Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt

Specialized in Interior Design.

Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt

About Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt

Karla Aliaga, Architect and designer at a local and international level, the specialized press constantly publishes her creations and is considered a benchmark in the industry, both in Chile and abroad. Karla surprises with her works in exterior architecture, interior design and lighting. She is known for the order in her projects and the good use of materials, ergonomics as a differentiating concept in her work and always promoting the origins and roots of those who commission a work, are the nuances of an architect who defines herself as “distinct” as “creative”.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Interior Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Interior
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Interview with Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt

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?
I love all kinds of art, especially architecture and landscaping. I always had a sense of order and aesthetics and I was very attracted by the different ways of living and how they adapted the architecture to achieve a better functioning
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My company is dedicated to the exterior architecture, and landscaping and we are getting to know the interior design.
What is "design" for you?
The design for me is in everything I do in my life, it has become my world and my way of living
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I love the exterior architecture, working the spaces as if they were interiors and adapts to the daily use.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I like all my designs since they are all unique and personalized,But if I were to choose one, I would stay with The Las Brisas II Project, a project designed and built by our team in 2017 and published in books of architecture.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
I had the opportunity to finish my architecture studies and start my own company which I maintain until today.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
My favorite material is the concrete in sight and the wood, both are worked in an extraordinary way in the architecture.
When do you feel the most creative?
In architecture you always have to be at the forefront of things, so I like to use products that are new to the market, are economical and do not harm the environment
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
It is very important before you start a design to know the customer as a whole, to see how he moves, how he lives, what he likes. These parameters are pre-present throughout the design process, so that the result is incredible.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Emotions can vary depending on the type of design, but in general it is very exciting to capture a person's desires on paper and then see them built.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Ver el diseño construido es el resultado de untrabajo arduo y mucha responsabilidad y de una satisfaccion increible.
What makes a design successful?
What makes a project successful is to be able to shape the client's wishes and transform them into reality.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Good or bad reviews are always positive for a project. I focus on the bad critics first since they give me the possibility to evaluate them and to improve my project.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
In my case in particular, where most of our projects are related to landscaping and sustainability, I would say that design is the funtional part to be able to protect our environment, using non-polluting products, designing with less water and using waste With responsibility.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
The field of design is always evolving, especially with the new technologies, that allow to design innovative elements.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
The last exhibition was for the fair Jardinera, October 2016, the largest in South America, exposing the best landscapers in the country.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I am a person who is dedicated to look for different forms of design always prioritizing what the client wants
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?
I live in Chile, South America and is a relatively new continent, compared to the old continent as Europe, I consider that my heritage is not affected since all my designs are unique and focused on the desire of the client.
How do you work with companies?
We work for companies and individuals, companies contact us for recommendations and advertising.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
I think all the designers are different, each with their styles, I think that the company has to have super clear their needs and expectations at the time of looking for the indicated designer.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
The design process is quite meticulous, an x-ray of the client is made, looking for their needs, priorities and styles. We are very interested in knowing that you are looking for and for whom it is designed, all members of the family are important, not only the one that hires, it is a process that works together with the client until you get the desired result.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
I am very concerned about aesthetics, ergonomics, safety, materiality and circulation.
Can you describe a day in your life?
A common day leaves leaving my beautiful daughters in the school and then meetings in the office and supervision in each one of the works.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
My only recommendation is that they be persevering and when they get a no as an answer do not be discouraged, always follow your dreams and never give up.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Probably the most negative is the ego that every designer has. And the positive is the creativity that is always presented to create incredible things
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Basically we use sketchup for 3d projects, plus a Podium renderer and for everything that is flat autocad.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
We manage the times with an excellent organization, and the planning is an important factor in our company.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
A landscaping project takes less than two months, one of architecture can take almost a year.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
A designer always has all kinds of questions, but I think the important question is how technology will affect our future projects.
What was your most important job experience?
My most important project was undoubtedly an exposition of paisajimo called Gardener's largest landscaping event in South America. Which we won in 2015.
Who are some of your clients?
My most important clients are private individuals and real estate.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I like much, designing exteriors of a particular house, since each of them are unique.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I would like to internationalize my career and do many projects outside of Chile.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
We have a great team of work, where architects, designers and landscapers work.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
At this moment we are working on several private exterior design projects, as well as designing for the construction company and some interior design.
How can people contact you?
People can contact me through my websiteWww.arqui-k.clFacebook Arqui-K + LandscapeAddress: Av. La Dehesa 181, of 203, Lo BarnecheaPhone: 56 2 2 951 6399

