Interviews with Bernard Gomez

The Design of the Mercedes Benz Centre for Excellence was based on a breif set out by Daimler Benz, Stuttgart Germany, augmented by my client Deisel and Motor Engineering PLC, their agents in Srilanka. DIMO PLC, were very specific on their requirement for a building that had a strong local flavour, which befitted their reputation as a leading Srilankan Corporate, established as a family business over half a century ago, by the late father of Ranjith Pandithage the present Chairman. The building needed to be 'state of the art' and technology driven befitting its use as a Sales and service Center, highlighting the luxury Mercedes Brand, yet with a comfortable scale conducive to its local context, suited to exhibition of the brand, both indoors and outdoors.The clients breif also included a 400pax expandable Auditorium, and a brand museum for 12 vintage cars.

The 5 acre site for the project was first confirmed by me, before being purchased and is situated in a rundown, yet important part of Colombo City, being located at an entry gateway to the city. The company also owned the property opposite where we were to design and build a simillar facility Tata brand, which the company also represented locally. The 2 buildings were designed to reinforce each others presence together with DIMO's brand image as a leading g technology driver.

The Mercedes Benz Center for Excellence is designed to achieve a project scale in keeping with itse surrounding urban scape. Conceptually Consistung of an elevated pavillion showcasing the brand, with the single storey, Service building located to the rear of the site, and accessed via a separate entry at the lower, road intersection. he main entry point to the Showroom is designed as an elevated platform, accessed from the higher end of the access road. The 3 storey entry pavillion is scaled down using the steep roof pitch to highlight and capture the enclosed spaces viz a vis the Showroom, Museum and Auditorium, as part of one larger volume. The garden pavilion concept is reinforced by the use of cantilevered fare-face concrete planters, which cantilever out fringing the podium edges.

The Showroom pavillion sits on a podium, which is a series of terraced outdoor exhibition spaces, which flow up to 2 overhead levels via ramps, giving free reign to multiple level outdoor vehicle exhibition and public movement. Indoor pavilions open out to these exhibition spaces adding interest to public movement within the building.

The building is rated LEED Gold(Leadership in Energy Efficent Design) and is designed with the aim of incorporating sustainable, energy efficient features that are self regulating. Thus the near 1km of planter boxes cantilevered to fringe exhibition terraces were designed for storm water run off, and pre-regulated drip irrigation, using harvested storm water. Specific roofs were designed to hold Solar panels for renewable power, of which the building generates 1Mega Watt. The design of the West facing, Showroom incorporates specifically designed shading devices for sun protection, and high spec, double glazed, coated glazed systems for reduced solar gain. Natural light from North and East through clerestory skylight windows, sculpt the interior and the prime exhibits of the Showroom and Museum.

From the earliest spatial conceptualisation the building was designed to reflect the existing adhoc, low scale of the immediate urban environment. The site selection of which we were a part of, and the designed building was considered as an opportunity to upgrade the surrounding urban scape. Iam proud to note that the impact of the building has been very positive even from the general population of the area, who have little or no interest in a luxury vehicle brand but are nevertheless proud of the building.

We are presently working on the sister project for DIMO the Tata, Sales and Service Center directly opposite, which is a design extension of the 'garden pavillion' concept with much more pedestrian access. We envisage the 2 buildings complementing each other creating a green, pedestrianised edge and public space to the fronting roadway.

The schematic design and subsequent detailing of the structure took 9 months.

The important design decisions of the project were in pursuit of a larger goal:that of .'allowing ' a luxury brand to sit comfortably and be acceptable in that particular environment. This decision was very much tempered by our envisioned narrative of the building and its function. Iam very gratified to note that both of these envisaged goals have been fulfilled to a large extent.

My architectural practice is run on the basis of my close monitoring of all key design decisions. Each project has a team of Architects that work under my direction. They are given a free reign to carry out and implement these design decisions into viable drawings, under my guidance.

The building is very catefully choreographed and very contextual, both in terms of its use, locality, and design.

Our design work entails a process, which commences with an architectural breif, which is based on a client's breif. The process is largely a coordinated effort of information gathering, analysing, and locking into a context nuanced by a narrative of the buildings projected use and function. The process is primarily a mental exercise involving exhaustive discussion and analysis by myself and my team. Computers modelling are used merely as tools, and a means towards the end result.

It's people friendly scale and ambiance. Nothing is forced and the spaces are allowed to gently unfold.

Yes of course. The building is very technical in its detail and we worked to specifications provided by Daimler Benz, regards all aspects of Vehicular repair. Additionally we used a highly qualified team of consultants for specific disciplines like Structural Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Cost Planning and Analysis etc.

