As the Bangkoks go through another round of lockdowns, they have theirs Houses act as offices, gyms, art studios, and more. In our Lockdown lowdown let’s talk to professionals from different walks of life to discuss how to advance their careers, what to do to stay healthy in the new normal, and tips for a better life at home.
Raffles, Capella, Four Seasons, Aman, Six Senses: There is hardly a top luxury hotel group that this man has not worked with. He envisioned the overwater mansions that you adore in the Maldives, and he designed the dazzling lobbies that are so difficult to find on your beach vacation. Meet Clint Nagata.
Clint Nagata is the founder and creative partner of BLINK design group, a design collective valued for their imaginative concepts, open-minded approach and bold creativity. The company boasts of attributes shared with Clint himself and these shine through in our chat with him. Born into a Japanese-American family, the calm and collected creative grew up in Hawaii before moving to Thailand 15 years ago. It’s almost a godsend that he’s spent most of his life in some of the world’s most popular vacation destinations.
Even so, Clint Nagata doesn’t have to show off. The relaxed, almost meditative man has won countless awards for the BLINK Design Group – the Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Resort, the Regent Phu Quoc Resort and Villas, and the Regent Phuket Panwa Resort, to name a few – and is still very approachable.
The hospitality industry is arguably one of the hardest hit industries throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, yet Clint Nagata is refreshingly hopeful. Here he shares what he was up to during this lockdown, how it affected the world of hospitality and what he thinks about the future of travel (including his own) first departure from Bangkok, hopefully soon).
ROKU Kyoto tea lounge
Currently based in Bangkok, tell us a little about your daily routine at this time. What are your days like during this partial lockdown?
During the week, I enjoy an early start to the day with a workout and then spend the rest of the morning before my first meeting reviewing drawings or focusing on design. The rest of my day is filled with workshops and presentations. I try to switch off after dinner. I spend my weekends relaxed at home and enjoy a good bottle of wine.
How has COVID-19 affected your work?
We are fortunate that there is huge interest in BLINK in Asia and beyond, especially from the Middle East and distant destinations like the Dominican Republic and Zanzibar. Our studios have worked extremely hard to adapt to work from home and we have already made some virtual tours, be it a site visit or a final visit to an opening property like the ROKU KYOTO.
ROKU Kyoto room
How has the pandemic changed the design of rooms and interiors? What new challenges are you facing?
From a conceptual point of view, COVID influenced me to embrace nature more. The silver lining of the pandemic is that it has forced us to appreciate nature, perhaps more than in the past. Today we appreciate the associated advantages of nature much more.
With regard to spatial planning, we have not seen any changes in the requirements of owners and hotel operators. With most of our projects going on for over four years and already using the space for guest privacy, most owners have a long-term perspective that assumes that things will return to some semblance of normal at some point.
Where do you find inspiration these days? How do you stay motivated?
I usually find inspiration by constantly looking for new ideas or materials on my travels. Since I have not been able to travel abroad, it is important to me to keep up to date with what is happening in the design scene around the world and not just in hotels but in other design-related industries such as fashion and art. As a designer, I stay motivated by challenging myself to achieve high goals by always trying to be better than the last project we did.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Overwater Villa
Did you pick up new hobbies or skills? What are you?
I haven’t found any new hobbies, but would like to find time to play golf again. I was an avid golfer when I lived in Hawaii. There are some great golf courses here in Thailand and I hope to find some time despite my busy schedule.
Let’s find out a secret: did you have any stays at that time?
No, unfortunately I haven’t. Since I live in the middle of the city on a very high floor with great views of the city and the advantage of having great restaurants and bars nearby, staying at home feels like a vacation. I just wish I had room service.
How do you think travel will change after this pandemic?
As we begin to see travel bubbles emerge, I don’t think travel will return to pre-COVID conditions anytime soon. With ever changing regulations, free travel and roaming will definitely be different as it was in the past.
Raffles Maldives Meradhoo Villa interior
Finally, what advice do you have for travelers and hotel lovers looking forward to their first big trip after the pandemic?
I have a trip back to Hawaii and California planned and one of the hardest things is getting all I want to do and see fit in and get the most of my travels, especially when it comes to seeing friends and family again . My first advice would be to prioritize and focus on the trips that matter the most and take those trips first.
I’m sure everyone Bucket list has grown over the past year, along with their eagerness to flee, so I encourage you to use that enthusiasm to go to a place outside of your comfort zone. I think you can find joy and happiness in exploring and making new experiences for yourself.
