Daroff Design, an internationally recognized interior design and architecture firm, has appointed celebrated designer D.B. Kim as Principal. Kim will lead the firm's rapidly expanding luxury hotel and resort practice.
Daroff Design's hospitality practice is currently ranked 7th nationally by industry trade publications and has created a wide range of hotel and resort projects for prestigious brands such as Loews, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Shangri-La, Universal Studios, Disney, Harrah's Entertainment, and Foxwoods. The firm's current hospitality clients include Universal Studios, Loews, Ritz Carlton St. Thomas, B.V.I., several domestic luxury boutique hotels, and Marriott International hotels in Harbin, Fuzhou and Shijiazhuang, People's Republic of China.
Kim joins the company's two other Design Principals Stephen Beacham and Rick Marencic. Beacham, a former Design Director at Gensler and RMJM, leads the firm's workplace, public sector and aviation practice. Marencic, with more than 20 years of experience with DDI, leads the firm's restaurant, gaming and entertainment practice. With more than 70 years of combined experience, DDI's three Design Principals each bring their highly creative design expertise to Daroff Design, further enhancing DDI's ability to creatively respond to each client's design, branding and marketing goals and objectives.
"I am thrilled to welcome D.B. Kim into our practice," said Karen Daroff, president of Daroff Design. "His professional experience with the global luxury hotel market is the perfect complement to our talented team, and strategically positions us for continued expansion domestically, as well as internationally."
Born in South Korea, Kim has built an international professional career as an award-winning designer. His work spans hospitality master planning, architecture, interiors, and product design. Before joining Daroff Design, Kim worked at Pierre-Yves Rochon, Inc., where he and his team designed projects for the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Peninsula Hotels.
Kim's previous body of work includes hospitality experience with Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Under his design leadership, W Hotels, Westin, Starwood Vacation Ownership for Westin and Sheraton Hotels revitalized their brand direction and positioning by establishing new design standards that were rolled out internationally.
"I am excited to join the Daroff Design legacy, which is based on quality, sophistication and design excellence," commented Kim. "The opportunity to harmoniously design and create experiences that bring joy and comfort to clients is an extreme privilege. I look forward to making an immense contribution to the firm and expanding their global hospitality practice."