Ryan Hood

Director at HBK Architect

What is your favourite building?

I was lucky to visit Säynätsalo Town Hall by Alvar Aalto during my 5th year study trip. I always felt that the building was wonderfully site specific.

The strengths of the building lie in its humane scale, subtle spatial design, minimal material palette, and the way the building lets nature and light in.

Aalto’s hand can be seen throughout many elements of the building including furniture, light fittings, door handles and staircase handrails.

What is your least favourite building?

Marlborough House, Craigavon. The strengths highlighted in Aalto’s Säynätsalo Town Hall are sadly lacking from this local government building.

Which city stands out as a model of good design?

This is a difficult one to answer without spending a long period of time there, but Amsterdam has a lot of attractive qualities. Pedestrianised walkways, street canals and an abundance of green spaces point towards a very eco-friendly city.

What made you choose your chosen career path?

I was always drawn towards the creative subjects at school. Art & Design and Technical Drawing were my two favourite subjects. I also enjoyed Geography and learning about the natural and built environment.

When it came to deciding on a university course, I expressed an interest in Architecture, but my careers teacher incorrectly told me that A-Level Mathematics & Physics were essential for entry. This led me to applying for Environmental Planning at Queen’s University Belfast.

Luckily for me the Environmental Planning course was integrated with the Architecture course. By Christmas of 1995 I had agreed with the late David Evans that I could change courses and remain in 15 Chlorine Gardens with my Francis Ching ‘Form, Space & Order’ book and my cherished box of Rotring drafting pens.

If you could change one thing about Belfast from a design point of view, what would it be?

I am old enough to remember the days of waiting in a queue with my parents to get through the security barrier at the entrance to Royal Avenue. In my student days, after 6pm, Belfast City Centre was the perfect example of The Specials classic hit ‘Ghost Town’. It is worth acknowledging that things have improved dramatically over the last 30-40 years.

I have always felt the road system around the City Hall is like a moat, filled with angry cars and noisy buses, disconnecting the public green space of City Hall from the rest of the City Centre.

What does good design mean to you?

I truly believe as individuals or as a society we are heavily influenced by our environment. With good design we have an opportunity to shape that environment and foster a positive influence on those within it.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

In my career I have worked with a wide variety of client bodies. Projects relating to education, healthcare, tourism, community, religion, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, housing, sports & recreation. Every new project is an opportunity to learn about the people, places, and workings within each one of those groups.

Favourite – movie, band, art piece?

MOVIE

I grew up with the early Stephen Spielberg classics and the accompanying musical scores by John Williams. Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and ET : The Extra-Terrestrial.

BAND

I am an Architect because my dream of drumming in a rock band all around the world didn’t work out. I love watching and playing live music and have been lucky to share the stage with some fantastic musicians. My favourite bands would include Metallica, Pearl Jam, Iron Maiden & Foo Fighters.

BOOK

Animal Farm by George Orwell.

ART PIECE