E46: When Buildings Breathe: Designing with Heart & Heritage w/ Adamo Gumowski

Speaker A: Hello and welcome to another episode of the Future Hospitality podcast. I'm your host Jeremy Wells, joined today by co host Dustin Myers. We are partners at Longitude, a hospitality branding and design group at, uh, Future Hospitality. Our goal is to interview the brightest minds in the industry, gathering insights, ideas and inspiration to share with you. If you enjoy the podcast, please be sure to leave us a review. Thank you for your support. Today we're joined by Adam Gamowski, founder and design director of Studio, known for crafting soulful, community focused hospitality spaces. He shares his journey from engineering to design, the influence of Tuscany, and how thoughtful placemaking can balance guest experience with operational success, all while pursuing boundless life through integrated, purpose driven environments. Well, let's go ahead and dive in.

Speaker B: Adamo, uh, thanks for joining us on the podcast today.

Speaker C: Absolutely. It's a pleasure to be here with you both.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, I'm excited to dive into this conversation and kind of share what you're doing with our guests. And yeah, maybe just start by introducing yourself a little bit, kind of your background and what you're doing at a high level before we, we dive into the weeds.

Speaker C: Absolutely. So my name's Adamo and uh, I'm m based here in the Chicago area and uh, I have my own design practice that's known as Studio that we started about three years ago. Uh, my partner and I, after deciding that 20 plus years in, in the corporate world of design, um, was about enough evolving to the entrepreneurial and uh, and creating our own practice that I, um, can probably, we'll touch on a few different times here throughout the conversation. So don't want to dive too deep into it, but you know, we love helping kind of two sides of the industry. One is really being partners to our clients and helping them kind of figure out what exactly they want to do and advising them on, um, potential paths. And then the other is just getting passionate about design work. I would say most of it's, you know, in the hospitality industry, but we do branch off into other areas of lifestyle focus like retail and food and beverage and mixed use, but always kind of have that hospitality spin on it.

Speaker B: Yeah, very nice. Well, let's dive into your background a little bit. Start just with how did you get into the architecture side and what made you excited, uh, about going down that path?

Speaker C: Yeah, for sure. So, you know, it's probably a lot of us, uh, as kids, right, you kind of fascinated by building things and creating things and it was, you know, layering on top of that. I was always kind of fascinated by the way Spaces sort of shape us, you know, how a room can make you feel safe, inspired, or even a little on the edge at times. So I started off actually in architectural engineering. And that was for me, like learning the grammar was like the science, the physics, the cold hard facts of how you really keep a roof over your head and like the bones of the building. But then I quickly realized that, like a man can't live with just on bones alone. So I realized what I really was excited about was evolving outside the container and actually really understanding the thing that was contained inside. It was like the life and the soul. And so that's what sent me from my undergrad on more the engineering side to actually my master's in architecture, because I was just sort of fascinated with that evolution from the technical to really the human, and kind of embracing the ideas of the poetry of how we live, how we connect, how we can dream within these structures that we build. So I would say even to this point today, like my head is in this constant tug of war between the engineer and the artist. But usually it's my heart that's the one calling the shot anyway. So it's kind of this three way, uh, three way explosion going on between these different parts of my brain and my heart.

Speaker D: That's awesome. Yeah, I love the way that you kind of describe, you know, like the bones and the soul and, you know, you kind of humanize these aspects of design. I think that's really cool how you think about that when you, you know, when you're diving into more of the, you know, architectural side of, um, the work that you were doing and getting into more of that artistry. Uh, what were the early years like for you? And you know, jumping in from engineer mindset to the architecture and how you kind of approach that.

Speaker C: Yeah, it's, uh, it's interesting because, you know, while it was sort of an evolution right from that engineer mindset and then sort of broadening the scope right into that artist mindset, it's now, I feel like it's this constant tumble and back and forth that's actually really exciting. And when I kind of came out into the professional world, m the way that I sort of dealt with that struggle is actually going into design build. And the beginning of my career was deeply rooted in that. Like, let's create, let's design, let's think, let's strategize, let's put this stuff on paper and then simultaneously let's go throw our tool belts on and jump in the wood shop or the steel shop and actually bring something to life. So it was a great way for me to kind of deal with this internal struggle between engineer and artist by just doing and making things and getting kind of messy with it all and seeing what sticks. It felt really unfiltered and really raw, uh, which helped sort of kick off my trajectory probably of, uh, where the rest of my path ended up going.

