G\u00e9za Kendik is Hungarian architect who resides in Budapest and founded an architecture business, the A4 studio in 1992 that he operates till today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interview With The 2022 MUSE Hotel Awards Winner \u2013 G\u00e9za Kendik<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1. Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m a Hungarian architect living in Budapest. I graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at BME (Budapest University of Technology and Economics). After that I lived and worked in Vienna for 5 years. I founded my architecture business, the A4 Studio in 1992 where I continue to work until this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q2. What led you to become a hospitality\/tourism\/architecture\/interior design professional?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve loved to draw since I was a child and at the age of 17, I worked at an architecture firm as an intern. That\u2019s when I knew it\u2019s my path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q3. What is your role in the hotel\/dining\/architecture\/interior design business, and what traits should a professional possess to be successful in their respective roles?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m the owner and senior architect of the A4 Studio. We receive recognition thanks to our built-up designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q4. Tell us more about your hotel\/establishment\/design\/business.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our business celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. We design public facilities (hotel, retail industrial, housing, etc.) in Hungary and other countries. We apply to several national and international contests and participate in conferences as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q5. What sets your world class hotel\/dining establishment\/architecture and interior design apart from other related establishments?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our motto is: \u201cThere are architects who subordinate their talent to the requirements of the client. There are architects who force their ideas upon the clients. However, there are architects who try to find a solution through a dialogue that perfectly satisfies the client’s desire but at the same time does not set limit to the architect’s creative attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q6. Congratulations! As the winner of the 2022 MUSE Hotel Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The award means a prestigious professional recognition for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q7. How has winning an international award help to promote your industry position\/standing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s always an important feedback and proves that our business has delivered a high-level of architectural design for more than 3 centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q8. What are the challenges that come with managing a hotel\/dining establishment\/architecture design and\/or interior design project?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For the client, one of the most important things besides the layout, the building and the reliable service is the assurance of knowing that the project is in good hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q9. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is there any advice you can give to your industry peers to overcome these trying times?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that a high level of flexibility, skilful usage of new technologies (both hardware and software) and a cooperative team is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q10. How has the country your business is based in helped to elevate the status of your hotel\/dining establishment\/architecture and interior design project\/travel business?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the past few years before the pandemic, the Hungarian economy was on a continuous rise which concluded in the growth of public and private investments. Budapest was really popular among tourists, so the demand for lodgings has risen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q11. What are the current trends in the hospitality and tourism industry that you are most excited about?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, due to the COVID19 pandemic, many employees have left the tourism and catering industry. When we were designing the hotel, we had to take the shortage of labor and safe operations into account while adjusting the expectations of international chain of hotels to the local regulations (which often contradict each other). Moreover, the new generation of tourists\u2019 lodging and catering expectations differ from the generations before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q12. What are the top THREE (3) challenging things about the industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The ever-changing trends, incorporating young colleagues into the designing process of our architecture firm, the migration of qualified labor from Hungary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q13. What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to see their hotel\/dining establishment\/design\/travel business stand out amongst the rest?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Diligence, perseverance, and a bit of exhibitionism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q14. Where do you see the evolution of the industry in the next 5-10 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I just hope that the independent architecture firms can remain independent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q15. Who has inspired you in your life, or in your career, and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n During the 5 years I spent in Vienna, the University of Applied Arts organized a course with the best architects of that time. I\u2019ve seen and heard Zaha Hadid, Peter Eisenmann, Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry, Hans Hollein, and many others presenting. It was an incredible inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q16. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n First of all, we have to define \u201csuccess\u201d in order to answer the question. I believe in the completed work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q17. What is the hotel\u2019s\/dining establishment\u2019s\/architecture and interior design\u2019s\/travel business\u2019s future plans?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our main goal is to fulfil our motto and work, design and create accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q18. Do you have anything else you would like to add for the interview?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I would like to thank the committee for electing us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The hotel is located in the city center of Budapest, on a World Heritage Site. The building was originally designed \u2026 (Read more at MUSE Hotel Awards<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n