For over two decades, Belgian-born David T’Kint has designed exquisite interiors for some of the most prestigious hotels across the world; he has designed luxury hotels with some of the finest international brands. He describes his design style as nonexistent but uses his expertise to translate distinctive visions into reality across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. After spending well over a decade with HBA, T’ Kint has creatively grown with Hirsch Bedner Associates , and he has gone from senior designer to partner and executive committee member.
Celebrating his first successful anniversary of Studio David ‘t Kint, he still wakes up with the thrill of creating magical spaces for hospitality projects across the Middle East and further afield. T’ Kint says, “I have been in the hospitality interior design industry for 20 years and still do my job with the same passion. 13 of those years were spent with HBA. First and foremost, I am a designer, someone who creates. I have no problem managing and, of course, still do this within the new studio set-up; however, I decided I wanted to wake up every day with the thrill of knowing I would love what I would do. In addition, I like challenges. Having my own studio comes with a number of responsibilities you don’t have when you are a shareholder of a big company”.
As T’Kint travels, he builds an understanding of people, places and culture. He guides his multicultural team of designers on a journey allowing them to explore, cultivate their skills and hone their creative diversities to complete each project successfully. Geographic boundaries do not limit his studio, allowing him to focus on lifestyle properties and luxury hotels.
T’ Kint has an extraordinary eye for detail and believes in telling charming stories for each client. “I believe designing is telling a story. Putting something together without structure, without experience, means without meaning. What I love about my job is that every project is unique. Even if I were to design all the properties for one brand, each one would be different; the location, the developer’s vision, the culture, and the people involved gives my studio what we need to develop something bespoke”.
T’ Kint and his team deliver designs with intention and meaning. He enjoys each project’s uniqueness, interprets the structure’s location, history and culture, and considers the developer’s vision. He and his team create something empathetically bespoke and important. No matter the size or value of the project, he insists on offering the highest standards and delivering exacting quality. “Quality is the backbone of what we do. The type of hospitality and scale of the project do not matter; I will only allow for quality to come out of our studio”.
Studio David ‘t Kint understands the importance of providing an excellent guest experience. T’ Kint and his team provide interior design and artwork consultancy services and work hand-in-hand to ensure a cohesive overall design. While he understands that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dominates the Middle Eastern market, T’Kint is keen to grow his brand within the region and focus on creating exceptional projects rather than striving for volume.
Within the first year, Studio David ‘t Kint has already completed many inimitable designs for world-class food and beverage and hospitality firms in the Middle East. The team has an impressive pipeline of projects they are currently working on, including the extraordinary presidential suite at InterContinental Mauritius, sensitive renovations at Mena House, the historic palace with unique views of the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo and the first Indego resort in Jabal Al Akdhar, Oman.
T’ Kint looks forward to the future and building a highly reputable interior design firm that represents some of the finest hospitality and residential designs in the Middle East.