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Interview with David Nikuradze |
Home > Designer Interviews > David Nikuradze |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer David Nikuradze (DN) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of David Nikuradze 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?
DN: Spectrum is a team of talented designers, architects, builders and analysts with global experience and educational background from the best international and local universities.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DN: Founded in 2014, Spectrum represents fully integrated design build firm based in Tbilisi Georgia, operating in fields of Architecture, Interiors, Master planning that design and builds unique and bespoke projects. The company specializes in providing services in commercial and residential sectors. We aim to create long-lasting values that embrace environmental impact, social and economical platforms with global reach and local context. We relish the challenges inherent across a wide range of work, engaging our expertise and agility to deliver lasting, meaningful design that brings value and contributes towards healthier planet. Our design philosophy is based on deep respect and consideration for our planet's well-being and resources. We pride ourselves on delivering sustainable, stimulating environments to push brief boundaries with bold, bespoke design solutions that rejuvenates the society.
FS: What is "design" for you?
DN: The design is the perception of mixing the multiple factors such: function, geometry, content, habitants, context not as independent isolated factors, but simultaneously, as a whole. Furthermore, the design needs to be realistic, buildable within the constraints of budget and time.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DN: As an architectural firm our passion is to design a sustainable architecture with a clear aim to minimize the negative environmental impact of the buildings by efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space and the ecosystem at large. We strive to meet the needs and conditions of modern life while not compromising the needs and resources of our planet.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DN: Ecological architecture enriched with local context harmoniously blended with the existing habitat, yet having a unique individual character.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
DN: In the early years, our company began with designing residential environments, which gave us a good understanding of the individual’s needs, which later lead to an understanding of the needs of society as a whole once we have moved towards more public projects.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
DN: There are no boundaries in material palette used in our projects, but mostly we prefer using natural materials where applicable. We very much carry our volumetric building model at all stages of our design process.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
DN: When we are most influenced by certain aspects of the project, whether it will be the historical facts, urban context or specific brief and energy saving strategies.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DN: Each aspect of the design process is equally important from initial functional diagram to the smallest detail. All our projects are characterized by strong conceptual legibility, innovation and a rigorous approach to detailing, which is easily noticeable.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
DN: We try to visualize certain emotional feels and moods of the project and look within the space to better understand the texture and energy of the specific element of the project.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DN: It’s a feeling of both excitement and accomplishment, especially when the result is within the reach of the initial concept.
FS: What makes a design successful?
DN: An individual approach for each element of the project is a crucial element of successful design. Successful project must equally comply to all project challenges and overcome the time and trends of design.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
DN: Imagination, innovation and environmental impact are the main criteria while judging the project. We believe that good architecture should not only be aesthetically pleasant, but it should improve existing practices and context. Good design pushes the boundaries or perceptions in the field, brings value and contributes towards a healthier planet. While judging a design we consider how the project manifests intent through its materiality, shape, detailing, reports, etc.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DN: Our design philosophy is based on deep respect and consideration for our planet's well-being and resources. Spectrum is proud to create and advance sustainable, ecologically responsible environments and enrich our projects with the latest technological solutions that ensures sustainability and growth.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
DN: The design field is evolving very fast in the last few decades due to technological and informational boom. The improvements in technology are allowing architects to work more efficiently. A reduced need for 'technical' support means that architects are back in control of the design process to the benefit of architecture. The future of design lies in how much architecture will impact the nature, the trend of environmental protection covers all fields of design and especially architecture.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DN: For each project we look for inspiration in different spheres. We seek our inspiration in the fields of history, culture, traditions and overall individual context, whether by natural conditions or individual character.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
DN: Our work is characterized by strong conceptual legibility, innovation and a rigorous approach to detailing, all underpinned by the principles of humanity, enduring and sustainable design and never-ending innovation. We pride ourselves on delivering sustainable, stimulating environments to push brief boundaries with bold, bespoke design solutions that rejuvenate the society.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
DN: Our company operates in Tbilisi, Georgia. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Tbilisi’s architecture is an authentic combination of these cultures. The Soviet past has also affected the city and added even more diversity to the country’s distinctive architectural character.
