A powerful trend in our practice is the growth of work in markets outside the US. Why do business leaders across the globe increasingly seek American designers for their projects?  Considering the challenges of distance and cultural hurdles, this decision is not made lightly – and is usually made at the highest executive level. In my experience, our greatest value is our way of thinking.  We are the universal donor – type O – our relatively young and diverse culture creates a way of thinking that is our ultimate value outside the US. We are creative thinkers, open minded and empathetic to other cultures and frameworks, yet we are…

Brasil is the first country of reference in the BRIC group of fast growing developing economies – together with Russia, China, and India, hold over twenty-five percent of the world’s land and forty percent of the world’s population. Recently, I was in a meeting with a global luxury retailer who referred to Brasil as unaffected by the global recession. Surely, no country is completely unaffected – though in relative terms, Brasil is experiencing a powerful convergence of forces – political stability, optimism, natural resources and enlightened corporate leadership that is unprecedented.    Yesterday, a panel of Brasilian retail developers at the ICSC conference in Las Vegas presented their case…

       Attending events over the last decade organized by the IGDS – Intercontinental Group of Department Stores, the Zurich based organization of more than 30 flagship stores worldwide, has always been an illuminating global snapshot of the pulse of leading retailers across the globe. I’ve met with them in Dusseldorf, Hong Kong, London, and Manila. The summit last week in Moscow at the historic GUM department store (shopping center) adjacent to Red Square included presentations by 14 leading CEOs.              Through the lens of the financial crisis and falling revenues, forward thinking leaders at the…

The growth and development of India’s emerging economy in recent years has been of great interest to me. India’s dynamic energy and vibrant culture, combined with the new economy, present a singular opportunity for retail development. Fashion week, Bollywood, and international designers are all converging in a market that, according to a joint study by ASSOCHAM and KPMG, expects US $25-30 Billion investment in modern retail formats over the next 4-5 years.  I am hearing s parks of optimism spreading across many markets over the past few weeks – from our clients and friends in New York, Paris, Moscow, Shanghai, Dubai,…

Over the past year, my passport has thickened significantly – from Brasil, Russia, Morocco, Istanbul, China, Korea, Taipei, India, Bhutan, and to our offices in London, Dubai, Moscow, Shanghai, Beijing – along with our 5 US based offices – we’ve been designing retail places all over the world.  During my travels I am always drawn to the older marketplaces of these cities – many that have existed for centuries.  What makes these captivating places so dynamic, so full of energy, discovery and inspiration? What can we learn from these places as we develop new centers of commerce and retail, as we work…

Our work designing major commercial centers and boutiques across the globe offers a view to the future of retail environments – a vision to the store of the future.      From Globalization to Localization:    Consumer reduction in discretionary spending, a desire to travel shorter distances to shop and focus on quality and sustainability are driving interest in localization.  The store of the future will reflect its community, culture and landscape, while opening a window to the world. The store will be an engaging and dynamic heart of the community, a world portal radiating outward the dynamic energy of its world…

My travels to Asia over the past few weeks included Seoul, Beijing and Hong Kong, intense experiences, leaving me with reflection on the people, the culture, and our work.  I’m always trying to develop a deeper sense about what is meaningful to the people we are working with and ultimately designing for.  When I asked a young Chinese colleague about her hopes and dreams for her life and her community, her answer was, “I do hope I could leverage my knowledge to beautify our city by building better spaces for better living, working, making more money to help out more poor…

Global population has doubled – from 3 billion to over 6 billion – during my lifetime.  As the massive scale of development has accelerated across the planet, we are now beginning to understand the impact as it reverberates and reflects from one site, one city, and one country to another – and affects all of our lives and our work on foundational levels. We are practicing in the midst of a revolution in knowledge, awareness, technology and communication advances on sustainable practice.  The measure of our work has shifted to the triple bottom line — sustainable success: economic, ecological and social…