"10 Questions to..." is a series of short interviews with architects and female architects, to whom we address the same pool of questions. In today's installment of the mini-interview, Krzysztof Faber, founder of FAAR architekci studio, answers our questions.
Krzysztof Faber - founder and chief designer of FAAR architekci studio. He studied at the Faculty of Architecture at the Cracow University of Technology and at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design BIAD at Brimingham City University BCU in the UK. He gained professional experience in architectural offices in Krakow (MOFO architekci, KKM Kozień Architekci, B2 Studio) and in the UK (Associates Architects, Glenn Howells Architects), among others. Privately, Karol's dad, passionate about coffee, jazz music, David Bowie and sports: running and basketball.
1. architecture in three words...?
a. Man.
b. Innovation.
c. Context.
2: The three most important buildings for you are...?
a. Marika - Alderton house, Yirrkala, Australia, designed by Glenn Murcutt.
b. Rogers House, London, UK, proj.: Richard Rogers + Su Rogers.
c. Lego House, Billund, Denmark, proj.: Bjarke Ingels Group.
3 The most important book about architecture...?
With books about architecture, and books in general, it's like Woody Allen's "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts," so I will equally perversely answer yes:
a. "Atlas of Novel Tectonics", Reiser+Umemoto.
b. "Image of the City," Kevin Lynch.
c. "Cities for the People," Jan Gehl.
...
4. most inspiring city and why...?
I was born and raised in Wadowice. This small town is very close to me and there is still a lot to do here. Here from my studio I look at the world, act and travel ...
Since childhood I have been fascinated by: Great Britain and the United States. Architecturally and culturally. Studying in the UK, practicing in studios there and living there, I "quenched" my appetite in a way. However, I think London is the kind of city I will always miss... There is also Cracow, Berlin and Czech Prague, and they have shaped me equally, so I return to them often. The list is, of course, long, because each new city has a mystery that is discovered in its own individual way. I rest best right there, between the buildings, "inhaling" the urban stories of each street and observing the people and their daily life. Literally and architecturally, New York City regularly "explodes" in my mind. I think this will be another trip. It will probably never end....
5. architect with whom you would like to design something and why...?
Glenn Murcutt. His buildings grow beautifully into the Australian landscape, in spite of the steel, sheet glass and break away from the ground... A master!
Richard Rogers. "Form follows profit is the aesthetic principle of our times"; "My passion and great enjoyment for architecture, and the reason the older I get the more I enjoy it, is because I believe we - architects - can effect the quality of life of the people."
Master!
6. hand-drawing or computer drawing?
I have never been outstanding at drawing. I am impressed by the English school of drawing, which I study all the time. I love to sketch and this kind of writing is closest to me. Computer drawing verifies this preliminary record of ideas. As architects, we have our little deviations. Mine, is a black little sketchbook, which is with me everywhere.
7. mockup or 3D model?
A mock-up is almost a building. A 3D model is "magic." Both tools serve something, they are good.
8. modernism or postmodernism?
"In architecture there is no end - there is only constant change" Walter Gropius.
However, I try to forget about one and the other regularly. Here and now with respect for the environment.
9. working after hours or sports?
Sports and work after hours. Basketball and running.
10. architecture or business?
It's a perpetual experiment, combining the two fields. Louis Kahn said that "even a brick has aspirations to be something more," and I've turned that into "even money has aspirations to be something more." That's why every day I fight/we fight for something more.
Looking back at the people who inspire me, I guess it's worth believing that the merging of these two worlds can be completed successfully, but unfortunately it takes patience and perseverance, and maybe even naivety....
If you have suggestions for questions you'd like us to ask, or people of architects whose answers to these questions you'd like to know - let us know in the comments.
