As the Design Director for RMJM RED, can you explain your creative process when dealing with architecture and design?
We were always taught that the start of the design process is the most critical. The big picture of master planning is so definitive. It is about placemaking and how the development contributes to the precinct, how it is making the surrounding area better. The buildings themselves create and support this ideology. 

We often find that the initial gut feeling about how to approach a project is the most accurate way forward. After exploring various options, we tend to find that those intuitive reactions were robust. We continually try to learn to trust our intuition and rely less on working through all the permutations. Having said that, sometimes the ‘correct’ scheme seems to need to be discovered through a process of attrition.

Of course, the design is only as good as

Impacted by numerous global shifts and movements, the hospitality industry has had to reevaluate how they design their interiors if they are to stay updated with our ever-evolving society. Factors such as sustainability, work-adaptability and more have changed the way in which customers now assess and inform their choices when choosing a business.
From small changes, such as the emotions and atmosphere a hotel room creates, to larger ones, such as interior designs catering to the ‘new normal’ and energy-enhancing architecture, it has become crucial to design an experience tailored to the individual rather than the trend.

The last few years have been a transformative time in many aspects, a time in which many have learnt the significance of the emotional environment that interior design can create and influence. The emotional needs of the home have become as equally important as function. As people begin to travel again, they carry

The masterfully planned, residential development “Hills Park” is nestled in the heart of a thriving community Dubai Hills Estate development. Situated between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina, flanked by Al Khail Road, this project offers easy access to the city’s most popular districts and attractions. This comprehensive neighbourhood is the perfect setting for a community- focused lifestyle and is just footsteps from a host of retail, dining and entertainment experiences, yet connected to meticulously landscaped greens.The lush green landscape looks to create a space where residents can venture into their own garden space, acting as a place of refuge, relaxation and a sense of homeliness. As the day turns to night, the landscape users can relax and unwind in the gardens throughout the podium with lush planting surrounds and amenities such as an infinity pool, kids pool, health and fitness facilities, sun deck, multi-functional lawn, BBQ and dining facilities.

You’ve been living and working in Hong Kong for many years now, how has the city shaped the way you approach design?
Hong Kong is a dense metropolis and just like many other cities in China, they are building up their density and expanding vertically. This can be a rather alienating environment as space is stacked and rather disconnected, while the narrow sidewalks at ground level are crowded and frantic. This is why we always try to implement shared spaces throughout our projects; to give the end-users interactive and relaxed spaces to enjoy whether it is a tower project or a campus style project. 

We’re always looking for ways to break down the ‘stacked slabs’ and create a ‘horizontality’ through bridge spaces or some integration with the podium to introduce usable roof space or terraces. The Shenzhen Bay Innovation and Technology Centre project and the Ningbo Yongjiang Innovation Centre

Previously we have looked at various interior design changes that we see emerging in the field of hospitality design, though one additional and significant area of change has been seen with the incorporation and role sustainability and ecological choices are now playing within this. Of course, it is not just the field of hospitality that these changes are being made, it is a movement that is sweeping across all areas of architecture and is becoming one of the most prevalent themes driving design. 

Between energy costs continuing to rise and people becoming more concerned about the reality of global warming, we see a boom in supply and demand for these changes both internally and externally. As explained by Brenda Ye, RMJM RED’s Executive Director, in a recent interview with RMJM:
“The climate crisis is an immediate threat and we are in a position of responsibility when it comes to trying

Estimated reading time: 5 min

There is no other building material that comes close to glass in terms of versatility and aesthetic appeal. It is one of the oldest and most respected types of building material around the world, having been in use in one form or another since at least 500 BC. At this point in history, only the most wealthy and prominent citizens of Rome and Pompeii used glass, in the form of cast glass windows in villas, though the quality was poor. For centuries, glass continued to be aspirational and expensive, produced in small quantities. Alchemists and then scientists tinkered with its formula over this time, and by the seventeenth-century glass was more widely available and of better quality. The glass we know today had finally begun appearing in the window frames of everyday residences. 

Jumping forward in time, many believe the next big innovation in architectural

According to a report by the UN, 68% of the world’s population is expected to be living in urban areas by 2050, thus it is no surprise that high-rise architecture is essential to support this ongoing urbanisation (1). As architects continue to meet demands, we take a look at what trends have arisen and are expected to continue in popularity in the near future.

Diversification of infrastructure
In a world recovering from a pandemic, we have seen many businesses end up closing and as such, these high-rise office buildings have needed to be repurposed. With that in mind, it has become an increasing trend amongst architects across the globe to design infrastructure that can meet a diverse range of needs. Additionally, pre-existing sites are now also being redesigned to fit this ideal. This trend is expected to exponentially extend the life cycle of the architecture, further fuelling the

Have you ever had a teacher that sparks your passion? Have you ever thought about how much that could impact your career? Lonna is here to share why she is so passionate about teaching Architecture Students!

In this episode of The Young Architect Podcast, Lonna Babu shares her powerful story about how she decided to become an Architect at 12 years old and hasn’t looked back since. Lonna was able to take an Architecture Studio class in middle school which started her on her journey. Even through undergrad, graduate school and licensure, education remained a big part of Lonna’s passion.

Lonna shares how she felt after failing her first two ARE exams and how that prompted her to join The ARE Boot Camp. Tune in to hear how much that meant to her and how she chooses to give back to the architecture community by teaching. You’ll also hear her