July 2010 Lets Partner

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VOL 23 (11)

JUL 2010

Rs. 150

18 IA&B - JUL 2010

Unconventional Trends

Michel Rojkind, founder of Mexican Architectural Firm Rojkind Arquitectos recognised as ‘one of the best ten Design Vanguard Firms’ by Architectural Record in 2005, merges different perspectives of music and architecture to render an ethereal quality to his designs. In an exclusive conversation with Sarita Vijayan, Editor & Brand Director, Indian Architect & Builder Magazine, he sheds light on the aspects that define his architectural identity.

Photograph: courtesy the architect

SV. An unconventional transition from a musician to an architect, how would you describe the process?

MR. I was doing both things at the same time, touring and designing, and it was great because it gave different perspectives on both the creative fields.

I remember several times working on a specific project and then having to leave it to go on tour, suddenly between songs in a concert I would have the idea clearer in my head and would start sketching on a piece of paper quickly before the next song would start in order to come back the next day and finish the design.

After having cut 4 albums with virgin records and played for 10 years professionally, my architectural career was picking up, and a client had approached me to design his house. That’s when I knew that I had to shift completely towards architecture.

SV. Has your expertise as a musician helped you in any way with your architectural work?

MR. Yes. When I was doing both music and architecture, I realised the importance of being opened to learn from other places, other people, other things...life in general. The most important aspect that reflects in the architecture is about seeing things differently, from another perspective. It is not a direct interpretation of rhythm and cadence, or a direct sequence, etc. It is about being aware of things, in one case about music and now about space.

SV. ‘Exploratory’ or ‘Analytical’, which of these encompasses your design language and why?

MR. I would say ’Exploratory‘. The design result in any of our projects is the result of enough research to help us understand what the important ingredients are. We always say in a playful manner that our office is the SCI Mexico City of Architecture. But it is the only way to have an intelligent result that grew from its needs (not only programmatic and regulatory, but

also economical, social, its relation to surroundings, infrastructures, clients’ needs, what the project can give back, etc.).

SV. The designing arena is evolving continuously with new age technological support. Being a tech savvy designing person where do you see the design trend of the future heading?

MR. I believe today that design has to give something back in order to exist; if it is simply about the beauty it will not be built. When I say that a building has to give back I mean not only by being sustainable, but by doing something for its community. It is not only about the client anymore, it is how to bring all of the important players together, public and private investment, politicians, communities, etc., to be able to do projects that gives more in return.

SV. What are the attributes that differentiate a mediocre and a sensational design?

MR. The collaboration of different experts in the design process. In our office, which is always engaged in collaborations, we benefit from incredible talents of sociologists, landscape designers, urbanists, graphic designers, etc., with only one thing in mind, ‘TO MAKE THE BEST PROJECT POSSIBLE.’ We are always on the look out for new materials, new technology, but are not limited to the architectural world. It is our responsibility as explorers of this beautiful world to see how everything is changing (for good or bad), and the more aware we are of our surroundings, the better we will perform in our work.

SV. You are designing in India, as well. How do you perceive the Indian architectural scene?

MR.We haven´t built anything there yet, but there´s an incredible resemblance between Mexico and India; a sort of chaotic and an incredible vibrant essence, with a lot of different flavours for creativity to flourish in magnificient ways.

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