Who understands the struggles and successes of a designer better than another designer? That’s the core concept behind ROOM’s Designers on Design video series, which pairs leading designers together for open conversation on the future of architecture, design, and human connection.
“When we launched ROOM’s Designers on Design series, the idea was simple: create a space for designers to have the kinds of conversations that don’t always happen in the day-to-day,” says Elyse Heckman, SVP, Brand & Communications at ROOM. “No interviewer, no moderator, no prescribed talking points. Just two creative minds coming together to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and explore what moves the industry forward.”
Hospitality legend Anda Andrei of Anda Andrei Design and award-winning designer Matthew Goodrich of Goodrich design studio sit down for a discussion in the most recent installation. Unlike earlier episodes of this series, Andrei and Goodrich know each other outside of the studio—and have for years. Goodrich attributes his love of hospitality design to Andrei’s hotels, while Andrei has had a front-row seat to the evolution of Goodrich’s career. (Plus, their work shares a certain symbiosis: Andrei’s recent renovation of the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris aligns with Goodrich’s past in museum exhibition design.)
“For this episode, we wanted to take a slightly different approach to our previous pairings,” says Heckman. “Rather than bringing together designers who may be meeting for the first time, we were drawn to the idea of connecting two individuals who already share a history and familiarity with each other’s work. We loved the opportunity to explore how those relationships shape our perspectives, influence our creative instincts and ultimately help us grow as designers.”
Photography by Eric Vitale, courtesy of ROOM.
Tapping into the spirit of authentic exchange that ROOM set out to foster, the duo’s conversation begins with their first (almost) meeting. In 2003, Goodrich was helping his partner, Barnes Foundation Executive Director Thomas Collins, open Zaha Hadid’s Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati when he heard that Andrei would be there in 20 minutes. “I looked to Thom, and I said, ‘You’ve got to go home, take a shower, and put on a suit. This is a big deal,’” Goodrich shares.
However, the pair didn’t officially meet until years later—after Andrei had left the Ian Schrager Company, starting her own firm at 59 years old. “You came very highly recommended, and I wanted to hire you,” she says. “But then I asked you a crucial question: ‘Have you ever opened a hotel before?’” “And I had to say no,” Goodrich adds.
Designing a hotel is no easy feat, which Goodrich learned when opening his first hotel, Arlo SoHo, in 2016. He shared how the final month before opening was chaos. With nearly 40 years shaping hospitality projects, Andrei knows this reality well—but emphasizes that it’s even more painful when operations start changing after the design is finished. Like living organisms, hospitality projects evolve with the staff, users, and guests over the years.
Still, the pair agree that all these issues and pain points provide valuable lessons. “Understanding how operations affect the success of restaurants and of hotels is foundational for making great designs,” Goodrich says.
Photography by Eric Vitale, courtesy of ROOM.
On the topic of design inspiration, Andrei believe the best hotels have a story. Much like an elevator pitch, she believes projects should have a one-sentence design concept. For example, at the Delano Miami Beach Hotel, which she created in collaboration with Philippe Starck, the one-liner was: “a Greek fisherman that finds a diamond in the sea.” Goodrich agrees with the sentiment of this design tool: “If you have that short phrase, if you can go back to the essence of what your concept is, things fall into place.”
Throughout the episode, there is a sense of mutual respect and deep appreciation for the other’s work. Goodrich calls Andrei a superhero collaborator, while Andrei compliments Goodrich’s work (and name). Both value collaboration, imagination, and challenging work. Heckman sees the pair’s connection as proof of the series’ larger purpose: “It’s a wonderful example of how seemingly different creative paths can intersect, and how the work we encounter early in our careers can continue to influence us in unexpected ways.”
“When you started your company, we had some empty desks in my office and we shared offices. And who knew that nine and a half years later, we would be sitting here and talking about how amazing you did,” Andrei says with a laugh.
This is what ROOM’s Designers on Design series does so well: It brings design to the human level. From the ideas and experiences that shape the work to the friends, colleagues, and mentors who leave a lasting impact, each episode looks at the people behind the portfolio.
“What makes this episode especially compelling is that the conversation extends beyond design itself,” shares Heckman. “It gets to the heart of how we become the designers we are — the people who influence us, the experiences that shape our creative instincts, and the ways inspiration gets passed from one generation to the next. In that sense, it embodies exactly what we hoped the series would become: a platform for authentic exchange, unexpected perspectives and the stories behind the work.”
And who knows? The series might even inspire new work of its own. “I want to do a project together,” Andrei says. Goodrich answers: “I know, me too. That’s my dream.”
Watch the episode at room.com
