Miscellaneous

🏠 Hitotomori, a Japanese architecture studio founded by Yoshiaki Nagasaka in 2019, is located in a renovated 140-year-old building in Nara. In 2024, they completed the House in Asuka, a 65 m² home in a protected area, designed in five months and built in six. The Wallpaper* Architects' Directory 2026 features 30 young studios from countries including Japan, celebrating its 25th edition with over 500 alumni globally.

🚀 India, August 18, 2026: VIETJET QAZAQSTAN partners with RateGain to use AirGain, an AI-powered airfare pricing platform, for real-time competitive insights. This partnership enhances pricing strategy across Central Asia, allowing the airline to track fares, benchmark competitors, and spot pricing gaps effectively. Founded in 2015 and rebranded in 2025 after investment from Sovico Group, VIETJET QAZAQSTAN continues to expand. RateGain, established in 2004, serves over 13,000 clients in 160+ countries.

📖 Over the past year or two, I’ve taught free weekly workshops on building nature hotels, though they may end soon. I’m now writing a book to share both successes and mistakes from these projects. I’m seeking input on what information could assist others in creating beauty in their own lives. Your feedback is invaluable—I’ll read every suggestion.

📍 Studio WYZE has designed the interiors of Fenix Mayfair, a 4,500 sq ft restaurant in a 1920s Portland stone building in London. Launched in 2023 after its Manchester debut, the space features natural light, sculptural plaster arches, and color-shifting lighting by INTO Lighting. Elements like Greek decorative bricks and terrazzo flooring create a Mediterranean feel, blending Cyclades spirit with Mayfair luxury. The design aims for a relaxed, immersive Greek island atmosphere using natural materials and warm lighting.

📖 Fifty years ago, Ken Moss, Regional VP, expected a call from Curt Strand, CEO of Hilton International, highlighting the importance of strong executive connections. VIP guests received top-tier hospitality with personal greetings from Hotel Manager Philip Mermod. Pertlink Limited, founded on October 23, 2000, supports the hospitality sector from Hong Kong, leveraging extensive industry expertise to enhance hotel technology and guest experiences globally.

🌈 *Chromatic Architecture* by Adam Nathaniel Furman and Kate Mazade explores color in architecture through 34 projects worldwide. The 200-page book features Dan Friedman's New York apartment and Iran’s Shah Mosque with 1.5 million ceramic tiles. Notable projects include Verner Panton's 1971 Varna restaurant in Denmark and a multi-purpose building by Suphasidh Architects in Thailand. The book highlights color’s socio-cultural impact and encourages creative courage in design.

🍖 Man Hon Luk founded Vinyl Pimp in 2007, then transitioned to cooking after a 2021 Austin event where he trained in Texan smoking at InterStellar BBQ. He brought his skills to London, securing a permanent spot above Crate Brewery following a £36k crowdfunder. His restaurant in Hackney Wick offers Chinese dishes with Texan BBQ flavors. Open daily from 5 AM, guests are advised to pre-order due to limited daily servings. The standout dish is beef short ribs with Sichuan peppercorn sauce.

🍵 Years ago, at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, a Louis Vuitton leader envisioned a restaurant concept, but it stalled due to cost concerns. Later, as Louis Vuitton's President in China, I revisited the idea but found it economically unfeasible. Now, luxury brands like Prada, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren integrate cafes and dining experiences to draw customers, transforming stores into destinations. This shift emphasizes selling experiences over products, as almost everything is now buyable online, altering traditional retail strategies.

🏨 BWH® Hotels, as of March 31, 2026, operates 3,864 global properties, with 2,051 in the U.S. Key brands include Best Western®, franchising since 1946, with 1,659 properties and 121,774 rooms. Application fees for most brands are $49,000, with royalty and marketing fees at 5% and 2.1% of GRR, respectively. SureStay® has 391 properties, the highest room count at 331,776. Contact: Brad LeBlanc for franchise opportunities.

📚 Tan France launched an 18-piece furniture collection with Castlery, featuring lighting and furniture inspired by his British and South Asian roots. The Internationales Congress Centrum (ICC) in Berlin, opened in 1979, is undergoing redevelopment by nine firms to emerge as a cultural hub. Camp Wandawega in Wisconsin now hosts glass office pods repurposed as cabins. The BDNY Power Players women’s event returns on November 9, 2026, at the Javits Center, New York.