Following sustained growth after completing its first projects since founding the firm in late 2019, Suomi Design Works, the Manhattan and Florida-based interior design firm led by Michael Suomi, continues to expand its team with the addition of four creatives from diverse backgrounds. The firm’s new hires, all in New York, include a studio leader to oversee the NYC studio, a director of storytelling, a senior interior designer and a senior design consultant.
“I love to include an element of surprise in our work, and the broad collective background of our team enables us to do just that. We’re poised for continued growth and I am very excited for the upcoming years,” said the firm’s President Suomi.
The new hires follow Suomi Design Works’ completion of its first hotel at The Pelham in New Orleans and with a breadth of projects underway, including The Radical in Asheville, NC, three Red Jacket Beach Resorts in Cape Cod, MA, The Limelight Snowmass in Aspen, CO and 60 State Street in Boston. In conjunction with the expansion of its team, Suomi Design Works has moved to its first independent office space in Manhattan at 224 West 30th, Suite 504 New York, NY 10001.
Ecem Kaya Castro (pictured above), studio leader
Originally from Turkey, Castro joins Suomi Design Works as studio leader where she oversees the NYC studio. Castro comes from a multi-disciplinary background and education combining both industrial and interior design. Prior to joining Suomi Design Works, Castro worked at firms including ForrestPerkins, Rockwell Group and originally at Stonehill Taylor working under Michael Suomi on projects such as the TWA Hotel at JFK, NoMad Hotel Las Vegas and the Hilton NY.
Andrea Perez, senior interior designer
As a senior interior designer, Perez is a conduit to the NYC Studio and the team at large. At Stonehill Taylor, she created and detailed hotel interiors for Raffles Boston and Chicago’s Sophy Hotel. Perez has a background in architecture through her undergraduate education at the Spitzer School of Architecture as well as high-end residential design through her work on Manhattan’s new Waterline Square development at Whitehall Interiors.
Kris Moran, director of storytelling
Artist, designer and set decorator for film and television, Moran contributes unique ideas and a distinct narrative as director of storytelling. Moran’s vision in set decoration can be found in many films including The Joker, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Cider House Rules and The Royal Tenenbaums along with many other award-winning films, working with directors including Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese, Jodie Foster, Steven Spielberg and Julie Taymor. She applies her craft of storytelling to live events, restaurant interiors and hotels alike.
Nora Nentcheva, senior design consultant
Nentcheva began her design career working on U.S. embassies and while at Stonehill Taylor, transitioned to hospitality with the Marriott Marquis Times Square and the nearby Algonquin Hotel, both of which were honorees at the 2022 NYCxDesign Awards. Originally from Bulgaria, Nentcheva has moved back home, and will continue to work remotely.