Ofra Gelman , the founding Board Chair for the International Luxury Hotel Association ’ s East Coast Chapter is a Principal at Dwell Design Studio who has built a career spanning three decades in hotel design . The iconic Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas was her first project as a designer which laid the groundwork for a successful career in a male-dominated world .
We recently sat down with Ofra who shared lessons in determination , being courageous , and never letting barriers prevent you from achieving personal and professional goals .
What woman / women do you admire the most and why ?
Zaha Hadid was and continues to be an inspiration . Not only because she was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Prize , but because she was fearless . She challenged the norms in architecture and looked for alternative solutions to design . Though she was heavily criticized early in her career , she kept her bold vision and pushed forward with designs that will continue to inspire generations to come .
Has being a female
Ofra Gelman , in a male-dominated Principal , Dwell field posed any Design Studio challenges for you
throughout your career ? If so , how did you overcome them ?
Early in my career the ratio of men to women in architecture in general , and in hospitality design in particular , was 5:1 at best , so finding a mentor was challenging . And , while the stats have improved over the last 30 years ( now almost 1:1 ), there ’ s still a large discrepancy in upper management .
As a female in a male-dominated field , there ’ s always a man who thinks you need to be supervised … so throughout my career , I ’ ve had to prove my worth every single day . That drive and determination have only made me stronger , and ultimately more successful throughout my career .
What is your proudest achievement to date ?
My proudest achievement is not one particular project , nor one distinct design . Rather , it ’ s the ability to give back and forge the path forward for the next generation . As a principal , I am responsible for the education , training , and mentoring of an entire staff , and I find it very rewarding .
What will be the biggest challenge for the next generation of female leaders in hospitality design and how do you overcome them ?
Hospitality design is often viewed as the leader in architectural and interior innovations . The largest uphill battle for women in this field is to carve out a niche that showcases their unique perspective . If they are able to do this and come up with original ideas for the future of hotel design , not only will they overcome them but they will break down barriers and stereotypes along the way !
What is the most important message you want to share with women just starting out or looking to grow their career in hotel design ?
Professional women , whether it be in hotel design or hospitality should think outside the box and find ways to differentiate themselves . They should be proactive in establishing their career goals and not be apologetic when asking for what they want and deserve . They should act professionally , earn respect , and not be afraid to voice their opinion .
Why Hospitality ?
Hotel design is one of the most challenging and innovative specialties in architecture and design . With extensive amenities , considerable back-of-house space , and a residential component , we are often asked to push the boundaries of the norm . We often find ourselves at the forefront of design innovation as a result of owners ' desire to create unique and outof-the-box experiences for their guests , which is very rewarding .
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