The Science of Design - Matthew Goodrich - Defining Hospitality - Episode #178

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

Today, Dan explores hospitality design with Matthew Goodrich, an acclaimed interior designer and strategist. They dive into Goodrich's journey from his art background to founding his own firm, Goodrich, seven years ago. The conversation touches on recent projects, including a jazz bar he designed, the UBS Arena, and lessons learned from renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer. Goodrich explains his 'Design Foundation' framework, focusing on the elimination of awkwardness and fostering human connection in hospitality spaces. He also reflects on his mentors, the collaborative nature of design, and how life experiences inform his work.

Takeaways: 

• When starting a project, particularly in a new area, approach it with humility. Be upfront about what you don't know and actively listen to your clients and stakeholders to understand their needs deeply.
• Implement a structured framework or design foundation in your projects. This involves categorizing the project's inspirations or guiding principles into specific areas.
• Strive to create environments and experiences that eliminate awkwardness. This can be applied in both physical spaces and during client interactions, ensuring that all processes are smooth and intuitive.
• Conduct thorough research on the project's context and its historical, cultural, and location-based significance. This helps in creating designs that are timeless and resonate well with the intended audience.
• Foster a collaborative environment where input from various team members and stakeholders is valued. This helps bring in diverse perspectives and enriches the design process.
• Consider revisiting and refreshing designs periodically. This helps keep the projects relevant and aligned with evolving market needs and user behaviors. 
• Encourage a flat organizational structure in your team where everyone can contribute ideas.

Quote of the Show:

“The highest and best that we can bring to a client is to help them imagine something that they couldn't on their own.” - Matthew Goodrich

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-goodrich-89402440/ 
• Website: https://www.goodrich.nyc/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodrich.nyc/ 

Shout Outs:

• AvroKo https://www.avroko.com/ 
• Rockwell Group https://www.rockwellgroup.com/ 
• So and So https://www.soandsosbar.com/ 
• Danny Meyer https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhmeyer/ 
• BDNY https://bdny.com/ 
• Romer Hell’s Kitchen https://www.romerhotels.com/hells-kitchen 
• Paul McElroy https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-mcelroy-3387954a/ 
• Brand Bureau https://www.brandbureau.com/ 
• UBS Arena https://ubsarena.com/ 
• Chris Rizzo https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-rizzo-86533314/ 
• Misi Pasta https://www.misinewyork.com/ 
• Ci Siamo