Our Interview With Kristina Zanic, CEO & Founder of The Award Winning Kristina Zanic Consultants

True pioneers are defined by their ability to continuously redefine excellence and shape the future of their industries.

 

This philosophy perfectly reflects Kristina Zanic’s remarkable journey in international interior design.

As the CEO & Founder of Kristina Zanic Consultants, Kristina has built an award-winning design practice spanning more than 20 countries.

 

With over three decades of experience and collaborations with leading hospitality brands and developers, she has become one of the region’s most influential voices in design.

 

We sat down with Kristina Zanic to discuss her design philosophy, her perspective on Egypt’s evolving real estate landscape, and her latest collaboration with Sky Innovo Developments on the Citystars Park St. project.

 

1. With over 20 years of experience in high-end interior design, what key principles do you believe define a successful and future-ready project today?

Every future-ready project begins with a compelling design narrative one that thoughtfully connects people, place, and purpose. At Kristina Zanic Consultants, this philosophy guides our approach, balancing aesthetics with functionality to create sophisticated, efficient, and adaptable spaces.

 

Through our "Quality by Design" methodology and adherence to ISO 9001 standards, we ensure consistency, precision, and long-term performance throughout every stage of the project. However, great design is never achieved in isolation.

 

Its success ultimately relies on four essential pillars: a clear client vision, a passionate and talented design team, an effective project delivery team, and a well-defined budget that brings the vision to life.

 

2. Looking back at your portfolio, which project had the most profound impact on shaping your design philosophy, and why?

Our journey has not been shaped by a single project, but by a collection of hospitality and mixed-use destinations that have helped define our design philosophy over the years. Each project has reinforced our belief that great design starts with storytelling, creating spaces that reflect the character of a place, celebrate local culture, and deliver memorable experiences for the people who use them.

A significant milestone in our journey came more than 12 years ago in Egypt with the Citystars and Fairmont.

 

These projects opened the door to broader regional opportunities and played an important role in our international growth. Building on that momentum, we partnered with the Jumeirah Group on a series of iconic luxury hospitality projects, including Al Qasr Hotel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and the Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi and Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah.

 

Each destination added a new chapter to our story, strengthening our ability to create spaces that seamlessly blend luxury, functionality, and a strong sense of place an approach that continues to guide our work today.

 

3. How is interior design evolving globally, and how are these changes reflected in user expectations and workplace environments in Egypt?

The way people live and work is changing, creating demand for destinations that seamlessly combine business, hospitality, retail, and leisure.

 

Globally and in Egypt, design is moving toward more flexible, experience-driven environments centered on wellbeing and convenience.

 

Citystars Park St. was created in response to this shift, a fully integrated lifestyle destination designed around the needs of today's users, bringing together work, leisure, and hospitality in one seamless experience.

 

4. What initially attracted you to collaborate on the Citystars Park St. project, and what made it stand out as a design opportunity?

The story of Citystars Park St. begins with a vision to build on the legacy of Citystars and the modern spirit of Park St., redefining what a fully integrated lifestyle destination in Cairo can be.

 

Developed by Sky Innovo Developments through a partnership between Citystars and Park St., the project brings together hospitality, retail, offices, and branded residences, including Fairmont Living, within a seamless, experience-driven environment that reflects the growing global shift toward mixed-use, lifestyle-focused communities.

 

Turning this vision into reality is an investment of approximately EGP 100 billion.

 

5. Could you walk us through your role in Citystars Park St., the overarching interior design vision you developed, and how collaboration helped shape and deliver a fully integrated outcome?

Our role began with shaping the interior design vision and guiding it from concept through to detailed design. The goal was to create a cohesive, experience-led environment that balances elegance with practicality while reflecting both international standards and the local context, particularly within the branded residential component.

 

Bringing that vision to life required a highly collaborative process, driven by continuous communication, workshops, and close coordination among all stakeholders. Citystars Park St. proactive and open approach fostered a flexible working environment where challenges were addressed collectively, ensuring the outcome remained fully integrated and true to the original design intent.

 

6. How did your design approach ensure cohesion across a mixed-use destination while addressing sustainability and efficiency?

A strong overarching design narrative united the development, creating a cohesive experience while giving each component hospitality, residential, and commercial its own distinct character.

Sustainability and efficiency were embedded throughout the project through thoughtful material selection, energy-conscious design, and a strong focus on 100% locally sourced materials and partnerships.

 

7. Finally, how do you see projects like Citystars Park St. contributing to the evolution of mixed-use destinations and workplace environments in Cairo?

As Cairo continues to evolve, developments like Citystars Park St. are helping shape a new chapter for the city. By seamlessly bringing together work, living, and leisure in a single destination, the project reflects changing lifestyles and rising expectations, while contributing to Cairo’s emergence as a more connected, dynamic, and globally competitive city.