Meet Roland Kortbawi | Architect & Entertainment Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roland Kortbawi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roland, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success has always been in paying attention to the minimal details and never taking shortcuts that would compromise the quality, functionality, marketability, and esthetics of my creation. Whether it being while I am building a structure, writing a song or designing a project, Whatever you do, do it right and to the best of your ability. The big things in life are made of small details.

Your creations should have a purpose. And the purpose of your creation is to cause an beneficial effect, that communicates to others as well.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I want to take this opportunity to give my respects and admiration to all artists and creatives throughout history and around the world. They are the ones that spearhead the advancement and spur our society to have hope, keep dreaming and working towards a peaceful future… The Sumerians, Da Vinci, Jules Verne…

Every person is an artist no matter what they do. There is art in everything, even in the scientific field.

I see myself as set-part of others and not set apart from others.
Ideas and creations, are shared and exchanged spiritual particles, that can transform the intangible into something valuable.

The secret lies in coordinating your awareness with your abilities, in order to accomplish a harmony of sound or visible effect;
And that secret is no secret; Believe in yourself and keep doing it. So i get as excited in the process as I do when the job is finished.
At the age of 9 I was very touched but the story of Michelangelo. That once he finished sculpting the statue of Moses , it seemed so real and alive that he violently hit its knee with the hammer, shouting, “Why don’t you speak to me”. That is excitement and pride.
The road has not been is at all, but the way is simple, keep your integrity and ethics, stay focused and believe in yourself, for by tasting the failures you will savor the success.
The whole world cannot be my client, but if I build a project for a happy customer or keep making songs and films to entertain audiences, it would be a good story to share.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Lol, that has happened many times. When I pick them up from the airport, I usually ask, “Do you have the energy for an express tour of the west, or you want us to take the time for a longer visit?

If its express; I start in LAX up to Marina del Rey for lunch at the Cheesecake factory overlooking the beach. Then to Venice Beach so he could experience the contrast. Couple hours later to Santa Monica ( cause they all expect to see Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff swimming there ). Then Century City, avenue of the stars (Die hard building), and we continue to Hollywood Bl, the Chinese theatre and finish at the Observatory to take in the spectacular view of LA night skyline.

Next day: Eggs Benedict at the Polo Lounge (Beverly Hills Hotel and album cover of “Hotel California. The Eagles ). Then Rodeo drive, since they have been all night dreaming of Pretty Woman. Then straight to Paradise Cove, Point Dume and Zuma beach. From the PCH to Big Sur, Pebble Beach (the solitary tree), Carmel and San Francisco. Spend the night.

Day 3: San Francisco, Golden Gate, Pier 39, Alcatraz, and more.
Day 4: Red woods, Yosemite, Mono Lake and the beautiful ghost town of Bodie. late arrival to Las vegas.
Day 5: All day Vegas
Day 6: Helicopter to Grand Canyon, and Hoover Dam, back to Vegas.
Day 7: Vegas then late night drive to LA.
Day 8: Universal Studios, then dinner at old town Pasadena and the City Hall.
Day 9: Queen Mary (long beach), Naples Island, Balboa Island, laguna Beach (Margaritas at Las Brisas). Sleep at Hotel Coronado
Day 10: Bit of san Diego (skip Sea World cause animals should live free), then to Rosarito Beach Hotel for a massage, and lobster lunch at Puerto Nuevo. Back to LA but not before stopping at El Callejon in Tijuana, for the best tacos known to man.
Day 11: They can either fly back home or enjoy LA for few more days.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, First I want to thank my amazing parents and all my family for their unconditional love and continuous support. They are the true heroes that have gone through a lot since the moment i was conceived. My salutes to moms and dads everywhere as well.

Life is about living, and living is about Love, Family, Friends, Adventure, Education and pushing yourself to the limit, ever expanding your knowledge, awareness and abilities.
But above all Life is about HELP. You cannot do everything on your own and by yourself. I am most happy when I feel that have helped someone, be it directly or through my work.
Fun is an essential part of your life and of your work, and is more enjoyable when you are doing it with others as team.
For that, you need to help others and accept that others help you equally. Accepting help does not make less of you. To the contrary, it makes others feel valuable and value you in return.
I took my first job in a firm that required -as part of my training- that I take a series of short courses offered by A.B.L.E. ( The Association for Better Living & Education ). I felt a bit offended at first since I am literate in 5 languages and I had just graduated from a respectful university. When I was done with these courses, I regretted every penny I spent on my expensive scholar education. It was unbelievable how such a simple course could give me the tools to put into practicality my knowledge and ideas. Shortly after that, I won 2 Grammys for songs I had written, coproduced a feature film secured my place in the field of architecture.
Big thank you to A.B.L.E and all the staff at Celebrity Centre International who helped me accomplish my dreams.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grammy-award-winner-rok-kay-55599b81/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RokPlaza/

Other: Email : rokplaza@yahoo.com