Ed Tuttle
Edward Burnham Tuttle Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 11, 1945 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | June 21, 2020 (aged 74) Saint-Germain-de-Prés, Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Architect, interior designer |
| Years active | 1968–2020 |
| Known for | Hotel architecture, Amanpuri resort design |
Edward Burnham Tuttle Jr. (August 11, 1945 – June 21, 2020) was a distinguished American architect and interior design specialist, celebrated primarily for his contributions to hotel architecture. Among his prominent works is the Amanpuri resort in Phuket, which is widely regarded as a benchmark in luxury resort design. Tuttle's architectural approach prioritized clarity, harmony, serenity, and spatial ease. In 1977, he established Design Realization in Paris, where he continued his professional practice until his passing in 2020.
Although he achieved considerable acclaim, both Tuttle and his firm preferred maintaining a discreet public presence, with much of their success attributed to this understated approach.
Early life and education
Tuttle was born in Seattle, Washington to Edward Tuttle Sr. and Ruth, proprietors of steel mills. He was a descendant of architect Franklin Pierce Burnham, known for designing the Georgia State Capitol. His academic journey began in 1963 at Portland State University, focusing on interior design and architecture. He later transferred to the University of Oregon before completing his degree at the University of Washington in 1968. His studies were strongly influenced by modernism, particularly the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and the iconic Fallingwater residence.
Following graduation, Tuttle briefly joined the design team at Gump's studio in San Francisco, where he played a role in crafting a home for a member of the influential Pritzker family, founders of the Hyatt hotel chain and the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
Early career
After a short tenure in San Francisco in 1968, Tuttle accepted a position with Dale Keller and Associates in Hong Kong. The firm was recognized for projects such as Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Hotel and the Hong Kong Regent. During this period, he worked on villas located on the Saronic islands of Hydras and Mykonos, Greece. Additionally, he contributed to designing the winter palace for Iranian Shah Reza Pahlavi on Kish Island, prior to the 1978 Iranian Revolution.
In 1977, Tuttle relocated to Paris’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés district and co-founded Design Realization Ltd. alongside Christian Monges. Although headquartered in France, he traveled extensively over the following decade to oversee private residential and hospitality projects worldwide. His global itinerancy earned him the nickname "Livingstone of modern times" within architectural communities.
One notable project from 1981 involved renovating Villa Batujimbar in Bali for Indonesian hotelier Adrian Zecha, whom Tuttle had met earlier in Hong Kong. This renovation introduced black-tiled swimming pools that sparked a trend in tropical design aesthetics. Villa Batujimbar marked the beginning of Tuttle's enduring partnership with Zecha.
Hotel projects
Tuttle’s architectural vision shaped the distinctive serene aesthetic of Aman Resorts, garnering extensive media coverage and appearing in numerous design and architecture journals. His contributions had a lasting impact on hospitality design, influencing architects such as Bill Bensley.
In 1986, Adrian Zecha commissioned Tuttle to create a resort on Phuket’s Pansea beach in Thailand. Incorporating elements from traditional Thai architecture and local teak houses, Tuttle focused on cultural authenticity and environmental harmony, notably preserving existing coconut trees on-site. The resulting 30-room Amanpuri opened its doors in 1988 and was praised as an innovative luxury hotel concept despite lacking any advertising campaign. This project marked the start of Tuttle’s long-standing collaboration with Aman Resorts.
In 1991, he collaborated with Australian architect Kerry Hill on Bangkok’s Sukhothai Hotel. Other significant projects include Amankila in Bali (1992), situated dramatically on a cliffside and receiving critical acclaim, as well as Le Melezin in Courchevel. In 2003, Tuttle designed interiors for Milan’s Park Hyatt located within a historic office building; this work was highlighted by The New York Times. He continued his association with Aman Resorts until 2012, culminating with the development of Amanzoe in Ermionida, Greece.
Later career and life
Subsequently, Tuttle created the design for the outdoor dining pavilion at Golden Rock Inn located on Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis, a property owned by artists Helen and Brice Marden, who were longtime acquaintances; he is said to have refused compensation for this project. In 2009, Architectural Digest included him in their 2010 AD100 list, which honors prominent interior designers and architects globally.
In 2019, Tuttle's name appeared in American financier Jeffrey Epstein's widely circulated contact book alongside other distinguished designers and architects such as Muriel Brandolini and Peter Marino. His firm was responsible for the design of the main residence on Epstein’s 70-acre Little St. James Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2003. Additionally, Tuttle’s name was found in Epstein’s flight logs, drawing considerable media scrutiny after their publication.
Tuttle resided in France with his partner Christian Monges, who practiced law. He passed away on 21 June 2020 in Saint-Germain-de-Prés, Paris, due to a brain tumor.
Selected works
- Amanpuri, Phuket, Thailand (1988)
- Sukhothai Hotel, Bangkok (1991)
- Amankila, Bali, Indonesia (1992)
- Le Melezin, Courchevel, France (1992)
- Amanjiwo, Magelang, Indonesia (1997)
- Amangani, Jackson Hole, Wyoming (1998)
- Amanjena, Marrakesh, Morocco (2000)
- Park Hyatt Hotel, Milan, Italy (2003)
- Amanbagh, Rajasthan, India (2005)
- Park Hyatt Vendome, Paris, France (2002)
- Amanzoe, Ermionida, Greece (2016)
Further reading
- Designers at Home: Personal Reflections on Stylish Living by Ronda Rice Carman, New York, 2013, ISBN 978-0-8478-4009-0