Aamer Architects

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 have always love Art, love drawing even as a young child. Choosing Architecture seems natural as it is the Mother of all the Arts.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

As a studio, we refrain from commercialism and focus instead on Individual houses where every project is custom-designed to the client/site and location.

What is "design" for you?

Design is the understanding of purpose and the creation of 'Beauty' that inspires the soul.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

Private residents, especially for eccentric clients who understands that a Architecture is much more than a house.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

That's difficult, as every new design is my favorite. So in a way the most favorite is yet to be.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

My first house(completed in the early 90s) had a slide that circles around the house from the second level to the garden pool below. It was playful, totally unique and satisfied the client well.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

I like natural materials like stone and timber. And plants, lots of plants.

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

My creative mind multi-task between function and form. And spaces that evoke an emotion.

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

In my Architecture, like my Art, I never quite achieve the completeness of the vision. Seems like there is always something that could be improved. Hence the feeling of trepidation in seeing the completed work.

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

While a lot has been said about sustainability/saving the planet and all that, it is also important to achieve Beauty that uplifts the human soul. Hence to me the most important responsibility of a designer is to make you feel happy and fulfilled.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

In the future we have to further the cause of design and find the bridge between function and beauty in a sustainable way.

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

One of our community projects, a care home for the elderly was selected as a finalist and exhibited at WAF(World Architecture Festival) in Amsterdam last year.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

Inspirations come from imagination/dreams or just noticing the beauty of Nature. I have 'conversations' with nature. ask questions and imagine the answers.

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?

I don't subscribe to any particular style but I do have certain principal approaches that guide my design thoughts. Starting with a thorough appreciation of the site/context and slowly imagining the best solution. I never offer multiple solutions, only the one that has been incubated inside my brain and produced the best design.

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 Singapore although I travel widely. In the process of progress and developments most of the cultural heritage of Singapore has been wiped out with a few remains, that serves mostly the tourist industry. Hence the pros is you are more open to the international world for inspiration and the cons is that you are constantly questioning your own values.

How do you work with companies?

With our collaborators, we are very cooperative as we truly believe it takes a team to make a successful project.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

There must be a good 'connection' between client and designer from the onset. You need to have a good feeling in your gut about the company/person you are going to work with.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

First I try to 'speak' to the site/location/context. Then ideas start evolving and slowly falling in place when these mental debates with your own brain comes to a cohesive conclusion.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

The full wall of shelves. Filled with books, objects and 'memories'. The easy reading chair by the balcony. The mirrored wall that hides storage but makes the space larger by reflection. The handcrafted Afghan carpet from a past travel. The little clay pot made by myself during a one year break from school in London and the 'yoga' teak deck in my bathroom facing a garden courtyard pond.

Can you describe a day in your life?

one third on the computer. one third thinking/drawing. one third looking after work staff.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

When you feel that sense of Eureka, is when you know you got something. Search deep within yourself and find that 'place' where you can be you and then work hard to make "YOU" a success.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

The positives are when you get to be yourself and the client likes what you do. The negative is when you try to give the client what they like and in the process you lose yourself.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

Google earth is great for viewing the location/surrounds beyond just the human eye level. This is great in designing 'connections' whether visual. physical or mental. This will give you the clues to start your design process.

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

Sometimes when you are not able to decide on a certain idea, you need to take a break and restart/refresh. When an idea feels correct/good, you'd be surprise how quickly things go.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

For a house, which is the bulk of our work, it take about two to four weeks to arrive at a workable concept. From conception to completion, to build a good house takes about 2 to 3 years.

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

What is your "Style"? I say again. " I don't have a Style".

What was your most important job experience?

Working with good experienced builders and learning a lot from them about the craftmanship involved in the making.

Who are some of your clients?

Mostly professionals with young families, who through the process of building their house become life long friends.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

No particular type. A new challenge of any sort is always exciting.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

Just keep going. When you love what you do it doesn't feel like work.

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

First iteration is usually my own, then the team joins in to develop the ideas further.