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Interview with A+ Design Group |
Home > Designer Interviews > A+ Design Group |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer A+ Design Group (ADG) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of A+ Design Group by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
ADG: I am a why person, I have always been drawn to understanding the process not just the result. This desire to live a purposeful life, has driven me to develop a real sense of curiosity. That curiosity leads to an opportunity to keep asking questions and to discover new things. A constant re-examination of what we do today, and whether it is still relevant for today. To live a fulfilling life, it is my belief that we must contribute to something greater than ourselves. What is it that we can contribute? what is it that the world needs That my skill can provide? Architecture is about being optimistic about the future. Architecture can influence space and the way people relate and interact with each other. It Is for that reason that I enjoyed the idea of design in architecture. In todays society social media and connectivity is going to be the issue that we need to contribute to as a society due to the increasing isolation and depression, that our generations now and tomorrow will be facing. We as designers have the responsibility to design a future that promotes social connectivity. If we do not know what the future will be then how can we predict it? Being a designer offers us an opportunity to answer this question. The best way to predict the future is to create it. It is for that reason of wanting to engineer a future of more socially connected world, that is the drive of why I became an artist and designer to create a future that where we can predict for tomorrow.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ADG: Founded in 2009, a+ design group’s vision is to develop projects that positively connect us with our surroundings and each other. When we approach design, we apply a huge amount of empathy into feeling spaces and thinking about the psychology of those spaces. We are constantly looking at how we can improve the world tomorrow and how we can create a better self. Our focus is a new design mode, it is not just about one person serving you it is about a collective of talented individuals. Who all share the same mindset in delivering thoughtful spaces. Our award-winning architectural practice specialises in the spaces in which we live. Multi-residential and 5-star hotel designs are tailored with light and fine lines. With innovative and collaborative thinking we endeavour to define new possibilities in architecture. As a firmly established practice, we have a record of delivering highly complex projects, all individualised to our client’s needs. Our approach is holistic from the site selection to the marketing; we develop a partnership mindset, helping to realise plans.
FS: What is "design" for you?
ADG: Architecture for me is a way of discovering the world. In my Journey, it is important to reflect on every decision I have made. The concept behind a+ design group is an a+ mindset, in raising awareness so people can become a better version of themselves from all walks of life. The mindset of a+, is constantly departing on uncharted territory constantly improving oneself, in hopes to broaden the horizon of the building above. I see design as an opportunity to develop projects that positively connect us with our surroundings and each other. How does empathy allow you to become a better architect? You must not look at empathy as something you have to do. You must look at empathy as part of your thinking ritual, the framework of who you are, and practice it across everything you do. In order to do it, you must learn the skill to empty your mind, and to practice the empathy of deeply understanding your clients’ needs, beyond the surface. Unless you can truly do this, you will not be able to look at the issues for what they are.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ADG: Architecture that governs the built environment has an important role to design spaces that enhance social connectivity. Today everything is engineered for absolute efficiency. Spaces are no longer designed for conversation a commonplace example; in a corridor where people are to uncomfortable to have a conversation will enter a lift, to then simply exit the building. As opposed to having spaces that connect with the outdoor, natural light and encourage people to change their state of mind. As designers I believe it is our responsibility in creating a more socially connected world, the built environment is the answer to allow people to be able to engage with each other. When we are allowed the opportunity to engage, we become less isolated and that is the fundamental first step towards a more mentally healthy society.
FS: How do you work with companies?
ADG: Originally, a+ design group was named architects and partners, because our ethos is to partner with our clients. Our approach is still the same; we invest our resources alongside the client and by aligning our interests, our objective becomes one. Collaboration for us, is about questioning the intent that clients do not explain to you. It is about truly understanding our clients’ needs and their challenges, and their own customers’ needs. Then we will embark on the journey, by asking our clients: how do we create this project to be a steppingstone for your organisation to achieve its vision and allow you to become a better version of yourself. We have a proven ability to build lasting business relationships and authentic mutual respect.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ADG: Approaching every project with a compassionate lens ensures each development portrays the perfect, desired presence. A hands on, collaborative design process on a day-to-day basis allows the journey from concept through to execution of each project to be as seamless as possible
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ADG: The wisdom for a young designer is whenever we are designing something whether it is a building or an object, that as designers to keep in mind that those items are a place reference for someone to hold their emotion to it. I often tell the story of people from 9/11 who have been traumatized from that experience. When resharing their experience people recount three main things. Firstly) the narrative which is of terrorists attacking America secondly) then the emotion, I was terrified because I am not sure if my parents are safe, if America is safe, or the world. Thirdly) place – I was at work or I was at home. This highlights how important physical space is as a place of reference to hold our emotions. So, the wisdom is understanding the responsibility as an architect or designer that you are not just designing objects, but you are designing objects that serve a purpose. It is beyond the brief pragmatic functional brief you have been given. You are trying to understand what is it that you are designing what is the emotion in that space, the narrative and emotion that you are trying to create that forms those magic moments. Another piece of advice I would like to impart would be to not assume that you are not always right. Accept that each of us are all born differently. My journey as a designer from when I was single, then when I had a girlfriend, to the point of when I got married it changed my life completely. Then it really was not until I had kids, three children in fact that I start to understand young family struggles, did I gain a greater perspective, my paradigm shifted. What I thought was right given that frame of mind, as a young designer, was only one paradigm and design is like crafting stone into a diamond. The diamond has so many different facets and when you look at it from every single facet, each of them are right. Each facet represents a different point of view, for something to be beautiful it needs an acceptance of different perspectives. Internally when you accept all the different paradigms of thinking what is what makes a real diamond. The imperfections within it. That as a metaphor is incredibly powerful as nobody is truly right, everything is taken in the context of balance but it is that equilibrium of balance that nothing is perfect that makes something beautiful and that would be what I would recommend for young and upcoming designers.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
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