Designer of the Day Interview with Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
In the industry, we have been working for more than 12 years, and we work for large real estate companies such as Manquehue, Imagina Dical.Study Architecture at Uniacc University of Santiago de Chile
How did you become a designer?
I decided to become an Architect because I had the opportunity to travel a lot and see different architectures, I am always interested in how people lived and moved in the city and how one from the smallest can be an important part in something big.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
For me the main thing when designing is to understand the customer, their need to see things and move in space, that is fundamental.All the projects are different, but there is something that I always put and it is a green vegetation seal somewhere.I use 3d models and Autocad drawings to better visualize the project.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
For my design it is incredible, it is when I feel better, especially when it is finished.We are lucky to design and build most of our projects and the excitement of seeing something on paper and seeing it finished is incredible.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I have influence from many architects and designers, but if I could say what their legacies are and how they have influenced my career, I could say that it was the possibility to learn to look and see things from another point of view, see the need and the problem to create a project. If I could name a serious architect Frank Lloyd Wright, his handling of architecture and surroundings have been a motivation for me.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I would like very much to help build things for people with few resources and design projects that help the environment.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
This question is the most important of all, I would like very much other generations of architects and designers to work together to help the environment to work with materials that do not pollute, create laws for more parks and that this is a teaching of college to university.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
More than anything to have the ability to listen and be able to understand that we do not all have the same needs, to have the ability that every time we design is not for us but for others.always think that the people who hired you to have a dream and it is in your hands to make it come true
What is your day to day look like?
In my personal case, my daily routine as Mama focuses very early with my girls. Then my day is still in the office, where I have a group of architects working in my company, we review the day, the works and the designs so that everything works well, usually, I have meetings with clients.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Normally I do not follow trends, I like to create my own ideas and that my designs are unique, I worry that my designs do not intervene in the environment.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
For me, a good design is one that meets the needs of the client, both in materials and design.The most common mistake within designers is to think that they are designing for them and not for others
How do you decide if your design is ready?
For me, a design ends when the client tells me, this is what I dreamed !!Just there the evolution of the project starts to make the plans, the technical details, the materialities etc.
Who is your favourite designer?
I really like the designer Jaime Durie, he works the environment and the color in a unique way. If I could have an interview with an architect who already died would be Frank Lloyd Wright, for me he was unique and I admire his works.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I really like New York, it's very inspiring, music is a fundamental part of my designs, the culture will always be part of the designs, it allows you to see the way of living in different ways.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I am a very demanding but very fair person, I have a great team and I like things to be done well. I have a partner who is also my best friend.The main challenge is to be able to handle everything in a controlled and orderly way, to be a good designer the main thing is to be creative.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I believe that all companies should integrate humanitarian work and design things for other nonprofits.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
The main benefit is that they know my projects. second, my way of working and finally that they can critically criticize my project.For me, it is an honor to be as Designer of the Day !!!!

Extended Interview with Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I was an athlete all my life, I did not attend a regular education, I did free exams during my training as an athlete. I went to University and I studied Architecture and then my company started
How did you become a designer?
I was an athlete all my life, that allowed me to know different places in the world, I always called attention to different cultures and the way people live spaces and take different forms to build.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I decided to become an architect by vocation, the design is in everything I do during the day.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I love designing outdoor areas more focused on landscaping, pool design, circulation, bbq areas, I also like the interior design.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A great designer has to understand criticism and learn from it, get up a thousand times and always believe in himself
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A good design is evaluated by the originality, the fabrication and the good use of the materiality
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
A good design will remain in the memory of the people and that is very important.
What is your day to day look like?
I would like to be able to design for large companies and design outdoor projects.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I would love to be able to work on a project together with large offices in other countries, I would like to design a large park.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I like many, but my favorites are, Frank Lloyd Wright as architect and Jaime Durie as Landscape Designer
What is your biggest design work?
Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater, Ohiopile, Pennsylvania. I love how this house blends with the landscape.
Who is your favourite designer?
My best Design, is the one that is participating now, maybe not the most important professionally but personally.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
The best thing to do is always be attentive to the client's needs, look for new constructive ways and always investigate what is happening in the world.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
For me design has become my daily life and is in everything I do.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
In the first instance by personal merit and the second the family support

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