Complimentary copy of ASSA Abloy’s ‘NEW HIGH’, a project profile of IGI Terminal 3, N. Delhi with January ‘11 IA&B issue
Focus
BIG: The Architecture of Scale
VOL 24 (5)
JAN 2011
18 IA&B - JAN 2011
Envisioning Emblems In conversation with Sarita Vijayan, Editor & Brand Director, IA&B, Bob Van Bebber, Director, Boogertman + Partners elaborates on his ideas and designs as he talks about the concept of scale and visual impact in his architectural endeavours. Photograph: courtesy Bob Van Bebber
let’s partner SV. Your firm, Boogertman + Partners has been rated the top architectural practice in South Africa. As a multinational firm doing large scale projects, what would you term your primary design policy? BVB. We do not have specific or primary design philosophy, but would rather highlight elements that critically inform our design and decision making processes. These are: regionalism with a focus on climate and available materials and skills, the sustainability of the project including the legacy that it leaves for the local community, financial viability and sustainability. We steer away from mere from-making but recognise the marketability of such opportunities, all the above in the context of human comfort and functionality. SV. Your firm conceived and executed the Soccer City which became an overnight icon world over. How do you associate to the project’s significance? BVB. The projects’ significance is something that it has gained over time and certainly during the World Cup. It is as such put in a position to win major awards particularly the World Architecture festival sports category and the LEAF awards – best public building overall winner. When we started, we understood that it would be on the world stage but at no point did we anticipate that it would be recognised as a major work. SV. What do you seek inspiration from? Were you inspired by someone / someone’s work over the years? Did you have a mentor? BVB. I get inspiration from the site and the end users’ social heritage. I am not specifically influenced by anyone’s work but have always been an admirer of the work of Renzo Piano in terms of process and the work of some significant Dutch Architects. Also in my formative years, I had Pancho Guedes as a teacher who certainly instilled in me the idea of architecture as art. SV. Is there a schism between form and function in architecture today? If yes then how can it be overcome? BVB. There is definitely a schism between form and function where many buildings, particularly those in the glossy architectural publications are showing what I call ‘Shapitecture’, where there is only form just because it is possible. We do recognise that form helps ‘sell’ the building but it should be seen in the light of flexibility and sustainability. SV. Every architect has his own version of today’s ‘ism’. What according to you is the ‘ism’ for the architecture of the present? BVB. For us in South Africa, it is ‘Contextualism’. SV. Any creative expression is always open for criticism. How do you handle negative criticism? BVB. I think criticism is good but should promote discussion and should always be done with the full understanding of the constraints within which buildings are conceived and built. Bob van Bebber is a Director at Boogertman + Partners, a multinational architectural design firm. Bob has been actively involved in multiple and diverse projects across the world ranging from corporate parks, sports facilities, hotels, industrial zones, airports and other multi-facility buildings. He has led a team of designers on Soccer City for the 2010 World Cup. Bob was a keynote speaker at the Green Building Conference 2010 in Mauritius.
SV. What would be your advice to the new generation of architects? BVB. Read and draw by hand as much as possible. Visit as many works of architecture as possible, but look for the little gems in your local community. SV. India and South Africa have connected histories. What would be your primary confederations while designing in India? BVB. That they would be contextual and socially responsive. To read more about The Soccer City, refer to the article titled ‘Mega Manifestation’ on page 96.