# Ed Tuttle

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ed_Tuttle
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ed_Tuttle.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Tuttle
> Source revision: 1357209578
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Edward Burnham Tuttle Jr.** (August 11, 1945 – June 21, 2020) was an American [architect](/source/Architect) and [interior designer](/source/Interior_design) best known for his works of hotel architecture. Among his most celebrated works is the [Amanpuri](/source/Amanpuri) hotel in Phuket, for which he was credited with setting a novel standard in resort design.[1] Tuttle's design style has been described as simple, orderly and tranquil, and focusing on the comfort of a space.[2] In 1977, he founded Design Realization in Paris, where he had been based until his death in 2020.

Tuttle and his firm kept a relatively low profile despite the considerable media recognition of his works; it was suggested that Tuttle's success as an architect may have relied on his discretion.[3]

## Early life and education

Tuttle was born in [Seattle, Washington](/source/Seattle,_Washington), on August 11, 1945, to Edward Tuttle Sr. and his wife Ruth, then owners of a steel mill. He was descended from the designer of the [Georgia State Capitol](/source/Georgia_State_Capitol), architect [Franklin Pierce Burnham](/source/Franklin_Pierce_Burnham), for whom he was named. He enrolled at the Portland State University to study interior design and architecture in 1963 and transferred to the [University of Oregon](/source/University_of_Oregon) before later graduating from the [University of Washington](/source/University_of_Washington) in 1968. At Washington, his studies were influenced by the works of modernist architects [Mies van der Rohe](/source/Ludwig_Mies_van_der_Rohe) and [Frank Lloyd Wright](/source/Frank_Lloyd_Wright), and primarily focused on the latter's renowned work, [Fallingwater](/source/Fallingwater) in Pennsylvania.[4]

Following his graduation in 1968, he briefly worked at the design studio of the San Francisco-based department store, [Gump's](/source/Gump's). Whilst there, through a colleague, he assisted in designing the house of a member of the [Pritzker family](/source/Pritzker_family), owners of the Hyatt Corporation and founders of the [Pritzker Architecture Prize](/source/Pritzker_Prize).[5]

## Early career

In 1968, following his brief stint in San Francisco, he joined [Dale Keller and Associates](/source/Dale_and_Patricia_Keller) in Hong Kong, who were responsible for the designs of Mumbai's [Taj Mahal Hotel](/source/Taj_Mahal_Palace_Hotel) and the [Hong Kong Regent](/source/InterContinental_Hong_Kong). With the Kellers, Tuttle assisted in the design of several villas on the Saronic islands of [Hydras](/source/Hydra_(island)) and [Mykonos](/source/Mykonos) in Greece, and later worked on the winter palace of Iranian [Shah Reza Pahlavi](/source/Mohammad_Reza_Pahlavi) on [Kish Island](/source/Kish_Island) shortly before the [Iranian Revolution](/source/Iranian_Revolution) of 1978.[6][7]

In 1977, Tuttle relocated to [Saint-Germain-des-Prés](/source/Saint-Germain-des-Pr%C3%A9s), Paris, and established the architectural firm, Design Realization Ltd., which he ran together with his colleague and partner, Christian Monges.[8] Despite settling in France, he continued to travel frequently for the next decade to oversee various private residential and hospitality projects worldwide.[9] His pattern of travel later led to Tuttle being dubbed by several books and magazines as a "Livingstone of modern times" after Scottish explorer, [David Livingstone](/source/David_Livingstone).[10][7]

In 1981, Tuttle updated the design of Villa Batujimbar in Bali; the villa had been the personal residence of Indonesian-hotelier [Adrian Zecha](/source/Adrian_Zecha), who he first met in Hong Kong. The renovation led to the creation of black-tiled pools, which later spurred a trend of such pools throughout the tropics.[4] Villa Batujimbar became the precursor project that led to his long term cooperation with Zecha.[11]

