In this episode of Defining Hospitality, Dan sits down with Adam Lara, principal at KTGY Interior Design and Branded Environments, to talk about career, culture, and what it really takes to build a studio that works. From formative early experiences to his latest chapter leading a growing team in Chicago, Adam offers a grounded look at what shapes great design work over the long haul.

Adam Lara has spent nearly three decades moving across architecture, interiors, and brand side operations, giving him a rare, well rounded view of the hospitality design world. His career has included time at Hyatt, a formative stretch under acclaimed designer Jordan Mosher, and now a leadership role at KTGY. That range makes him one of the more thoughtful voices working in hospitality design today.

Chapters:

00:00 Why Hospitality Matters

00:35 Meet Adam Lara

01:55 Defining Hospitality

02:53 Career Pivot After 9/11

04:22 Inside-Out Design Thinking

05:29 Why Architects Avoid Interiors

07:26 Hyatt HQ Memories

08:31 Brand Side Lessons at Hyatt

10:27 Ops and Owner Mindset

13:40 Jordan Mozer Maker Culture

16:27 Micro to Macro Design

18:40 Joining Simeone Deary

20:25 Merging Into KTGY

22:44 Learning From Gina and Lisa

24:48 New Office and Integration

28:49 Venetian Bars Storytelling

34:59 Leadership and Culture

45:06 In-Person Collaboration Finale

Quote of the Show:

"It's not just design, it's basically problem solving." - Adam Lara

Building a hotel, brand, or guest experience? Reach out to Dan on LinkedIn or hit reply on the Substack to share what you’re working on.

Links:

• Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@defininghospitality?sub_confirmation=1
• Substack: https://www.defininghospitality.live/
• Guest’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-lara-aia-leed-ap-ishc-7aa04751/
• Guests Website: https://ktgy.com/
• Dan Ryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedailydanryan/

🏨✨ Defining Hospitality is Sponsored by Berman Falk https://www.bermanfalk.com/ - Check out their impact page! 🌍🌱 https://www.bermanfalk.com/impact/

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