Top Design's Goil Amornivivat

By Laura Perciasepe

Top Design’s Goil Amornivivat is the designing dynamo behind the show’s deluxe dog beds, high-concept light installations, and multi-colored glasses. Goil, a New Yorker with architecture degrees from both Carnegie Mellon and Yale, has a quick way with a hammer and a delightful sense of space that has led to some of the most interesting and whimsical rooms on the show (big red pepper as floor adornment, anyone?). Despite struggling to work in a team in last week’s episode, Goil’s still in the game and we can’t wait to see what this Parsons teacher comes up with next. He sat down to answer a few of this interior design fan’s questions about what his post-show plans are and how Tim Gunn is one of the last remaining true gentlemen.

On last week’s episode, you struggled to work in a team and felt like your vision was compromised. How much was that a feature of the show and how often does that go on in real life design?

Episode 6 broke my heart especially considering my respect for Erik and Andrea. It was a time in the competition when everyone was truly exhausted. I never cracked like I did in that challenge. In real world collaboration, one has more time to work out ideas and deal with group dynamics. If a team in a situation like this pauses, we risk not finishing. My real-life practice is a partnership. Everything I do is collaboration between my partner, Tom Morbitzer, and our client. Under normal circumstances, there is more time (more than 30 minutes) for discussion, and ultimately the work benefits.

The audience doesn’t get to see a lot of the behind-the-scenes work on the rooms, like actual construction of the legless chairs you made or the dog bed. What goes on when you have the hammer, measuring tape, and paintbrush out?

Making is a central part of my thinking and design process. The legless chair was an example of that confluence of meaning and function manifesting itself while making. Since it was a garage sale challenge, I didn't know what I would find. I had to infuse the concept and function into the room while making. From what everyone could see, it was a functional room. Below the surface, my project was a statement to my client to tell her that I was listening: her personal process of storytelling through her painting was very meaningful. At one point I asked my client, Zeal, (who is having an art show in LA) if her house was burning down, what would she grab first? It was her painting depicting a boy in a dress chained to a tree. The boy was being beaten by a big man while the neighborhood stood around laughing. She shared this with me and I was touched by the power of her work. My intention was to produce something functional to the judges and meaningful to Zeal. The task was to create a personal space -- it may not have been appropriate for the other competitor's clients, but for Zeal, it meant a lot. All the pieces of that room, though broken, were brought back to use, in many cases supported by the “architecture” of the room and finding new positive functions. The chair with the broken leg was an example of that.

What would be your dream space to design?

My dream space to design is an “every” space. I would love to do a line of products which are a kit of parts for spaces. Items like wallpapers, carpets, knobs and pulls, vases, couches and chairs, lamps, etc, things that affect more than one space at a time. I never intend my work to be merely chic, my dream projects would also be smart and meaningful.

What are your plans once the show ends? What are you up to these days?

Once the show ends I plan to keep expanding my current office, Tug Studio with projects that continue to push the boundaries of design, both aesthetically and intellectually. We are busy with engaging projects including buildings, interiors and installations. We also do unusual things like helping a fashion designer do a last minute show during fashion week. Look for our exhibition design work this Fall at the Japan Society in New York. I am fortunate to have such diverse and interesting clients.

Who did you really admire on the show? You had said that you really wanted to work with Andrea, but then it was such a mess once you were on a team together. Whose design were you drawn to besides your own?

I love Todd (and all the judges -- hopefully it is not one-sided). I really admire Todd’s broad knowledge and sensibility. Of everyone on the show, I relate the best with him. I think we come from a very similar place in design. I thrive for my designs to be as smart and accessible as Todd’s.

…Andrea is like my big sister! She never ceases to amaze me. She is talented and wonderful… and can do anything better than anyone. I hope you get to see some of her art, it will blow your mind. Her work is like she is, effortlessly smart and beautiful.

I also admire Michael -- though he is easily misinterpreted; he is great and not at all a monster. In different outfits and better lighting he could compete (and win) a Miss Teen USA pageant. (Yes, we discussed it. The last round of Q&A he is to say, “Save the children” instead of “I want to rule the world through modeling.”) For design, he is one to watch.

What’s up with Kelly Wearstler’s outfits?

Kelly is a true artist and I love her outfits. Everything she touches is gold and an expression of whom she is: a fabulous, true visionary in the field! Enough about Kelly! What do you think of my outfits!

Do you know Tim Gunn since you teach at Parsons?

I did not know Tim before the show. Parsons is part of the very large New School University. I teach an Interior Design studio for the AAS program -- in a different building than fashion. I did meet him at a fashion show and I was star struck. For me, he is bigger than Barbara Streisand. He was exceedingly kind and comes across exactly as he does on Project Runway. There are very few of his species left, they are called “gentlemen.”