Speaker D: Yeah, yeah. And we'll dive into some of those, I think, stories and kind of the. The projects you worked on early on, but now, you know, fast forwarding from, you know, your early days to where you're at now, you know, now deeply involved in hospitality and. And the work that you're doing. How did, you know, how did that first take shape and. And, you know, where did your heart for hospitality and all of that really come from?

Speaker C: Sure. So it's interesting, the, uh. It's wild when you. You get somewhere, right, and you. You try and unpack how you got there. And then a lot of things that may have happened along the way on all of our journeys actually were shaping you along that path, but you didn't really see it. You know, you don't. You don't really, really see the trailhead when you're standing on top of it. But I look back to my childhood, and it was like this beautiful collision of cultures. And I felt like my parents were always hosting, so I got to know the way in which they dealt with hospitality on their own terms. And then all of these great people that were coming over to our house. So on one side, you had kind of the formal traditions, the French and the British roots that came from my mother's side. And that was hospitality, really, as this, like, quiet ritual. Proper living room is where you really took the time to visit. You know, the art form of dining tables set just so and this certain, like, reverence for the space in the moment. But then when you jump over to my Italian side of the family, it was the exact opposite.

Speaker B: Right.

Speaker C: It was this wonder, pat, wonderful chaos. It was loud. It was layered. It was everyone talking and laughing at once. But as I think back, you know, it was. The script may have been different in both those situations, but the story was really the same. It was like in both houses, you had this sort of undeniable sense of welcome. And in both, the glasses were clinking, there were amazing smells coming from the kitchen. Kids were running around all over the place. So whether it was in a quiet, formal room or a loud, dynamic one, it didn't really matter because I was able to see These family and strangers and friends alike, right. They were all feeling seen and all feeling heard and all had a reason, right, to be part of this sort of community. And so that was, that's like a big word that resonated me from the beginning is really community. And that community always had a soul. And that soul was always based on human connection. And for me, that was the hook. And I sort of subconsciously, I think, built from that over my whole career to sort of get to where I am.

Speaker B: Wow. Very well articulated. I think, as you were describing, kind of that influence on you. There's, there's a lot of aspects to that that I think we can all resonate with whether or not they're in the, in the conscious level or kind of more subconscious. But you just, there's a feeling when hospitality is being carried out effectively. And yeah, I think that's, that's a really interesting, um, kind of piece of your history that, that led you to where you are right now.

Speaker C: Yeah, it's almost like the subconscious, at least as we talk about it in the context of, of, uh, hospitality is almost more valuable than the conscious.

Speaker B: Absolutely. Yeah. So we, we've talked a little bit in the past about your time in Tuscany. Maybe walk us through how that opportunity came about and some of the, some of the lessons you learned through that experience.

Speaker C: Absolutely. So Tuscany, wow, that's like a place that really sinks into your soul, you know. So I was, as I mentioned, right. I have, uh, Italian roots in my family's history, but the first time I actually was able to go over there, I was 19 years old and just blown away from the sights, the smell, the way the lights hit buildings. It was just, you know, incredible thing to just start absorbing all of that energy. And so when I was there, I was actually initially there working just outside of Siena in sort of the farmlands and working with these old world families, farmers, masons, winemakers, you know, people that had worked the same piece of land, um, for centuries within their families. And they had this like deep unspoken understanding of place. And it was really interesting to hear their philosophies on architecture because to them it wasn't a separate discipline at all. It was just another part of the harvest, like, woven into the rhythm of their days. Which was such a fascinating breakthrough in my own mind because I always looked at sort of architecture as a discipline. Right. As a 19 year old kid, still learning what's what and really not knowing what's what at all. Uh, and so there for me, it was like, wow, they're doing this right? They're living this way more as, like, a truth. And so there was this. This one old stone mason. His name was Silvano. Total character. Still a great friend of mine to this day. But I remember, like, we're walking through this crumbling stone barn one day, and he put his hand on the wall and said to me, in very broken English, like, a building must breathe like a man. It takes, like, the morning sun, and it exhales the cool of the night. And I remember just that moment going, wow, this is so different. But it just touched me. And from that moment forward, it was like, buildings are way more than just objects, and if you can really listen to them, then all of a sudden, the history, the people, the culture, the conversations, the ghosts, you know, they all sort of rise up out of there. And that's then a great starting point to, like, begin a design conversation.

