When it comes to building the future, no one is better at “shaping” than an architect. The magnificent buildings built by great names of the past will tell the story of their skills and vision of the architect. Great minds like Mario Keusch have made it possible to turn the knowledge into reality. During the last nine years of the professional career at AVA, Mario Keusch has emerged as one of the high-minded architects in our company. Today in #AVAtalks, we are going to dig deeper into the details of vision in architecture and the importance of vision with Mario Keusch. 

When did you become interested in architecture?

Mario Keusch: I got in touch with the building industry at an early age, since my father worked on tunnel projects. Visiting the building sites of my father started my interest in architecture and I decided quite early, with about six years, to go in this direction.

What does architecture mean to you?

MK: Architecture is a complex and versatile topic, the most obvious are the buildings we see around us, but this is just the surface of what architecture means to me. As is with our minds we see just a very little part of that thing, but there is much more under the surface. Many people think architecture is just about making buildings look nice and appealing, but it is also about the technologies that are used to create these buildings. It is also important to understand the needs of clients as well as to connect with the surrounding. I think I could talk about this for hours but this would go beyond the scope of the interview. 

Next year you will celebrate 10 years working with AVA. How has your vision of work changed over this time?

MK: As technology and our own lives change over the years, our work is evolving as well but our vision always stays the same, to create usable, tailor-made architecture that has a positive impact on the surrounding. The last 10 years were challenging, interesting and great to work with Andrea and the team. I really wouldn’t change that time for anything else-  it always stays exciting, we grow together like a working family and it’s nice to be part of that family.  

Are there some emerging trends in architecture that you would like to work on more deeply?

MK: Architecture and how we work changed a lot from the way it used to be. A long time ago, architects were responsible for the whole process of the planning, but as the topics, materials and laws got more complex, the role of the architect shifted over the years. More and more technologies are supposedly trying to make our work easier, but sometimes these tools are disturbing the creative progress and make things somehow more complicated. I think it’s important that real people are planning buildings for humans and that technology should be seen as a helping instrument that is just more noticeable when needed. Technology should never take over our role as architects, it should always stay an instrument to help create that vision made by the people. I am really curious how this will evolve over the next years!

What is your ultimate goal when it comes to your work? What do you want to be remembered for?

MK: I think it shouldn’t be about being famous or remembered. For me, it is more important that, on the one hand, the people who use the building or piece of architecture feel “at home” and that the usability is great for the specific task or group of people. On the other hand, for me personally it’s important that the vision we evolve with the client comes to reality as close as possible to what we had in mind. I think architects have to always consider what is the purpose of the building, who is going to use it and of course where this building is going to be i.e. how it relates to the specific site. Our goal should be to put the needs of the client into a practical and pleasant shape, so that the people can appreciate their own piece of architecture.