050 FX TALKS
RADICAL THINKING
Dedicated to creating spaces which fulfil potential, John Williams tells FX what inspires his work, from music’s indelible emotional message reflecting that of design to business leaders putting the planet first
John Williams Director, SpaceInvader
Can you pinpoint the thought, whether yours or someone else’s, that led you to a career in design?
I never thought about a career in design when I was at school. I actually think – both looking back and with relevance up to the current day – that design still remains quite underserved. Te curriculum addition of “Design & Technology” has moved things on to a degree, though the focus on product, graphics and computer-aided design doesn’t shine much light on spatial skills. For me, it was only when I was doing an Art Foundation course at Manchester University after A Levels that I really discovered design. I was trying my hand at a bit of everything and one of the tasks we were set was a project based on Vincent Van Gogh. It wasn’t really a thought therefore, but a moment – that was the first time I’d worked on that combination of art and space and I just knew. Te connection was instantaneous and total.
In terms of the design and architecture industry, what do you consider the most radical era or pivotal moment?
Te industrial revolution. Obviously, we’re now seeing its fossil fuel-burning legacy in terms of climate change, but it was a very positive leap forward in other ways too. So many large-scale buildings were built in such a short period of time to house the new machines of industry, for example, and what was truly radical about these wasn’t just their quality and solidity but their huge internal volumes and minimal visible structure. Such large internal spaces had previously only been the places of worship or
high culture and now they entered the everyday lives of ordinary people – a crossover that led to a major shift in perceptions and sensibilities. We often work on refurbishments of buildings from this era. Tey’re particularly relevant to contemporary usage precisely because of their character and proportions. We now understand the benefits of high ceilings and natural light much better and the way in which they contribute to people’s well-being when used in a different context. Tese buildings transform so well into workplaces, hospitality venues and domestic residences.
Which radical thinkers have been inspirations to you in your career?
Richard Rogers would be the first on the list. He came and gave a lecture when I was an undergraduate and just hearing him talk so openly about his practice’s work – with an insight here or a witticism there – made a huge impression. Here was an industry giant who was also a fantastic communicator and made the process seem so straightforward. Here was original thinking too, turning into real live projects with apparent ease.
Who are the radical thinkers who inspire you now?
I’m interested in people who bring insights from one area of life into another, so I’d say Ellen MacArthur – a sportswoman who brought what she learnt sailing round the world into the business world and has become a circular economy pioneer through the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
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