## Hotel projects

Tuttle's projects for [Aman Resorts](/source/Aman_Resorts) has been credited to define the hotel group's calm design style.[12] His works for the chain garnered considerable media attention and had been featured on numerous books on architecture and design.[13][14][15] His designs, as part of Aman Resorts' larger portfolio had been claimed to have significantly changed hospitality design, and influenced the works of other hospitality architects like [Bill Bensley](/source/Bill_Bensley).[16][17][18]

In 1986, Adrian Zecha hired Tuttle to design a resort on a coconut grove on Phuket's Pansea beach in Thailand. He studied [Thai traditional architecture](/source/Architecture_of_Thailand) and classical teak houses before designing the hotel; this pattern of local cultural sensitivity continued with his ensuing projects. The project's design claimed to capture the essence of Thai design and prioritised a design that was liveable; markedly an antithesis to other luxury hotels of the day.[19] Tuttle attributed his approach to prioritise the location's cultural context and the structure's impact to the surrounding environment; it was reported that Tuttle elected to build around the coconut trees on the site's grove instead of cutting them down.[9][20] The 30-room resort opened in 1988 as Amanpuri, receiving significant media coverage on the hotel's radical form and original style; it became frequently credited as a template for future luxury hotels worldwide despite not advertising.[21][4] Following the completion of Amanpuri, Tuttle developed a persisting friendship with Zecha, which led to his long term cooperation with the hotel chain.[22]

In 1991, he and Australian architect, [Kerry Hill](/source/Kerry_Hill) collaborated in the design of the Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.[23][2] More hotel-related projects ensued in 1992, with the opening of Amankila in Bali and Le Melezin in [Courchevel](/source/Courchevel). The former, designed and built onto a cliffside met similarly much praise from various design critics.[24][25][26] In 2003, Tuttle designed the interiors of the Park Hyatt hotel in [Milan](/source/Milan), occupying a 130-year-old former office building. Tuttle's design for the hotel was featured in an article in *The New York Times*.[27][28] Tuttle continued designing hotels with Aman up until 2012, marked by the opening of the Amanzoe resort in [Ermionida, Greece](/source/Ermionida).[29]

## Later career and life

Later in his life, he designed the outdoor dining pavilion at Golden Rock Inn on [Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis](/source/Nevis), owned by artists Helen and [Brice Marden](/source/Brice_Marden), old friends of Tuttle's; he reportedly refused payment for the design.[30][12] In 2009, Tuttle's name was included in [Architectural Digest](/source/Architectural_Digest)'s 2010 AD100 list, which recognises influential interior designers and architects around the world.[31][32]

In 2019, Tuttle's name was mentioned as part of the widely published contact book of American financier and sexual offender [Jeffrey Epstein](/source/Jeffrey_Epstein), along with fellow designers and architects, [Muriel Brandolini](/source/Muriel_Brandolini), [Jean-Michel Gathy](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Michel_Gathy), [Ricardo Legorreta](/source/Ricardo_Legorreta), [Peter Marino](/source/Peter_Marino), and [David Rockwell](/source/David_Rockwell). Tuttle's architecture practice had designed the main-house on Epstein's 70-acre island, [Little Saint James](/source/Little_Saint_James), in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2003.[33] His name was also mentioned in Epstein's flight logs, containing lists of alleged passengers who have travelled Epstein's personal jet; the document received significant media attention following its publication in 2019.[34][35]

Tuttle continued living in France with Christian Monges, a lawyer with whom he had been in a relationship.[2] Tuttle died in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris on 21 June 2020 of a brain tumour.[36]

## Selected works

- [Amanpuri](/source/Amanpuri), Phuket, Thailand (1988)
- [Sukhothai Hotel](/source/The_Sukhothai_Bangkok), Bangkok (1991)
- [Amankila](/source/Amankila), Bali, Indonesia (1992)
- Le Melezin, Courchevel, France (1992)
- [Amanjiwo](/source/Amanjiwo), Magelang, Indonesia (1997)
- Amangani, Jackson Hole, Wyoming (1998)
- [Amanjena](/source/Amanjena), Marrakesh, Morocco (2000)
- Park Hyatt Hotel, Milan, Italy (2003)
- Amanbagh, Rajashtan, India (2005)
- Park Hyatt Vendome, Paris, France (2002)
- Amanzoe, Ermionida, Greece (2016)

