Daily Inspiration: Meet Hyotak (Robin) Woo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hyotak (Robin) Woo.

Hi Robin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always been intrigued by the relationship between people and the built environment. Growing up as a Korean in Latin America, I constantly found myself comparing the different ways people lived across cultures. These comparisons became most apparent through architecture and design. I was born in Venezuela, raised and educated in Argentina, Ecuador, Korea, The United States, Bolivia, Mexico, and Hong Kong.

I often wondered: Why did our buildings look so different from one another? Why were our materials different? Why were bathrooms designed differently? Why were furniture dimensions and spatial relationships different?

Over time, I realized these differences were not arbitrary — they were reflections of cultural values, traditions, climates, and ways of life. This curiosity became the foundation of my desire to study design more deeply and ultimately create spaces that people can emotionally connect with and identify as their own.

I began my Interior Design studies at SCAD Hong Kong in 2019, where I was first introduced to the profession through projects such as a collaborative design proposal for the Colgate-Palmolive office in Wan Chai. That experience sparked my ambition to pursue design as a career and fueled my desire to bring ideas into realized spaces.

During the Hong Kong protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, I paused my studies to complete my mandatory military service. After completing my service, the SCAD Hong Kong campus had closed, and I relocated to the United States to continue my education at SCAD Atlanta.

When I returned to school in Atlanta in 2023, I fully immersed myself in studio culture and discovered a strong passion for hospitality design. I became fascinated by how restaurants, hotels, and entertainment spaces could shape human interaction and create memorable experiences.

Throughout my time at SCAD, my studio work was recognized through several awards, including:

IIDA Best of Best Awards | Georgia Chapter | Heal/Learn/Serve Winner (2025)
IIDA Best of Best Awards | Georgia Chapter | Dine/Play/Shop Winner (2025)
IIDA Best of Best Awards | Georgia Chapter | Work Winner (2025)
IDA Design Awards Gold (2026), Silver (2025), and Honorable Mention (2025)
Angelo Donghia Foundation National Scholarship (2024)

My time in Atlanta was also when I began transitioning from academia into professional practice. I gained industry experience through an internship at Lamar Johnson Collaborative in Chicago and a design fellowship at HKS Architects in Atlanta, where I learned how design concepts translate into real-world projects through collaboration and technical execution.

After graduating, I accepted a position at Fogarty Finger in New York City, where I continue to develop as an interior architectural designer. Today, I am working on premium hospitality interiors for the new Cleveland Browns NFL stadium in Ohio, contributing to spaces that bring together storytelling, brand identity, and the experience of thousands of people.

Looking back, the same curiosity I had as a child — questioning why spaces differ across cultures and how environments influence people — continues to guide my approach to design today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
During the Hong Kong protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, I paused my studies to complete my mandatory military service. After completing my service, the SCAD Hong Kong campus had closed, and I relocated to the United States to continue my education at SCAD Atlanta.

Relocating was never in my plan, as I had intended to graduate and work in Hong Kong. Making the decision to come to the United States and pivot my plans was not an easy decision, but I am glad I did.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an interior architectural designer focused on creating spaces that connect people, culture, and experience. My work is driven by a curiosity about how environments influence the way people interact, behave, and feel. Growing up as a Korean in Latin America and experiencing multiple cultures throughout my life, I became fascinated by the ways architecture and interiors reflect cultural values, traditions, and everyday life. That curiosity became the foundation of my approach to design.

I specialize in hospitality, workplace, and experience-driven interiors, with a particular interest in creating spaces that feel intentional, immersive, and deeply connected to their users. I am especially drawn to hospitality design because it combines storytelling, human interaction, materiality, and atmosphere — allowing a space to become more than just a physical environment.

Throughout my academic and professional career, I have focused on designing environments that balance conceptual vision with technical execution. During my studies at Savannah College of Art and Design, I explored projects ranging from dementia care and wellness environments to workplace and hospitality concepts. My capstone project, Shim, a dementia daycare and therapy center in South Korea, explored how thoughtful design can support memory, movement, and emotional well-being. The project was recognized internationally and featured on Dezeen.

Professionally, I have gained experience across different scales and project types, from workplace environments to hospitality and large-scale entertainment projects. I have worked with Lamar Johnson Collaborative in Chicago and HKS Architects in Atlanta before joining Fogarty Finger in New York City as an interior architectural designer. Today, I am contributing to premium hospitality interiors for the new Cleveland Browns NFL stadium in Ohio, working on spaces that combine brand identity, guest experience, and architectural detail.

What I am most proud of is my ability to bring a global perspective into design. Having lived across different countries and cultures, I naturally approach spaces through the lens of human experience — asking why spaces are built the way they are, what behaviors they encourage, and how they create a sense of belonging.

What sets me apart is the combination of cultural curiosity, conceptual thinking, and a willingness to understand the technical side of design. I am passionate about not only imagining meaningful spaces but also learning how those ideas become real through collaboration, documentation, and construction. Ultimately, my goal is to create environments that people remember — spaces that feel authentic because they are rooted in the people and cultures they serve.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
One of the biggest risks I have taken was moving across the world to continue my education and pursue design. My journey has never been a completely linear path. I began studying Interior Design at SCAD Hong Kong in 2019, but during the Hong Kong protests and COVID-19 pandemic, I had to step away from my studies to complete my mandatory military service. After returning, the SCAD Hong Kong campus had closed, and I faced the decision of whether to continue my education in the United States or change direction.

Moving to Atlanta in 2023 meant entering a completely new environment — a new country, a new academic system, and a new design community. It was challenging, but I saw it as an opportunity to push myself beyond what was familiar. I immersed myself in my studio work, sought opportunities in the industry, and eventually gained experience through Lamar Johnson Collaborative in Chicago, HKS Architects in Atlanta, and now Fogarty Finger in New York City.

Another form of risk I have embraced is allowing myself to explore different areas of design. I did not want to limit myself to a single category of work. Instead, I pursued projects ranging from healthcare and wellness environments to hospitality, workplace, and large-scale entertainment spaces. Each project required me to learn something new and challenge my existing understanding of what design could be.

I do not necessarily see myself as someone who takes risks for the sake of taking risks. I see myself as someone who is willing to be uncomfortable in order to grow. Every major step in my journey — moving countries, changing environments, and entering professional practice — came with uncertainty, but those moments shaped my perspective as a designer.

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyotak-woo