Speaker D: Yeah, that's. That's a really fascinating quote and just story from that, Silvano, and kind of how that happened. You said you were about 19 when

Speaker B: you were over there.

Speaker C: I was 19, yes, exactly.

Speaker B: Yep.

Speaker D: Uh, you know, looking back, it sounds like it kind of hit you hard when you were 19, too, that when he made that statement. But, you know, what do you think you maybe missed or, like, different perspective you have now when he said that? Um, and the projects you're working on, has it kind of evolved over the years or. You know, it sounds like it's stuck with you, though.

Speaker C: You know, it's totally stuck with me. And I think probably now the way it resonates is, you know, I don't for. For whatever reason, Right. Like architects, designers. Right. Because of sort of the confidence that you have to. To do what it is that we do. And I'm sure both of you feel it in the brand world as well. You have to have a point of view, right. So there's a certain level of confidence that has to. To come with that. But then sometimes that confidence turns into egos. And I'm, um, constantly go back to that quote because I'm like, you know what? Just shut up and listen.

Speaker A: Like.

Speaker C: And that's me in my own brain saying that to myself. If you just be quiet for a minute and listen to what the world around you is telling you in all sorts of ways, shapes and forms, like, that's what helps us understand what the right design solutions might be. What's the right type of hospitality experience that should be created for a specific place, for a specific type of guest, for a specific type of employee. And so I Think it's that big thing is it's just almost like that. Shut up and listen is what resonates the most from, from what Silvano said to me, you know, so many years ago.

Speaker D: Yeah. And I assume a lot of those, that work you were doing in Tuscany, that was kind of more, you know, small, intimate, kind of, you know, in the place type. Developments and projects.

Speaker C: Absolutely, yeah. Sort of these smaller scale, uh, agriturismos, or how we say, like places where you can stay integrated into a farm. Basically bring these farmhouses back to life so that actually, you know, this is before Airbnb and all of that. Uh, but creating authentic places, Right. Where people could actually experience the way of life, um, within Tuscany without having to stay at a hotel.

Speaker D: Yeah, so, so you're in Tuscany, you know, 19 year old, you're working there, doing some, meeting some really unique people. And then, um, I know you had some time at Gensler as well, doing some very different work. So what was, what was that like? And how'd that opportunity come about?

Speaker C: For sure. So, you know, life has a funny way of, of dealing you kind of cards.

Speaker B: Right.

Speaker C: Uh, and I'm still not quite exactly sure why, but eventually I made my way off the Italian farm and into an office here in Chicago, which is, uh, which is where I grew up, was sort of beginning part of my journey. Ah. I was all over the place and then just recently ended up back here a few years ago, um, as well. But so I'm sitting here, you know, in the office trying to be like, okay, now I'm gonna go on my appropriate architect path, uh, and figure things out. And I was here in Chicago for about three months and I got sort of tapped on the shoulder and someone said, hey, we've got this big, beautiful, crazy idea for downtown Los Angeles. Would you be interested in going there? We think you'd be a good fit for the project. And, uh, I'd say sometimes you just gotta say yes to the chaos. That's definitely been part of my mantra all along. And it made it really easy when it involves living on the beach in Santa Monica for a little while. So all of a sudden I ended up there and the project was the Marriott and ritz Carlton at LA Live, which is a 52 story tower with all sorts of hotel rooms and residences and, uh, what was supposed to be a six week tour out there ended up being two years. And I met my wife and ended up spending 20 years in California. So it was a great thing that, that I said yes to, but it was a wild evolution right from the farms of Tuscany to downtown Los Angeles. Um, and seeing a completely different side of what hospitality opportunities might evolve.

