Meeting… Campbell House A year on from the inception of Campbell House, leaders at the studio’s Paris office talk design philosophies, flexibility and future forecasts as they look to expand across Europe and beyond. Words: Ben Thomas
PROFILE From left to right: Gaelle Rioualen, Principal, Management; Gwendoline Theodet, Regional Director of Business Development, EMEA; Monika Moser, Chief Operating Officer; Jese Medina-Suarez, Creative Director and Principal
Upon founding her own interior design firm
designing spaces that combine a respect for local
last January, architect and designer Beth
culture with the needs of the audience and an
Campbell called for a revolution, from methods
honest interpretation of the brand message. We
of collaboration to the endgame of creating
are not aiming to have a distinctive style, rather
standout spaces. The industry veteran – who
be adaptable enough to tailor our design to client
spent 16 years at Gensler before serving as CEO
needs. This approach has allowed us to work on
Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in Los Angeles, New York and Paris, Campbell House is a full-service architecture and interior design firm specialising in hospitality, entertainment, food and beverage, corporate workplace, senior living, wellness and gaming.
of Wilson Associates prior to its demise – saw
a broad range of projects that includes luxury,
the moment as an opportunity to reframe her
lifestyle, mid-scale and affordable offerings.
Recent Openings: Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, London; Hyatt Regency, Boston Upcoming Openings: Canopy by Hilton Nashville; JW Marriott Kuwait; Homewood Suites Nashville The Gulch
creative approach and took it with both hands. An initial headquarters in Las Vegas was soon
How has hospitality design evolved since
followed by people on the ground in Los Angeles
Campbell House was established?
and New York, many of whom were brought
JMS: In our experience, the pandemic has
on board having built up a close rapport with
resulted in a strong appetite for flexibility within
Campbell during stints at Wilson Associates.
hospitality. Hotels need to be prepared to become
Such was the case for Jese Medina-Suarez,
mixed-use hubs where rooms can be sold in the
Monika Moser, Gwendoline Theodet and Gaelle
traditional way as well as via more innovative
Rioualen, who head up a Paris office launched
methods, appealing to a local audience as much
with the goal of expanding Campbell House’s
as an international clientele. Amenities must
reach in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
also reinforce the idea of the hotel club, where
Sitting down with Medina-Suarez, Moser
travellers can come to sleep, eat, work or have
and Theodet in London, the conversation flows
fun. Likewise, restaurants need to be prepared
from design philosophies to flexibility to future
to offer flexibility through seating arrangements
forecasts, with the team also opening up about
and food service.
their plans for 2022 – from a soft renovation for JW Marriott in Kuwait to new restaurants for
Monika Moser: Over the past two years, we have
Hakkasan in Istanbul, Riyadh and Muscat.
all learned to be more flexible. This is reflected in the way we design, manage projects and
056
How would you describe Campbell House’s
exchange with clients. Travel has shifted towards
design philosophy?
more meaningful, sustainable experiences and
Jese Medina-Suarez: Our philosophy is based on
our designs must address that.
