WIA_ISSUE2_2023

DESIGN
of wooden truss system special to
Vietnamese architecture heritage,
called the Bovi. They transformed this
system into a motif or pattern, and
worked it into the screens, carpets
and accessories of the resort.
One way in which Nagata and BLINK
tap into a site’s culture is through
material choice. For instance, they
used oak to fashion Roku Kyoto
because oak expressed a strong
connection to Japanese architecture,
but interpreted in a modern
vocabulary. As for Regent Phu Quoc,
they used teak for doors because of
their durability, and oak everywhere
else for its aesthetic quality and its
ability to easily be stained to adjust to
different colour palettes and moods.
“Wood plays a vital role in
‘placemaking’. As a material, it plays
a critical role in relating to the specific
characteristics of a place. Similarly,
wood plays a critical role in creating
luxurious tropical resorts,” said
Nagata. He further mentioned that
they try to use local materials, which
helps with being sustainable since
there is no need for the overseas
transportation of raw materials.
LOCAL IN DESIGN,
INTERNATIONAL IN DEMAND
With such a close attention to details
and reverence for a place’s cultural
and historical characteristics, Nagata
and BLINK can enjoy limitless
design possibilities not bound by
geographical boundaries. In fact,
the demand for Nagata and BLINK’s
services is international.
“We have had interest from clients
looking to create extraordinary
destinations not only in Asia but also
in other areas like Middle East and
Europe, as travellers continue to
look for curated resorts and hotels
that convey its place and its culture,”
Nagata said.
In response to such demand,
BLINK recently expanded to Dubai,
UAE, which is their fifth office after
Singapore, Shanghai, Bangkok, and
Tokyo. This expansion was influenced
by their designing of the W Dubai – M
Seyahi hotel in Dubai last year. At the
port of Mina Seyahi — also known as
The Port of Travellers — where the
project was situated, Nagata and his
team observed strong story elements
of Arabic culture: From treasurechest-like
bedside tables and white
leather bed headboards with ribs and
shapes inspired by swooping shape
of the traditional Dhow boats, to
fabrics with motifs drawn from local
calligraphy and lights that resemble
ancient lanterns of the Arabian Nights.
The storytelling elements continued
in the bathrooms via a calligraphy
motif, with bold black and white
colours to echo ink and paper. The
bathrooms also featured a seating
area, encouraging long bathing rituals
and conversation.
“We believe that the rich heritage of
Dubai and the rest of the Middle East
offers immense story opportunities
that could be transformed into
meaningful design.”
SOLDIERING ON
This, perhaps, is what it means to
redefine luxury hospitality design: Not
restricted by trends and tradition, but
making luxury hospitality come alive
with unique cultural elements — only
achievable through thorough research
and with sensitivity.
Capping off the busy year for Nagata
and BLINK was the International
Design Confederation Singapore
(IDCS) naming him as the Designer
of the Year - Designers’ Choice. This
award has recognised him as “one
of the best in [the] industry”, for his
ability to “[imbue] a space with an
exciting personality that is at once
familiar and fresh”, according to
remarks by industry veterans.
“More than a personal achievement,
[the Designer of the Year award] was
a tribute to my team who soldiered
on relentlessly during the pandemic
years, and clients who believed in us,”
concluded Nagata. WIA
Oak was used
everywhere in Regent
Phu Quoc
WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 2 – 2023 49