## Further reading

- Carman, Ronda Rice (2013). *Designers at home : personal reflections on stylish living*. New York. ISBN 978-0-8478-4009-0. [OCLC 824725568](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/824725568)

## References

1. ["Aman architect Ed Tuttle passes away"](https://www.sleepermagazine.com/stories/people/aman-architect-ed-tuttle-passes-away/). *Sleeper Magazine*. 2020-06-23. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Gagliardi, Jason (5 June 2005). ["Peace of mind"](https://www.scmp.com/article/503204/peace-mind). *South China Morning Post*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["Passing Of An Architectural Legend - Edward Tuttle"](https://www.luxuo.com/properties/hotel/passing-of-an-architectural-legend-edward-tuttle.html). *LUXUO*. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["Ed Tuttle obituary"](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/ed-tuttle-obituary-mmp0rk352). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. [ISSN 0140-0460](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0140-0460). Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Palling, Bruce (19 August 2020). ["Ed Tuttle - death of the architectural genius behind Amanpuri and the birth of Amanresorts"](https://www.gastroenophile.co.uk/2020/08/ed-tuttle-death-of-architectural-genius.html). *Gastroenophile*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["B. Edward Tuttle - designer profile"](https://www.stylepark.com/en/designer/b-edward-tuttle). *Stylepark*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Brockway, Cosmo (2021-05-23). ["Ed Tuttle, the architectural world's great alchemist"](https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/ed-tuttle-the-architectural-worlds-great-alchemist/) (in en-IN). *Architectural Digest India*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["Edward B. Tuttle - Designer Paris / France"](https://www.archilovers.com/edward-b-tuttle/). *Archilovers*. 27 December 2016. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Sokol, David (2020-06-22). ["Edward Tuttle, the Architect Who Helped Craft Blueprint for Aman Hotels Has Died"](https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/edward-tuttle-the-architect-who-helped-craft-blueprint-for-aman-hotels-has-died). *Architectural Digest*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Listri, Massimo (2005). *Marrakech : living on the edge of the desert*. 1 ed. Mulgrave, Vic. Australia: Images Pub. ISBN 1-86470-152-8. [OCLC 65428459](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/65428459)

1. mahindro, radit (2021-01-18). ["A Quite Long History of Balinese Hotel Architecture Part II: Geoffrey Bawa and Peter Muller"](https://raditmahindro.medium.com/a-quite-long-history-of-balinese-hotel-architecture-part-ii-geoffrey-bawa-and-peter-muller-81e0730380f1). *Medium*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Miranda, Jennifer (2012). *The world's greatest hotels*. 2012 ed. New York, N.Y.: American Express Publishing Corp. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-932624-44-1. [OCLC 793602743](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/793602743)

1. Demachy, Jean (2003). *Hôtels de rêve et de charme du monde entier*. Nouv. éd ed. Levallois-Perret: Filipacchi. pp. 110–111, 136, 144, 157. ISBN 9782850187889. [OCLC 1256254663](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1256254663)

1. *Charming hotels around the world*. New York, N.Y.: Filipacchi Pub. 2003. pp. 136, 144. ISBN 2-85018-629-5. [OCLC 51617677](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51617677)

1. Simond, Tim (2010). *Dive in style : snorkel, dive, unwind*. 2 ed. New York: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-28630-2. [OCLC 317919372](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/317919372)

1. Magazine, Wallpaper* (2020-03-29). ["How Aman has influenced the world of resort design"](https://www.wallpaper.com/travel/how-aman-has-influenced-the-world-of-resort-design). *Wallpaper**. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Inglis, Kim (2005). *Asian style hotels : Bali, Java, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand*. Singapore: Periplus. pp. 71, 161, 179. ISBN 0-7946-0172-3. [OCLC 61713506](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61713506)

1. Romeyn, Kathryn (2018-10-09). ["How Aman Changed Hotel Design Forever"](https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/aman-resorts-30th-anniversary). *Architectural Digest*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Pao, Basil (1997). *Aman: The First Decade*. Singapore: Amanresorts Limited. ISBN 9781299685123.

