16 VIEWS
ASK THE ARCHITECT
Elif Tinaztepe of Schmidt Hammer Lassen – now part of global firm Perkins+Will – and known for her library designs, answers ADF’s questions
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPIEST ABOUT BEING AN ARCHITECT? Working in a multidisciplinary field with such range and richness – inspired by art, humanities, science, technology, and more. Creating environments that people develop an inexplicable emotional connection to, and are transformed by. Helping to move ideas, people, seemingly established norms, in a positive direction through the framework of dialogue and design. Architecture is about transformation to me – creating opportunity and meaning for people for the future.
WHERE HAVE YOU ENJOYED WORKING AS AN ARCHITECT THE MOST?
Elif Tinaztepe, Schmidt Hammer Lassen
I started practicing in Los Angeles and have been in Denmark for the last 15 years. I love working in Denmark, a country where architecture is a discussion in everyday life, and where we share the understanding of its importance. With my base in Denmark at Schmidt Hammer Lassen, I have been fortunate to work on projects and with clients in diverse parts of the world. What makes it special is the engagement, immersing myself in the local culture and context and learning something new wherever I go. The golden light of southern California versus the cool platinum rays of Scandinavia all have a way of influencing the way we think and feel. The social code, the history, the social context, and local building cultures all provide a richness that continue to challenge and inspire the way I work. I will always look forward with fresh
eyes to the next adventure – it might just be outside my door.
HAS BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY BECOME MUCH HARDER IN THE CURRENT SITUATION? My answer will probably not be significantly different from any other person/parent in a similar professional and social setup. It goes up and down, and I am not sure balance is a high priority item when everything around us is anything but. It’s about patience, inevitable frustration alternating with acceptance, and on good days, a lot of joy. Not travelling as much has certainly allowed more time at home which has been a real eye-opener for me personally. Working from home as opposed to in the studio has its benefits and challenges. You adjust, you find ways to make it work. I am hoping to take what I learned with me moving forward, and I am looking very much forward to being able to travel again.
DID YOU DECIDE TO SPECIALISE IN LIBRARY TYPOLOGIES EARLY ON OR DID THIS HAPPEN ORGANICALLY? It was really an organic development which started with Dokk1 in Aarhus, Denmark which represents a new generation of modern hybrid libraries. I still try to remain the generalist I was educated to be, with deep knowledge in certain areas that really interest me. Library typology is not a singular thing – neither spatially nor programmatically which is perhaps why I enjoy exploring it so much. There is an
State Library Victoria in Melbourne, Australia © Brett Boardman
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ADF APRIL 2021
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