Interview with Polina Nozdracheva
Polina Nozdracheva - Architect, Founder and the Head of ALPN Ltd., Professor of IAA (IAAM, Eurasia). As the Chief architect, Polina creates different scale and level objects is realizing in…
Designer of the Day Interview
31 October 2022
Architect or Creator?
For this question, you might want to tell how many years you are in the industry, as well as mention some prominent companies you worked for, some great clients you had or your educational background. I was born in architectural family. Both of my parents are architects. So, I am in this profession from my childhood. Then quite long way of different architectural education (MARCHI, Moscow, Russia; course in Royal Town Planning Institute, UK; postgraduate course in IHS, the Netherlands) and working in architectural companies. In 2005 I have decided to create my own company ALPN Ltd. During all this period my company are working with quite different clients - from private to government clients.
For this question, you might want to tell how many years you are in the industry, as well as mention some prominent companies you worked for, some great clients you had or your educational background. I was born in architectural family. Both of my parents are architects. So, I am in this profession from my childhood. Then quite long way of different architectural education (MARCHI, Moscow, Russia; course in Royal Town Planning Institute, UK; postgraduate course in IHS, the Netherlands) and working in architectural companies. In 2005 I have decided to create my own company ALPN Ltd. During all this period my company are working with quite different clients - from private to government clients.
The most important persons of my education and my teachers were my parents, especially - my father who was very famous architect who constructed a lot of building in Russia and abroad. I have got the very good education in my country (in Russia), then - in Great Britain and in the Netherlands. For me the most impressive is urban planning and I am like the fairy who should create this magic story.
The most important words for each architect are benefit, durability, beauty. But, of course, for me is the most important - the general idea, maybe a little bit crazy thoughts in my head. That is a very intimate process. Then, and that is also very important - the place where the future project or existing project will be built or rebuilt. And I don't like decoration, I prefer the functionalism. That is like a puzzle for finding the best solution and I had to find this key for answer from the first dot to the final line.
It is always exciting, regardless - you are only at the beginning of the journey or are already approaching the completion of construction. Of course, if all that was conceived in the project is fully implemented - this is a special feeling of happiness about the work done.
I like the topic of color and I believe that color should be present in the project (no matter it is a town - planning project, an architectural project or an interior design element). Here I always admire Impressionists; their work is very inspiring to me. With color, you can create a completely unexpected sense of shape and space. As for the perception of form, Constructivism have no equal. As for urban development projects, these are Japanese theme for me.
I would like to create a City. This is a completely unique and complete structure at its core. Here everything is completely and thoughtfully, like all life on the planet. I guess this topic is the maximum set of the most complex and diverse tasks for an architect.
It is necessary to work. As much as it is possible. And greedily grab everything that gives you a profession - experience, emotions, knowledge.
We had to follow our thoughts and feelings. Work together and respect the work of people who are on the same team with you.
The best part is this is when work is carried out jointly by all specialists on any project. When all breathe the same air and when the vector of thoughts focused and pointed in one direction.
I am sure it is necessary to develop your own style. And such individualism can be worked out only at infinite saturation of information which is at the moment possible on the Internet or traveling.
I would like to answer one more time - the benefit (functionality), the durability (constructive and engineering) and the beauty (architecture and design).
The realization that the project documentation is transferred to the construction site does not allow me and my colleagues to have the right to make a mistake. Of course, we always want to reach the final result to shining. The biggest critic of an object is the author, i.e. the chief architect. With each new object, the architect learns something new and unknown, moving forward.
It is process. Each new project is like a new life with the own soul and individualism. The most significant projects for me are those projects where the work is carried out from the original concept of the site, further-the development of urban planning documentation in full, then the design of buildings themselves until this project comes to life. When urban planning, architecture and design live together, not in isolation, when all these components are as a single organism. We have quite a lot of such projects.
There are a lot of brilliant people and creators. And each of them corresponds to the own era or period.
There are many beautiful cities. For me, the most important thing is the availability of water in the city (waterfront). This is the place where there is a feeling of freedom. Music - of course jazz, because it is this music that reflects emotions absolutely freely without any conventions. When you come up with a project, you are also completely free, your thoughts and fantasies freely fall on a sheet of paper.
Any architect cannot work alone. This is not a profession that can afford it. The designing is always a collective work of a very large number of specialists.
I'm always open for carrying out workshops, master-classes and lectures. And I do it with great pleasure, both in Russia and abroad. I have quite a lot of experience in this field. In addition, I have experience during 15 years as a lecturer of Moscow Architectural Institute, Russia.
The organization and holding of the contest is a very correct event. Especially-if this competition allows you to submit the project, not on the stated topic. Participation in such events is very important from a professional point of view. The exchange of experience and present their ideas to colleagues and professionals at the highest international level allows to assess and to feel the areas in which you, as a professional, I want to move on. And, it is even better if your projects are appreciated.