1. Loring, John (2008-12-31). ["A Coconut Plantation in Phuket Is Transformed Into a Tropical Hideaway"](https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/tuttle-article-2009-01). *Architectural Digest*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Khoo, Diana. ["Tribute: How architect Ed Tuttle's Amanpuri set the stage for game-changing Aman Resorts"](https://www.optionstheedge.com/topic/travel/tribute-how-architect-ed-tuttles-amanpuri-set-stage-game-changing-aman-resorts). *Options*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["A Tribute to Ed Tuttle, the Architect Behind Aman Resort's Unique Blueprint"](https://www.lovehappensmag.com/blog/2020/07/02/a-tribute-to-ed-tuttle-the-architect-behind-aman-resorts-unique-blueprint/). *Love Happens Magazine*. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. mahindro, radit (2021-01-18). ["A Quite Long History of Balinese Hotel Architecture Part V: Adrian Zecha and Aman"](https://raditmahindro.medium.com/a-quite-long-history-of-balinese-hotel-architecture-part-v-adrian-zecha-and-aman-1f4a2fbf1045). *Medium*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["Hot Hotel: Amankila, Bali, Indonesia"](https://thedesignair.net/2017/10/29/hot-hotel-amankila-bali-indonesia/). *TheDesignAir*. 2017-10-29. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["How Aman Changed Hotel Design Forever"](https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/aman-resorts-30th-anniversary). *Architectural Digest*. 2018-10-09. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Kinsman, Julia. ["Amankila, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia - Hotel Review"](https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/indonesia/kusamba/amankila--bali). *Condé Nast Traveler*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. *Wallpaper city guide. Milan.*. New York: Phaidon. 2006. ISBN 0-7148-4691-0. [OCLC 73527120](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/73527120)

1. Povoledo, Elisabetta (2003-12-07). ["SLEEK CHIC WARMS UP: MILAN; Classic designs are streamlined for the Park Hyatt Milano"](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/07/travel/sleek-chic-warms-up-milan-classic-designs-are-streamlined-for-park-hyatt-milano.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN 0362-4331](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. Meier, Richard (May 2013). ["Peloponesse, Greece"](https://archive.org/details/ArchitecturalDigestMay2013/page/n87/mode/2up?q=Ed+Tuttle). *Architectural Digest*. 5, 2013 ed. – via Internet Archive.

1. ["Why We Simply Cannot Wait to Visit Nevis' Golden Rock Inn"](https://www.islands.com/story/resorts/we-cannot-wait-to-visit-nevis-golden-rock-inn/). *Islands*. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["2010 AD100: Edward Tuttle"](https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/edward-tuttle-profile). *Architectural Digest*. 2009-12-31. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["Park Hyatt Milan - Interna"](http://www.interna.it/en/park-hyatt-milan/19/prjd.php). *www.interna.it*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. ["Eavesdrop: Here are all the architects and designers in Jeffrey Epstein's black book"](https://www.archpaper.com/2019/08/eavesdrop-architects-designers-jeffrey-epstein-black-book/). *The Architect’s Newspaper*. 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. The Editors, New Yorker (2019-07-22). ["The High Society That Surrounded Jeffrey Epstein"](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/07/jeffrey-epstein-high-society-contacts.html). *Intelligencer*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

1. [*Jeffrey Epstein Flight Logs*](http://archive.org/details/jeffrey-epstein-flight-logs_202102). Internet Archive. 2019.

1. ["Edward Tuttle Jr. Obituary (1945 - 2020) San Francisco Chronicle"](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/edward-tuttle-obituary?id=2060743). *Legacy.com*. Retrieved 2021-07-29.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ed Tuttle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Tuttle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Tuttle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.