Suters Architects and dwp have announced a fully integrated design solution ‘dwp|suters’.
The combined design services of dwp and Suters offer an expanded range of expertise in four portfolios: lifestyle, community, work and infrastructure.
Scott Whittaker, group executive director and founding partner at dwp, moved to Asia in 1994.
Architecture & Design spoke to him about working in Asia, the appeal of hospitality design and his greatest achievement as an architect.
What were the challenges associated with developing dwp in Asia?
There were many challenges, but lots of opportunities. Language and culture is always core to the challenges and understanding the differences that your staff, clients and business partners have.
We also had a few key economic challenges in our first five years during the Asian financial crisis. One of our key focuses in Asia has been on professional development of our staff. We are constantly mentoring and training for new skills or language. In the past five years things have gotten much easier as the internet is fast and accessible in all countries, allowing us to communicate better. The speed of working in Asia is always a challenge, but is balanced by the dynamics of creating new things in fast evolving cultures and economies.
How did you learn about the differences of how things are done differently in Asia in terms of business and design?
Like any professional business, relationships are key to doing business, coming to new locations in Asia, trust is key and it takes time to develop. In terms of design, while local culture may have some impacts we find most clients in Asia are open to new ideas, willing to take risk with design. Most of our clients are well travelled and I always believe some of the beauty of design is universal across cultures. Great design, such as the Louvre, The Sydney Opera House or Bilbao are universal.
One of the keys to our success in Asia and the Middle East is having a common platform of procedures and systems across all our offices and a focus on communication. Working in collaboration with our various offices is easy and seamless. Now in Australia, working with Suters Architects as dwp|suters, we look forward to the benefit of these synergies. The great thing about business and design in Asia is the willingness of everyone to get the job done, be it the client, designer or government. People want things to happen and clients truly appreciate design.
What lessons have you learnt in your time there which can inform your design in Australia?
I learned a lot wider palette of design beyond just my personal style. My advice to Australian designers is to explore more ideas, be open with ideas and not just follow the latest styles and trends in the market. Great design is usually timeless. For me it’s much more important to design with a great concept that’s fully developed than simply follow a style.
What is the appeal of hospitality projects for you?
Hotels and restaurants are places for people to act out their lives, a place for special events, business, gathering friends and family; so our job is to create the stage for people to live out their lives and enjoy themselves. I really enjoy seeing people enjoy the projects we designed, when people want to photograph themselves at a project we know it’s great. Hospitality projects involve emotional design and to create places that inspire people is a great outcome.
What do you feel like has been your greatest achievement as a designer?
I’m most known for Sirocco, one of the world’s best bars and restaurants in Bangkok. I love the new house I just designed and moved in to, but my best is still on the drawing boards.
What do you hope to achieve as a designer in the next 12-24 months?
We really want to create an amazing rooftop restaurant in one of the Australian capitals, a view of Sydney Harbor would be perfect. I think creating a truly iconic building working with dwp|suters, fusing the best of Asian and Australian design is the goal.
Which architect do you admire and why?
I’m a modernist at heart so both Le Corbusier and Mies Van de Rohe are my greatest influences in terms of design.
