Interviews with Mario J Lotti

To design a space with a suitable environment for the Montgomerie Links Golf Club that satisfies the need functionally and will be a place people enjoy and will return after their next visit to the course. The project had to be completed in 6 weeks.

The bar had to be designed, construction completed, furnished and ready to operate in 6 weeks. It took 3 days to design the concept and produce the design presentation. The construction drawings were completed 2 weeks into the short construction process. The first issued construction drawings were of the bar and furniture 3 days after concept. the construction started immediately following, the contractors were already on site working in other areas of the building to complete to the same deadline. Construction completed on time including furniture.

The expansive views of the beautiful golf greens, the big blue sky, golf, the 3 sided glass box with a commanding view of the course were my inspiration. I wanted the environment to respond to a golfer after a long game in the hot sun. For this reason the space is more vibrant than subdued while still being relaxing - like a lively reminder of the game just played. The design also had to "cooperate" with the other finished interior spaces and design of the building. The design was commissioned.

The bar is completed and presently in use at the Montgomerie Links Golf Club for a few years now.

Local and international players at the golf club and their families.

The bar design is of interest. To complete the construction of the bar quickly, the back lit yellow onyx bar cladding is attached to a brick masonry bar carcass with one bolt that also serves as an ornamental stud on the stone. Every other slab over laps the other and a bead of silicone prevents them from moving while also preventing light leak. By constructing in this manner, tolerances for construction are more forgiving, which hastened construction.

The biggest challenge was completing the design and construction on time. To accomplish the task, the design was considered as parts that could be manufactured off site while other works occurred simultaneously on site. The parts manufactured off site were designed to be installed quickly with areas to take up tolerances built into the design. There was also the challenge of keeping the contractors and suppliers moving at a quick pace. Through the process, we went through three chair mock ups before manufacturing them on time.

To create a playful lively atmosphere and backdrop for the activities that take place at this bar. To create an environment like no other place that would take this bar out of direct competition with other similar places. Because of it's thoroughly unique and dynamic atmosphere.

To complete the design development and construction documents in time for construction next year. There are also other refinements that will be required through the process such as physically sculpting maquettes of the column covers on the first and second floors to refine the design in 3D.

The design took 6 months to complete. The construction documents are ongoing.

The design was commissioned by the owner of the bar.

The owner of the bar will construct and use the design.

The name of the bar, Lido, the atmosphere the owner wants to create, the activities in the bar presently and planned for the new bar design all were inspiration.

No, but there are other designs that some of the features are based on. The light Organ behind the stage on the first floor is based on a light organ appliance that a company called Radio shack sold in the 1970's. It was a box with Colored lights inside and the box would respond to music. The illuminated bar on the ground floor is based on a similar concept.

Vietnamese locals, Viet Q visiting or living in Vietnam, Expats, Visitors to Vietnam - all of whom may or do come to this bar.

The theme, the very unique lighting applied to the ground floor, the materials and application of lighting to create a dynamic environment that plays off of the movements and sounds of the participants. The resulting environment is more casual, personal and playful, and not as formal or hard as most competitors and other designs.

The owner has the name of the establishment. After discussing the meaning of the name with the owner, the design direction was set.

The First Floor Bar - disks of mottled and textured glass disks layered like fish scales, back lit with DMX controlled LED lights. The color and intensity of the lights can be controlled and will be able to respond to the music.

The effects lighting plays a key role in completing the ambiance. The DMX controlled LED lights are used on the first floor along with water effects lighting. The second floor has a star light effect ceiling.

I examined the bars, bar culture and bar designs in HCMC to understand the general trends in design, the way the bars operate, what is important in the bars culturally by planning or function, and the owners needs. I wanted to take the bar design out of the realm of direct completion with other bars' designs and create some place that was different, but still comfortable and with a certain degree of familiarity. Plants, the beach and nature are highly desirable here. The design references this also.

Considering the best location and shape for the bar. The final design, the bar and back bar are in the area where the view to the stage is blocked by the column in the middle of the bar rooms. But numerous layouts were created and reviewed before agreeing on this plan.
The design uses primarily Vietnamese sourced products. Sourcing available materials to creatively use in the design was a challenge. Some of the materials are part of the culture here such as the silk lanterns, the cement fish scale wall treatment, and the encaustic tile used on the second floor.

I wanted to create a very interesting table to look at and interact with, up close and from afar - something beautiful and interesting that would not "take over" the room as a centerpiece, but rather "complete" the design of a space

I would like to see this table go into production - I think it would do well in the world market.

To design the table and construct the prototype it took approximately 2 months.

The design was auto inspired. A big part of the inspiration for the design for this table was an experiment to test a theory about how designers successfully handle a design challenge and achieve certain results. The theory is that a designer goes through certain stages in the development of a design for something specific - not only the technical steps in developing a design, but also the personal, emotional or mental part. By realizing this and intentionally practicing each step, a design may be achieved more quickly and the results more unified rather than appearing as an assemblage of parts.

I would like to sell or lease the production rights.

I wanted to test a theory and to design a beautiful and interesting cocktail table that was also a knock down product seem to be a good challenge to test the theory.

international mass market, specialty design, designer

It is knock down, meaning it can be purchased flat packed and carried home and then easily assembled. While the table is interesting to look as is is, the multi levels below the top are good for using the table as a display case. Artifacts can be placed on the levels below the glass top or a bowl of floors placed on the bottom square to give the table a different appearance.

It is a standardized name.

For this design, I used good old fashioned drafting table with a parallel edge, vellum, pencils and my mind.

The design and all of it's capabilities and qualities that make it a truly unique and outstanding piece of furniture

The fasteners that hold it together. They are under further development presently

Only about the design process - the personal process a designer goes through when confronted with a challenging design problem that is to achieve a specific result.

