In a significant transition for one of the world’s most renowned hospitality design firms, Alessia Genova has recently assumed leadership of Tihany Design. This change marks a new chapter for the New York-based studio known for its innovative work in luxury hospitality and travel.
Genova’s journey with Tihany Design spans 17 years, beginning as a junior designer in 2007 and progressing to become the firm’s first-ever partner in 2020. Her ascension to ownership culminates a 15-year collaboration with founder Adam D. Tihany, including four years as partners.
As a graduate of Politecnico di Milano, Genova brings a unique European and Italian sensibility to her role. Her vision for Tihany Design involves building upon the studio’s strong legacy while infusing it with her own design perspective. Under her leadership, the firm continues to pursue a diverse range of projects, from hotels and restaurants to cruise ships and private luxury spaces.
In this interview, Genova discusses her vision for Tihany Design’s future, the studio’s design philosophy, and how she plans to honor and evolve the firm’s celebrated approach to hospitality design. She also shares insights into her personal design influences, the role of art in their projects, and her excitement for upcoming ventures.
As Genova takes the helm of this prestigious firm, she faces the challenge of maintaining Tihany Design’s reputation for excellence while steering it into a new era of creativity and innovation in luxury hospitality design.
Carrying on Tihany’s design legacy
DNN: Alessia, as you assume the leadership of Tihany Design, what is your vision for the studio’s future? How do you plan to build upon the legacy established by Adam Tihany? What stays the same, what changes?
Genova: Taking the leadership of Tihany Design was a decision made with the intention of building upon the firm’s strong legacy. I have always aligned with Adam’s vision and philosophy regarding the types of projects and clients we work with.
The studio’s strong foundation and the talented team that supports me daily encourage me to push the boundaries of design and services we offer to our clients. As always, our philosophy is to create tailored designs that meet the specific needs of each client.
It’s difficult to find two projects in our portfolio that look alike, as each one serves a different client, is located in a different place, and may involve a historical renovation or a new build.
While the core of our philosophy remains unchanged, our design sensibility is evolving, reflecting our unique personality. Although I share much of what Adam did, my Italian roots and upbringing have undoubtedly influenced my own sensitivities and sensibilities
DNN: The Tihany Design portfolio includes an impressive range of projects across hospitality, dining, cruise ships, and private luxury spaces. What is the Tihany Design throughline carried across all of your projects? How has the Tihany design philosophy evolved in the time you’ve worked at the firm?
Genova: The way we approach design is what creates the fil rouge among our projects. It’s not the design aesthetic but rather the way we build the design on a strong narrative. The research and the time we spend at the early stage of the project are key and fundamental to its success.
We tend to find strong foundations that are not based on ‘trends’ or ‘the design of the moment’ so that the design can ultimately be considered ‘timeless’ or at least relevant for years to come. This is the philosophy of the firm, and it is evolving by creating even stronger narratives each time. I am heavily engaged during this phase of the project and am committed to pushing the team’s curiosity by finding inspiration from the most unexpected sources.
DNN: With a focus on integrating art as a core component of a venue’s identity, how do you approach curating and commissioning artwork to complement the overall design vision for a project?
Genova: Art plays a pivotal role in all our projects. We often collaborate with an art consultant, whose expertise and insight are essential to bringing our initial vision to life. The narrative they create always complements the one we create to support our design.
An impressive example is the art collection curated by Double Decker for Seabourn Pursuit. A collection of about 700 commissioned pieces around the theme of exploration and discovery. The vessel cruises mainly in Antarctica, and the design is built upon the way explorers lived and experienced these remote locations.
From their outfits to the equipment they used, details have inspired every aspect of the design. Similarly for the art. There are exceptional pieces, among my favorites are very colorful paintings of animals that camouflage in nature. Through art, there is an attempt to discover facts that we are not even aware exist.
Italian design sensibilities
DNN: As a native Italian, how do you feel your European sensibility and design training at Politecnico di Milano has influenced your work at Tihany? In what ways do you aim to infuse that unique perspective into the studio’s future projects?
Genova: It’s hard to describe in words, much easier to do it through design. The things that surround you in your early years and your experiences growing up influence you in ways that become apparent only when you face certain circumstances.
When it comes to design, what I like or how I express myself in a project has innate references to my Italian roots. The architectural references I have, the iconic designers or architects I look at, from Portaluppi to Borsani to name a few, are people that have shaped Milan, the city where I studied design. My home city is home to some of the most prestigious fashion brands, from Loro Piana to Zegna, and my father always worked on textiles for fashion. You breathe it in for years and become part of who you are.
Past, present and future of Tihany Design
DNN: With an exciting pipeline of new projects on the horizon, what aesthetics or emerging technologies are you most eager to explore and incorporate into the future work?
Genova: I am always researching new materials, or better yet, new artists and artisans who create something special with the ‘materia’. New finishes, new treatments, and new ways of combining materials are what I am eager to explore.
DNN: Related to the above points: Who/what/where is exciting and inspiring you lately?
Genova: I have bought a lot of books about furniture and architecture. When I take a few minutes to stop and look around, I always discover something that I haven’t noticed before. Especially when I travel, I try to become a sponge and absorb all the beauty I can collect around.
DNN: Every designer has their unique sources and their tried-and-true workhorse fabric and furnishing vendors – who are some of those workhorse vendors for you and for Tihany?
Genova: It’s true, but I might mistakenly leave someone out… There are a lot of great products these days, and each project requires different sources. When it comes to lighting and furnishing, the majority of what we do is custom. Among fabrics, Coraggio, Jim Thompson, Casamance, Rubelli, Brochier, Design of the Times, Elitis, CMO Paris, and certainly a few more.
DNN: Do you have a favorite project or one you’ve found particularly rewarding?
Genova: Every project becomes a favorite at one point. I am lucky that I work only on projects that I love. I have a few that I am working on that are very exciting because they will showcase a new sensibility for Tihany. One is a mountain resort in Italy, another one is a Social Club in the US. Currently, my favorite project close to completion is Victoria Place, a stunning condominium in Honolulu developed by Howard Hughes that will officially open its doors on November 6th.
DNN: Do you have a dream project? Genova: I do, but if I say it, it might not happen! When it does you will know!
