Audio Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id157359638
In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan sits down with Adam Lara, principal at KTGY Interior Design and Branded Environments, to talk about career, culture, and what it really takes to build a studio that works. From formative early experiences to his latest chapter leading a growing team in Chicago, Adam offers a grounded look at what shapes great design work over the long haul.
Adam Lara has spent nearly three decades moving across architecture, interiors, and brand side operations, giving him a rare, well rounded view of the hospitality design world. His career has included time at Hyatt, a formative stretch under acclaimed designer Jordan Mosher, and now a leadership role at KTGY. That range makes him one of the more thoughtful voices working in hospitality design today.
Takeaways:
Spending time on the brand and ownership side of the business, not just the design side, gives designers a sharper sense of priority and impact. Understanding how a hotel actually operates, from food and beverage to back of house, makes for better design decisions down the line.
Great design is built on process, not ego. A strong, repeatable process naturally produces unique results because every project brings a different set of inputs.
Culture is intentional, not accidental. Small planning decisions, like how an office layout encourages teams to mix, can be just as important to culture as any stated value.
In person collaboration builds trust and understanding that remote work cannot replace. Body language, tone, and the small moments between meetings carry information that Zoom calls miss entirely.
The best leaders are made in the transition from doing the work to developing the people who do the work. Soft skills like listening and communication matter as much as design talent when someone is stepping into a bigger seat.
"It's not just design, it's basically problem solving." - Adam Lara
Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.
Impact estimates vary by project. For the most up-to-date figures, please refer to the transcript
Connect with Adam:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-lara-aia-leed-ap-ishc-7aa04751/
Company Website: https://ktgy.com/
🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by BERMANFALK
Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/