TerraMai
Q&A Bob Puccini,
Puccini Group, San Francisco
Who and what are your main design influences? My main design influence is traveling
around the world and looking at different cultures and how people experience
food and togetherness.
Additionally, I look at perspective guests in the market and what their
needs and desires look like.
What and where is your favorite space? I love the over-the-top, yet classic,
design of The Hotel New York in Budapest. It is filled with drama, classic
& grand style. It is spectacular and breathtaking and is a true original,
it can’t be recreated.
What architect or designer do you most admire? I most admire Terrance Conran for
his innovativeness with so many ventures and his distinct originality.
Who would you most like to design something for? We would like to do one fabulous project
in the Middle East where design can be totally over the top and budgets
are quite generous.
What is your favorite city or town? First: San Francisco.
Second: Prague, Czech Republic.
What is your favorite building or structure? From an architectural standpoint,
India’s distinctive style is larger than life. Specifically, I am fascinated
with the Blue City in Jodhpur and the Pink City in Jaipur. .
What is the best moment of the day? I am a morning person, so the best
part of the day is sitting down with my first cup of coffee and reading
the newspaper and getting a perspective on the day.
What is your design philosophy? To create designs that resonate with
the desires of the marketplace and that portray warmth, charm and a
respite from everyday life.
What advice do you have for people interested
in a career in design? Don’t be afraid to be BOLD. Be yourself
and learn how to accept criticism—design is art and can be very subjective,
stick with your gut.
