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For over two decades, Jason Millhouse has set the stage for luxurious and memorable guest experiences. Now, as the Washington DC Managing Director of ZDS Architecture and Interior Design, he guides the multidisciplinary firm in creating bold, imaginative, and timeless designs.

His impressive resume includes a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University, as well as a Master of Science in Real Estate Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Before joining ZDS, Jason was the Director of Design Management for IHG Hotels and Resorts’s Luxury, Lifestyle, and Premium Brands, including renowned names like Regent, InterContinental, Hotel Indigo, and the newly introduced Vignette Collection. His experience extends even further, with more than a decade spent at Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where he led the design of high-profile global projects.

Jason Millhouse and ZDS Architecture & Interior Design specialize in authentic, immersive, thoughtfully crafted interiors, aiming to enhance guest experiences and make a lasting mark on the industry.

Join us as we take a peek inside the visionary mind of Jason Millhouse in this edition of Love Happens’ Design Questionnaire.

Lh Design Questionnaire with Jason Millhouse of ZDS Architecture & Interior Design

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

As I grow older, my thoughts on this have changed significantly. When I was younger, I thought perfect happiness was moving up the ladder and making as much money as possible. Nowadays, my priorities have shifted, and the idea of living a life of emotional calm and creative fulfillment is my new idea of happiness. Of course, professional success is still important, but my primary focus is on my own well-being and feeling of tranquility. The perfect happiness is finding a balance between the two.

I believe this shift is greatly due to my newfound passion for yoga. The practice allows me to reflect and enjoy a quietness in my life that wasn’t there before. I’m even currently studying to become a yoga teacher and hope to share the peace that I’ve found with others.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I am the most excited and fulfilled when I feel as though I have helped build something with a positive impact or when I help bring about positive change. In my career field of architecture and design specifically, when I work on a project that has significant influence—that is success to me. I’ve worked on several projects over my career that have had lasting impacts on not only the local community but also the hospitality industry as a whole. Being an integral part of large-scale projects and working closely with leadership teams to move the needle is a great achievement.

What profession does your alter ego have?

My alter ego is absolutely a full-time yoga teacher. I’d love to spend my days teaching and
taking classes, meditating, studying, and deepening my relationship with this ancient practice.

The project you will never forget.

In my previous role, I was part of the Marriott brand reinvention and repositioning. The project started with the renovation of the Charlotte Marriott, but that project set the new direction for the brand and echoed throughout, bringing a slew of great changes to the company. More recently, within my new role at ZDS, I’m already seeing the immense impact the firm’s projects have on local communities and the hospitality industry in general.

Although I came in at the tail end of the project, I am particularly proud of the work we did at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. ZDS’ design work within the casino proudly honored the local Mashantucket Pequot history and brought their culture to life within the various spaces.

It is incredible to be a part of a team that has designed such a thoughtfully curated project. The storytelling prowess, attention to detail, and excellent client relations are the types of things that drive me and what I’m most excited about continuing in my role at ZDS. There are numerous projects currently in the pipeline at ZDS, and we’re eager to unveil them in the near future.

Your favorite business tool or resource.

Although I no longer have it, my favorite tool was my drawing table. I inherited it from a retiring coworker and absolutely fell in love with how it helped me connect with my work. It was not something I used on a daily basis; however, when I wanted to really immerse myself in the design and express my thoughts creatively on paper, my drawing table was the go-to. Drawing by hand really connects me to the creative process in a fluid, organic, and intuitive way that technology can sometimes impede. I have since moved to working in sketchbooks instead, as they are a little easier to carry around, but the same concept still applies.

The most timeless design. 

When I think of timeless design, I think of simplicity. Uncluttered, not overly embellished, and exuding a sense of calm are all design traits I personally attribute to timeless. I believe the viewer, or guest (depending on the project type), should experience a space however feels right for them. They should be able to bring in their own experience and emotions to make it feel personal, rather than a designer imposing a particular moment onto them.

A timeless design is a blank slate that allows you to attach any emotion to it. Simplicity and timelessness are interchangeable in my mind. One of ZDS’ luxury boutique hotel projects, The Beatrice Hotel, is a perfect case study for how I envision timeless design. The guest rooms are simplistic, and there are not a lot of bright colors or clutter-feeling elements. The subtle use of color and patterns offers guests a calm, peaceful ambiance.

The biggest design faux pas.

Along the same lines as timeless designs, there is a time when you can be too trendy. Most designs work best if there is a sense of timelessness. Of course, there are exceptions—pop-ups and fast-casual restaurants are examples of spaces that can be successful with super-trendy themes. However, for the most part, trendy designs will become dated quickly.

Your design motto.

Design for others, not yourself. Design is a service you are providing to elevate the experiences of users. It should have nothing to do with the designer; it should focus on the guest and offer an authentic journey within the space.

Our publisher, KOKET, makes statement décor. If you were to design a room
around one KOKET piece, which would it be and why?

I love the Spellbound Lacquer Armoire and would love to design a room around it. Black is a timeless color, and coupled with the armoire’s simple silhouette, the perfect stage is set for the delicate and expressive high-relief floral motif. I would partner the piece with a simple, elegant, yet decadent background to allow the piece to shine boldly and confidently in its home.

Love Happens when…

…you set the right stage. Creating a well-designed, thoughtful space where users can feel their
most authentic emotions—that is when love can happen.

Explore more by Jason Millhouse and ZDS Architecture & Interior Design

Introduction and copyediting by Bridget Kitson
Feature Image: Foxwoods Golden Dragon | All images courtesy of ZDS Architecture

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