In Memoriam: Donald “Don” Fairweather

IN MEMORIAM
DONALD “DON” FAIRWEATHER

Together we mourn the loss of a beloved colleague but pay tribute to his extraordinary talent and the legacy he left for all of us.

Don Fairweather joined WATG in 1969 and, following 36 years of service, left an indelible mark on our culture and in our hearts. As we endeavor through our fourth generation of design leaders, many of us joined WATG to work with Don.

“Don was a great architect and could be very intimidating, usually on purpose, which always kept us on our toes.”
—Bryan Algeo, Senior Vice President

After transferring to Hawaii in 1962 to direct the development, design and construction of the State Capitol for John Carl Warnecke, Don joined WATG because of the spirit of our firm and the chance to travel after seven years in the islands. Working alongside our founders, George “Pete” Wimberly (W), Jerry Allison (A), Greg Tong (T) and Don Goo (G), he helped pioneer the firm’s integration across Asia Pacific. This led the way for the opening of our office in Singapore in 1997, launched by David Moore, our current President + CEO.

During those early years he told us his most memorable project was the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii where he worked closely with Laurance Rockefeller – “a true gentleman” in Don’s words. He rapidly expanded the firm’s presence and left his extraordinary designs across the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

“His contribution to the firm is dearly cherished including endless and fondly remembered ‘Don-stories.”
—Monica Cuervo, Regional Managing Director, The Americas

While WATG was still firmly rooted in Hawaii and expanding rapidly across the Pacific, Don and his team won a competition to design The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. This flagship hotel project was the catalyst for Don to open WATG’s first office on the U.S. mainland in 1981 in Newport Beach, California. Forty years later, WATG remains firmly rooted in Southern California and our relationship with Ritz-Carlton has spanned decades and continues today.

“Don’s work inspired so many of us that joined the firm as junior designers. We are lucky to have had the opportunity to work for such a great architect and today as we lead the firm forward, we remember Don’s legacy – always exceeding the expectations of our clients and delivering exceptional, timeless design.”
—Dave Moore, President + CEO

Don was quick with a story, anecdote or advice and was a true mentor to all he touched. His personality loomed large throughout our offices and generations of WATG-ers remember him fondly and cherish our experience working with him.

“We would hunker down at our desks when we smelled the smoke from his pipe permeating the office. He would come slowly, sauntering around the desks looking over everyone’s shoulder to see what we were doing. He couldn’t believe that people thought he was intimidating – he was a great man and will be deeply missed.”
—Mike Paneri, Vice President + Board Director 1985–1999

In the 1970s Don led the design and oversaw construction of the Peninsula Manila, where he relocated with his family to usher in the opening of this iconic hotel in 1976. In the 1980s and 1990s, Don proudly designed and opened renowned projects such as the Four Seasons Newport Beach, The Lodge Torrey Pines, Four Seasons Punta Mita, The Leela Palace Hotel Goa, Four Seasons Mexico City and Four Seasons Tokyo – two of the first five-star urban resorts in the world.

“Words such as elegant, classic, understated and memorable have all been used to describe Don’s projects, and in my view, also describe Don as a person.”
—Ron Holecek, CEO 1993–2009

In the 20^th Century before he retired in 2005, Don worked closer to home designing The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Salamander Resort and Spa in Virginia, and the Golden Door Spa at the Boulders Resort in Arizona.

We fondly remember guidance that Don often shared with us: “The finest architecture is a result of a stimulating interplay between the owner and the architect. At times this exchange brings pain, sometimes ecstasy, but always it creates excitement.”

As a Frank Lloyd Wright fellow and member of Taliesin, Don viewed architecture as art. His professional style and passion for his craft garnered not only great admiration amongst his clients but also formed the basis for lifelong friendships.

Don’s was a life well lived. We are grateful to have known him, learned from him and for the impact he had on our WATG Ohana.

“He will be missed, but he lived a full life of taking an idea from paper to beautiful buildings that have brought joy to many people around the world.”
—Doug Fairweather, Don’s son

In lieu of flowers, Don’s family request that donations be made to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.