Since Rebecca Ruggles joined Airbnb almost three years ago, the lead interior designer has been responsible for eight of the homesharing service’s global offices in places as farflung as Singapore and as close to home as San Francisco, infusing them with an authentic look that calls to mind the homes of Airbnb hosts. With the launch of Airbnb Plus, which is a selection of the highest quality homes that are visited in person for inspection, Airbnb continues to incorporate the basic principles of hospitality in its mission. Ruggles, a speaker on this year’s Disrupters panel, chats with us about designing in Paris, the effect of hospitality, and empowering hosts.
What has it been like moving from hospitality at Gensler to Airbnb?
One of the biggest differences and benefits of working in-house at Airbnb is that I get to work in the spaces that I help design. I can directly observe what’s working and what’s not, I overhear candid conversations about it, and get direct feedback. I get the chance to continually refine the design and apply the lessons learned on the next project.
A reception area and double-height atrium nod to an outdoor café in Airbnb’s Tokyo office.
Is there a standout office for you?
In Paris, we found a really quirky attic space in a Haussmann building and transformed it into an office that feels much more like a Parisian-style loft. I was also able to shop for furniture and accessories at the local flea markets, and that experience is hard to beat.
And you use various Airbnb listings as inspiration for your office projects.
It was an idea the founders had early on. They wanted to connect employees to hosts and the product and allow them the chance to travel throughout their day even if they haven’t left the office.
Expansive windows and an open layout define the spaces in Beijing.
How are you trying to push the idea on what an office space is?
It’s no surprise that food is the best way to bring people together to collaborate and build relationships. Our cafés have become key hospitality elements within the office spaces. They range from residential-style kitchens in Paris and London where employees can prepare a meal and eat together, to outdoor style cafés that can be a nice break from the dense urban environments that surround them like what we have in Tokyo and Beijing.
What are some lessons that Airbnb hosts can learn from hotels?
Hoteliers have been experts in this field for a long time and they have set a high bar for guest expectations. There are some key elements that hosts can implement to step up their game. Many are now incorporated into our new Plus and Beyond standards.
Speaking of, you’ve have been working on Airbnb Plus for a year now. What can you tell us about it?
Setting standards for excellence is important so we have something to measure against. It highlights great home design in a way that we haven’t done before, helps reward our highest performing hosts—giving them much more exposure—and it gives guests more confidence to book.
In Paris, natural light and plants give the solarium a greenhouse effect.
