Those not in the field might not know WATG by name, but its designs are among some of the most iconic and recognisable in the world. 

From Le Parc by Thamrin Nine in Jakarta, to The Ritz-Carlton Sanya in Hainan and the Hoiana Resort & Golf in Vietnam, the firm has had a hand in crafting the looks of countless top-end residential and hospitality spaces. 

Closer to home, WATG has worked on The Oceanfront @ Sentosa Cove, The St Regis Singapore and The Arcadia; the latter was designed by the firm’s founder, Pete Wimberly.

Heading this storied design firm is David Moore, who took over as president and CEO of WATG from predecessor Anthony Mallows in 2020.

“It was my father who inspired me to pursue design,” Moore tells Options. He recounts, at 10 years old, watching his father build an addition to their home. “I recall watching him draw and construct, and being excited about the possibility of such undertakings when I grew up.”

Moore thus went on to pursue an education in architecture at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, and later had stints in firms around the state. 

It was a case of puppy love that brought him to Honolulu, the first home of WATG. “I chased a girl to Hawaii,” Moore recalls. Seeing the opportunities that the firm could provide, he decided to come aboard. “As a young architect, I was looking for an organisation that would allow me to travel the world because I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford it myself. The girl didn’t work out, but thankfully the job did.”

Moore’s early days at WATG allowed him to work with founders Wimberly, Jerry Allison, Greg Tong and Don Goo, whose last initials form the firm’s name. “I’m probably one of the few who knew and worked with all four founders,” says Moore. “They all brought a unique perspective into the organisation,” he adds, noting that they sowed the seeds for a firm that has now endured eight full decades.

It was at Wimberly’s direction that Moore started leading WATG’s expansion into the Asia Pacific, establishing the firm’s presence in the region. “Wimberly … was ahead of his time when he proclaimed, ‘Asia is our future, we must go there’.” WATG set up its Singapore office in 1996, and Moore relocated permanently to the city-state in 2007.

Around the world

Among the projects Moore has worked on with WATG is the Bellagio Shanghai, which opened in 2018. The WATG team wanted Bellagio’s first hotel outside North America to reflect “the elegance and glamour of 1930s Shanghai”, says Moore of the project, which he counts among the most memorable in his time at the firm.

Besides the 138 guestrooms — some of which come with private terraces that offer sweeping views of the Pudong skyline — WATG also worked on a host of spaces to cater to Shanghai’s burgeoning events landscape. 

“In view of the competitive MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions] landscape in Shanghai, we were challenged to set the Bellagio apart from the competition,” Moore says. The incorporation of adaptable “chameleon facilities”, he adds, has helped the hotel stay flexible and ahead of the curve.

Naturally, Moore’s work brings him to just about every corner of the Asia Pacific. Over the years, he has found himself returning to Bali on several occasions. 

WATG’s first project in the Indonesian city was in 1991, with the Grand Hyatt in Nusa Dua; since then, the firm has returned for a number of projects in other areas from Jimbaran to Seminyak. Its most recent Bali project was the Regent Bali Canggu, which opened in December 2024.

Keeping an eye on local heritage has been key to WATG’s continued success in different markets, says Moore. “We have consistently applied a design approach that is rooted in deep respect for local cultures and their natural environments,” he notes, adding that there is growing demand for “hyper-localised” destinations, rather than the stereotypical impressions of high-end that were more common in years past.

“Guests today … crave purpose-driven experiences that connect them to the culture, history and natural environment of their destination,” says Moore. “Designers now prioritise creating spaces that balance a sense of place with seamless operations, ensuring both an exceptional guest experience and a strong [return on investment] for clients.”

Having that strong focus on site-specificity, he adds, is core to WATG’s design ethos wherever it goes. “The ‘quirk’ in designing spaces — whether it’s in this region or elsewhere in the world — is that it is always rooted to the site … We study the conditions of each unique site from shape, contour, view, sun path, ecosystem and program to develop a thorough understanding of context.”

To better understand emerging trends and preferences on the market, WATG has a research-led advisory team, which Moore calls the firm’s “secret weapon” and “differentiating asset”. “By delivering informed insights for business direction and guest experience, the team lays the groundwork for both design innovation and economic success.”

On and ahead

Describing WATG’s 80th anniversary in 2025 as an “extraordinary milestone”, Moore is quick to point out that while it is a good time to look back and celebrate, there is also a need to “pause, reflect and reaffirm our commitment to innovation and forward thinking”. 

After all, the world of architecture and design is constantly changing, so speed and adaptability are key to staying relevant. In his time at WATG, Moore has seen a “remarkable evolution” in architecture and design. 

Chief among the needle-movers in the industry — as is the case in many others — is technology. 

“When I began my career, everything was hand-drawn, a meticulous and time-consuming process that instilled a high level of craftsmanship in every line,” says Moore. “The introduction of computers transformed the industry, streamlining workflows and enhancing precision. Today, we stand on the cusp of another revolution with artificial intelligence (AI), which is reshaping how we approach design from conception to execution.”

The potential for AI to revolutionise architecture and design, he adds, cannot be ignored. “AI has unlocked unprecedented possibilities by enabling us to analyse vast amounts of data, from post-occupancy evaluations to real-time [Internet of Things] inputs.”

And while many are still grappling with how to approach AI and its impacts on the way we operate, WATG has already started laying the groundwork for folding the technology into the work of architects and designers. 

Last year, the firm launched a student design competition centred around reimagining hospitality design with AI. Ten finalists were selected from more than a hundred entries, with Royal College of Art master’s student Angus Tung taking home the grand prize with a wellness retreat concept titled Mountain Sanctuary.

In its day-to-day operations, WATG is also “exploring how AI systems can [be overlaid on its] design technologies, offering insights during the design process that were previously unimaginable”, says Moore. “This integration empowers us to design hotels that not only meet but anticipate guest needs, driving operational success and enhancing the guest experience.”

Besides technology, sustainability and holistic wellness have also started to take centre stage. Moore notes in particular that “intertwining indoor and outdoor spaces has gained prominence”, with guests now preferring opportunities to reconnect with nature. 

“For instance, swim-up rooms, rooftop gardens and outdoor wellness areas have proven both popular with guests and effective at enhancing revenue.” WATG has employed such features in projects such as Mitsis’ Rinela Beach Resort & Spa in Crete, Greece.

Drawing on his wealth of experience, Moore tells us about yet more patterns that have emerged in recent years, from hypersegmentation and multifunctionality to so-called “bleisure”, where business and leisure travel are combined. 

But trends and changes aside, the crux of the matter is that WATG must stay quick on its feet, he says. “The challenges and opportunities presented by these evolutions require us to stay agile and forward-thinking, ensuring that our designs not only respond to today’s needs but also remain relevant for the future.” 

This need for constant reinvention means Moore sees WATG “looking vastly different in just a few short years”. That might sound like a massive undertaking, but he’s certainly not shying away from the challenge. “It’s indeed an exciting time to be in this field.”

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