A sharper focus on residential and gaming projects, greater presence in Asia, and investments in sustainability and innovation are among the things on global architectural firm WATG’s agenda as it approaches its 80th anniversary next year.
WATG’s president and CEO David Moore recalled the firm’s entry into Asia through its first project in Singapore, the evergreen Garden Wing at Shangri-La Singapore, which opened in 1978, and said WATG has moved on to deliver many more iconic hotel projects in the region.
Moore: WATG takes environmental impact seriously in all its projects
He pointed to examples such as Tanjong Jara Resort in Terengganu, Malaysia, which was a “real environmental milestone project”; W Singapore – Sentosa Cove; and The St. Regis Singapore.
“We are incredibly proud of our work with The St. Regis, Singapore and the Garden Wing at Shangri-La Singapore because both are often top accommodation choices among foreign heads of states who visit Singapore,” he said.
One of its latest projects in Asia is JW Marriott Jeju, which brought the island’s nature, culture, and history into the architecture. Highlights include a cantilever roof that optimises views of Jeju’s coastline while honouring the indigenous Choga architecture-style with a sustainable interpretation.
However, the need to diversify WATG’s specialisation beyond hotel projects and the team’s culture of “always thinking how we can keep pushing the envelope” have led the firm to pursue new goals.
“We are keen on areas that we have historically been opportunistic about – that is, taking on such projects only when a request comes in. Such projects were for multi-family or senior living residences and gaming developments. We realised we have done a real good job with them, so we want to be more strategic about such specialisations going forward,” Moore told TTG Asia.
Elaborating on WATG’s vision for its gaming specialisation, Moore said teams are being established to proactively pursue opportunities, and new offices will be opened to support this effort and other objectives.
WATG’s first gaming project was The Palace of the Lost City in Sun City, South Africa. Its portfolio now includes The Venetian Las Vegas and Bellagio, Club Privé.
“We have an outfit in California that handles gaming projects in Las Vegas. However, we expect a lot more gaming projects to materialise in Asia, so we want to be here. We are ready to take on the gaming floors, the hotels, and the entertainment that go into such projects,” he added.
The team is also paying greater attention to its commitment to responsible development.
“WATG takes environmental impact seriously in all its projects,” emphasised Moore, who added it has landscape architects who carefully review site conditions and local habitat, as well as a newly-appointed director of sustainability “to help WATG become the leader in the environmental side of hospitality”.
Ronnie Tan, studio director, landscape at WATG, said the team “prioritises regenerative and resilient design”.
He elaborated: “When we go into a new project, we take a holistic approach to our design. We go in with a very light touch, as our intention is to leave the smallest footprint possible while enhancing the existing site conditions. We consider ways to bring the landscape and wildlife into the architecture so that the local habitat is enhanced through the new development. The project must make business sense for the owners and have a positive impact on the community.”
Technology is another area that WATG is investing in, with a focus on harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) in building design. There is potential to make available final project visions right at the start of discussions with clients.
However, WATG is well aware of the legal implications of AI use.
“AI skims data off the Internet. There are a lot of good architecture firms and we respect their work; we don’t want to touch their data and get caught in copyright issues,” said Moore.
As such, the firm is developing its own “AI sandbox” that uses data from WATG projects across 80 years.
A sharper focus on residential and gaming projects, greater presence in Asia, and investments in sustainability and innovation are among the things on global architectural firm WATG’s agenda as it approaches its 80th anniversary next year.
WATG’s president and CEO David Moore recalled the firm’s entry into Asia through its first project in Singapore, the evergreen Garden Wing at Shangri-La Singapore, which opened in 1978, and said WATG has moved on to deliver many more iconic hotel projects in the region.
He pointed to examples such as Tanjong Jara Resort in Terengganu, Malaysia, which was a “real environmental milestone project”; W Singapore – Sentosa Cove; and The St. Regis Singapore.
“We are incredibly proud of our work with The St. Regis, Singapore and the Garden Wing at Shangri-La Singapore because both are often top accommodation choices among foreign heads of states who visit Singapore,” he said.
One of its latest projects in Asia is JW Marriott Jeju, which brought the island’s nature, culture, and history into the architecture. Highlights include a cantilever roof that optimises views of Jeju’s coastline while honouring the indigenous Choga architecture-style with a sustainable interpretation.
However, the need to diversify WATG’s specialisation beyond hotel projects and the team’s culture of “always thinking how we can keep pushing the envelope” have led the firm to pursue new goals.
“We are keen on areas that we have historically been opportunistic about – that is, taking on such projects only when a request comes in. Such projects were for multi-family or senior living residences and gaming developments. We realised we have done a real good job with them, so we want to be more strategic about such specialisations going forward,” Moore told TTG Asia.
Elaborating on WATG’s vision for its gaming specialisation, Moore said teams are being established to proactively pursue opportunities, and new offices will be opened to support this effort and other objectives.
WATG’s first gaming project was The Palace of the Lost City in Sun City, South Africa. Its portfolio now includes The Venetian Las Vegas and Bellagio, Club Privé.
“We have an outfit in California that handles gaming projects in Las Vegas. However, we expect a lot more gaming projects to materialise in Asia, so we want to be here. We are ready to take on the gaming floors, the hotels, and the entertainment that go into such projects,” he added.
The team is also paying greater attention to its commitment to responsible development.
“WATG takes environmental impact seriously in all its projects,” emphasised Moore, who added it has landscape architects who carefully review site conditions and local habitat, as well as a newly-appointed director of sustainability “to help WATG become the leader in the environmental side of hospitality”.
Ronnie Tan, studio director, landscape at WATG, said the team “prioritises regenerative and resilient design”.
He elaborated: “When we go into a new project, we take a holistic approach to our design. We go in with a very light touch, as our intention is to leave the smallest footprint possible while enhancing the existing site conditions. We consider ways to bring the landscape and wildlife into the architecture so that the local habitat is enhanced through the new development. The project must make business sense for the owners and have a positive impact on the community.”
Technology is another area that WATG is investing in, with a focus on harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) in building design. There is potential to make available final project visions right at the start of discussions with clients.
However, WATG is well aware of the legal implications of AI use.
“AI skims data off the Internet. There are a lot of good architecture firms and we respect their work; we don’t want to touch their data and get caught in copyright issues,” said Moore.
As such, the firm is developing its own “AI sandbox” that uses data from WATG projects across 80 years.