In May, five young designers sat down for an in-depth roundtable discussion that touched on everything from the challenges of starting a career to learning the design ropes and everything in between. Read what’s top of mind and what they think is next in design.
Carolyn Balfour
Square Feet Studio, Atlanta
A rendering of the lobby of the 410-unit luxury Star Metals Residences in West Midtown Atlanta, a collaboration with Oppenheim Architecture + Design
On social media’s impact
Instagram, for me, is no longer for social networking, it’s a professional tool. You can [go down the] rabbit hole really quickly and easily to find great inspiration.
On eyeing the future
I never had the desire to open my own firm, [between] the insurance, the business licenses, etc. A great opportunity at Square Feet Studio is that [founding principals John and Vivian Bencich] want to pass the firm off to us. That’s why their names aren’t on the door. They want to hand it down to the team that’s there now.
On the design process
We do such a wide range of projects. The first thing we do is work with clients to understand their goals for the project, rather than what they like aesthetically because every person says Soho House but nobody has the budget. We always try to push to get that number before they set their expectations. It’s about figuring out what they want, how much they have, and having a conversation with them. What it comes down to is being open and honest.
Aldina Halim
Wilson Associates, Los Angeles
The soothing lobby of the upcoming beachfront Marriott Hotel Taghazout Bay in Morocco, shown in a rendering
On getting where you are today
I’m from Indonesia. When I came here, it was hard because we have a different school program in Asia. I worked for a year and a half in residential design and then I found Wilson Associates. In hospitality, everything is more structural and incorporated.
Looking ahead
After working with Wilson Associates, I realized that I love hospitality design. I’d like to see myself assume more management responsibilities and get involved in the business plan. In fact, going to business school is one of my big plans [moving] ahead.
Maddie Perry
ForrestPerkins, San Francisco
Jewel tones and a mixed-metal chandelier enliven the lobby at the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown
On workplace challenges
In the first few months, I was overwhelmed all the time because I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, especially with specs. It just takes time. [The associate designers and studio lead] kind of threw me into it, but I asked them about three million questions a day, and they were very good about teaching me. I didn’t want to be the one to ask a lot of questions, but now I am.
On the boards
We’re working on the Hayes Mansion in San Jose, California. It was built in 1905, and they added buildings around it since then, so it’s been difficult because the mansion is one piece and the other buildings were built between 1996-2001. It’s been a puzzle piece to try to marry the varying styles from the different time periods.
Claire Callis
The Gettys Group, Chicago
The entrance to the Edwin Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee features a colorful butterfly installation
On finding inspiration
We’ve been using this website called Unsplash, where photographers upload photos. It’s more lifestyle and mood images. They’re hard to find, and we’ve been using it for textural and detailed shots to help evoke emotions that you want to express without showing a beautiful chair with detail.
On design’s next phase
Community and coworking spaces are trending right now. There are so many of them, so it’s [about] incorporating those ideas into a lobby, where you can plug in and work. Or do you create a phone room that’s cool and private? It’s going to be interesting to see how technology continues to impact the programming that hotels require, especially in public areas.
Melissa McAlister
BraytonHughes Design Studios, San Francisco
Retirement community Reata Glen in Ladera Ranch, California includes an indoor lap pool with exposed beams and a skylight
On choosing a design career
Growing up, I liked to [redesign] my room over and over again; I would always change it. I wanted to do interior design, but I had no idea what it entailed until I got to college [at Florida State University]. I thought I wanted to go into residential design, but we had a hospitality project at the end [of the semester] for a huge hotel. We designed the whole thing, and I knew this is what I wanted to do. I found this job on LinkedIn. I never thought I would go to San Francisco, but it’s a great opportunity.
On hospitality’s influence
I’m working on a senior living project. They’re not my favorite, but they have helped me so much. The person I’m working under has been an amazing mentor, and she’s willing to help. I’ve learned how to do specs through her. When I’m working on a hotel, I can apply all those things to that project.
