Partners In Style

Glenn Pushelberg and George Yabu, founders of design fi rm Yabu Pushelberg, tell us about their latest projects and what really makes their partnership work

- Elizabeth Lee

Glenn Pushelberg and George Yabu first met in school in 1972—eight years later, they co-founded Yabu Pushelberg, one of the biggest design firms based out of New York and Toronto. As partners in work and life, a lot of their studio’s success is attributed to their creative synergy and their ability to navigate a changing design landscape.

In New York for a first-hand look at Moxy NYC Times Square and the soon-to-launch Moxy Hotel Chelsea in the Flower district, we talk to the power duo about their inspiration behind designing living spaces for this millennial-geared hotel brand.

What are some considerations that you have when designing a hotel?

GLENN PUSHELBERG (GP): As designers, our aim is to create environments that make people pause and have a sensory experience. To achieve that, understanding the guests’ state of mind is key to designing the right space for them. The subtleties of connected details and sympathetic use of materials and motifs throughout help to connect spaces and weave a narrative.