(China Daily) |
Nagata believes that this is the right direction for the region, with more niche hotels catering to different market segments instead of trying to be everything to everyone.
"The world is becoming smaller and smaller by the day," he says. "As a result, the need for hotels to be more individual, intimate and tailored to what their guests desire has never been more important."
As Blink's creative director, along with Alan Barr, Nagata gets to work on both a hotel's exterior and interior, a privilege the architect relishes.
"As an architect, it is inspiring to first set foot onto a beautiful site and to be able to visualize what the resort or hotel could look like," he says. "But I find it equally inspiring to filter out the white noise and come up with left-field ideas on materials, textures and other techniques."
Despite the many projects on Blink's drawing board and the jetsetting that comes with frequent site visits, Nagata has not lost his love for adventure.
"Traveling is my great passion, which is just as well because this job keeps me constantly on the road and living out of a suitcase," he states with a grin.
Beijing's 2013 pollution goals set far too low: experts