A message to my readers about the new purpose of this blog-The Start of a Book

In 2009, I started this blog to focus on a specific niche—Art and Design—while my other space remained dedicated to life’s broader observations. For a long time, this blog has remained largely inactive, as I struggled to give it the attention and clarity it deserved.

If you are returning to this site after a gap, you’ll notice it has received a facelift. The reason is simple: I have found a new purpose for both myself and this blog—I am writing a book.

I will be using this platform to draft and share the manuscript—presented as evolving chapters or parts of chapters—in real time. I will be adding to it at least once every week. To keep things organized, I’ve added two new tabs to the menu:

“The Book”: Where all posts related to the manuscript, its chapters, and the technical roadmap will live.
“Design Slices”: For my earlier posts and new anecdotes from the profession that don’t fit into the manuscript but are too relevant not to share.

So what is this book about?

As my professional journey progressed, the hospitality sector shifted my perspective. I realized that a hotel project looks completely different depending on where you are standing. The owner putting up the capital, the operator managing the brand, the designer crafting the vision, and the contractor on-site are all aligned, yet their considerations are worlds apart.

With every role, I realized how much more there was to learn. We all admire beautiful lobbies and grand openings, but the “middle”—the messy, technical, high-stakes process of delivering a hotel—is rarely explained simply.

This led me to a simple observation.

In my research, I found that most books focus either on dense technicalities or on “pretty pictures.” There is a clear need for a practical guide that speaks to the reality of the industry in a conversational way.

I want to tell this story like a friend—explaining what goes into building that lobby where you step in to enjoy your vacation. My goal is not to turn you into a master of every niche overnight, but to give you the clarity and confidence to follow industry conversations and understand the “why” behind the “how.”

I am currently writing that guide, and I’m glad you’re here for the journey.

What the Book Covers

To make this practical, I have structured the book around four key stages in a hotel’s development:

The Inception: Understanding the purpose of feasibility and H&BU (Highest and Best Use) research, and knowing who the key players are in creating them.

The Partnership: Demystifying how to shortlist a hotel operator and what really matters when navigating a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA).

The Execution: How to oversee design teams and contractors while ensuring the project aligns with the required Brand Standards.

The Finish Line: Navigating the critical aspects of BOH (Back of House) flows, asset tagging, and the transition from a construction site to a live operation.

Who Is This For?

I am writing this for those who want to see the bigger picture behind the curtain:

Architecture & Design Students: To bridge the gap between studio theory and on-site reality.

Young Professionals: To build familiarity with industry language and follow conversations with confidence.

Project Managers & Developers: To gain actionable insights and identify potential pitfalls before they translate into delays.

What to Expect Next

Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing the manuscript as it is being written. Each post will be a modular piece of a larger whole.

Join the Journey

I begin with the first deep dive next week: “Let’s begin from the Finish Line.”

I invite you to follow along, ask questions, and share your own experiences as we build this guide together.

What is the one thing about hotel construction you’ve always wondered about? Let me know in the comments—I may include it in a future chapter.