The pioneer of integrated multidisciplinary designs has created global landmarks since 1945
With an unwavering commitment to design innovation and excellence for over 77 years, WATG has built a strong legacy as the trendsetter for the hospitality and entertainment industries. One of the world’s leading integrated multidisciplinary firms, WATG and its interior design studio, Wimberly Interiors, have created some of the most iconic landmarks at travel destinations globally. Their team of forward-thinking designers has reimagined the future of hospitality landscape long before the reset to global tourism. In the new era of travel, their new projects will redefine the design narrative at popular travel destinations across Asia Pacific, such as JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa in Korea, The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort Doha in Qatar and The Ritz Carlton Jiuzhaigou in China, to name a few.
With five service lines specialising in Strategy, Master Planning, Architecture, Landscape and Wimberly Interiors, WATG is renowned for its creative concepts, ambitious foresight and consistency in designing some of the world’s most remarkable landmarks. These include Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, which was shortlisted in the 2019 World Architecture Festival, ‘Curve Appeal’ which won the Freeform Home Design Challenge in 2016 for WATG’s concepts of the world’s first 3D-printed home as well as the verdant, terraced façade of the distinctive Garden Wing at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.
“Every WATG project is a homage to our firm’s legacy on honouring a sense of place and local heritage. Our global team of more than 400 visionaries believe in delivering the exceptional by celebrating the people, cultures and landscapes in which we work in and we are always inspired by what’s around us when designing the next landmark,” said Robert Day, WATG Managing Director, Asia Pacific.
The Ritz-Carlton Jiuzhaigou, China – June 2022
Nestled within the expansive 72,000-hectare Jiuzhaigou nature reserve lies The Ritz-Carlton Jiuzhaigou, the brand’s very first all-villa resort, conceived as a sanctuary for guests to unwind and reconnect amidst unrivalled views of the snow-capped Minshan mountain range. The angled shape of all 87 luxurious villas mimics the rugged surrounding landscape and as an homage to the local Tibetan heritage, WATG’s architectural team focused heavily on the use of traditional building techniques, locally sourced materials and indigenous planting.
JW Marriott Jeju, South Korea – Summer/Autumn 2022
Designed to encapsulate the rich heritage and natural beauty of Jeju Island, JW Marriott Jeju is a new landmark resort for immersive travel experiences unlike any other on South Korea’s volcanic island. Situated along the picturesque coastline of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the resort’s spectacular design abides by WATG’s placemaking principle of living and designing with the land, with intriguing features that include a façade of irregularly shaped, local volcanic rock and a unique reversed curved roof inspired by Jeju island’s indigenous Choga architecture and distinct landscape.
The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort, Qatar – Q4 2022
Set to open this year, The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort in Doha is one of the world’s most anticipated luxury resorts to date. Inspired by Indian Mughal and Ottoman architecture in its design, this iconic 91-key beachfront oasis in the heart of Qatar’s capital will compose of 59 rooms and suites as well as 32 chalets and villas sprawled across extensively landscaped gardens in the Katara Hills. The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort will also be a centerpiece for guests looking to savour a slice of Arabian history, with its prime location within the 100-hectare Katara Cultural Village district.
About WATG
Founded in Honolulu in 1945 by George ‘Pete’ Wimberly, WATG is one of the world’s leading integrated, multidisciplinary design firms specializing in hospitality, entertainment and gaming, urban and mixed-use, and high-end residential.
Independent to this day and with a profound respect for heritage, its five studios – Strategy, Master Planning, Architecture, Landscape and Wimberly Interiors – stay true to their values, designing spaces that respect, protect and enhance the natural magic of their surroundings while delivering long-term value for clients and communities.
As of 2022, its global yet local team – representing more than 45 nationalities across offices in Honolulu, Irvine (California), Los Angeles, New York, London, Cairo, New Delhi, Singapore and Shanghai – has designed and delivered over 500 built projects in 170 countries and territories.
About Wimberly Interiors
Since its founding in 2011, Wimberly Interiors – a design studio of WATG – has established itself at the forefront of hospitality, entertainment and residential design. In its tenth anniversary year, the studio was longlisted in Dezeen’s Emerging Interior Design Studio of the Year category. In 2022, Wimberly ranked 9th in the Top 100 Hospitality Giants and 70th in Interior Design Giants.
From high-voltage nightclubs and chic restaurants to grand lobbies of stately hotels and intimate salons of private homes, Wimberly Interiors creates interior experiences that go beyond aesthetics. With a passion for exceptional design, its small but mighty team across New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore and Shanghai is equal parts collaborator and disruptor – a flair that has led to over 60 awards and accolades, and an impressive portfolio of built work that includes the Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Grand Suites, the Bentley Suite at the St. Regis New York, EDITION Abu Dhabi, Dream Hotel Downtown New York, Marquee New York, Chroma Seoul, Hotel del Coronado, Park Hyatt Aviara, Bellagio Shanghai, Rosewood Baha Mar, Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, Kempinski Hotel Jinan, Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, Four Seasons Los Angeles, Hotel 50 Bowery NYC, Viceroy Kopaonik Serbia, Viceroy Ombria Resort in Portugal and more.
