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.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak and quarantine, most companies have had to adapt to the situation and transfer the company’s work force to remote work. Architecture agencies worldwide have successfully kept running projects from their home offices. However, implications of the crisis for the construction sector and architecture industry are still uncertain. In our new format #AVAtalks, we interviewed Andrea Vattovani about the coronavirus impact on the architecture industry.
How is the AVA responding to the coronavirus outbreak?
Andrea Vattovani: As the public health authorities in Austria advised to limit social contacts, we decided immediately to close our office in Graz and our team switched to remote work. In order to organize working from home, I called a meeting with the team and we efficiently planned our remote work. In some cases, we had to re-adjust the responsibilities and the assignments of projects due to the emergency situation.
Do you keep running projects in the current situation?
AV: Since we managed to organize our work at the beginning, I can proudly say that we have kept working normally. None of our projects are impacted by the current situation. Moreover, we even have signed two new contracts during this quarantine.
How do you think the coronavirus crisis will impact the architectural industry?
AV: I believe that the coronavirus crisis will positively affect the real estate market similar to the financial crisis of 2007/ 08. I think people will avoid keeping assets in the bank accounts even more. Most people remember the Cypriot financial crisis where the system had to confiscate savings from the Cypriot’s banks in order to save the island`s banking system. Therefore, I believe that investment will keep booming in projects and apartments. I also believe that during quarantine many people have already noticed the importance of the cozy and welcoming surroundings of their own homes. I think that this is a time where we rethink whether our environment is comfortable and functional to live in 24/7.
Do you have any predictions on how the clients’ needs will change after the crisis?
AV: I believe there will be again a shift of wealth which is going to affect the market in terms of real estate ownership and different rental demand balance. Moreover, I think that people will start to invest more at home also because for a while there will be less tourism.
What lessons can the architectural industry learn from the coronavirus crisis?
AV: I think that not only architectural companies but all kinds of businesses should learn to be ready and more flexible to emergency situations in terms of working space. We all can notice that companies which have always valued the possibility of remote work are ready to take advantage of this situation. This is simply because they were ready in advance. Another lesson we can learn is that we should be fast at what we do and do it well. This especially applies to decision making, quality of implementation and project investing. I believe that we will not forget this crisis so quickly. Nonetheless, there are always things to learn from difficult situations.
When it comes to design, these days sustainability is imperative. Eco friendly buildings, also known as sustainable architecture, aim to reduce the negative impact on our environment of the construction industry. However, there are a multitude of definitions and visions as to what sustainable architecture is. Andrea Vattovani, the founder of AVA, gives his perspective on the topic of sustainable design and architecture in our new format of interviews #AVAtalks.
How do you feel about sustainability in design and architecture?
Andrea Vattovani: This is a subject that has recently become very common. I believe that in architecture as well as in every field of our life it has become extremely important to become sustainable. We consciously avoid the use of materials that are not consistent with our vision, whilst also pushing to build more greenly with our clients. Many of whom have independently begun to understand the scale of the issue.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of sustainable architecture?
AV: Well, the benefits are not always something you can appreciate straight away. It is more part of a philosophy that we must start to adopt. Considering the situation nowadays, especially global warming for example, which has never been as bad as this year, I think that we need to reconsider how we build.
Do you think that development of sustainability nowadays influences the creative part of designing the projects?
AV: Of course it affects it, especially as far as budget goes. Many times especially in smaller cities you cannot afford to build sustainably and also manage to have a certain freedom in materials and aesthetics. I think we need to improve the general quality of architecture anyway. Lately there have been a lot of constructions that are very depressing, basically big boxes. I believe it will have an influence on the psyche of people.
Which of your projects do you consider exemplify sustainable design?
AV: Well, one very simple example is the project we are working on in Beirut. Sustainability doesn’t always mean choosing intricate solutions. We created a design that relates to the architecture before the civil war as we saw how the older architecture in Beirut worked with the climate. So we decided to do a design that always creates shadows and never catches the sun, implementing the use of something very simple: curtains.
What in your opinion, does the future of sustainability in design and architecture look like?
AV: I think that the future will surprise us much more than we think. Right now, considering the current situation, we should maybe also focus on temporary catastrophe resistant constructions that are fast and efficient. I mean this generally, not only with architecture. We need to change a lot of habits on this planet and become more sustainable in all that we do.
Dear partners and clients, based on the advice of public health authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are temporarily closing our office in Graz.
We know it might create challenges for all us, but we are determined to do everything we can to keep supporting your needs. Our team will keep working on the projects remotely.
We keep monitoring the situation and we will provide regular updates on our website.
Meanwhile, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, we are still available via email: office@andreavattovani.com .
Thank you for understanding!
Sehr geehrte Partner und Kunden, auf Empfehlung der Gesundheitsbehörden, um die Verbreitung von COVID-19 zu verhindern, schließen wir vorübergehend unser Büro in Graz.
Wir wissen, dass dies für uns alle neue Herausforderungen bedeuten wird, aber wir sind entschlossen, alles zu tun, um Ihre Bedürfnisse weiterhin zu unterstützen. Unser Team wird weiterhin mittels home office an den Projekten arbeiten.
Wir überwachen die Situation ständig und werden regelmäßig Updates auf unserer Website bereitstellen. In der Zwischenzeit zögern Sie bitte nicht uns bei Fragen zu kontaktieren. Wir sind weiterhin per E-Mail unter office@andreavattovani.com für Sie erreichbar.
Danke für Ihr Verständnis!
Architecture Podium has announced the Results for International Architecture Awards 2018 and we are pleased that our project Retro67 that we developed for Masharii has received the First Award in International Architecture Awards fo the Mixed Use category. Our project is one of the First Award from 586 Registrations received this year, which is truly commendable.
Andrea Vattovani Architecture has been Awarded the prestigious Architecture Build Architecture Awards 2018 to recognize and acknowledge the outstanding works conducted by imaginative designers, engineers and visionaries, whose inspiring and memorable designs and structures enhance our horizons. The Awarded Categories have been Best Urbanism and Design Studio 2018 and for the Project Retro67 as Best Contemporary Residential and Commercial Design Project.
AVA is finalist with two projects in two different categories in the renowned Plan Award in his 2018 edition. Retro67 in the mixed-use category and Earth for the housing category. More info here.
We won the competition for one of the outdoor furniture installations for the Designmonat in Graz. The Project Smart Urban Relaxing will show 5 different projects in the city center. Our concept “Layers of Tribute” wants to celebrate two of our most beloved pieces of lounge/chair design – the Panton Chair and the Chaise Lounge by LeCorbusier. The two melt into one new object which explores the relationship between sitting and laying down. You can find it in Hofgasse, Graz from the 4th of May! So make sure to take a sit, lay down and try it out!
We are really proud to announce we have been short-listed in three different categories with three different projects for “The Plan Award 2018” by the renowned “THE PLAN” magazine. Congratulations to all the nominees, we can’t wait to see the outcome!
