SUOMI DESIGN WORKS TALENT

Michael Suomi | President

After more than 30 years of working in the architecture and interior design spheres, Michael Suomi launched his own design studio, Suomi Design Works, to meet the industry’s ever-expanding need for a high-level of creativity combined with deep expertise. Suomi Design Works is a conceptually-driven firm with Suomi leading design of new hospitality concepts and iconic American properties. Previously, he was Principal, Co-Owner, and Vice President of Design & Marketing at New York-based Stonehill Taylor, where he pioneered and helmed an award-winning hospitality interior design division of 40+ people for over 15 years. His team worked on hotels such as the award-winning TWA Hotel at JFK Airport, the Aloft in Philadelphia, the Eliza Jane in New Orleans, the Limelight Hotel Snowmass, the Moxy Downtown, Sophy Hotel in Chicago, the Saint Kate Arts Hotel in Milwaukee, and Conrad Midtown in Manhattan, among others. He also managed Sourcing, Industrial Design, and Communications Directors, while overseeing Interior Design Marketing and PR for the firm.

In 2012, Suomi spearheaded the Futuregreen Hospitality Forum, challenging industry leaders to think differently about the future of the built environment, manufacturing and hotel operations. This gave rise to a commitment letter in February 2013 stressing the belief and adherence to sustainable practices and products through a series of goals, specifically emphasizing using goods made regionally. It was signed by top architecture and design firms including Gensler, Wimberly Interiors, HBA, Clodagh Design, ForrestPerkins and STUDIO3877. Suomi is also the founder of Hospitality on Edge, a series of timely discussions on political, economic, and social issues impacting the hospitality industry. The designer creates candid dialogue between key leaders on the state of the industry, from COVID’s impact to climate change, trade wars, tariffs, and more.

Suomi got his start in architecture, where he built his early career prior to endeavouring in hospitality at prominent firms including Chicago-based Jordan Mozer and Associates and New York-based Rockwell Group. He approaches each project by creating a unique design narrative which evolves throughout the process to serve as the foundation of the final design solution. Cognizant of each brand’s overall position in the market, Suomi works to generate an innovative design product for the intended audience. His award-winning projects contribute to strong and long lasting client relationships with the firm’s distinguished list of hospitality clients. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan.