DALLAS (NOVEMBER 2007) – RYA Design Consultancy is pleased to announce that Joon Kyu Whang has joined RYA as Creative Director for the New York office.

Joon brings to RYA New York more than twenty-one years experience in architecture and design of retail and hospitality entertainment venues. "We are so fortunate to have someone with Joon’s unique prospective, skills and experience in retail design”, said Tom Herndon, CEO and Partner.

Joon has been responsible for the marketing, management, and design of a variety of mixed-use retail design projects. He uses his expertise to design numerous mixed-use complexes and department stores throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. His creation of unique environments for the consumer is a result of his international and versatile perspective, which is brought to every project.

Prior to joining RYA, Joon was Regional Vice President/Executive Design Director at Walker Group/CNI in New York where he was involved in all aspects of developing new business, negotiation of fee proposals, and project concept design through construction administration. In his role as a Project Director/Senior Project Designer for HTI/SDI (FRCH) in New York, he was responsible for merchandising, tenant layout and coordination, and working directly with managing directors/principals on the design of project. As a Project Designer at Schafer Associates in Chicago, Joon worked directly with the principals on all design issues, client presentations, consultant coordination and architectural production documents.

International clients he has worked with are HYUNDAI Department Store, Rodamco Asia, Shinsegae, The Galleria, Korea Life, Yongsan Station Mix-use Complex, Grand Hyatt Mirama Group, Westin Chosen Hotel, and Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel. Clients in the United States include Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, The Bon Ton, Lladro, Esprit, Washington Mutual Bank and Wachovia Bank.