An Architect's Vision Come True

With the rise of exclusive wellness retreats and sublime spas, Jean-Michel Gathy, master architect of Aman Sveti Stefan, Montenegro; Amanyara, Turks and Caicos; and Aman Venice Italy shares his design inspiration behind the creation of environments of rejuvenation and relaxation.

Belgium-born Gathy discovered his passion for geography and architecture as a young child during the wake of numerous family trips. At the age of nine, he was entrusted with the responsibility of organising family holidays across Europe. He identified and visited structures and landscapes emblematic of each country. The 62-year-old architect left Belgium for Asia in 1981 after graduating in 1978, spending most of his life in Asia, and the last 22 years being in Malaysia. He founded DENNISTON in 1983 as an architecture office with a specific niche market, specialising in the creation of innovative designs for up-market hotels and other establishments in the hotel sector.