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Design Legend Interview
4 April 2023
I grew up in an architectural environment. I am from architectural family. And the question "whom to be?" was not very difficult. The best thing in childhood for me was the design the new buildings from constructions (like lego). And then - school of art, school of architecture, Moscow Architectural Institute (department of Urban planning). Then I had Urban design course in St.Andrews/Great Britain. After - Postgraduate course on Sustainable Building and Urban Design, IHS, Rotterdam /the Netherlands.
2000, Urban designer, TCPSS, Royal Town Planning Institute, St.Andrews/Great Britain;
2000, Urban designer, TCPSS, Royal Town Planning Institute, St.Andrews/Great Britain;
I like to be architect and urban planner. I guess that a happy person is the one who has a passion (or hobby) is the profession itself. I suppose that I am one of those people.
Of course, it was my decision to become an architect.
Multi-functional and urban design complexes.
To work as much as you can. To try new possibility in constructions, materials, technologies.
For me there is no such gradation of good or great architect. So as an architect is a mission and a calling.
Based on personal professional experience and impressions.
Investments, if they are, they are always and must be invested only in the good project.
In one sentence it is difficult to describe.
My dream is to make a large urban development area on the seashore.
An innate sense of beauty and hard work.
Santiago Calatrava, Renzo Piano, James Wines, Jean Nouvel and many others.
Such projects quite a lot. I like russian construktivizm, etc.
Each project is unigue. And each project should be the best if we are working.
You have a lot to look around, to explore, to learn. Actually, I think that the architect's profession is such a profession where lifelong learning, improving and evolving.
I guess I would become an architect with a musical education.
For me, the Architecture is my life.
My parents - my father and my mother, who are architects as well.
My immense love for this profession.
There are no obstacles if there is a favorite thing and an idea.
Definitely.
My company works in parallel on several projects.
To make the world a little better.
Honesty in the profession.
Very simple, because humanity is always striving for the beautiful, and the architect and creates a perfect environment for people.
Every new project is exciting.
Every project that is implemented entirely on the project, brings a sense of satisfaction.
The technological process itself will tell us the way.
In the direction of sustainability and the correct use of natural environment.
The period of development of project documentation depends on the scope, design stage and the functional purpose of the object; from a few months to a year, and even more.
I make up (compose) that the image (or the legend). The sale of this project at the moment is not important.
To do what you like to do.
It is one of the main aspect for project.
Quite a lot in my office and various computer programs. But fo me it is not important. The most important idea that I want to bring to life.
For me it is precisely those things that for me plays a huge role (color, material, and environment). That's what I go by when creating the project.
Any questions interesting to answer, not idle.
It's great!
My ideal partner is my company ALPN.
It is necessary to have a team of experts to do a good project in full.
But the creation of idea is a very personal space.
It is necessary to have a team of experts to do a good project in full.
But the creation of idea is a very personal space.
Talented and passionate about their profession people. And here it does not matter, architect this person or not.
Quite a lot.
I'm just working and experimenting.
It is difficult to answer. With a lot of people.
No need to think about it otherwise, not enough time to work.
I love the white color, bright colors (orange, red), the colors of the wood. I love the sea, not in the tourist season. I love to wander around the city when it is alive, and not a tourist. Love music, different, but especially jazz.
Such moments quite a lot. It is possible to write a whole book.
New project and good music.
I guess, yes.
A lot of happiness people.
My projects and my work tell better about me.
Designer Interview
4 April 2023
I was born in architectural family. I was a part of real architectural process of my parents who both are practical architects from my childhood. My favorite pastime was playing constructor games. And so it was no hesitations about the future profession. Architectural school, Moscow Architectural Institute, studies in Great Britain the Netherlands, teaching in Architectural Academy, master-classes and lectures. But, the more exciting to be a part of architectural creation.
ALPN Ltd. based in Moscow, Russia. We are working more than 15 years. During this period, we have worked more than hundred projects of various functional purposes and scales (from a private equestrian clubs and a block of townhouses to the reconstruction of residential areas and industrial facilities). We like to create our projects from just beginning till the final result. A lot of these projects are already built or are in the construction process.
Designing is a very amazing and mysterious process for me, where using the knowledge of many specialists and engineers created a living organism, which is designed to be comfortable, functional and to serve the human being. And the "orchestra conductor" all of these is Architect, who should generate all these questions and, at the same time, create the beauty, aesthetics for the final result.
I feel the maximum excitement when we create the object from the very beginning, i.e. from the urban planning. When already at the first sketch "tab of the" basic main concept, which gradually takes form, grows out of the existing urban planning structure in a separate element. For me, urban planning and architecture are inseparable, because only in this case it is possible to create an architectural object, which will become the part of the urban space.
