NOBU Hospitality, Regional Director, APAC (Nobu’s regional director of Asia-Pacific)

Lee Lin is an international luxury hospitality and design consultant currently the Regional Director, Asia Pacific for NOBU Hospitality, previously the Managing Director at ASSET WORLD CORPORATION PLC (AWC) Thailand, he was responsible for successfully implementing and driving product strategy, concept design, partnership, as well as feasibility modeling of over 60 projects. Prior to AWC he was the Associate Director & Head of Business Development and Design of BLINK DESIGN GROUP Thailand where he was responsible for driving business development & growth strategies in addition to conceptual design on various luxury hospitality projects.

In his 5 year stint in China he was business director/designer with Smith Caradoc-Hodgkins Architects in Kunming and in Beijing as General Manager of MAD Architects and Head of Business Development at Atkins Asia Pacific.

He is a proud “DOMER,” educated at University of Notre Dame with a Barchelor of Architecture professional Degree, 10 years later he served as the regional director Asia Pacific for the Notre Dame Alumni Association.

Having studied and worked in Rome, Dubai, Pittsburgh, Durham, Kunming, Taichung, Beijing and now Bangkok, he is an enthusiastic and eccentric product professional who is interested in not only crafting spectacular experiences that impresses, but also deeply relatable.

Director, Development (Japan) & CIT (APAC)

Capital Investments and Transactions / Development, IHG ® Hotels & Resorts

Responsibilities: Dual reporting to the MD of the Japan & Micronesia Business Unit for Development and the global head of Capital Investments & Transactions, responsible for driving organic growth and inorganic growth opportunities respectively.

Background: Philip has had a long career in Japan after graduating from the University of Queensland, returning to Australia in 2010 to complete a postgraduate degree in finance in Sydney and working in banking and real estate thereafter. Prior to IHG, Philip was responsible for overseas senior loan financing, primarily in the US and Australia on hotel development and acquisition, at a Japanese bank lender.

Manager, Capital Planning and Projects, Japan and Micronesia of IHG.

Responsibilities: As a key member of IHG’s Hotel Lifecycle and Growth for Japan and Micronesia, Jing is responsible for leading conversion & renovation hotel projects from perspective of budget planning and design & construction.

Background: Born and raised in Shanghai, after completing Master Degree of Architecture from Shanghai Tongji University and Doctor program at Waseda University, Jing started her architecture career in Tokyo. Her career experience of both architecture design and project management gives her a unique eye on both Aesthetics & Creativity as well as Feasibility & Flexibility. Over the years, her experience covered various properties including residential, commercial, office and hotels, from luxury level to essential, both domestic and overseas.

CEO of Stellar Works

Daisuke Hironaka, Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Works. He leads a global furniture design brand with offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Tokyo and a headquarters and factory in Shanghai. With over 25 years of industry experience, he joined Stellar Works in 2012 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2023. Daisuke drives innovation in collections and bespoke furniture for prestigious hospitality spaces worldwide, with a strong focus on

craftsmanship, cross-cultural design and sustainability.

Museum Director of Amos Rex, Finland

Kieran Long is relocating from Stockholm, where he served as director at ArkDes, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design. Long graduated from Cardiff University in 1998 with a degree in English literature.

Long has undertaken a number of journalism roles, including deputy editor of Icon magazine 2003–2006 and editor in chief of the Architects' Journal and the Architectural Review 2007–2009. Long was also the architecture critic for the London Evening Standard newspaper 2010–2014. His television work includes presenting 'Restoration Home' and 'The House That £100k Built' for the BBC.

Long was assistant director to David Chipperfield at the 2012 Venice Biennale of Architecture. He was senior curator at the department of design, architecture and digital at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) 2013–2014 and was the keeper of the department from 2014 to April 2017.

As of 18 April 2017, Long is the Director of ArkDes, The (state-run) Swedish Center for Architecture and Design, in Stockholm. Long was credited with developing an ambitious exhibition programme and taking ArkDes to the Venice Biennale. Some former employees have questioned the reorganisation of ArkDes.

Long co-authored a book about the architect Sigurd Lewerentz, with the title "Sigurd Lewerentz Architect of Death and Life". The book takes its starting point from the ArkDes collection and the results of the main authors Johan Örn and Mikael Andersson's many years of research.

