Adèle Rankin was born to think big. From a jetsetting childhood to an international medley of hospitality projects, Rankin’s storied past has informed her career as the principal of Vancouver-based CHIL Interior Design, the hospitality design studio of B+H Architects. Here, she discusses her personal style, challenging projects, and what the future may hold.
Tell us a bit about your background?
I was born in Scotland, moved briefly to Oman, and then moved around quite a bit throughout Canada before finally settling in Vancouver for my last year of high school. My family loved it, and I have stayed ever since. I am constantly inspired by the surrounding ocean and mountain landscapes. I also love that Vancouver is such a multicultural city and how that influences the city’s local food, art, and design.
How did your international upbringing influence your creativity?
My parents were big travelers. Throughout my childhood, I was constantly reminded that the world is much bigger than what I could immediately see. Our home was full of art, music, food, and conversations reminiscing about time spent traveling to different places. That excitement still continues to fuel my creativity today.
When did you know you wanted to be a designer?
I had spent my earlier years at university studying art history and anthropology. I was drawn to learning about how people historically interacted with their surroundings and the ways in which creativity was expressed. This led to the realization that I had a creative energy that needed to be explored. I was interested in how design impacted people’s experiences. I switched gears and dove headfirst into interior design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University [in British Columbia] and haven’t turned back since.
What are some of your earliest design memories?
Sunday afternoon art gallery trips to the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa as a kid. The building itself was so monumental and I was excited by seeing all the modern art inside. I still remember the feeling of amazement I had at first sight.
How did CHIL come into your life?
My school brought in a designer from CHIL as a guest lecturer. She was so excited about the firm’s culture and passionate about the work they were doing that I knew right then that I had to get a job there. I applied right away as a student and never left. Nineteen years later, I am a principal leading our global CHIL Interior Design group, the hospitality design studio of B+H Architects. Variety in my work was important for me, and hotel design allowed for that and kept me growing. I have also been fortunate to have some amazing mentors and partners who guided me along the way.
What are your greatest lessons learned?
Kindness, patience, and excitement in equal measures are the best ways to approach any project. Ultimately, the best design and projects come from people who respect each other, so I always strive to find clients that are invested in creating good relationships as well as great designs.
What are some of the firm’s recent projects?
CHIL’s portfolio covers a broad range of clients from luxury hotels with a historical legacy to more boutique hotel properties that specifically cater to Millennials. At CHIL, we recently completed a major renovation for the Delta Hotel in Downtown Calgary that included the design of new destination restaurant, Shoe and Canoe. The interior renovation and the addition of a new F&B component was part of a larger strategy to integrate the hotel into the local community and provide travelers with an authentic experience. Hotel Belmont in Vancouver was another major renovation where we repositioned a former hotel into a thriving lifestyle concept centered around the idea of connection.
Other notable projects include the renovation to the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver. CHIL’s restoration of the building’s 14th Floor Heritage Suites commemorates the city’s Royal Visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, who stayed at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver during its grand opening in 1939. We wanted to capture the romanticism surrounding the luxury of travel and royal visits. The design narrative is layered, highly detailed, opulent and ornate—a one-of-a-kind experience that honors the hotel’s reputation and rich history.
What was one of your most challenging projects?
In 2015, we designed the interiors of the APT Touring Myanmar River Cruise Ships, RV Samatha, and Princess Panhwar. This was incredibly challenging logistically to coordinate, but we managed to sail through successfully (no pun intended). The naval architect was located between Tokyo and Bangkok, the original ship builder was in Lithuania, and the clients were based in Australia and Myanmar, which meant I was on a plane presenting all over the world.
How would you describe your design language?
I don’t love to describe my style in finite terms as it is always changing with each new opportunity. Creating designs that are meaningful, that evoke curiosity and emotion for the end user is my ultimate inspiration.
What would be your dream project and why?
I would love to design an exclusive bespoke resort somewhere remote. Designing for an immersive curated travel experience requires a deep dive into local culture and travel habits in a very specific way. Something magical happens when conjuring up unique experiences in unlikely places. It’s that feeling of the unexpected and romance of a place that is so enticing to me as a designer.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Is International Spa Tester a thing?
Hotel Belmont Vancouver, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Delta Hotel in Downtown Calgary
Delta Hotel in Downtown Calgary
Delta Hotel in Downtown Calgary