Technology is very much prevalent, but used in such a way as to mesh in closely with the designed scenarios, elements and designed details. This actually meant that as Architects we has to study and be very much conversant with the technology used.

We did a fair ammount of research on specifications for the design of an energy efficient building. Also practical research on the most acceptable and efficent system data to display a luxury vehicle brand.

The most challenging aspect was building the project to the given budget and time line. This was forced onto us as project and cost management was part and parcel of our commission. This meant we had to come up with creative solutions to design details that were economical, yet would not compromise the overall concept.

The design has received wide acclaim, not just in Srilanka but also in Germany and Italy through Daimler themselves. It had also received wide publicity in Asia as it was nominated and received an ARCASIA award of Excellence. Our submission for this award was more happenstance.

On a personal level I learnt a lot, and improved my design skills in project managing the construction of the building as this entailed searching for cheaper, and more relevant alternatives to conventional systems, materials, and details.

Unfamiliar territory where Architects do not normally tread.

I am an Chartered Architect and alumni of the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. My architectural design bias is towards a culturally compatible and climate sensitive design, one that incorporates a design based on technology to arrive at an inherently low energy footprint.

My company BGJF Consultancy Services was founded in 1995 with a bias towards design excellence and cost efficent project management.

We are recipients of several local and international awards including the CIDA National award for outstanding architectural contribution for the Mercedes Benz Center and Corporate HQ for Dialog GSM and JAT HQ. Our work has been featured in numerous international publications including DOMUS and the World Atlas of Architecture. We are presently actively involved in Architectural practice in Srilanka and the Asian region.

Design to me is the simplest and most efficent solution to a perceived problem, encompassing factors like cultural affinity, cost and technical efficiency and effective public usage and safety.

We place no distinction on the type of project or building, but feel all projects are important and demand time and attention in arriving at a lasting and worthwhile solution.

All of them are memorable and I enjoy re-visiting completed projects to observe their affect on usage by the public.

This was the Corporate HQ of Dialog GSM the leading telecom services provider in Srilanka. This was a very successful project both in terms of public exposure and with an Urban presence that generated a lot of interest in me and my architectural practice.

I try to use the latest and most cutting edge in technology appropriately in our projects, based on the issues being addressed. Technology is however always subservient to usage efficiency and the economics of cost and is used in collaboration with a well thought out, and creative planning solution.

Creative solutions dont just happen but are nascent ideas with a studied and long incubation period tailored to best fit a particular breif or building design. My creative juices flow freely early morning, at my country residence, and then taken forward at my practice studio.

As I said, I use design as 'process' to create buildings that are responsive, both experientially, climatically and provide lasting solutions to clients. The design inputs comes from a variety of sources including aesthetics, nature, human behavioural patterns, technology...

There is always a delight when one feels intuitively that the design process has hit on an ideal solution to a particular issue or challenge.

A sence of satisfaction...however a successful Architect is almost always also looking at the flaws that could have made a design better...It is always a continuing process.

In architecture a successful design to me, is one that elevates the user to a higher mental state than that which he first entered the building with. It should stir emotions in the user...the greater the emotive response the more successful the architecture.

To me it is almost always about the experience of the user of the building, and the impact the particular design has on his psyche.

The responsibility is tremendous, especially in architecture. A bad peice of architecture remains for eternity, besides causing adverse impact on society. Bad design can also cause serious health and safety issues.

To me the future of design is assured, especially in this age of technology. The human mind is a very complex mechanism and is capable of a far greater nuanced compexity than the most advanced computing can generate. Iam very interested in stretching the boundaries of design using the technology interface for eg 3d printing is bringing out some interesting possibilities with respect to complex design forms.

Architecture is somewhat different to other aspects of design, in so far as each and every project is quite exhibitionist and a lasting legacy, and reflection on the mindset of the architect. Our body of work is unique and experienced all the time by its users. Of course we do participate in conferences and seminars to highlight the thinking behind, to interested members of the public and other professionals.

A lot of my inspiration comes from being a keen observer of nature and indegenous cultures. Be it human behaviour, natural environments, fauna and flora. Travel and its diverse cultural variations are also a great source of my inspiration.

I do not like to subscribe to a particular style, but instead focus of a design solution that draws its inspiration from many diverse aspects. Human behaviour and perception, project economics, environmental aspects both manmade and environmental. Every project is unique, with very particular issues.

Iam a resident of the beautiful, tropical, island nation of Srilanka, characterized by its rich history and culture, diverse landscapes, fauna and flora. The ancient architectural tradition of building in Srilanka has strongly influenced my work, but Iam equally influenced by the indigenous traditions of building in the Asian region as a whole.

