Page 5 - AIT0622_Heatherwick

SERIEN LEHRJAHRE BEI ... • WORKING AT ...
Visualisierung: IM Motors
Studie Elektroauto Airo (2020) im Auftrag von IM Motors • Study electric car Airo on behalf of IM Motors easily choose the one that is best suited. This can sometimes also be exhausting and
„Das Projekt-Spektrum bei Heatherwick
Studio finde ich in der Tat sehr spannend,
da man gezwungen ist, zwischen sehr
unterschiedlichen Maßstäben und
Detailgraden hin und her zu schalten.“
Fabian Nepomuk Hübner
Wettbewerb Hubei Office Tower, CN-Shenzhen (2019) • Competition Hubei office tower, CN-Shenzhen
Visualisierung: Devisual
042 • AIT 6.2022
r Heatherwick Studio is not an office engaged in “signature design”. Each project
is surprisingly new. Is that part of the fascination?
Yes, that is definitely correct. At the same time, it is very challenging to want to develop
something completely new for each project. Often, dozens of design ideas are run
through until one has found an exciting approach which is also able to meet the rest
of the requirements such as the building regulations and the request by the client re-
garding efficiency. What I particularly appreciate is the philosophy that good design
does not only consist of a beautiful, elegant form but also fulfils a more profound pur-
pose, solves problems and makes our environment more liveable. This has to be pre-
of the building site are analysed. Once one has established the goals of a project based
ceded by a phase of thorough research during which the potentials and the problems
on this, one is much better able to evaluate the various design options and to more
may require a lot of work but, in the end, the effort is always worthwhile and, in my
opinion, this is the basic essence of good architecture.
r The repeatedly awarded Maggie’s Centre in Leeds (AIT 11.2020) is a project which
shows the “social impact” of the architecture by the office particularly well …
Yes, Maggie’s Leeds has won numerous prizes and has drawn a lot of positive attention
in the media. It is a pilot project of innovative timber construction in Great Britain and
was realized on a very difficult piece of property. In my opinion, however, the most im-
portant success of the project is something else: The positive resonance from the
nurses, doctors and patients who are using it. In all this, one has to know that, even
more than in Germany, hospital architecture in Great Britain is characterized by grey,
efficiency-oriented building complexes in need of refurbishment which are more or
less functioning but exude sadness and hopelessness. For the Studio, is was important
to provide cancer patients and their families with a place of confidence, warmth and
hope in their so difficult fight against the disease.
r From your point of view, which are the effects Brexit has on site on the living-
and working situation of architects in particular and for people in general?
Where the projects are concerned, I do not believe that Brexit has such a strong impact
on our activities, also because many of our projects are located in countries outside
Europe anyway. One does, however, notice particularly in new employments that the
origins of the new colleagues are less diverse than it was the case prior to Brexit since
EU citizens now have to deal with getting work permits. The universities in London as
well, which represent a large pool for recruiting employees are now less diverse. I
think that the quality of British architecture is going to suffer in the long run due to
this. The future of the mutual recognition of “architects’ qualifications” between the
EU and Great Britain has been uncertain for a long time which has also caused a small
problem for me personally. In general, however, with a few exceptions the effects of
Brexit on everyday life in London and affected by the consequences of the pandemic
are not yet very much noticeable.
r And how did you experience the corona crisis, above all the lockdown? How has
the corona crisis changed your everyday routine in the city of nine million inhabi-
tants?
Of course, the lockdown meant a huge change in the way we work. Although I have
been surprised that efficient working has been possible at all in these circumstances,
it felt extremely good to return to the normal everyday work routine and to physically
meet the colleagues and be able to talk with them. The lockdown did, however, also
have a few interesting aspects. It made it, for instance, possible for me to take a bicycle
tour through the completely empty main shopping venue of Oxford Street, where nor-
mally one has to fight one’s way through a sea of people.
r London is a pulsating city. What do you love and appreciate most about this mul-
ticultural city and what would you rather cancel?
In London, one has the feeling of being in the hub of time. Above all in the fields of
culture, one has the opportunity of admiring performances and exhibitions by the most
by the Londoners vis-á-vis what is strange or extravagant. It is as if nobody has to pre-
popular artists. I also enjoy the internationality of London and the tolerant behaviour
tend, disguise or hide oneself here. What I could do without are the masses of people
in the city centre and the inflated prices of real estate.