Creativity Outside the Comfort Zone - Dwayne MacEwen - Defining Hospitality - Episode # 181

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/ 

Today, Dan Ryan hosts Dwayne MacEwen, a renowned architecture and design professional, and Founder and Principal of DMAC Architecture and Interiors. The conversation delves into Dwayne's journey from working at Jordan Moser to starting his own company. They discuss his innovative approach in the hospitality industry and explore his projects like the award-winning American Airlines lounge and unconventional methods—bending wire sculptures, carving topography models, and prioritizing intuitive design without heavy reliance on signage. The episode emphasizes the importance of creative processes, client relationships, and pushing the boundaries of traditional design.

Takeaways: 

• Approach spaces with an outside-the-box mentality. Design shouldn't just meet the programmatic needs but also transcend and innovate beyond traditional expectations.
• Personalize spaces using hospitality as a guiding principle, even if they fall outside traditional hospitality contexts (e.g., airport lounges, utility buildings).
• Reduce dependence on signage by using materials and layouts that intuitively guide guests through spaces.
• Engage deeply with client feedback and adapt designs accordingly—a close, collaborative approach can lead to unique and successful outcomes.
• Trust and invest in the design process, from initial sketches to full-scale mockups. This can ensure a holistic, well-thought-out final product.
• Small details, such as acoustics and material finishes, can significantly enhance the guest experience. Pay attention to elements that might not be obvious but improve the overall ambiance.
• Be open to new challenges and projects outside your immediate expertise. This can lead to innovative solutions and broader experience.

Quote of the Show:

“ We succeeded at developing something really special by thinking outside of the box and applying hospitality to everything that we do.” - Dwayne MacEwen

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-macewen-7b0b8615/ 
• Website: https://dmacarch.com/ 

Shout Outs:

• 0:45 - BDNY https://bdny.com/ 
• 0:46 - Global Hospitality Talk https://globalhospitalitytalk.com/ 
• 2:04 - Jordan Mozer https://www.jordanmozer.com/ 
• 4:51 - HD Expo https://hdexpo.hospitalitydesign.com/ 
• 5:08 - Midtown Athletic Club https://www.midtown.com/ 
• 6:57 - American Airlines https://www.aa.com/homePage.do 
• 7:05 - Reagan National Airport https://www.flyreagan.com/ 
• 12:32 - Joe Pilates https://pilateslessons.org/article/joseph-pilates/ 
• 22:31 - Michael Jordan https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/chef-news/michael-jordan-owner-partner-michael-jordan-s-restaurant-160-blue-michael-jordan-s-the-steak-house 
• 23:10 - The Admiral’s Club https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/clubs/admirals-club.jsp 
• 26:43 - The Concourse Club https://www.concourseclubnj.com/ 
• 27:13 -  Helio Castroneves https://www.indycar.com/drivers/helio-castroneves 
• 27:48 - Aaron Weiss https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-weiss-38684423/ 
• 29:44 - Larry Traxler https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrytraxler/ 
• 29:45 - Mike Suomi https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesuomi/x 
• 35:57 - Wallpaper Magazine https://www.wallpaper.com/ 
• 49:59 - Chicago Mothership https://www.mothershiplaunchpad.com/ 
• 51:11 - Cornell University https://www.cornell.edu/ 
• 52:46 - AJ Capital https://www.ajcpt.com/ 
• 59:11 - The Supper Club https://thesupperclubinc.com/ 

Ways to Tune In: 

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A2XOJvb6mGqEPYJ5bilPX
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/defining-hospitality-podcast/id1573596386
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGVmaW5pbmdob3NwaXRhbGl0eS5saXZlL2ZlZWQueG1s
• Amazon Music: ​​https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8c904932-90fa-41c3-813e-1cb8f3c42419
• Transistor: https://www.defininghospitality.live/