HBA Manila Design Office principal moves up as partner in HBA group

MANILA, Philippines — Global hospitality design company Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) kicked off the new decade with the addition of four new partners to their leadership group, including HBA Manila Design Office principal Norman Agleron. 

He joins other HBA veteran designers Istambul’s Sayeli Uysal, Singapore’s Paula O’Callaghan and Los Angeles’ Rick Tennill as the firm’s newest partners. 

Having spent over 20 years in the hospitality design industry—in Singapore, Shanghai, and Australia, Agleron was recognized for his growth in design experience and for singlehandedly overseeing more than 40 designers in HBA Manila Design Office, taking it to where it is today.

Under his leadership, the team has increased its presence in the local and regional hospitality design field in just a few years, creating impressive, inspiring, and memorable spaces including Marquis Events Place in BGC; La Piazza Italian restaurant, the Michelin-star Shanghainese fusion restaurant Yu Lei, The Grand Ballroom, and The Retreat Spa at Okada Manila; the Acqua Novotel Suites, the SunValley Casino and Hilton Hotel in Clark, and most recently, the newly opened Casa Buenas at Resorts World Manila, to name a few.

HBA Manila Design Office has not been limited to designing for the hospitality industry, although it comprises at least 80 percent of their current work. The rest of what they have in their portfolio are a mix of commercial, corporate and private residences.

Aligned with of the global directions of the company, HBA Manila Design Office will continue to redefine hospitality design and luxury interiors even as the market demands continue to evolve, and work towards its goal of design leadership in the Philippines and in the Southeast Asian Region. “It is hard-wired into HBA’s DNA to be innovative with design to ensure that the guest experience remains at the cornerstone of what we do,” Agleron said.

The company has also been cited for two outstanding projects late last year for the Design industry’s premiere design awards program, Best Of Year (BOY) 2019 Awards--the Fairmont Maldives Resort Hotel and the Sifang Boutique Hotel.