In conversation with Clint Nagata, Founder & Creative Partner, BLINK Design Group (Exclusive Interview)

Tell us more about the history of your company? What motivated your focus on luxury?

After graduation from the University of Hawaii, I joined WATG’s Honolulu office and soon after, became the youngest partner among the firm’s 22 partners. At 35, I decided to leave the firm and relocate to Bangkok, captivated by its vibrant culture, its people, and the talented designers here.

Our company’s name is inspired by Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink, which delves into the power of first impressions. For me, the initial encounter with a client or a site marks the start of our creative journey. In the luxury hospitality sector, where expectations are high, our clients and their guests seek experiences that are nothing short of extraordinary. This includes crafting designs that leave lasting impressions. By embracing the challenge of designing for this demanding niche, we continually push ourselves to new heights. The sky is the limit!

Which are the sectors you are nowadays covering? Are you seeking certain projects? 

At BLINK, we have been focused solely on luxury and luxury lifestyle hotels and resorts across Asia and the Middle East, and now more and more luxury residential designs as well; including an upcoming one in France.

Is there a DNA of projects designed by BLINK? 

Our shared DNA lies in the art of placemaking—a core philosophy deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of our team. And one that resonates strongly with our clients.

What about your ‘placemaking’ philosophy? 

At BLINK, our goal is to transform our clients’ visions into exceptional and memorable architecture, drawing inspiration from travel experiences and cultural interactions. To achieve this, we delve deeply into understanding our clients’ narratives, including their choice of location, the site’s history, the community’s dynamics, and the connection with guests. This thorough exploration is a fundamental and time-intensive part of our process, essential to every project we undertake.

Which are the completed projects you consider as the most representative of your work? 

We are proud to have contributed to some of the most remarkable hospitality projects, with our latest completion being the Six Senses Kyoto. Our task was to conceptualize an oasis in the heart of downtown Kyoto, celebrating the courtly elegance and refined charm of the city’s origin as a new capital, while interpreting it through a contemporary lens.

The challenge was to infuse the brand’s signature luxury and heartfelt hospitality into Kyoto’s cultural core. We began by immersing ourselves in the Heian era (794–1185 C.E.), a period renowned for its flourishing arts. The design is deeply rooted in the era’s philosophy of ‘Miyabi,’ which emphasizes refined elegance and a deep appreciation for nature.

To enhance guests’ well-being and reduce stress, biophilic design elements were integrated throughout. We also paid homage to traditional arts and crafts by incorporating Washi partitions, Edo-period Sakan plasterwork, and Sudare screens made of high-quality bamboo, offering both beauty and privacy.

The design further embraces ‘asobi gokoro’—a playful spirit that honors Japanese culture, particularly the concept of ‘wabi-sabi,’ which celebrates the beauty of simplicity. This is reflected in unique features such as quirky occupancy signage, handcrafted ceramics, and playful details on door handles and wall finishes. In a nod to Kyoto’s cultural heritage, we included Kitsune masks, believed to be messengers of the gods, crafted from recycled washi paper and used as occupancy signage.

Earlier this year, we completed the breathtaking Banyan Tree Dongguan Songshan Lake in China, where the rooms are linked by corridors or floating bridges, accessible both by water and land. Guests can move between the public areas and their private villas by boat, with each secluded villa featuring its own pier, private swimming pool, and elegant garden.

The design draws inspiration from local textiles, traditional Chinese medicine, and the lush grandeur of the surrounding forests. Intricate panels and carved screens, characteristic of the local vernacular, have been reinterpreted to craft luxurious wall and ceiling treatments, as well as detailed lattice wooden screens that enhance privacy and evoke a sense of mystery.

To what extent do you follow trends? Is there a recipe to achieve desirability for your designs?  

I’ve never been swayed by trends, as they come and go. Instead, I’ve always aimed for timelessness, guided by principles of simplicity, balance, and proportion. This philosophy has remained constant regardless of location. Over the years, we’ve refined our approach and designs to better align with clients’ needs and the unique character of each location, evolving from where we were 18 years ago.

How do you define luxury when it comes to hospitality? 

For BLINK, luxury is defined by creating exceptional experiences that go beyond mere opulence or extravagance. It’s about thoughtful details, comfort, and a sense of place that reflects the uniqueness of the location. True luxury prioritizes quality, craftsmanship, and service that feels intuitive to each guest’s needs. It’s less about excess and more about authenticity and exclusivity.

Luxury in hospitality is also tied to emotional resonance—a space that evokes a sense of wonder, connection, or tranquility. The design should tell a story, allowing guests to feel transported or deeply connected to their surroundings. The fusion of cultural elements, local materials, and seamless integration with the environment plays a vital role in crafting this elevated experience.

Ultimately, luxury is about creating memorable, meaningful moments that linger with guests long after they leave.

What about innovation when it comes to materials used or finishes?                                                                                                                                                                   

In keeping with my ‘placemaking’ philosophy, we delve into local traditions to inspire contemporary projects. Drawing from cultural elements, indigenous materials, traditional craftsmanship, and local artwork, our aim is to create designs that reflect the essence of a place through a local perspective.

We prioritize sourcing local materials, utilizing them in innovative ways, or reinterpreting familiar design patterns with a modern twist. Our approach ensures that design honors and respects the past while adapting to the present.

For the Regent Phu Quoc in Vietnam, we incorporated materials like lacquerwork adorned with the region’s renowned delicate duck eggshell inlays. Natural elements, such as handwoven abaca wall coverings, echo the island’s pristine environment, providing a soft contrast to the villas’ dark, locally sourced natural stone flooring. 

Most of luxury hospitality and residential projects are also about comfort and functionality. Tell us more. 

In luxury hospitality and residential design, comfort and functionality are essential to creating spaces that feel both inviting and practical. Comfort isn’t just about soft furnishings; it’s about thoughtful layouts, calming acoustics, and climate control that promote relaxation. Functionality ensures the space operates seamlessly, with intuitive flows, technology that enhances convenience, and practical design features like storage and ergonomic spaces.

In hospitality, this means guiding guests naturally through environments that feel effortless yet luxurious. For residences, it means making daily life easier while maintaining a sense of retreat. At BLINK, we focus on balancing these elements to deliver timeless designs that meet the needs of both clients and the spaces they inhabit, making their experiences truly memorable.

How do you view the impact of AI? 

AI is revolutionizing hospitality design by enhancing efficiency and guest experiences. It excels in data analysis, helping designers understand preferences and adapt spaces in real-time. AI automates tasks like space planning and material selection, allowing designers to focus more on creativity and cultural sensitivity. However, human intuition and emotional connection remain crucial. While AI can optimize operations, it lacks the nuanced understanding needed to create truly memorable spaces. For my design approach at BLINK, AI complements rather than replaces the human touch, helping us craft spaces that resonate deeply with guests and reflect their narratives.

What is your current pipeline?

We have an exciting pipeline of projects that are about to open in the next few months – Banyan Tree Dubai and One&Only Le Saint Géran – and those that are still on our drawing boards such as Tianan 1000 Trees Mansion The Unbound Collection By Hyatt in Shanghai,China, Nobu Hotel and Residences in Da Nang, Vietnam, Oberoi in Saudi Arabia and JW Marriott Panglao, Philippines.

Earlier this year, we were thrilled to be involved with the Banyan Tree Dongguan, Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives and  the Six Senses Kyoto recently.  

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