FS: How do you work with companies?
DN: Our firm has partners around the world. Our partners give us support in the field of construction technology and execution, material and furniture production, etc. We seek our partnership with companies having similar values as us, looking at the future and push the boundaries any time we are having the opportunity.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
DN: Our approach of working with designers of our team is based on appreciation and motivation. Every architect of our team has an opportunity to express their ideas freely, to work on themselves and participate in all stages of project development - from concept stage to the smallest details. We are lucky to have an incredibly talented team of professionals who are eager to develop their skills and create unique and innovative solutions.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
DN: Our design process is characterized with we don’t start drawing or even generating ideas right away, the first thing we do - we research and analyze the data. We carefully listen to our clients need and try to understand their expectations. The next stage is learning about the market. We consider all the factors affecting our project, we go through the references and look very deep researching the aspects of a successful project for each function. Further to research stage, we concentrate to the concept of the project - our work is characterized by strong conceptual legibility. We often create a design brief full of notes, writings and cultural and historical references to foresee the design direction and visualize the content and mood of the project. Our design process very much involves every member of the project team from the client and marketing team down to trade workers and public figures each contributing to an overall goal.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DN: Our suggestion for young and coming designers would be taking risks, trying new approaches or methods - these are the virtues that separate the very best design from the quickly forgotten ones. With every brief comes the opportunity for expression and for being unique - for trying something you’ve never tried before. As an architect, it’s inherently important to approach each challenge and each project with an open mind. Research and analyze the data carefully prior to more into the design process and understand the task in hand in great detail.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
DN: Being an architect is challenging – it gives a lot of excitement, but at the same time it requires a lot of time, energy and dedication. The positive side is that you are making the difference as an architect, what really matters - creating safe, healthy environments for people to live in, it is about contributing work that will live on long after. Being an architect comes with a great responsibility to future generations and our planet.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DN: Our golden rule in design is to create sustainable architecture and preserve nature as much as possible. The first thing we consider while dealing with new projects is the natural context and the habitat of the building.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
DN: Vision of unknown when one foresees the future with design and understands the impact on the surroundings.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DN: Multiple software platforms varying from : REVIT, cinema, photoshop, Lumion, Xls…
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DN: Designing the building, or an interior can be really time consuming, but with the right team and right management it can scale down to allocate time. Foreseeing the vision and agree with the basic principles of design direction also is on of the methods.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DN: It always depends on project features, there are some projects we deal with in a few months, but some of them take much longer. We have ongoing projects which will take years to complete, but will create a new landmark for the city.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
DN: The final cost of the build project.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
DN: Create a unique concept and have an entire team contributing towards the design intent.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
DN: Our client portfolio is quite is quite diverse - we have international brand hotels like Hyatt, we work on large mixed use developments, restaurants, local hotel brands, showrooms, residential buildings etc.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
DN: No preference each and every project present the opportunity and challenges what is equally interesting to us.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DN: We have lots of upcoming projects we are challenged with. Our future plans include looking after this project’s execution very carefully, that the resulting building will meet our and client’s expectations. We are a very fast growing team and plan to expand even more, have new opportunities and work on international projects even more.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DN: Spectrum represents the group of talented professionals, which strive to push the boundaries and create innovative and healthy solutions. At every stage of project execution, we work as a team, cause that always leads to better results.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
DN: We specifically would like to highlight a new project we are currently designing a very unique and authentic Georgian restaurant what will also have a dual function as a cultural and heritage space where visitors acknowledge the rich and diverse Georgian culture and history.
FS: How can people contact you?
DN: spectrum.ge is our website, where people can browse our completed and ongoing projects and learn more about us. Website also provides contact details.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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