future systems. interview with amanda levete

future systems. interview with amanda levete ...................................................................................................................................................................

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amanda levete / future systems

principals jan kaplicky (65) and amanda levete (47) head up
future systems and work from offices in central london.
future systems is recognised worldwide for consistently
challenging traditional pre-conceptions of space and demonstrating
environmental concern and efficiency, without the need to
compromise on contemporary form.
research is a vital ingredient for the practice and a balance
between experimental and real projects is kept in order to
remain at the cutting-edge of the field.
jan kaplicky fled his native prague for london in september 1968,
he slowly established himself as a visionary but somewhat
difficult architect, working with ernesto rogers and sir norman foster,
and setting up future systems with david nixon in 1979.
amanda levete joined future systems in 1987,
after which thepractice began to receive attention for a
number of startling, speculative projects and competition entries.
future systems’ work today is grounded in sound commercial
principles, enabling clients to achieve a variety of business
objectives such as raising their profile, enhancing their brand
positioning and attracting sponsorship.
future systems have been quoted as ‘laying down the agenda
for architecture in the 21st century’.
in projects as diverse as a new department store of selfridges
in birmingham, a media centre at lord’s cricket ground,
a bridge linking west india quay and canary wharf,
to cutting edge designs for comme des garçons and marni in
new york, tokyo and paris; future systems has the capability
and flexibility to handle large and geographically dispersed
projects.

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http://www.future-systems.com
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we met amanda levete in london on september 26, 2003.
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what is the best moment of the day?
for me, early morning, when you wake up
and the sun's out and your ideas are fresh.

what kind of music do you listen to at the moment?
mostly classical, I love händel and mozart.
jazz too.

do you listen to the radio?
not as much as I used to, since I had my child.

what books do you have on your bedside table?
I've got about 30, all different.
political biographies, architecture,
recipe books, magazines...

do you read design magazines?
yes I do, but I look at the pictures
more than read them.

where do you get news from? newspapers?
newspapers, yes.
I read a lot of newspapers.

do you notice how women are dressing?
do you have any preferences?
I dress like I want to dress,
I like a little bit scruffy...
even when I try to dress smart, it's always a bit scruffy.
but I like very 'good' cloth too.

what kind of clothes do you avoid wearing?
'über' fashionable clothes.

do you have any pets?
no, no pets.

when you were a child, what did you want to be?
I wanted to be a doctor, a scientist,
I wanted to have a sweet shop...
when I grew up, yes, an architect.

where do you work on your designs and projects?
I work in our office!
it's a fantastic space on the top floor of a warehouse.

who would you like to design something for?
difficult question, ... I would like to design my own house,
which I haven't done yet.

do you discuss your work with architects and designers?
all the time, but only with a select few besides my colleagues.
there is not as much cultural exchange in london
as there is in other european cities.

quicktime clip
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describe your style, like a good friend of yours would describe it.
instinctive, forthright, creative, occasionally difficult,
but great sense of humor.
I like it when people walk past or enter one of our buildings,
it has to do with making people feel good.
delivering design excellence, whatever the budget...

can you describe an evolution in your work from your first projects
to the present day?
I think we are becoming more confident
and our work is more organic and less technical,
although it is backed up by a high degree
of technical fluency. although its highly functional,
its lesss rational in its genesis. its more free.

quicktime clip
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what project has given you the most satisfaction?
we've just finished it,
the department store for selfriges in birmingham.
what an amazing journey!

quicktime clip
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is there any designer and/or architect from the past ,
you appreciate a lot?
frank lloyd wright.

and those still active, are there any particular ones?
I think zaha hadid is a brilliant architect.

any advice for the young ?
only be an architect if you have a real passion for it.

on the news they said that italians are afraid of unemployment,
criminality and pollution. what are you afraid of regarding
the future?
that's a big one. I fear for world stability and for world peace.