"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, Mateusz Mastalski of Henning Larsen Architects answered our ten questions.
MateuszMastalski - architect and urban planner, graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the Silesian University of Technology. He gained professional experience in the offices of medusa group, KWK Promes, MVRDV and COBE. Since 2008, he has lived and worked in Copenhagen, where he has been a member of the Henning Larsen design team since 2014. Among other projects, he led the development of the Imperial Shipyard in Gdansk, a concert hall in Ostrava or the Vejlands Kvarter social district in Copenhagen. Multiple tutor at InDeSem, CanActions or OSSA workshops. Masterclass presenter at École Nationale Supérieure d'architecture in Marseille.
1. architecture in three words...?
a. Nature.
b. People.
c. Context.
2. the three most important buildings for you...?
a. The Weichmann Textile House in Gliwice designed by Erich Mendelsohn - my first real architectural experience, I passed it almost every day on my way to high school.
b. Shima Kitchen in Teshima designed by Ryo Abe, I love this building for its authenticity, modesty and synergy with the local community.
c. The water tower in Svaneke, Bornholm, designed by Jørn Utzon - it is always possible, even from the seemingly most trivial design task, to make a piece of good architecture, whose image eventually lands on a Danish coin.
3. the most important book on architecture...?
The list is long and I can't choose the one, but lately I can't part with "Textbook" by Kees Christiaanse.
4. most inspiring city and why...?
From my perspective, it would be easiest to say Copenhagen, for respecting human beings, their scale, and a certain predictability and tranquility, but I am equally fascinated by Istanbul for being the total opposite. I also have great affection for Tokyo.
5. architect with whom you would like to design something and why...?
My current fascination is Boonserm Premthada. An architect who designs with small communities, his designs are based on traditional building techniques and local craftsmanship. What impresses me is the authenticity and freshness that his designs display. Not everything has to be novel, innovative and hedonistic.
6. hand-drawing or computer drawing?
Hand-drawing for storytelling is a great tool, and nowadays, using tablets, it is super easy to transfer to the digital world.
7. mockup or 3D model?
At the beginning of the process definitely a mock-up, later when discussing the project from a human perspective, a good 3D model combined with VR is very helpful.
8. modernism or postmodernism?
Liquid modernity.
9. after-hours work or sports?
Our profession is very often our passion and lifestyle, especially if we want to do it at the highest level, sometimes it also requires many sacrifices. Even more so, I believe that for balancing, time with family is the best. And for resetting, a hundred-mile bike ride through muddy forests.
10 - Architecture or business?
Urban planning!
Matthew Mastalski was the guest of our September online meeting in the series "Architects for the 21st Century. Architecture of Tomorrow" devoted to architectural competitions and urban design, among other topics, and he will soon give us a tour of the Henning Larsen studio as part of the FOPA festival on November 20. You are welcome!
