Interviews with Skevi Farazi

When I finished my studies in NTUA -Athens I returned to Cyprus where I was lucky to have won a competition for a public building, a Town Hall with Gallery spaces in a rural town. This was a great experience in a teamwork, which formed my further steps in design. I was initially in association with Yiorgos Hadjichristou and then formed my practice S_FARarchitecture in 2001.

A diverse portfolio of public and residential buildings, interior and open spaces, exhibition and furniture design were all developed thoroughly from conception to final proposal and realisation, either individually or within collaborations.

In parallel I have been a lecturer at the Department of Architecture and Interior Design of University of Nicosia [Cyprus] and have been involved in the organisation of several exhibitions and architectural events. I also took part in workshops, symposia and presentations about architecture, theatre and museology.

Since my childhood I remember myself being curious observing others’ houses and the little details and settings that form their lives. My love for Maths -in a way a structured and methodical thinking- and arts made me soon realise that I wanted to study architecture.

One of the most important aspects during designing is the development and refinement of the main idea which will define the aesthetic balance and form a base reference for each further decision. A thorough research around the subject or thematic of the design will give an orientation for the final outcome. I always rely on hand sketches or physical models when developing the main concept and design.

I find the development of the concept idea the most creative and inspired phase of designing. Then comes the serenity which will make the designer being focused and motivated for the rest of the journey until the final pleasure of a finished project. That will lead to the satisfaction and joy and -if the project has succeeded to its aspiration- to an overall fulfilment!

My advice to the young designers is to be fearless with the unknown paths and tasks, be always authentic, allow the unexpected and accept the diversity in the design expression.

I would suggest to anyone who believes they have succeeded with their designs, to be detached from their creation so they can allow to themselves to develop and progress further with their design expression.

I believe a good design is characterised by an aesthetic balance and how authentic and sincere it is to its purpose, function and its own environment.

Design awards have been significant contributions to my career, highlighting not only the awarded project but my overall work as a designer. Any participation to a competition will push me to the limits of my design skills to achieve the best outcome. This can only be a positive experience.

I feel honoured to have been selected as the Designer of the Day!

‘On Stage’ is inspired from the magic one experiences when watching a theatrical performance. The design aims to create a narrative space which evolves gradually as a 'theatrical plot’ in different ‘acts’, allowing the surprise and the unexpected to escalate as in a theatrical play.

We were commissioned as a team -curator and architect- to set up anew the Cyprus Theatre museum.

My love for theatre was the main drive to engage fully with this project.

Our target is any member of the public that is interested either for theatre or Cyprus either for cultural, educational or touristic purposes.

The different and unique ways of communicating the content to the users with various media and space interactive displays and the high quality of detailing.

‘On Stage’ refers to the act of performing and correlates with the design expression within the exhibition space

The aesthetic balance between colour palette, materials and forms which results in an overall spatial balance.

The design was developed from the beginning in collaboration with the museologist and in parallel with the curatorial approach and vision.

An elaborate research was done on precedent examples, the new trends of museology and the ways of communicating the information with different media. Various display systems, materials and colour palettes were explored so that all items could be displayed in a balanced design.

The design was inextricably linked with the museological approach and developed in parallel with the exhibition material research until the final selection.

The various materials of the existing space, such as natural stone on walls, timber roof, metal and concrete structures and big luminous windows needed to be approached with respect but on the same time without overshadowing the actual presentation of the exhibition items which demanded a dark space to allow them as such to be highlighted.

The aesthetic balance between the exhibition design and the actual display object which by itself is ‘flamboyant’ was constantly tested.

I believe ‘On Stage’ is a unique design and a rare example for a theatre museum exhibition space.

It was a great experience on exhibition detailing and a substantial knowledge on theatre procedures

I studied architecture in Athens, and then returned to Cyprus where I got the chance to create a diverse portfolio with projects such as public and residential buildings, interior and open spaces, exhibition and furniture design; all developed thoroughly either individually or within collaborations.

My need to be creative and express in space led me to be an architect and my drive for a constant development urged me to explore the limits of architecture between different platforms of expression and creativity.

I had the desire to be an architect since my childhood when for hours I was trying to visualise how the space could have been differently designed.

Throughout my experience I had the chance to develop a variety of projects from public and residential buildings, interior and open spaces, exhibition and furniture design.

I would love to design a bit more of cultural spaces -buildings and interior exhibition spaces- or maybe to pursue in fashion design!

Not to be afraid to dare something new and unknown.

A great designer is the one who can achieve the balance in his design, high quality in detail, be imaginative and constantly progress keeping the bar high.

A good design can offer a quality of life that even if it is a building or a small object it can give a value at the everyday life and wellbeing; moments to appreciate and be grateful for.

Having a vision, adhere with the core idea and be persistent to detail.

‘On Stage’, the permanent exhibition of Cyprus Theatre museum, is my most favourite design which also reflects my love for theatre.

It created a narrative space which evolves gradually in an experiential approach where boundaries of spectating and ‘acting’ are intertwined. The design was expressed in different ways and media and managed to engage the spectator in awe.

As designers we constantly need to explore the different ways of expression and be updated of what’s going on in all cultural scenes

A contemporary dancer!

