Exterior redesign for the hotel in Astana
Background
In Summer 2012, I was on internship in a small architecture bureau in Astana. I was assigned a project to redesign the unfinished building into a hotel. It was an ambitious assignment that demanded skills and confidence I hadn't yet developed. I’ve failed to complete the assignment. Though disappointing, this experience exposed me to the real-world complexity of hospitality design and the gap between academic training and professional demands.
I’ve learned a valuable lesson: It’s not enough to master AutoCAD and know by heart all of the local regulations in construction. To design a good hotel, the architect is required to understand how the good real-world hotel actually operates.
Outcome
Soon after, I joined InterContinental Hotel in Almaty as a Room Service waiter. This was a perfect position where I gained first-hand insight into how world-class hotels operate. Working alongside professionals, I learned about guest experience, operational flow, and the practical considerations that influence hotel design. This role not only filled the knowledge gaps that had hindered my earlier work but also deepened my appreciation for the intersection of architecture and hospitality. The failure of my internship project ultimately became the starting point for a more informed and grounded approach to my career.
Software
Trimble SketchUp