From Intention to Impact.  How a Creative Vision Transforms a Space.

Known for their expressive spaces across Latin America, New York, and Europe, Taller Ken brings bold ideas, vibrant design language, and cultural fluency to every project. Their recent redesign of Hotel Presidente in San José, Costa Rica, was no exception blending local textures with timeless forms to transform a beloved property into a soulful, story-rich hospitality destination.

At MasayaCo, we were proud to join that process. Our handcrafted furniture, made from reforested teak wood and designed with sustainability at its core, helped shape the tone and texture of the space, aligning with Taller Ken’s purpose-driven approach.

Led by designer and project manager Inés Guzmán, the project set out to elevate the guest experience and give a beloved hotel a renewed identity. The result, a story told through material, form, and feeling.

We sat down with Isabel to explore the vision behind the transformation and how shared values, creative agility, and thoughtful design turned intention into impact.

Crafting Spaces with Purpose: Inés Guzmán on Taller Ken’s Creative Journey with MasayaCo.

Inés Guzmán - Partner, Senior Designer & Project Manager at Taller Ken.

How would you define creativity, based on your experience as a designer and project manager? 

Inés: To us, creativity is a form of unstoppable curiosity, something that constantly grows and evolves through need and consistent work. Every time we create something, we’re not just solving a problem; we’re also opening up new questions and uncovering new discoveries.

Over the past 15 years, we’ve worked at the intersection of architecture, interior design, and social impact. Each project brings its own set of challenges and opportunities, and every time we take an idea all the way through to completion, we come out the other side having learned something new.

What drives that process is curiosity. The more curious you are, the more you question and the more you question, the more you create. Creativity isn’t just a moment of inspiration. It’s a practice, a mindset, and a continuous journey.

Where do you and your team usually find inspiration before executing a project?

Inés: Inspiration always starts with the client and the purpose behind the project. They are at the center of everything we do. Our studio works very closely with our clients.  We see ourselves as companions in the process, not just designers delivering a product.

In that collaboration, we bring our own experiences, references, and inspirations gathered from other creative people and disciplines. We love to blend all of that into something that has flavor.  Something that sparks joy, creates magical moments, and hopefully awakens a sense of wonder.

Ultimately, our goal is to create spaces that feel meaningful and alive.  Rooted in real needs but touched by imagination, materiality, and color.

Hotel Presidente.  San Jose, Costa Rica.

Message-centric design is part of your pillars at Taller Ken. In this case, what would you describe as key elements to craft a story within Hotel Presidente’s design space?

Inés: Hotel Presidente was a unique challenge and a meaningful opportunity. The project involved remodeling an old, iconic building that had to remain fully operational throughout the process. We were working within real limitations.  We couldn’t make major structural changes, yet we wanted to craft a narrative that felt fresh, relevant, and deeply rooted in context.

This project was shaped as much by its constraints as by a client we deeply admire. Their vision, to bring light and greenery into every corner, became our guiding star.

Together, we explored creative ways to connect the interior with San José, soften the architecture with plants, and use iconic materials to evoke a sense of timelessness.

Room. 718, before.

Room 718, after.

When remodeling Hotel Presidente, what does contemporary furniture mean to you? How does MasayaCo contribute to this design approach?

Inés: MasayaCo reflects localness in every sense, materials, production, and design, while maintaining a clear, contemporary voice and strong quality. That combination added real value to the project. It helped us create a space that feels both timeless and alive.

Can you walk us through your creative process with MasayaCo? How would you describe the essence their furniture brings to the space?

Inés: We see MasayaCo as a go-to furniture partner that is reliable, flexible, and always aligned with our design values. What we really appreciate is their openness. Even when we want to customize or tweak something to make it unique, they welcome that dialogue.

For Hotel Presidente, time was tight and the design required very specific pieces. We worked closely with MasayaCo to combine ready-made furniture with custom elements tailored to the project. That collaboration allowed us to stay efficient without compromising on character.

In your opinion, what is MasayaCo’s differentiated value that meets your project’s goals?   

Inés: For us, it’s the combination of meaningful, stunning design, solid quality, and true localness. 

With sustainability being a principle of Taller Ken, how does MasayaCo furniture align with your eco-friendly beliefs?

Inés: We see value in working with locally made products whenever possible, and in that sense, MasayaCo really aligns with our approach. Their furniture reflects a strong local identity.  Handmade nearby, with care and attention to materials which helps reduce impact and supports regional craftsmanship.

How has the use of local reforested teak wood in MasayaCo’s furniture impacted the hotel’s design?

Inés: We used MasayaCo’s teak wood furniture as a warm contrast to a more neutral, timeless backdrop. As part of the remodel, we introduced classical detailing on the walls in a soft and subtle way. Against that calm base, the richness of the local teak wood added warmth, depth, and a strong sense of place.

As a designer, could you share your top three insights on intentionally decorating a space—especially drawing from your experience with MasayaCo?

Inés: 

1. Character is key. A space needs to have personality and presence, something that speaks to the story you're trying to tell, beyond just aesthetics or trends.
   

2. Local craftsmanship adds identity. It helps ground the project in its cultural and material context.

3. Flexibility matters. Being able to collaborate with a brand that is open to adaptations or custom pieces, as MasayaCo has been, allows us to stay true to our vision while meeting the practical needs of each project.

When recommending MasayaCo furniture, what keywords come to mind? And are there any upcoming projects where you plan to incorporate their pieces?

Inés: Quality, local craftsmanship, and thoughtful design.

We have a few upcoming beach projects where we’ll definitely be incorporating MasayaCo’s pieces.  They’re a perfect fit for the look and feel we’re aiming for.

A Shared Philosophy: Where Sustainability Meets Purpose.

The Hotel Presidente redesign proves what’s possible when bold vision meets the right creative partner. With timeless lines, rich textures, and custom-crafted touches, MasayaCo’s solid teak sustainable furniture helped to bring Taller Ken’s concept to life elevating the guest experience and redefining the hotel’s identity.

Rooted in craftsmanship and powered by purpose, Taller Ken and MasayaCo brought their shared values into every detail shaping a space that feels authentic, intentional, and full of story, blending local character with contemporary design.

Have a project that calls for sustainable design with soul?  Let MasayaCo help you craft spaces that connect visually, emotionally, and sustainably.

Author: Paola Luconi G.

Interviewee: Inés Guzmán, Taller Ken