Endless possibility is what most attracted Pooja Shah-Mulani, partner and design director at LW, to a life in design. This drive for ingenuity has empowered her to leave her mark across the design landscape of Dubai and beyond. By centering each space around storytelling, her chic and worldly aesthetic sets a new standard for luxury experiences.
What are some early hospitality memories?
As I grew up in Kenya, a lot of our family holidays were visiting lodges and going on safaris. I was always mesmerized by how these cottages and lodges were built in the middle of the wilderness. Power and water shortages are very common in Kenya, even in the capital city Nairobi, so to be able to get all the necessary connections and supplies and provide a wonderful service while watching wildlife go by was something that amazed me.
What led you to pursue design?
The endless possibilities of what can be created within four walls; the importance of balancing form and function, aesthetic, and practicality; and the art of storytelling. Being able to weave subtle stories to evoke emotions was what drew me into the hospitality world.
How did you get to where you are today?
After completing my master’s [in interiors and living design from Domus Academy in Milan] in 2008, I came back to Dubai and started to work for hospitality design firm WA International. I spent three years there where I specialized in FF&E. In 2012, I joined LW looking for a new challenge. I never expected to still be here 10 years later, let alone a partner in the firm. The first project I completed was the refurbishment of Media One. This is special for the LW family as it was originally designed by the founding partners in 2007. To be given the opportunity to rebrand the icon was humbling and equally rewarding.
What has made your work with LW worthwhile?
Opportunity has been abundant. Founder and CEO Jesper Godsk is a true visionary and has been my biggest mentor. His belief in me and unfaltering determination to solve every problem in a fun way has instilled the ‘never give up’ attitude that the team thrives on. His motto has always been ‘happy designers make happy design,’ and that truly makes the difference.
Which projects are you most proud of?
The Dubai EDITION. It was a five-year journey from inception to completion in 2021 and has been nothing but a rollercoaster in every sense of the word.
What has been the most challenging project?
The mixed-use One Za’abeel in Dubai. Because it’s two towers with a cantilevered link bridge suspended between them, it is a true engineering feat. Working with Japanese architects with very strict building codes has meant that all aspects need to be considered with the utmost precision.
What is your dream project?
I would love to design a Soho House because I love their casual chic aesthetic.
How do you define success?
When you wake up loving what you do and are excited to overcome the challenges. There are bad days, but I don’t believe jobs are just jobs. If there’s no passion, there’s no reward.
Check out some of LW’s latest projects, and get to know the rest of Hospitality Design’s 2022 Wave of the Future class.