Speaker B: Yeah, I could imagine saying yes to the chaos seems like a great way to phrase that. So you're going from these very intimate, very storied to something brand new. What was your, I guess, what was your role in that development and did it feel out of your league or were you like, this is, um, I'm ready for this, or kind of what was your feelings going into that?

Speaker C: It was interesting. You know, it was the first time that I had the opportunity to go stand on an empty lot. Um, that was massive and sort of look around and this was way before downtown Los Angeles had a revival to where it is now and be like, wow, you start connecting what exactly you need to create on a site and what it's going to take to actually make that empty piece of dirt right into something that's, that's massive and complex. And it's going to have long, uh, term impact on not only the people that are using it, but really on the city as a whole. And so you feel that pressure a little bit. Right, to, to be able to deliver at a different level. And so that's then all of a sudden where my brain quickly evolved outside of just, I'm um, delivering a piece of architecture to this sort of symphony of place making layers and that you gotta make all these different parts work to bring together a collective ecosystem that's meeting the needs. Right. Of that business traveler that might be coming there for a night or for what the city needs on a day to day basis. And you know, I think just that level of complexity has been super fascinating to me from that day forward.

Speaker B: Yeah, totally. I think that's a great segue kind of for the conversation as we're moving from like the physicality of what you're doing, the nuts and bolts into like thinking from a place making and hospitality mindset. So I guess with that, how do you balance the guest experience and creating that place sense of welcome with like the operational efficiencies that are required with a project at that scale? For sure.

Speaker C: You know, it's, it's this like fascinating dance between the macro and the micro. Right. So while you're, you're figuring out how something might fit into the iconic skyline silhouette, it's simultaneously understanding how the vibrant street vendors. Right. And the thoughtful little details that are going to make a guest feel like you were expecting them, but uh, how all those things need to be collectively considered to really nail all of it. And so when you're trying to figure out, like, that's more on the front facing side, but like the operational efficiency all of a sudden becomes almost the necessity to creating those amazing experiences that look and, uh, pour out in the way that they do. So it's a tightrope walk for sure. But like, for me, the secret's really that great operational design is a great guest experience and it's invisible when it's done. Right. The guest never sees the frantic paddle of like the duck's feet beneath the surface. Right. They only see the smooth glide across the beautiful waters. So the well designed back of house is what leads to unstressed staff, which is also a very important aspect to it, as well as knowing that that happy staff, right, is the single most important ingredient for a happy guest. And then that backs all the way up to like, making sure that you're creating systems and spaces that are brutally efficient, right? To, to ensure that, uh, everything out front really feels effortless. So that balance of, especially when like designing and creating, I love to like, be like, okay, I'm going to walk through a day in the life of the executive chef, of the general manager, of the bartender, of the housekeeping staff. Staff. And if you can't figure out how they can do their job to the best of their ability as you're designing that building, then that means you gotta reiterate, you gotta do something different. If that doesn't work, project's not gonna be successful.

Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, I love that visual of, uh, you know, the duck, the, you know, the glass water on top and then it's the frantic feet underneath. That's, that's a really good way to think about it. You know, Adama, um, in past conversations with you, even before we hopped on the podcast today, I know that you've worked on, you know, a wide range of projects. You know, surf hotels in Costa Rica, casinos in Vegas, and, you know, everything from, you know, residential to food and beverage to hospitality and all sorts of things. I'm just curious, how do you, you know, when approaching each one of these, uh, you know, different environments, different needs operationally and from a brand perspective, uh, what sort of mindset do you bring, uh, to each of those projects so that they, you know, each kind of standalone and you can create something special in that place.

Speaker C: You know, every, every place has its own truth, you know, its own soul. So back to my previous comment, you just gotta shut up and be quiet enough to hear it. So if we're looking at a Surf hotel in Costa Rica. It's about the salt on your skin, the sound of the howler monkeys in the jungle, and the simple joy of an outdoor shower where the architecture needs to get out of the way and connect you to that. But if we're talking about, you know, a large scale casino in Vegas, the truth and the soul are completely different.

Speaker B: Right?