He is married to Swedish designer Sofia Lagerkvist.

In 2021, Long was named as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst

Council Member, Region IV

Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA)

名誉教授

国士舘大学 (Kokushikan University)

顧問

アリンインターナショナル株式会社 (Arin International Inc.)

取締役会長

株式会社ティーライフ環境ラボ (T-Life Environmental Lab Inc.)

Visiting Professor

清華大学 (Tsinghua University)

George Kunihiro is a highly respected architect with an international presence. He is particularly active in Japan and the United States. He holds the title of Emeritus Professor at Kokushikan University in Tokyo and is a Professor there. With extensive teaching experience at prestigious institutions such as Columbia University, Harvard University, and the University of California, Berkeley, Kunihiro has played a significant role in shaping the minds of future architects.

He is renowned for his substantial contributions to architecture and urban design. He has served as the President of the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA), representing architects from 21 Asian countries. In addition, Kunihiro has held prominent positions, including Council Member for Region IV at the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) and advisor at Arin International Inc. He also serves as Chairman of T-Life Environmental Lab Inc.

Kunihiro's design philosophy emphasizes balancing modernism with local cultural contexts. His projects have garnered recognition for their innovation and sensitivity to social and environmental factors, embodying a commitment to sustainable design. His work has earned him numerous awards, and he continues to influence architecture through his leadership roles and active participation in international forums.

George Kunihiro's academic background, complementing his professional practice, is a testament to his dedication to architectural education. His experiences as a visiting professor at institutions like Tsinghua University have broadened his global perspective. His previous role as a Strategic Council Member at The American Institute of Architects and visiting critic at esteemed universities like Harvard and Yale further demonstrate his commitment to advancing architectural education and discourse.

George Kunihiro continues to shape the profession's future significantly through his unwavering dedication to architecture and urbanism.

Co-founder of Tokyo-based architecture and design firm Klein Dytham Architecture

Born in the UK, Mark studied architecture at the University of Newcastle and the Royal College of Art in London. In 1989, he traveled with business partner Astrid Klein to Tokyo, and together they found work with Toyo Ito. They soon established Klein Dytham architecture, working freely across disciplines including architecture, interiors, furniture, installations and events.

Mark is a frequent guest speaker at international design events, has taught at universities in Japan and beyond and in 2000 was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for services to British Design in Japan.

Partner and Principal at Conran and Partners

Tina is an Interior Designer and Architect with a diverse portfolio stretching across many contexts and continents, from hotel and restaurant design to high-end residential and boutique retail projects. She is passionate about travel and loves designing spaces that enhance the enjoyment of life.

Tina leads design teams in both the UK and Hong Kong and was instrumental in building the team in Asia. She is very hands on as she directs projects across the globe and thrives on the cultural exchange and collaboration this entails.

With every project, Tina develops the client brief by delving into the specific context and history to create a bespoke narrative and design language that tells a unique story.

She believes in style over fashion in design to ensure the result is timeless and remains fresh. With her main focus on hospitality, many of the lessons learnt from her extensive experience are applied to her other projects to create an equally experiential solution.

Tina joined the practice in 1997 and joined the board of Conran and Partners in 2016. As a Principal, Tina jointly leads the practice and its overall strategic direction through its UK and Hong Kong studios.

Partner and Principal at Conran and Partners

As an Architect and Designer, Tim is passionate about creating authentic experiences centred around cultural spirit and personality.

He brings his knowledge across different sectors, including hospitality, residential and workplace, to design buildings and spaces that reflect holistic contemporary lifestyle needs and desires. Tim firmly believes that successfully designed buildings and spaces should be fundamentally at ease with themselves in a way that is tangible to their users and always have a sense of place and aspiration.

Tim puts these principles into practice by directly leading a number of projects, large and small, at home and abroad. He has a particular interest in the reuse of existing buildings both from cultural and environmental sustainability perspectives but has also been very influenced by his work in Japan, where the elegance of simple ideas is so valued.

Tim joined Conran and Partners in 1997 and the board in 2008. As a Principal, Tim jointly leads the practice and its overall strategic direction through its UK and Hong Kong studios.