Kristina Zanic, CEO, Kristina Zanic Consultants

Posted in People on 15 August, 2024

Following the recent opening of St Regis Red Sea Resort, Kristina Zanic discusses embracing the curves, the importance of traditional skills and delivering a nature driven design.

Hailing from Adelaide, Kristina Zanic stands as one of the world’s most prolific interior designers, recognised internationally as a leader in luxury design.

Since the inception of Kristina Zanic Consultants in 2012, she has expanded her vision and now leads a team of 200 designers spread across five offices.

With a portfolio exceeding 300 projects, in addition to hotel design, the studio also works on luxury private and branded residences.

“It’s ultimately the same philosophy – trying to create an uplifting, inspiring, and practical environment for the users of that space – regardless of whether that’s individuals, families, hotel guests, or staff.”

Bar, St. Regis Red Sea Resort. Photographs by Jiri Lizler

Her latest hotel designs include the newly opened Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort, Ras Al Khaimah, Domes Miramare, Corfu, and St Regis,Red Sea Resort. Taking time out to discuss the barefoot luxury behind the design of the latter, SPACE caught up with Zanic from her studio in Dubai.

When did you first become involved in St. Regis Red Sea project and why do you believe Zanic Consultants were chosen for the design?
It was around four years ago that we first came on the project, working on the concept initially, and then developing the design, and later supervising its implementation. I’m sure our hospitality design expertise and previous projects worked in our favour, but I think it was our strong design concept and our genuine excitement for the project that sealed the deal.

How closely did you work with architect Kengo Kuma?
We were very happy to be collaborating with Kengo Kuma architects for the first time and worked closely with them throughout the project. It was an excellent partnership and we really wanted to help bring their unique architectural vision for the property to life and continue that experience inside.

Above and below: Kristina Zanic Consultants worked together with Kengo Kuma Architects to create spaces that reflected the natural typography of the landscape

As a location, Ummahat Island in the Al Wajh Lagoon, is quite exceptional. Were you familiar at the point with the setting?
Our design team had never been to the location because it’s a completely new tourist destination that is being created in Saudi Arabia. We were able to get quite an accurate feel of the setting through photos and videos, until we were finally able to visit the island – which blew us away of course!

What are the logistical challenges of working on an island setting, and how did they impact the overall design?
As part of the sustainable design goal, many elements had to be manufactured off-site and transferred to the property for assembly. There was quite a bit of travel time involved to reach the island during site visits because the infrastructure in the area wasn’t developed at the time.

From an architectural perspective, the unique curving and spiralling building forms were quite a challenge to design interiors for, but we never wanted to detract from it and chose to completely embrace the curves on the inside. It took more time and effort to design, but we believe the interiors are so in sync with the architecture and the natural beauty of the setting, that it was completely worth the effort.

What was the design inspiration and intent behind the interior design of the villas?
The desire was to create a sense of ‘barefoot luxury’, with the interiors going hand in hand with the scenic location and inviting guests to kick off their shoes and disconnect from the everyday world.

We developed a nature-driven design narrative that was inspired by the movement of the wind and the forms it creates in the sand and sea. This meant that interior spaces and their furnishings all have organic forms. There is a layering of various natural and inviting textures, and the palette consists of a neutral desert-inspired base lifted by hues from the local flora and fauna.

Many of the artworks throughout appear to involve craft-based techniques. Is this an area you are passionate about?
I’ve always been a keen art lover and collector and believe the role of art in interior design is often underrated. All the art pieces at the resort were carefully curated and uniquely made. Everything is curved, textured, and handcrafted, and all the materials used are natural.

We worked with a variety of artists and craftsmen from all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, and Thailand, selecting them for their exceptional design vision, workmanship, and ability to add to the overall design story. The pieces we created are all made bespoke for the resort, without any compromise on the design intent.

We also still sketch by hand for all our projects, in addition to the usual digital renders and drawings. I think there is something special about keeping these traditional skills alive.

Does craftmanship play an important role in all your projects?
Craftsmanship is important because it reflects the extra thought, care, and detail that is sometimes missing from mass produced alternatives. Because most of our work is in the luxury tier, craftmanship plays a key role as luxury is often denoted by unique things that are well-made.

There’s nothing wrong with embracing new manufacturing technologies and processes, but in an age where everything is digital and airbrushed to perfection, I do think there is something special about a unique piece that is well made and seeing it take shape in the practised hands of its craftsman. So, we try to advocate that in our projects where possible.

We also still sketch by hand for all our projects, in addition to the usual digital renders and drawings. I think there is something special about keeping these traditional skills alive.

The design takes cues from the resort’s unique natural setting, incorporating desert toned hues with sparks of green and blue to reflect the bright sea hues and palm tree pops

I understand sustainability is at the core of the resort. Could you share some examples of how this influenced your design choices?
We try to design as sustainably as possible and guide our clients and partners in that direction. Red Sea Global’s commitment to sustainability and regenerative tourism made this process much easier and smoother.

We worked with sustainability consultants to ensure that everything was designed in line with LEED platinum certification guidelines. We also invested a lot of time into researching the best possible materials that are ecofriendly and can withstand the local climate.

I spotted a beautiful freestanding bathtub. What is the story behind it?
Yes, this is a stunning statement piece from Stone Forest that we used to create a very indulgent bathing experience in the four-bedroom Dune villa. The tub has an elegant sculptural form and is actually made of limestone that almost resembles a wood finish. It fits this resort perfectly because it creates a sense of luxury that is framed around the beauty of nature.

How does the design tempo change between the villas and the public areas?
The entire property’s interiors have an overarching goal of encouraging the guest to slow down, relax, and connect with nature. So, the ambiance is quite consistent throughout. The dining venues however have their unique identities, each designed to reflect the cuisine and location within the resort.

The mural in the bar area is stunning, could you share the inspiration behind it?
The aim for the mural in the St Regis Bar was to depict a shimmery abstract underwater world. This was inspired by the natural marine cavern – Blue Hole – near the island, but we also wanted to add a few quirky elements that connect it to the local culture. So, you’ll see subtle details like scattered Arabian teapots and traditional jewellery boxes that appear to have fallen and accumulated in the bottom of the ocean. We worked with an artist based in Canada who hand painted the mural over several standalone panels, each over 2m tall, and these were assembled on site.

Looking at the finished resort, what are your personal standout areas?
My team and I are very proud of the entire resort’s design, but my favourite spot is the St Regis Bar. I think it has a very strong ambiance and just the right balance between a sophisticated style and a relaxed beach vibe. The mural is quite striking, the lighting is moody, and you get to enjoy a drink while listening to the ocean waves and looking at the stars above. It’s hard to top that!

And finally, it’s a beautiful project that has been well received. What were your final thoughts on completion?
A lot of ideas, planning, and coordination were needed for this project due to its sheltered location and unique architecture, but the collaboration among all the parties involved was generally very smooth. This was because there was a sense of excitement and pride in being involved in such a special project, and I believe the proof of this collaborative spirit shows clearly in the outcome.