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Interview with Corey Papadopoli |
Home > Designer Interviews > Corey Papadopoli |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Corey Papadopoli (CP) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Corey Papadopoli 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?
CP: I have wanted to be an architect since about 4th grade. I always knew I wanted to combine science and art in some way and that seemed like a good way to do it. Haven't looked back.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CP: We are an architectural firm in Blue Hill, Maine engaged in the design and renovation of residential and institutional buildings. Much of our work is on the Maine coast and islands, and it is this extraordinary environment – natural, cultural and architectural – that provides our starting point and inspiration. A common theme of work in progress at Elliott Architects is our search for an architecture that expresses something essential and authentic about its owner, place, and time.
FS: What is "design" for you?
CP: Problem-solving in a way that also provides delight.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CP: I like a challenge so anything that requires complex thinking to achieve what ultimately appears to be a simple solution.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CP: This project, the Old Yacht Club, is one of my favorites. It was challenging to achieve the clients' goals due to the regulatory and structural requirements. Also, renovating a historic structure requires careful thought and consideration as to how the old and new will interface.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CP: My first project was a new house in Massachusetts.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CP: It is hard to come up with just one material. I do like wood a lot as it is versatile, environmentally friendly, and exudes warmth.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
CP: Most of my creative thinking happens while I'm driving. It gives me time to run through solutions in my mind, test them, and think about the project before I ever put pen to trace.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CP: Defining the problem and then seeking a conceptual solution that binds all elements of the project together.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CP: Exhilaration when something just seems to click.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CP: There's always a sense of joy when a project is complete and the owners are thrilled with the result.
FS: What makes a design successful?
CP: When the problem is solved in a way that exceeds everyone's expectations.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CP: How did it solve the problem? Is the solution overpowering and noisy or is it quiet and subdued?
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CP: Climate change is an existential threat so designers have a responsibility to their clients and the planet to provide a sustainable solution to their problem.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CP: One of the big unknowns is the impact of AI. I think there can be positive aspects to this but also negative aspects if not used appropriately. We need to proceed cautiously.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
CP: 2010: 50 Years of Modern Maine Architecture in Portland, Maine.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CP: These vary quite a bit. Usually, I start with the site and the program and work to define the problem. From there the definition of the problem often leads toward different means of inspiration.
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?
CP: I am not sure I work stylistically. Ideally, style grows organically out of the design process itself. History is an inspiration, as is memory, but these should not be replicated. Modern interpretation of these things is what I seek.
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?
CP: Maine in the United States. Our country does have a (short) history of vernacular designs inspired by the climate and building materials available to the builders. There is a lot to be learned from these projects. But our built history does not have the breadth of say European or Asian architectural history.
FS: How do you work with companies?
CP: We prefer a team approach where everyone is engaged early on to help provide the best project solution possible.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
CP: I think there are two things to look at: are they a team player and what does their portfolio look like?
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CP: Usually, I think a lot about the problem, often while driving, before I ever draw anything. Once I feel the problem has been defined I try and come up with 10-20 quick conceptual solutions to the problem. The strongest 3-4 schemes are typically developed.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CP: My Arne Jacobsen tea kettle, an Ingo Maurer Lucellino lamp, our antique Eames dining room chairs, a Stelton bottle opener, and an Artemide Tolomeo lamp.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
CP: Wake up and get ready for the day. Drive to work thinking about the projects I'll be working on for the day. Meet with team members of various projects to ensure we're all on the same page. I'm probably on the phone with contractors multiple times to check in on projects or answer questions. Lots of emails. Hopefully, some sketching or drawing. Head home and think about the next day's work. Go for a run or play some volleyball. Have dinner with my family. Read then go to sleep.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
CP: Creative pursuits are important, whether drawing, painting, pottery, or whatever. Anything that requires creative thinking helps keep those "muscles" in good shape. Always explore an iterative design process. Don't get too attached to one idea or concept. Push beyond. Every problem has at least two equal solutions.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CP: Positives: working on interesting projects with interesting people. No two projects are ever alike. Negatives: ever-increasing prices over the last four years have made it a challenge to meet budgets.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CP: Never let the design be too loud and take away from its purpose or environment.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
CP: Critical problem-solving is the most important skill for any designer.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
CP: Pen and trace and the Trace app by Morpholio are used for the majority of my design work.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CP: I typically have 7-10 projects going at once so weekly scheduling meetings are critical to ensure tasks get done on time.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CP: It varies greatly. A typical house has a design process of about a year and construction can then take 14-18 months. Some take less time; some take more.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CP: What is the starting point for your design work?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
CP: My first project with the firm was a new house on a tight timetable. We started design at the beginning of August on a 4,000 SF home and foundation work began in November of the same year. This was an aggressive schedule requiring biweekly meetings and rapid design thinking. It helped me produce work quickly that was thought-driven and not get too attached to one solution.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
CP: They are mostly homeowners and small organizations.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CP: Residential work is very personal. This is typically the biggest expenditure of a person's or family's life, and you get to know them intimately with every detail carefully considered. But I also enjoy working on community-based projects as well that can be rewarding on a larger scale.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CP: I plan to continue doing what I am doing, seeking the next design challenge.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CP: Initial conceptual designs are often developed independently and from there, a team is formed to carry the design forward.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
CP: I have a small project, only 144 square feet, that is a cube: 12'x12'x12'. It will be an office for an existing client. A timber frame structure entirely clad in aluminum panels, it is an enigmatic structure in the woods with no signs of doors or windows when closed.
FS: How can people contact you?
CP: Email: corey@elliottarchitects.me
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
CP: This is pretty extensive.
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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