Speaker C: It's a different animal. It's more about spectacle, permission, this willing suspension of disbelief. So the key is it, it's kind of immersing yourself and finding, taking the time to find what that truth is so that you understand the appetites and the desires of the people who will be there. So you can design from a place of empathy and not from a place of assumption and sort of your outcomes which end up being the final designs, the final experiences, the final brand manifestation. All of these things that come to life. It doesn't have to feel forced at all. Right. It's, it's, it's almost naturally creating itself if you take that time to have empathy for what the place is telling.

Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely. And so much of what you're talking about is like a overlap with the brand thinking that, that we bring to projects and that's something we've talked about in the past. But I'm, I'm kind of curious how you think about brand and maybe how that's evolved over the, the years and through your projects.

Speaker C: It's absolutely evolved and I'm so happy to be in the place that I am now, as opposed to maybe where I was 20 years ago. Uh, I think that in the architectural education system, we're all kind of taught that sort of the architect is the center of, center of things. Right. Quarterback in the plays for big projects. And as I continued to work and experience different things and different types of projects and, and seeing how successful ones and unsuccessful ones come to life, I just started to realize that the ones that were most successful always had an extraordinarily strong narrative that drove the vision and drove the purpose and drove the why. So, uh, I've evolved to a place where I really understand that the brand is the story. It is the why. Right? The architecture and the interior design, that's just the language you use to tell that story. So when you start with a, uh, powerful, authentic brand, then all the design decisions in all categories sort of fall into place. And that's sort of the North Star, right? It's just like, it's like, to use an analogy, where it's like, it's like cooking where the brand is the Recipe, really the soul of the dish and the ingredients. Right. The stone, the wood, the fabrics, et cetera, et cetera, those are all crucial. But without the core recipe or that intention, there's just a pile of expensive stuff sitting around.

Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, that's a great way to put it. We, we like to tell our clients, people we work with too. It's like you think about brand as, as like a bicycle wheel and the brand is the hub that holds all the spokes together and holds the wheel together. And you know, those spokes are things like design. It's the, uh, the furniture and fixtures and finishes you choose. It's the art, it's the operational excellence that you have. You know, it's all these different pieces, but ultimately it's all held together by, by the brand. And that, you know, you mentioned that narrative and that's the kind of the key thing for, you know, successful developments and hospitality projects.

Speaker C: Absolutely. And you, you know, you feel it. It's like so easy to tell when you go somewhere, wherever it might be, right. It could be a restaurant, it could be a hotel, it could be a food cart. Who knows?

Speaker D: Right.

Speaker C: But there's some places that have an amazing brand story and terrible execution, or there's places that have beautiful execution and absolutely no brand story. And in both of those examples, there's such a disconnect in their ability to be successful. And then it's interesting because you also notice in those situations that actually the, the staff or the workers. Right. Or the operational people are so confused on what they should be doing and how they should be acting because there's this conflict. Right, between the, the, the brand story and the execution.

Speaker D: Yeah, definitely. Yeah. So it's, it's been cool to hear some of the, the past of where you've gotten to today and some of the projects you've worked on. But, um, you know, as we're looking at Studio, ah, today and kind of what you guys are doing, what sort of services are you focused on, what sort of projects or you excited about and where are you guys focused? For sure.

Speaker C: So we, we intentionally set up Studio to be living in this tension between two distinct worlds. And I kind of really love it there. Maybe it's that what I was talking about earlier about my brain, you know, being torn in two directions. But for us, like, first you have this 30,000 foot view, right, the helicopter. And that's us, uh, acting as trusted partners and advisors to our clients. So we're helping owners and developers look at a piece of land, an old building or a whole neighborhood to figure out what's the big picture? What's the story here? Does it make sense? What should we build? Where should we build it? Can we make business sense of it? That's a big one. And why should anyone give a damn about it? And then there's the other side. The like, let's get our hands dirty, boots on the ground part of what we do, where we get to roll up our sleeves and actually design the places that deliver on that big picture promise. So it's the strategy and it's the story, it's the map, it's the destination. Right. So it's that uh, that constant thing of, of balancing those two with one another that we love to kind of, it's almost this like internal feedback loop for us to constantly be evolving as, as a firm. So it was, it was just strategic for us to set it up that way so that we had the, the ability to constantly.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, I love that you can kind of see the big picture. I think a lot of, uh, a lot of people that can get in the weeds, have trouble kind of zooming out and it kind of works best one or the other for a lot of folks.

