The Torch, The Screwdriver, and the Pencil – Pete Wimberly’s Story

Pete Wimberly didn’t wait for the perfect studio. He designed wherever he landed; in remote lodgings, on beaches, even on napkins. But, he always carried three things on his travels: a torch, a screwdriver, and a pencil.

+ A torch to light his work when the power failed in remote locations
+ A screwdriver to remove the door of his room to use as a drawing board.
+ A pencil to draw the idea while it was vivid.

Pete’s design approach was shaped by place and people. Pioneering hospitality design, there were no templates. It was practical, resourceful, and deeply human.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, WATG’s first hospitality project, had been used as a military R&R center during the war. Pete and his partner, Howard Cook, were tasked with bringing it back to life. The goal was to preserve the hotel’s rich history, enhance its elegance, and ensure it remained a premier destination in the heart of Hawai’i.

Pete went on to form a friendship with Juan Trippe, founder of the airline, Pan Am, whose vision for global air travel helped shape the future of hospitality. As Pan Am opened up new commercial air routes across the Pacific, Pete traveled extensively with Juan seeking opportunities to create hotels in exotic far flung locations to accommodate adventurous guests. His designs embraced the character of each place, blending architecture with the local landscape and culture, providing an enriching and immersive experience. That collaboration helped lay the foundation for WATG’s approach: responsive, respectful, and rooted in place.

Pencil drawings turned into overwater villas in Bora Bora, the first of their kind. They turned into master plans that considered not just buildings but the way people moved between them. They turned into a philosophy: design for people, for place, for experiences.

We have Pete to thank for cultivating our culture of Ohana, a Hawaiian concept meaning “family” or “extended kin”. The spirit of the islands instilled a focus on community strength, respect, trust, and sustainability, which we still prioritize in our studios across the globe every day.

Even now, within the ever-changing landscape of advanced technology, the Pete’s design principles haven’t changed:

Keep a sense of curiosity and wonder close at hand.

Draw the idea while it’s still fresh.

Keep learning, adapting, stay nimble. Stay true to the place, people, and culture you’re designing for.

Seize opportunities and light the way forward.

Today, WATG has over 500 employees in nine global offices, still deeply rooted in hospitality, still founded on a belief that great design is a result of listening well and designing with empathy. Our technology has advanced, but our spirit remains. We’re still designing spaces that inspire the spirit and stay in people’s memories long after they leave.