Clint Nagata, founder of BLINK Design Group, is most known in the design realm for his upscale hospitality projects. Born and bred in Oahu, Hawaii, the Japanese-American relocated to Bangkok 17 years ago.
After more than a decade at international architectural firm WATG in Honolulu, Nagata decided to establish his own firm in the Thai capital. Today BLINK is a leading multi-disciplinary design studio specialising in luxury lifestyle hotels and resorts, and residential projects. The 17-year-old firm has since expanded its presence in Asia with studios in Shanghai and Singapore. Nagata’s passion for travel has shaped his company’s design philosophy and approach for every project.
In 2022, BLINK received an impressive collection of regional and international awards for its hotel and resort projects. In Asia, BLINK won the award for Best Guestrooms at Ahead Asia awards for Roku Kyoto (Hilton’s first LXR resort in the Asia Pacific). The resort was also a finalist (for Best Luxury Guestroom and Best Luxury Lobby) at the prestigious 42nd Gold Key awards in the US. At the same awards, BLINK’s Regent Phu Quoc project was a finalist for Best Luxury Resort. Nagata was also recognised as Interior Designer of the Year 2022 – Designer’s Choice – at the Design Excellence Awards held in Singapore. Nagata tells us more about his design journey.
How has your design style evolved over the years?
My design philosophy is to take both clients and guests on a passage that tells the story of a place through a modern design lens. We seek to create wonderful interior-based designs that capture the spirit of the place.
Denne historien er fra Issue 128-utgaven av d+a.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue 128-utgaven av d+a.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tailored For The Curious Explorer
The new Alma House at the New Bahru enclave reflects the collaborative spirit of a school environment.
Eco And Egalitarian
Can a building represent a culture? Berrel Kräutler Architekten's sensitive renovation of the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore stimulates discourse.
Building A Green Home
This semi-detached house by Zivy Architects explores passive tropical design, the delight in architecture and the issues of multi-generational living.
The Natural Balance
Inspired by the serene beauty of dewdrops, the Antao Collection by Villeroy & Boch transforms bathrooms into wellness sanctuaries, combining sustainability with timeless elegance.
Inspiring Creativity And Exploration
The new Hafary House at Lavender reflects the brand’s vibrancy and innovation, as well as provide an inspiring and engaging space for customers.
Home Is Where The Heart Is
A vacation house is reimagined for a multi-generational family to gather for holidays in the bucolic setting of Yongjia in Zhejiang, China.
balancing act: nature and humanity
In this inspiration-led series, we asked Jay Liu and Alex Liu, co-founders of Right Angle Studio, to dream up a unique interior concept using mainly items from Space Furniture.
rethinking, remaking, reframing
Aoki Akio, the founder of DESIGNART TOKYO discusses the importance and legacy of Tokyo's eminent art and design event, particularly for young creatives.
rebuilding communities
Shift2024, the much-anticipated conference returns with a stellar line-up of prolific architects making their mark in Asian urban design.
unparalleled italian craftsmanship
Filippo Arnaboldi, Chief Executive Officer of Frette, tells us how this luxury lifestyle Italian brand is moving forward with times yet not forgetting about its existing legacy.