Speaker C: But macro and micro is tough.

Speaker B: Yep, yep. But it sounds like just kind of through your experience you've been able to develop and also enjoy kind of both ends of that spectrum, which I think is really cool.

Speaker C: Absolutely.

Speaker B: Um, we had, we had talked about kind of at a more personal level just how you, how you view life, family life, and I wanted to switch gears and kind of hear from you on that topic and kind of the, the term of boundless life that, that you mentioned.

Speaker C: Absolutely. So, you know, we were, we were fortunate last summer to look for opportunities to set up a kind of pop up summer studio. We had done it something similar a few years back in Korea. And so we were, we liked the idea of being able to do it. And one of the challenges with being able to do that is what does digital nomadism mean for families where kids are in school, kids have structure. In theory, we're supposed to be there for our clients.

Speaker D: Right.

Speaker C: For uh, for, for whomever, for co workers. But we say, you know what, like why do we have to fit in that mold? So we found this company, um, Boundless Life, that really help us achieve kind of this lifestyle design that we were looking for. So we've always believed in really blurring the lines between life and work, or at least we try. And so we put it to test last summer and through the program Boundless Life, which basically sets up global communities for families where we were able to set up that summer, pop up studio for studio in this small town just outside of Florence. And so that experience, you know, it kind of blew the doors off of everything. It stripped down life really to the essentials like connection, experience and time. And it made me see that we've been designing things in separate silos, right? There's the work box, the home box, the school box, but that's really not how life is lived. And so by designing this system for living there, where we were able to put our kids in school, we were able to set up an office environment where we could work out and, and successfully meet the needs of all of our clients wherever they were in the world. As well as providing housing and sort of that hospitality concierge overlay, it allowed us to allow uh, to basically have everything flow together. So kind of the, after a few months of doing that, the outcome, at least in, in my, my own brain, was that like, less interested in designing just a beautiful room and now I'm more interested in designing like a beautiful day, a beautiful week, a beautiful life, not only for ourselves, right, but for the people that we're creating for. And so really using architecture to support that fluidity and not fight it by saying, here's an office building, here's a residence, here's this. But like really being thoughtful around what's the lifestyle of today's users, what's the lifestyle of tomorrow's users? And are we creating things that are meeting those needs or can we evolve at all?

Speaker D: Yeah, what was, I'm just curious, your time with that pop up studio and kind of outside Florence with your family. Um, you know, what are some of the, I guess key memories you took away from that experience and are you planning on to do something like that again?

Speaker C: We are. So for starters, most amazing was because of the time change, we were able to take the kids every morning, drop them off at school slash camp where they were fully immersed into, let's call it cultural immersion. And so the way in which learning took place there was also fascinating because it was way more about creating systems as opposed to just academic topics. So the kids had the most amazing time. But then for us, you're able to basically drop the kids off and then take a moment, enjoy a cafe in the piazza before diving into work, spending time with other families that are there for the exact same purpose, that don't necessarily find themselves in the same industry of work that we do, but we share that same purpose. Of trying to achieve, designing that life that you're looking for. So one of them, what I, you know, the takeaway was like having these moments of engagement throughout the day with all of these other very interesting people, whether they were locals or other families that are traveling, that sometimes we don't allow ourselves that time and that space to actually do on a day to day basis. And then when you weave that in together with actually doing the work right, which is where we had the pop up studio that had other people utilizing it as well, local artists, local artisans and other families. So it was just fascinating. Mix was like after a few months of that, just leaving so inspired and bringing that back was kind of a huge takeaway. And so are we looking at doing that again potentially in the future? Absolutely. Next summer we might be looking back at uh, at Asia again and leaving that door open as well for all of our staff to be able to do the exact same same thing. Right. Whether it's boundless life or something else, but like being able to design that life that's appropriate for them to find that inspiration, which then ultimately makes everything better for everyone.

Speaker D: Yeah, I love that perspective. I know it probably seems like a lifetime ago when you were, uh, in your undergrad, you know, going through that, those engineering classes, you know, looking back, what would you, what would be some advice that you'd give to yourself before you kind of entered the world of what it is you do now? And um, you know, what would you say?

