Olson Kundig

Last month, Olson Kundig partnered with Metropolis magazine to host Think Tank, a continuing education series led by Metropolis’s Editor-in-Chief, Avinash Rajagopal. The Metropolis Think Tank travels to leading architecture and design firms across the country to challenge experts in design — architects, interior designers, manufacturers — to examine the strengths and weaknesses of current design-thinking and practice.

During the Think Tank, titled “Designing for the Senses: New Perspectives in Hospitality,” panelists explored multi-sensory design through the lens of memorable, transformative hospitality experiences. Held at Olson Kundig’s offices, the event included panelists Kevin M. Kudo-King, AIA, LEED® AP, principal and owner at Olson Kundig; Heather Burpee, Research Associate Professor and Director of the Integrated Design Lab at University of Washington; Barbara Erwine, consultant, educator and writer; and Judith Heerwagen, PhD, Affiliate Associate Professor in the University of Washington Architecture Department. The panelists discussed strategies for using sensory input – procession, materiality, smell, taste, color, light and sound – to alter and enhance the biological experience of architecture and space.

Moderated by Metropolis’s Avinash Rajagopal, the Think Tank produced lively discussion between the panelists on the intersection of hospitality, wellness and experiential design. The panel will appear in a future print issue of Metropolis, and the entire panel discussion is available to watch here. Learn more about the Metropolis Think Tank series by visiting http://www.metropolismag.com/about-metropolis/think-tank/.