-Do you like art? Do you have any preferences for an artist? And/or for creators of artistic work?
Matthew Tobin: YES. The artists that engage me the most are those who can balance creating beautifully-crafted works while at the same time challenging their audiences by views / experience / beliefs / perspectives. Daniel Tobin: We live and breathe art. It’s hard to pick one or two artists over the many.
-Could we feature your favorite artist, designer, architect or filmmaker in our magazine and/or online?
Matthew Tobin: Fiona Foley, MAD Architecture, and Foster + Partners (are favorites).
Daniel Tobin: Brook Andrew, Zaha Hadid, and Herzog & de Meuron (would be good features).
-In which ways do you think architecture, art and design are different and/or similar?
Daniel Tobin: I think all three are very connected, and when you see or are part of projects where there has been a great collaborative process between the disciplines, you can see extraordinary outcomes.
Matthew Tobin: I think the similarities are more important than the differences. In my view they are similar in the way that when each is practiced -- when you have a passionate practitioner who can produce a work that challenges the status quo while remaining relevant to their users or audience and, better still, extracts an emotional reaction from the viewer -- then whether it is architecture, art or design, a relevant, meaningful and valuable creative expression has been made.
- Do you aspire to collaborate with an artist from another artistic discipline?
Matthew Tobin: Working in a business like UAP, we collaborate across disciplines continuously --be it with artists, engineers, architects, designers, jewelers, lighting designers and all sorts of other creative professionals.
Daniel Tobin: I am very interested in a joint project with someone that studies the movement of people. I am especially interested in desire lines, paths taken/ chosen by individuals/groups/masses of people from one place to another, whether it is localized or global, systemized or erratic.
-Do you have a favorite company or exciting other creator with whom you would like to work?
Matthew Tobin: Bureau^proberts (Australia): Liam Proberts has one of the most relaxed but thorough and democratic design processes I have ever experienced. His eye for detail and desire to layer his architecture with meaning makes him a perfect collaborator.
Daniel Tobin: Martha Schwartz Partners: We recently collaborated on a project submission together, and the creative process was met with passion and energy from both sides, producing outcomes that reflected this collaborative passion.
-Do you follow any philosophical or psychological approach in making your designs?
Daniel Tobin: I am not sure that you can call it a philosophy, but certainly the key drive is about site specificity, connection with culture and engagement with people.
Matthew Tobin: My philosophy is to understand the place that the work is created for, to make sure the work is relevant and meaningful.
-What is your favorite building in the world?
Matthew Tobin: Oslo Opera House because of the connection of the public space to the waterfront. Daniel Tobin: Gehry’s Guggenheim in Bilbao.
-What is your favorite hotel?
Matthew Tobin: In China Pig’s Heaven Inn (Xidi, near Huangshan, China), (I enjoy) a small three story guesthouse – the building dates from the Ming Dynasty and is located in a beautiful ancient Chinese village.
Daniel Tobin: In New York, the Standard or Mercer Hotels (are favorites). In Australia, it would be my friend Mark’s spare bedroom -- he has a great art collection and cellar, impeccable taste and five great sons who fill the house with noise and excitement.
-What would be your ideal home?
Matthew Tobin: My parent's farm at Ballandean, Australia, or anywhere by the sea. But for now, our 1930s Lane House in Shanghai (is ideal).