11th October 2014,
Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, German architect Chris Bosse’s work is based on the computerised study of organic structures and spatial conceptions, resulting in masterpieces that change the way you look at design.
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Can you tell us about your background?
I was born and educated in Germany, and worked with several high profile European architects before moving to Sydney. Whilst Associate Architect at PTW Architects in Sydney I completed many projects in Asia and the Middle East. One of the most exciting was the Watercube Olympic swimming centre in Beijing, which received the Atmosphere Award at the 9th Venice Architecture Biennale. I have always been interested in how geometries in nature, naturally evolving systems such as snowflakes, spider webs and soap bubbles, can create efficient and beautiful new building typologies and structures.
You will be one of the key speakers in ID CON 2014. What will you be presenting during the event?
I’ll be presenting some examples of how LAVA’s projects have used these geometries in nature to build efficient, sustainable and award winning buildings across the globe. My title is: Digital Cathedrals and the city of the future man, technology and nature: synergy in the urban environment.
LAVA projects combine digital workflow, nature’s structural principles and the latest digital fabrication technologies to build MORE WITH LESS: more (architecture) with less (material/ energy/time/cost).
• How do geometries in nature create both efficiency and beauty?
• What can architecture learn from nature in the areas of structure, material and building skin?
• Efficient, intelligent and beautiful membranes for interiors and exteriors
Case studies include:
• a building wrapped in bubble membranes
• a tower transformed with a new skin
• a city shaded by smart umbrellas
Can you tell us about your current and upcoming works? What are the projects that you have undertaken and those that are in the pipeline?
Recently we have completed a display suite for a new mixed use high rise by Chinese developer Greenland in Sydney – completed in under 10 weeks despite a fire through clever use of sustainable material and techniques, and resulting in excellent apartment sales. And the Martian Embassy was a labour of love for a very worthwhile social enterprise, a writing centre for young people in inner city Sydney. Under construction is a university campus in the middle east, a reimagined youth hostel in Germany and an icerink façade in China.. In the pipeline are the new airport interiors for Sydney and Frankfurt, an interior installation for a shopping mall in Hong Kong, and a number of residential projects.
How have you grown as a designer over
the years? What contributed the most to your growth?
Over the years you learn a lot about the business of design and you get more pragmatic. The art is to keep your creativity while you increase your knowledge about construction, fabrication, business, contracts etc etc.
What do you think of the current design scene in Asia, specifically Singapore and Malaysia (if you have been here?) What are the areas that we can look into and improve on?
You have an incredible network of designers in a very lively scene. I was inspired to see the legacy of Asian modernism architecture and an extraordinary culture. It was interesting to think about architecture, how to respond to culture, the layers of history [past, present, future], and climate. It is imperative that the design scene in Asia, as the rest of the world, urgently addresses efficient, sustainable, and creative solutions to address global warming and pollution, the two issues of the 21st century. The high volume of carbon emissions from the building industry puts architects in the drivers seat. And an unprecedented increase in the global population means that an additional 2 billion people will require housing. Transport of course is the other great issue. Sustainability is not a question of ecological outlook, but sheer necessity. This applies in the east as much as the west. China is building new cities for the equivalent of the entire Australian population of 20 million people every year, and this is where it really matters and every step towards sustainability multiplies thousand fold.
Finally any advice to established as well as upcoming designers and those involved in the design industry?
I think it’s important to carve a niche for yourself. Concentrate on what you are really passionate about and push it as far as you can.
