WALDORF MARRIOTT - A Hospitality Renovation Case Study
EQUITY IN SAFETY - Amy Roosa, Celebrating Women in Safety & Construction
MASI
Editor’s note
In this edition of āśaya Digest, we’re excited to share insights from our team’s research into Fijian ancient motifs, which will play a key role in the concept design for an upcoming luxury resort. We also showcase our ongoing work on the Waldorf Marriott renovation project. We’re also sharing some of the preliminary results from our ongoing research into women’s hard hat safety and protection. This research aims to contribute to a more inclusive and effective approach to workplace safety for women in construction and related fields. Additionally, we celebrate Amy Roosa’s impactful initiative on equity in safety, spotlighting her global report and the philosophy behind her nonprofit, The Safety Rack.
Smita Sahoo
Masi Motifs
Fiji Airways successfully blends ancient Fijian motifs with a modern brand identity, creating a strong, culturally rooted image that stands out globally.
Masi motifs are significant because they serve as a visual language within Fijian culture, representing elements of nature, mythology, ancestral stories, and social status, often with specific meanings tied to the design, allowing one to identify the region and even the maker of a particular piece of masi cloth, highlighting the deep cultural connection to the art form; essentially, the patterns on masi tell a story about the Fijian people and their traditions.
Photo Credit : Masi Artist Makereta Matmosi with her Fiji Airways Masi design
Waldorf Marriott - A 14 yrs old Renovation Case Study
āśaya I DESIGN was engaged to reimagine a Marriott hotel in Waldorf, Maryland, transforming both public spaces and guest rooms. The renovation scope includes the Lobby, Bistro, Fitness Center, Meeting Rooms, Public Restrooms, Indoor Pool, Outdoor Patio Spaces, and 91 guest rooms. Building on Marriott’s brand standards as a foundation, the team is introducing a fresh, reimagined design approach to enhance the guest experience while aligning with the client’s vision for a modern and inviting space.
Waldorf Marriott - A 14 yrs old Renovation Case Study
The design for the Waldorf Marriott hotel balances rich materials and a welcoming atmosphere. With navy blues, rust, and gold accents, the space exudes elegance, while the warm walnut wood floors add depth and comfort. The flexible furniture layout accommodates diverse groupings, from private booths with media to bar seating, lounges, and private areas, giving guests a variety of options to suit their preferences.
her.HARDHAT : Reseach (Ongoing)
The survey conducted by Āśaya I DESIGN with about 200 women in the construction field revealed key frustrations with safety hard hats. Preliminary results indicate that improper fit, a lack of awareness about proper fit, and limited customization options are significant challenges that affect both comfort and performance on the job.
her.HARDHAT : Reseach (Ongoing)
Celebrating Women in Safety in the Field of Construction
Amy Roosa founded The Safety Rack three years ago to share information about women’s PPE and workwear. She quickly uncovered a larger issue—women struggling to find properly fitting PPE and employers seeking solutions to address safety concerns. Recognizing this as an equity gap rather than just an awareness problem, The Safety Rack evolved into a mission-driven initiative dedicated to advancing workplace safety for women.
Now transitioning into a nonprofit, The Safety Rack is committed to closing the women’s PPE equity gap through Education, Research, and Advocacy. As part of our upcoming website relaunch, she will introduce key resources, including a PPE & Workwear Directory and the PPE Equity Report, which presents insights from our 2024 survey and highlights areas for improvement. These tools, along with educational materials, will empower women, manufacturers, employers, and advocacy groups to drive inclusive policies and better PPE design.
Looking ahead, as they are expandin impact through collaborative partnerships, webinars, and ongoing research in 2025 and beyond, ensuring that safety gear is designed for all workers—not just the standard fit.
Amy Roosa Founder, The Safety Rack
https://thesafetyrack.com/
Success for The Safety Rack means creating real, measurable change in how the industry approaches safety and PPE for women. It goes beyond raising awareness—they aim to see manufacturers prioritize properly fitting gear, companies implement more inclusive policies, and women feel empowered to advocate for their own safety.
