046 RADICAL THINKING
Right Lady Gaga isn’t just an icon of the music industry; her creativity percolates into other fields in design
my perception of my career. I wanted to show him how important it is to follow your passion. It was also a trigger in making me much more aware of how influential design is in contributing to a better future for the next generation, especially in terms of the impact on the environment.
Not necessarily forever or for a lifetime, but who are the radical thinkers who inspire you now?
Tis one might be a bit different, but I would say Lady Gaga. Although known mainly for her music, she is an incredible creative talent and her ability to grab attention when it comes to redefining fashion and setting new trends for society has captivated me over the past years. Lady Gaga is an inspiration, for her music, for design and for embracing her identity. I think everyone can be inspired by her achievements and artistic flare.
Who outside the industry can architects and designers learn from?
I would have to say in my career to date I have learned the most from and will continue to learn from the people I am designing for. To give an example, having completed schemes for dementia care patients, designing from a different perspective and engaging with the end user of a project to fully understand their needs makes for better design. If a space looks beautiful, but is torturous for those using it, we haven’t done our job. Aligned to this, we need to continue to work alongside researchers in the prospective field whether its neuroscience, inclusivity, climate change, etcetera, to inform our work and keep us up to date with modern thought approaches specific to the project we are working on.
What will lead the way for more radical thinking in your field?
Technology has changed nearly everything about the way that people in society exist and function. As technology advances, so will design. Technology is constantly improving day-to-day life, solving problems such as ‘How can we work more efficiently?’ ‘How can we improve communication of designs?’ ‘How can we be more comfortable?’ Tis is where virtual reality, digital design resources and the creation of smart home and workplaces are a real benefit to the future of design. Furthermore, technology will play a crucial role in how our industry addresses sustainability and the creation of healthier spaces.
Could you recommend a book, article or blog that inspired your thinking? Discovered on my reading list at university, Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language is probably the most notable book that I feel has inspired my thinking.
Could you name two buildings or pieces of furniture that you consider radical designs of their time, or perhaps still to this day? Te first would be the Up5_6 chair and ottoman by Gaetano Pesce, which is an iconic piece of furniture inspired by the female form. It’s a stunning piece, but what is more compelling is Pesce’s explanation of the design based on the image of a woman as an unwilling prisoner of themselves and depicting the ottoman as a ball and chain. My second choice is more modern and a building – Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim
Museum in Bilbao, simply because it’s bold and innovative.
Complete this sentence: I think best with…
Definitely with a computer. Te ability it gives me to review and edit allows me to process my thinking and be more efficient. It also allows me to work up designs quickly in 3D, benefitting the design process, whether that’s my own thoughts or in the communication of the design to others.
I think best…
First thing in the morning (although to some people this would be considered late at night). If I need to get my head into something, I make sure I go to bed early and wake up around 3am to 4am. I think best in my own space, when the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141
