Photo Credit: Doug Birnbaum

Hafsa Burt recently took the time to discuss matters of well-being and health with Haute Design.

Haute Design: Being successful in any line of business takes plenty of sacrifice and even more time. In the field of design and architecture, "work hours" are not necessarily uniform or standard. How do you find ways to make time for yourself?

Hafsa Burt: It isn't easy. I certainly can't work out every day, but I try to schedule it on my calendar. I realized early on that if you're not taking care of yourself, the demands of your business and life will take a toll on your health and well-being and you may become a nuisance to be around. I worked for larger firms before starting my own business and noticed many unhealthy lifestyle patterns in my senior colleagues, which resulted in a tense work environment. I try to use holistic therapies such as sauna, cryotherapy and acupuncture as needed. I also take care of what I eat to stay in optimum health in order to meet daily demands. A three-minute cryo session or a 30-minute sauna are easy to squeeze into my schedule.

HD: The topic of self-care has become ubiquitous in the past two years, in large part due to the pandemic and its consequences. What was the biggest lesson in self-care you came away with after lockdown?

HB: One of the biggest lessons from the pandemic is that life is fragile and given the consequences of globalization and climate change, our lives can transform drastically overnight, and with that, certain industries and businesses can become obsolete, leaving a lot of families economically vulnerable. Therefore, measures for resilience and flexibility in both the personal and business world need to be at the forefront of everybody's mind. The age-old notion of filling your cup so that you can be there for others has never been more relevant. Also, in the age of information, carefully editing what enters your mind can do wonders for your well-being.

Photo Credit: Doug Birnbaum

HD: In fields like design and architecture, which require so much creativity and perspective from the designer/architect, is the work partially an extension of yourself? If so, how much do you value your rest or solitude? Do you have any practices you recommend in order to rest and recover at the end of the day?

HB: I would love to be that parson who can fall asleep on a tour bus or in an opera performance! At the end of the day, I read fiction or historical biographies. It's a great way to give my mind a break from business activities and to enter someone else's imagination. I am just as careful about what I let into my mind as I am with what I eat. I also paint and sculpt to give the left side of my brain a break, which I wish I could do more often. In the middle of the day, a 30-minute spinning session can also be a good break to allow oxygen into the bloodstream and come back more focused and refreshed. I tend to use these techniques more than caffeine.

HD: Does health and wellness go hand in hand with design consciousness and ecological practices? If so, how?

HB: Yes, of course! Everything starts with the individual. I strongly believe that our spaces can contribute to our physical and mental health. Besides products specified in a project, access to daylight and positive air flow can all contribute to our well-being. Deliberate design choices that include green belts/corridors in our developments to allow access to nature, filter the air, are conducive to walking and biking, all create healthier micro-climates. Since the outdoor/indoor environment can be very polluted, we need to be careful about what we put into our bodies to cope with external stressors in order to remain in optimum health and focus on all the great socio-environmental work.

The post How Hafsa Burt Translates Awareness In Design To Health And Wellness appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

April Donelson and Alirio Torrealba

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Haute Living presented the latest installment of its Haute Leaders Dinner Series in collaboration with MG Developer and Pedini Miami at the brand new Althea Row Residences in Coral Gables. Haute Living's exclusive network of the best of the best business leaders from multiple industries throughout the country continues to expand. The Haute Leaders Dinners consistently turn out to be magical evenings where these leaders of their respective industries can connect and network in a laid-back and pleasing atmosphere. The latest installment of the Haute Leaders Dinner, hosted in collaboration with MG Developer and Pedini Miami, was no exception.

MG Developer is based in Coral Gables and has been responsible for the development of "Biltmore Square" since its founding in 2015. MG Developer is committed to excellence and is proud to be part of the growth of "The City Beautiful". Their work with The Biltmore Square is a testament to the enhancement of the traditional beauty of the Coral Gables neighborhood.

Pedini Miami provides customers with Italian-designed furnishings of the highest standard and style. Their process gives clients the most personalized and trustworthy service in the industry while keeping them informed each step of the way. The Pedini Miami design team aims to create the ideal design solution, mixing superlative functionality and design, with top-spec materials for the ultimate living statement.

Alirio Torrealba, David Rousso, Seth Semilof

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

MG Developer's recent Coral Gables project, Althea Row, was revealed in full display to all present at the Haute Leaders Dinner. The gorgeous multi-story residence that hosted the event served as the model home for residences in Althea Row. Guests were welcomed with glasses of wine as they appreciated the stunning setting that would serve as the evening's gorgeous backdrop.

Chef Manuel Garcia

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The gorgeous meal was provided courtesy of ZUCCA's Head Chef, Manuel Garcia. ZUCCA is located in the iconic Saint Michelle Hotel in Coral Gables. The Italian fine dining restaurant offers authentic regional Italian cuisine, artfully executed. As an appetizer, guests were served foie gras cylinders with quince puree, with prune and spiced brioche dust on the side. The entree for the evening was a beautiful braised wagyu beef cheek with truffle polenta. To cap off the spectacular meal, Chef Garcia provided an exquisite "dulce de leche" panna cotta with chocolate and hazelnut soil and coffee mousse.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The evening resulted in a great experience where a community of industry leaders was able to connect and enjoy themselves in one of the most beautiful homes at the heart of Coral Gables.

April Donelson, Anita Tzinker, Daniel Tzinker and Seth Semilof

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Kirk Ivy and Elena Ivy

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Yvette Horsley, Andrea Gutierrez, Erik Haase, Emily Wriston, Stefano Balli

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Peter Ancona, Dr. Paul Durand

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Giovanna Ingletto and Guest

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

MG Developer and Hinda Yassin

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The post Haute Living, MG Developer, And Pedini Miami Host A Magical Haute Leaders Dinner In Coral Gables appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.