We have been fortunate in working for Corporates who appreciate our work and brand of architecture, and come to us looking for a unique design solution. We take good care to ensure our work, and performance on any particular project is reflective of this important responsibility. This is true not only in terms of design but in all areas of building technology.

A thought out breif is important as to what the company hopes to achieve. Selection of the particular designer or Architect should then be based on a study of his or hers work and its compatibility with the aims and goals of an organisation.

There is a significant gestation period from the initial idea to a workable design concept. The shaping and fine tuning of the design takes place during this time where all inputs like client personalities and inputs, external and environmental factors, cost and management aspects add flavour and personalise the particular design concept. The final design solution is a unique adaptation of all these very relevant inputs.

Iam very interested in the artistic portrayal of form by the human mind. Hence sculptural objects, particularly indegenous pieces if art take pride if place in my collection. One of my favourite pieces is a sculpture of a crocodile carved in ebony wood by an indegenous craftsman of the forest Veddah community. He captures the essence of the creature in a few basic strokes which is remarkable and inspiring.

Depends on the day: Wake up at 6am, 30 minutes of meditation and breathing exercise, then 2 hours of design and other work from my home studio. If Iam driving to my office in the city, an hour of horse riding and then a late breakfast at about 9am. I enjoy driving fast and commute from the countryside to my city studio by 10am. The rest is routine office work, with a lots of collaborative discussion with my staff architects. Site meetings and visits are generally relegated to the afternoons. I knock off work at around 4, work out for a couple of hours and generally reach home by 7.30. No more work or mental stress till the next morning

Be true to your thinking and philosophy. Always look beyond the immediate requirements of the breif when creating and spend time on the creative process. Quick, instant solutions in my opinion, do not stand the test of time.

Well, I can think of only the positives. Its great for someone with a creative bias, willing to work long hours on processing information. I cannot envisage myself in any other professional pursuit.

Always search for the underlying issues and not those that are obvious.

The skill of visualisation, which some are born with, but can also be acquired.

My toolbox is essentially my mind...processing information on a project, logically with all its nuances, then imposing life scenarios on the narrative so it becomes experiential to the user. The tools like computers and other technology are secondary and merely a means to an end.

I structure my day into segments: Mornings are mainly for creative and design based pursuits, mid morning to afternoons are for more day to day drawing and project reviews and meetings, with both consultants and clients. Afternoons are for site visits and site meetings. Evenings are basically to rejuvenate and recreate. I do take a few weeks off every 5 months for travel, rest and recreation. Unfortunately this has become more difficult to do over the past few years because of the pandemic.

It takes me all of 6 to 8 weeks to come up with a Schematic design for a building. Further to, we work on creating working models of the project together with Detailed Drawings in all disciplines, as a parallel exercise. All told it takes us approximately 6-9 months depending on the complexity of the project, including time requirements for building permits and other statutory obligations.

What is my inspiration for the design...which is a rather mundane question as there is far more to architectural design than inspiration.

I would say the responsibility of project managing the Mercedes Benz Center for Excellence, in addition to being the Design and Project Architects. It taught me to extend my Design skills and creativity to the other dimension of constructing a complex building to a strict time line and budget. This truly stretches the creativity of an architect to come up with viable alternatives which save cost and time, but do not compromise the project design.

We have designed high end homes for the captains of business in Srilanka and India. Additionally well known Corporates like MTN Networks, JAT Holdings PLC, Deisel and Motor Engineering PLC, Marriot Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Taj Hotels, Abans PLC.

My immediate goal is to establish and consolidate our presence in Asia, whilst looking for architectural opportunities in Europe and USA.

The core ideas are always mine, and I keep close scrutiny on all initial decisions of the project. I do however give the project team of Architects a free reign to develope the designs within the scope of the selected parameters that dictate the design concept.

Yes, several. Among the more interesting is a highrise Mixed Developement project which is the Corporate Headquarters of a leading business entity involved in Power generation. We are currently building them a LEED Platinum rated building on a very challenging site with a limited footprint, where every square metre of space is important and really matters. Add a 250 vehicle mechanically operable car park system, 1500 sqm of office space, and a limited number of very exclusive condominium apartments and you have a project where every part of which has to be intricately cog wheeled in to the other, where the designed building becomes essentially a 'machine' for human interaction and activity.

They can drop me a line on snbgomez@gmail.com or call me on 0094-777313418. Further information on our projects and work is available on our web link: bernardgomez2019.wixsite.com/bernardgomez