancient cultural influences. His background as a half-Japanese, half-Hawaiian designer helps him bridge western and cultural nuances in his designs. Nagata pays attention to every detail of a hotel, including the arrival sequence, to create a memorable and immersive experience for guests. Despite designing remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nagata's future work promises to tell even richer stories of time and place. [165e6f05]