047
Despite having had no formal training, David Harber’s natural instinct for how things work and fit together has led to him leading an international design enterprise
David Harber Founder, David Harber Ltd
Can you pinpoint the thought, whether yours or someone else’s that led you to a career in design?
I actually came to design quite late in life, in my mid-30s. I was fortunate enough to attend Dartington Hall School in the Seventies, a radically liberal school with a strong artistic bias. And whilst, as with most of my contemporaries, we were distracted by the absolute freedom, I’m sure I was subconsciously inspired by the aesthetic of the location and the importance placed on creativity, fl are and independent thought. T e architecture, some of which was designed by William Lescaze, was just part of our everyday world, but in retrospect infl uenced my appreciation of commitment to design. A short period of a few years as an apprentice potter consolidated my awareness of shape, form and function.
In terms of the design and architecture industry, what do you consider the most radical era or pivotal moment? As somebody with no formal training but an instinctive awareness of how things work and are put together, I am both inspired and moved by the audacity of the ‘inside-out’ architecture of the Pompidou Centre. T e transformative nature of this building on architecture and how we perceive structure was a bold and giant leap by a very young and audacious team of visionaries.
Which radical thinkers have been inspirations to you in your career?
I have always been inspired by and grateful for conversations I’ve had with Mike Davies, of the Richard Rodgers partnership. I created a sculptural feature for the Millennium Dome in 1999 and worked closely with Mike and saw fi rst hand the process of design was as much about the philosophy of creating as that of engineering and aesthetic.
Who are the radical thinkers who inspire you now? (Not necessarily forever or for a lifetime – just now)
I have long been intrigued by the maverick and free-spirited art installations created for Burning Man which seems to be coming a benchmark for radical and individual creativity, unconstrained by any establishment or commercial imperative. Closer to home I’ve always been inspired by and jealous of the fl are found in the creations of T omas Heatherwick.
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