Every new project is special in the process. There is nothing that one project is more favorite and the other one does not. The project idea germinates in the mind, there is an image, then this image appears on the paper, after drawings, details, engineering sections, approvals, construction, etc. It's not a quick process, sometimes it takes a few years. Each project is like a child, which is necessary to carry, deliver, raise and release.
Frankly speaking I don't remember. Usually we are working simultaneously with several projects in various stages of design. To my mind, it was the urban planning concept of the district reconstruction or equestrian urban planning design.
I prefer "to play" with wood and brick. I like to combine these materials with large areas of glazing. Also, I really like to fit the object into an existing environment, saving intact the maximum natural elements to the proposed facility was seen as a part of the natural environment.
Each project stage is as creative as possible. Even with the development of working documentation on engineering topics requires a creative approach. But, of course, at the beginning of a long journey on the project, the creativity is maximum and it is more fantastic and magic process.
The answer of this question can be just using the Vitruvius words: utility, durability, beauty.
Honest answer is the excitement before the appearance of a miracle.
Of course, the greatest pleasure if everything has done right during construction concerning the project documents. Hereinafter, the fatigue, and then some devastation. But, in any case, we always have such moment, between projects. Some sadness is having passed very quickly and only the desire to observe the life of our project remains.
Honesty in relation to your work, and after - literacy and professionalism.
The functionality and the correct attitude to the already established urban environment are the main positive points in the architectural design.
It seems to me that the profession of an architect is similar to the medical profession. Both a doctor and an architect are professions that are responsible for human life, only in different aspects.
Sure, the architectural profession is evolving. The future of architectural design depends on advanced technology and new materials.
At the moment, I think, in connection with the pandemic, we can only talk about possible future exhibitions that will be held in the format familiar to all of us, and hope.
The best sources of inspiration are our environment and nature. Should be just very observant.
The style of my work is to be friendly to the environment and to society, observing all the colorful of the environment.
I'm from Moscow, Russia. Undoubtedly, the Russian architectural school of has a very rich heritage. Naturally, such a historical baggage, such as the Russian vanguard and constructivism, are having a profound impact on all our projects.
ALPN Ltd. performs design documentation in full (this and urban sections, and architectural, constructive and engineering and special sections of project documentation). But, if necessary, we work with other companies as part of contractual obligations.
High professionalism, international level and obligation of respecting precious client's resources characterize the successful of any architectural companies.
The design is very mysterious and the fantastic process. These two words even can't describe maximum everything of this process.
There are no such items. Probably, if we talk about the building as a whole, I love the input space, as it is the connecting element between the exterior and interior. Very important for me - the ergonomics of the space, functionalism and sustainability.
Every day is so different that it is rather difficult beyond description. A clear daily routine is never existing. Having an understanding of office work, but always show the progress in connection with meetings, negotiations, business trips and construction processes.
You should work as much as you can. A lot to study, constantly to watch. The architect's profession is the one profession where you have to learn constantly. There is no such that you got education and all my life to use the acquired knowledge. Modern life is such that there is a lot of new materials and technologies. But the most important is the respect for architectural work and diligence.
You are in this work all the time, during day and night, everywhere (watching the movie, meeting with friends...). If you're on some kind of project; you're always involved in this process. I don't know - is it negative or positive for life? For me - it is my life.
You have to be honest about your profession.
There are a lot of components. I can't say that such list needs to be that way and no other. For me it is very important feeling of space. Everything should be functional. Each building element should be in place and, in any case, not to become simply a decoration.
There are a lot of different computer programs used for design documentation. For engineering sections is AutoCAD, structures analysis - the other program, for presentations and concepts - the other ones. Most importantly, the presence of the knowledge, experience and the so-called "viewability".
It is can't be controlled.
It is so different. Sometimes it takes a few months, sometimes - a few years. There are no accurate temporal indicators.
Such issues are several. Mostly: how much it costs to order the project? And could we make a project that will be unique and non-standard?
The most important experience for the architect is the author's supervision of construction, when all that is conceived and designed on paper comes to life.
There are completely different clients: government, public and private.
I like to work on multi-functional and urban planning projects. The most interesting for myself - the totality, from the urban planning concept of the whole object, up to the moment of delivery of object in operation. Only in this case the architect (author) can become the part of the origin legend about the creation the new urban space component.
Architectural projects and construction the interesting buildings are the future and the life.
The general concept and the basic idea - of course it is very individual work of people who are very closely professionaly. And then, as we develop all the design documentation sections (urban design, architectural, constructive, engineering topics and author's supervision of construction) - it is team works of different directions specialists.
Yes, there are such projects. We are currently working on several objects in parallel.
It is quite elementary. Me and my company are very open. My company has the websites: www.alpn.design and www.alpn.ru. Also we have pages in social networks. We are open for contacts and collaboration.
Thanks for such interesting questions.