Design of the fasteners.

I thought it worthy of recognition and that I would use it to generate international and local interest in my work.

The theory I tested was proven. I now apply it when confronted with difficult design challenges

Currently, I have no design studio. For new architecture work, I am prepared to deliver projects through partnering with specific firms.

Design results from a proposition or problem requiring a solution and the act of converting the understanding and ideas for a solution into a useful object (or building).

Building, interiors, objects and furniture. I guess I enjoy it all.

I can't say there is one, there are a few: The Lido Cafe is one. It is one of my favorites because of all of the other technically functional and feasible designs I did for it: The "light organ" stage backdrop; the color change slump glass LED bar design; the column covers (at the bar on both floors) that I would sculpt myself on site out of concrete. The design I did for a coffee shop chain is one of my favorites also for the similar reasons: The pendant lamp made from a giant NYC diner coffee cup; the original table and chair designs; the experience I created by using automotive metallic colors in the design.

The first thing I designed commercially (rather than for a company) was a design for a gazebo for a yacht club. I designed a gazebo that was a re-creation of the prior design. I designed and helped construct it 1 year after graduating high school, when I was 18 years old.

I like a few materials and technologies for different reasons. Some of my favorites are: Concrete, polyester resin, wood, copper, bronze, stone, plaster, paint.

When I am inspired, when I am in "the zone" (aka flow state), when I get excited about a design, when I get inspired about an idea.

the overall intent of the design and the applied process / modus operandi, materiality, functionality.

In "the zone", I am not aware of any feelings nor am I self conscious or self aware.

Ecstatic, joy, satisfaction

That it functions as intended and it is even better if it performs in a broad spectrum of end users and / or environments. The aesthetic is harmonious and better if it is harmonious in every way.

Overall impression, recognition factor, curiosity factor. Accessibility.

To be inclusive, to design sustainably, communication

Thedesign field has been evolving towards a less formalized approach, not applying a set of project design rules to the designof a project. Generally, design trends repeat themselves periodically so what was before will be again withsome key influences adjuting what happens next. The influences are the advancements in construction technology, materials, design production technology, and technology. Things like 3D concrete printed buildings, drone delivery docks and the like.

Hmmm. I don't remember when was my last exhibition. I would like to exhibit at the appropriatee timein the near future.

My design inspiration can come from a client, a place, an idea, a meditation. I feed my creativity by living creatively, by allowing my curiosity to guide me, exploring anything. My sources of inspiration often come from contemplating a design problem, considering the different scenarios, the different ways of looking at things or design problems.

My design style is according to the requirements of the project and can be eclectic, contextual (to the place or the purpose), or modern. I prefer modern or eclectic design, but the inspiration and ability to work in other styles comes from working on projects of historical significance or where the context were important considerations in the design. My approach to design is to gather all of the requirements and consider and list all of the attributes the the final design should have. The objective is to assemble a kind of description of the building when the design is completed.

I live in New York. Working in New York gave me the ability to solve any design problem and produce excellent plans. Working on really challenging design problems on tight timelines and budgets here repeatedly really pumped my brain muscle. Living in Vietnam and working on international projects there tempered my New York experiences and allowed and fostered more of my creativity and other cultural, international and modern design influences. I think the cons are similar for any country: budget and time. The pros are also similar: plenty of work.

Normally via a contract. I much prefer to have their objectives and requirements listed out from the beginning.

It is best when companies seeking a designer contract the appropriate designer for the work they have done before and the relevance to the design need, not contract based on cost alone. The requirements and objectives for the project should be listed and the employer should require the assistance of the designer to assist in completing the list, it should be in the contract as one of the first steps.

I will normally start with a first intuitive impression of the project, and then just put it aside. Then I will review and consolidate a list of project requirements and then attributes that I and/or the client would like thefinal design to have. If I amincluding Feng Shui, i will also do the analysis and add those requirements to the list. I will study and ponder the list rigorously, giving my full attention, until I have a clear sense of the objective. Then i will take a break and do something completely different. At that moment when I have completely forgotten about the project, the best and complete design idea will come to me.

My glass and wood mid 20th century italian desk, a Perreaux 150i amplifier, a Chordette Gem DAC, my kitchen / dining combo (as a whole), an Alessi Pulcina expresso pot, my 1969 Mazda 1500 restomod project.

No, i don't really have typical days that are the same for a length of time - generally, i sleep, have coffee, eat, work, go out

Intuition is your ally. Do your best to develope it even if you don't think you have it. Have fun. Life is for living. Lifes problems aren't apersonal attach on you - they are just things that happen andyou can have fun solving them. Take risks. Failures mean you are learning. When working on a design, keep in mind there are always better ideas - it is easier to manifest them by keeping an open mind.

Positives are a sensitivity and broad understanding of things. A jack of all trades and a master of none is a master architect. Negatives are not much time for other things.

Follow my modus operandi every time.

To gain knowledge through the experience of designing. To have an understanding of how things are made. To be open to other ideas and solutions. Flexibility and firmness.

I have a nice library, a nice set of physical tools and a place to use them, a drafting table, autocad, revit, markers, trace roll, paint, and other materials, etc.

I can work long hours and stay up all night - it is a requirement.

Depends on the object. Mostly, i design buildings and their interiors. I may also design furniture and light fixtures as part of the design. For these projects, the design takes approximately 9 months to 1.5 years.

How much? How long?

There have been so many. I could not say there was one single most important.

That is private

Architecture and interiors including some furniture and lighting design.

More design work and more projects.

Mostly I work by myself, but I have worked with others and enjoy collaboration.

None that I would like to talk about. I am assembling a website of my work.

The best way to contact me is by emailing me at mlottiarch@gmail.com