Speaker C: See, that's a loaded question. Maybe for starters, like get a passport and wear it out.

Speaker B: I think just, that's a good, that's good advice.

Speaker C: Just the world's changed so much from then to now and the default is to jump onto the computer to do research. And a lot of times the best research we can do is just getting out there and seeing and living what's happening out there and, and letting our uh, curiosity just take us down paths. Because no images you're going to find on the Internet while sitting in your office are going to provide you that same level of experience and lasting memories that then you can use, woven together with other memories and other experiences to find design solutions down the road, whether it's next week or ten years from now. Right. It's all those things, I think just talking to everyone when you're out there, you know, in the hospitality world, the dishwasher, the general manager, the guest who's having a bad day, like talk to them all with the same level of respect. I think it's important to get Your heart broken by a project or two that you love? Because I'm sure we've all been there, right? There's, there's nothing that's, uh, that's sacred, right? In the creative world. So things aren't always going to go the way you want it. Um, I think designing for the human moment, not the Instagram moment, right? That's a big one. I think for me that I try and live is the whole like, oh, we got to create Instagram moments. No, like, let's create experiences that are Instagramable, right? Make. Bring back sort of that, that, that human connection. Um, I don't know. I think probably lastly, it's like that, it's, it's not about you at the end of the day, right? The work that we all do isn't for our own, shouldn't be for our own portfolios, right? It should be for the people who are going to, like, live, work, love, and make memories in the spaces that we create so that, you know, ultimately we're not. We're doing better for the greater good while simultaneously hopefully keeping happiness in our heart.

Speaker B: Wow. I am inspired, Adamo. I gotta go explore, create experience.

Speaker C: Wear that passport out.

Speaker B: That's very well said. Um, so the last question we typically ask is, as you look to the future of hospitality of your, uh, of just of your life, what are you excited about? What do you hope to see?

Speaker C: I think, you know, the walls are coming down, guys. Uh, it's. And for me, like, it's about time. I think we got so good at putting life into these neat little boxes, as I was just mentioning, you know, a few minutes ago. But we're all suffocating inside of them, you know, so people are hungry for that fluidity, right? For community, for meaning. So I, in my opinion, the future is about creating these integrated environments that support the whole messy, beautiful human and not just the employee or the guest. I think it's about building these places that feel less like sterile campuses that you can't touch and more like vibrant villages that have been built up for centuries. So I think we're finally moving past just building real estate, right? And we're really starting to build lifestyles and figuring out how we really fuse together some of these, these archetypes that might exist in, in society and figuring out how we can blend those together. So for me, it's not about or architecture, right? It's more about choreography, right? The choreography of this well lived, holistic life for, you know, communities, for our, uh, families, for travelers, for, you know, you name it. And let's make sure that they can cross paths with one another as well because that's where the beautiful stuff happens.

Speaker B: Well said. I love it. How can people keep in touch with you, learn more about what you're doing, all that stuff.

Speaker C: Excellent. So, you know, website's always the best place to start. Bww.studio.com and, uh, you can always reach out to me via email as well. Also simple.

Speaker A: Adamo.

Speaker C: Uh, studio.com we love having conversations with anyone and everyone really. So it's uh, I think the fascinating part of where we live sort of in the ecosystem of everything is we're, we love being connectors, we love being sort of in this smash up, right, of a lot of different industries, a lot of different ways of thinking. And we're just constantly inspired by the more conversations that we can have with everyone. So we look forward to keeping that going. We, you guys, and with anyone else.

Speaker B: Awesome. Well, thank you so much. We're, we're definitely fans and can't wait to see what you do next.

Speaker C: Well, I'm a super fan of you guys as well and it's truly been, uh, an honor to be here and look forward to continuing the conversation with you all along the way. And yeah, just thank you so much for having me.

Speaker B: Thank you.

Speaker D: Thanks, Adamo.

Speaker A: I hope you enjoyed today's episode of the Future Hospitality podcast. If you enjoyed today's topic and episode, please leave us a review. If you'd like to learn more about Longitude, you can visit longitudebranding.com to see our portfolio of design work, read our Insights blog and learn more about our team. You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook by searching for Longitude branding.