Design is defined by the additional aspects which characterise a product, further than its functionality.

It is a personal journey inspired by the collective knowledge and creative expression

The need to express creatively in different aspects

To be able to offer spaces or items that make people happy and serene. If I can achieve this in a collective level that would be great!

A result that satisfies their aim, but it is also unique.

A good design will contribute to the well-being of the user and unconsciously educate them to appreciate and accept ‘beauty’ which ultimately will reflect back to their character /society.

At the moment I’m at the phase of setting up my practice at a new country, which means new audience, new environment. It will make me revaluate my work and approach unknown spectrums of design activity.

Kallinikio Town Hall of Athienou was the first public project I have done in the beginning of my career. It was a public project for a rural community. The challenge was its design which was contemporary and difficult to be accepted by the community in the beginning but successfully engaged with them after it was realised.

The Theatre museum exhibition ‘On Stage’ is for me a unique project which reflects above all my love for theatre. It was a great collaboration with all team members and the client and succeeded to satisfy both the theatre community and its visitors.

To be more sustainable.

From understanding and filtering the client’s needs and vision

It is important to be aware of the latest technology but not be a victim of it.

It is very important to find the right balance between all these aspects

Mies van der Rohe

When we designed the Town Hall, we needed to have some services discharging in front of the building at the main entrance plateau. We proudly thought to place the signage of the building on a glass surface in front of them (as an enclosure) at a low -eye level- height.

The community were waiting the moment that this would be lifted higher! And when they realised it won’t, they added an extra sign on the building higher on the wall behind.

Nice music, clean environment a good tea and having no other tasks than focusing in the design.

Since I was a child, I loved to visit new places or houses to see how they are designed… and I was just determined that I would become an architect.

Since my childhood I remember myself being curious observing others’ houses and the little details and settings that form their lives. My love for Maths -in a way a structured and methodical thinking- and arts made me soon realise that I wanted to study architecture.

Studying Architecture in a different country and thus in Greece was a constant inspiration which was enriched with my travels in various other countries, bringing me closer to different cultural and artistic expressions.

S_FARarchitecture aims to explore the limits of architecture between different platforms of expression and creativity. Public and residential buildings, interior and open spaces, exhibition and furniture design are all developed thoroughly from conception to final proposal and realisation, either individually or within collaborations.

I love the challenge of exploring different aspects of design, but I’m always charmed by museum and exhibition design.

‘On Stage’, the permanent exhibition of Cyprus Theatre museum, is my most favourite design which reflects my love for theatre. It was a great experience which allowed me to express -design-wise- in different ways and media and create a narrative space that engages the spectator in awe.

The first main project of my career happened to be a competition won for a Town Hall with Gallery spaces in a rural town. It was a great experience in collaboration which formed my further steps in design.

In the process of refining and developing the main idea

While designing and specially in difficult decisions I always refer back to the main idea. A thorough research helps enforcing the core of the idea and gives an orientation for the final outcome.

Creative, satisfaction, joy, serenity, positive, inspired, focused, motivated

Creative, satisfaction, joy, assured, encouraged, enthusiastic, grateful, positive, motivated

A design is successful when it has fulfilled the designer’s aspiration and it’s broadly accepted by its users.

The balance of its aesthetics and how authentic and sincere it is to its purpose, function, environment.

A designer needs to enrich with his designs the society either by educating with his proposal and /or contributing to the well-being of the user. And always with respect to the environment.

Inspiration is inextricably related with the location the space or the environment that frame the design. It is a very tiny moment which brings in balance all aspects of the project; the vision the idea, the purpose.

Most of my projects were developed while living in Cyprus. My studies in Greece and my Mediterranean heritage have been indeed critical in the way I perceive the space and its expression specially under the natural light.

Living though in a small country limits the spectrum of the inspiration one can get from other forms of cultural expression. On the other hand, it does give one the chance of being closer to the nature and be inspired from it.

My first and foremost suggestion for any client is to trust their designer and their work. A choice through recommendations of other clients or from an accredited design platform /publication can usually lead to a successful candidate.

A design starts from a thorough research around the several aspects of the project, a good filtering of client’s aspiration and setting clearly the goals and vision of the design.

There is always the magic moment of the inspiration which allows the design to develop until everything comes into a balance. And then it’s just a matter of detailing and completion.

A sofa of an authentic English 1970ies design

A set of Bronze cutlery from Izabel Lam

An Alvar Aalto Savoy vase

A ring by Krama - a friend jewellery designer

Terracotta cups from Cypriot ceramists

Be fearless with the unknown paths and tasks

Be authentic

Allow the unexpected and accept the diversity

Be detached from your creation

Balance the energy between function and aesthetic

Imagination, Sensitivity

Which is my design style?

Kallinikio Town Hall of Athienou – It was the first project I won in a competition soon after my graduation and worked on until its completion. It was the main project on which I built up my experience and knowledge.

Ministry of Education and Culture, Municipalities, Theatre Organisation

To relocate and set up my practice in Athens

Some designs are developed as a team and some by myself

Through my personal email: skevifarazi@gmail.com