From the Hotel Interactive Newsroom | November 12, 2026
By Jacqui Barrineau, Hotel Interactive
Following nearly four decades at the helm of the architecture and design firm that he founded in 1989, Robert Y. Sauvageau, AIA, retired Nov. 1, transferring ownership and leadership of Studio RYS to longtime industry colleagues Bhavini Hardev, AIA, and Lisa A. Haude, ASID, NCIDQ, RID, NEWH.
The transition marks a new chapter for the San Francisco-based firm, which brought architecture, interior architecture and interior design together under the Studio RYS brand earlier this year. Hardev now serves as CEO and principal of architecture and interior architecture, while Haude is president and principal of interior design. The transition also establishes Studio RYS as a women-owned and women-led firm.
In a recent Q&A with Hotel Interactive, Sauvageau and the firm’s new leaders reflect on its past and future. Sauvageau discusses the evolution of hospitality design, the projects and professional relationships that shaped his career and his plans for retirement. Meanwhile, Hardev and Haude share their priorities as the firm’s new leaders and how they intend to build on its legacy while advancing an integrated approach to hospitality design.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
A Conversation with Studio RYS Leadership
HI: Looking back over nearly four decades, what are the biggest ways you‘ve seen hospitality architecture and design change since you founded the firm?
SAUVAGEAU: When I founded RYS Architects in 1989, every drawing was produced by hand. Design happened on drafting tables, and entire projects existed on paper. The introduction of computers and CAD transformed the profession, and technology has continued to evolve at an incredible pace. While those advances have made us more efficient and expanded what is possible in design, they have also accelerated the pace of business and increased expectations across every aspect of project delivery.
Over the years, the role of the architect has become significantly more complex. We are often responsible for helping orchestrate an entire project, bringing together countless disciplines, requirements, and stakeholders to create a successful outcome. As regulations, building technologies, guest expectations and operational considerations have grown, so too has the breadth of knowledge architects are expected to possess.
Despite all the changes, one thing has remained constant: a passion for the work. Early in my career, a colleague told me, “You’ve got to have the fever to do what you do.” What he meant was that you have to be genuinely curious, committed and energized by the profession. That idea stayed with me throughout my career and was one of the driving forces behind founding the firm. Technology, trends and processes may change, but a love of design and a desire to create meaningful places is as important today as it was nearly four decades ago.
HI: When you think about your time leading the firm, which projects, decisions or milestones do you think had the greatest influence on what Studio RYS is today?
SAUVAGEAU: One of the most influential decisions we made was focusing our practice on hospitality. That shift opened doors that ultimately shaped the future of the firm and set us on the path to where we are today.
My first hotel project came through a referral from architect John Stewart, AIA, for a property in San Carlos, Calif. That client relationship led to another opportunity, where we were selected to design a new Hilton Garden Inn in Burlingame, Calif. At the time, hospitality design was a new direction for us, but it quickly became apparent that it was the right fit.
Because California has particularly rigorous design and development standards, we approached those projects with a strong emphasis on quality, character and site responsiveness. That work caught the attention of Phil Keipper, then senior vice president of architecture and construction for Hilton Hotels. Phil became an advocate for our firm and began introducing us to franchisees and new opportunities throughout the state, significantly expanding our hospitality portfolio.
One of the most pivotal projects that followed was the Hampton Inn & Suites in Truckee, Calif. Beyond the project itself, it marked the beginning of a relationship that would profoundly influence the future of the firm. Through that project, Phil introduced me to Lisa Haude, who served as the interior designer. Over the next two decades, our firms collaborated on numerous hospitality projects, building a shared approach to design and client service.
As those relationships continued to grow, Lisa and Bhavini connected through their work together, and the foundation for what would eventually become Studio RYS began to take shape. Looking back, it’s remarkable how a single referral, a handful of key projects and the relationships formed along the way created a chain of opportunities that ultimately led to the next chapter of the firm.
The projects were certainly important, but the lasting impact came from the people, partnerships and trust that developed through them. Those relationships helped shape not only our portfolio, but also the culture and vision that define Studio RYS today.
HI: This next question is for Bhavini and Lisa. As you begin your first year of ownership and leadership of Studio RYS, what are your priorities?
HARDEV AND HAUDE: As we step into full ownership and leadership of Studio RYS, our priority is to build on the strong foundation Bob established while continuing to thoughtfully evolve the firm for the future.
One of our primary focuses will be maintaining the principal-led approach that has always defined our work. We remain deeply involved in every project, believing that direct engagement, collaboration and accountability are essential to delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and project partners.
We are also focused on sharing the Studio RYS story more broadly and helping the industry better understand what makes our firm unique. While many firms offer architecture or interior design services, our strength lies in the seamless integration of interior architecture and interior design. Because these disciplines are led in tandem rather than in sequence, every project benefits from a unified point of view from the earliest stages of planning through final execution. The result is a more thoughtful, efficient and holistic design process that delivers stronger outcomes for our clients, brands and guests.
As we look ahead, we will continue investing in our team, strengthening client relationships and expanding our expertise in hospitality, renovation and adaptive reuse. Rather than changing who we are, we are focused on building upon what has always made the firm successful: integrated thinking, strong partnerships and a collaborative approach that allows us to serve as a true creative partner throughout the life of a project.
HI: How do you expect Studio RYS’s integrated approach to architecture, interior architecture and interior design to change the way the firm works with hospitality clients or approaches projects in practice?
HARDEV AND HAUDE: Studio RYS’s integrated approach creates a fundamentally different project experience for our clients. Rather than treating interior architecture and interior design as separate services, they are developed together through a shared vision from day one.
This allows our team to work more collaboratively with owners, developers and brands throughout the process, remaining actively engaged from initial concept through project completion. The approach fosters stronger communication, faster decision-making and a deeper understanding of each property’s story, character and long-term vision.
Because design and technical considerations are evaluated simultaneously, clients benefit from solutions that are not only creative and distinctive, but also practical, buildable and aligned with business objectives. For hospitality owners, that often means better value, fewer surprises during implementation and environments that are more resilient and adaptable over time.
Ultimately, the Studio RYS model is built on partnership rather than transaction. We work alongside clients as trusted advisers, helping visionary owners and brands translate ideas into memorable hospitality experiences that deliver lasting value for guests, operators and ownership alike.
HI: One last question for Bob. After stepping away from day-to-day leadership, what comes next for you?
SAUVAGEAU: First and foremost, I’m looking forward to turning off the emails and notifications. After decades of always being connected, the idea of a quiet phone sounds pretty amazing.
Beyond that, I’m excited to spend more time doing the things that always seemed to get pushed to the side. Travel is high on the list, along with getting back into photography, which has been a longtime passion of mine. I especially enjoy working with 35mm film, and while the process has changed in today’s digital world, there’s still something incredibly rewarding about it.
I also own an 1880s Victorian row house, so there is no shortage of projects waiting for my attention. My wife has a growing “honey-do” list that I’m sure will keep me busy for quite a while. More than anything, I’m looking forward to slowing down a bit, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying the freedom to pursue interests that I’ve never had enough time for while leading the firm.
