Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Robert Nichols ("RN") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.
RN : I have been in an experience for architecture and design for over three decades. In 1993, I opened my own business as Principal in Design specializing on residential, commercial, institute, government, and universal design for people with disabilities in public and private accommodation. I received Bachelor of Architecture in 1979 and Master of Architecture in Urban Design in 1981 from Cornell University.
RN : When I was 12, my father hired architect J.Robert Hiller (now StudioHiller which was changed after The Hillier Group - the nationally known firm in Princeton, NJ was sold) to design a new laboratory for him. I visited the firm to see the model and drawings and soaked up the ambiance between my father and Bob Hillier. Fortunately, when I was fifteen and in a youth employment program, I got a part-time job in Hillier's firm. When I was in the college, an architectural history professor asked me if I would like to help save a 100-year-old cabin in the Green Mountains in Vermont. Without assistance, I drove to the cabin , measured the entire structure, and prepared the final drawings for the report. The professor not only gave me an A, but encouraged me to apply to the School of Architecture at Cornell University.
RN : I chose to become a designer after an experience at different design firms in Washington, DC, NYC, and Boston. I decided to start my own business as designer because I believe that my role is a freedom of design without being pardoned or controlled.
RN : Most of my design work is the new contemporary house, including universal design and new technologies for residents with disabilities.
RN : To learn more information from me for the future of their professional services, I need to have young designers to work with me in the team.
RN : They are very competitive in between their positions. It's important for me as principal as well as judge to listen and make a final decision who is the right one about the new idea that matches to the client needs.
RN : A review and evaluation on the good design is very important to understand a clear concept on the new language and technology of architecture.
RN : Most of the client wants a good design to make their investment when the construction is completed. The value of good design is combined with the program what the client provides and we the designers in the team to build a strong relationship and connection with them from beginning to end of construction.
RN : I can work for 24/7 anytime in morning, afternoon or evening because the time is money that client is spending depending how soon he/she wants the construction to be substantially completed.
RN : My dream project is to build the arts gallery or museum, because an organization wants to invite many architects for the design competition. The competition for a new arts museum is not easy to win on their toughest selection.
RN : By research, I can discover some resources of information from office or department of architecture for my successful design.
RN : I get inspired by the master builders as well as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies and LeCorbusier. Louis I. Kahn was a great legend of the 21st Century American architecture after FLW.
RN : FLW's residential projects, especially Fallingwater and Martin House, were my favorite architecture not because of beauty of architecture, but because of exploring a new language of architecture. The principal idea of his buildings - both residential, museum, institute and housing - are central core of the structure.
RN : I hope I can make my greatest design by developing a new language with the simplification of elements.
RN : Nothing. I would be very impressive if the people improve themselves to be better perhaps I can communicate with them for more details in their designs.
RN : Builder? Actor? Chef? Or whatever depends on my skill in work.
RN : When I pick up a brick, I ask it "What is design for you"? The brick replies, "I love to be designed in house by myself"! So, I can find out what proportion of human design I can fit in the scale of space.
RN : By thinking as apple falls from tree for a gravity. I can't listen to a teacher, supporter or wife, but I can reach to new heights by myself.
RN : As a kid, my mother was a talented pianist while my father was an organic chemist with his own laboratory. I feel I absorbed from my parent's diverse backgrounds an interest in both creative and practical arts. I found I had a talent for seeing things in particular ways, and representing this vision pictorially.
RN : Before I became the designer, I learned that many people of disabilities were barred from entering building and accommodation without the accessible elements. As a hearing loss designer, I feel I should be so sensitive to remove barriers from building for the disabled people. The universal design which differs from the standard as Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 shows more beauty of the accessibility to installed in in a good manner with existing structure to allow people with disabilities into the building. I think it's very important to work with designers, architects, politicians, and advocates for people with disabilities to build a bridge to other countries in order to positively influence disability policy.
RN : The designers should bring more information in their work by presenting the conceptualized idea, "before and after" sketches, site relationship, 3D views and images, models, etc. for the town/county meeting and review. The designers shall be listening with their patience to whoever the outside people give their thought and comments on the presentation.
RN : My next design is a new custom that will be starting in construction this coming fall. Hopefully it will be completed in the end of winter in 2018 before I will submit entry for A'design Awards competition.
RN : I hope that when I become successful my ultimate goal will make more money for living!
RN : Depending on their financial situation, the middle-income family seek the concept in design and cost that would be reasonable for their needs. It is very similar to FLW's usonian homes. Usonian is a term usually referring to a group of approximately sixty middle-income family homes built in USA. I would design for it!
RN : It's important to a client and/or family who want to live better for a long term or who want to make investment from selling in the future.
RN : A contemporary house with new technologies and method of materials.
RN : Takoma Park House project. I won a Silver Trophy A'Design Award for the house because I think it is a good architecture with a new style. The house forms a linear structure in a cantilever cube with one being open and the other enclosed.The house is understood frontally by the layering of principal facades.The first of these consisting of a stainless cable rail frame Cor-ten panel and mesh fence defines the outer edge of the house’s boundary.It acts as a focal point, receiving the stair between front driveway and side entrance level.The house’s form is also reflected in the distortion of the plan of the two decks above.
RN : I have no idea, because at this moment I am not complete in the new house design and research to see what will be in coming years.
RN : It will be built in the same area where I live and work for this year.
RN : As soon as when I have done with it. Hopefully it will be finalized this coming summer in preparation to start construction.
RN : Work at home office to start a new design project with the team, involving within all basic phases of architectural services.
RN : Think design.
RN : Design always sets the trends. Everything in problem is solved by design, not trend.
RN : Model making is one of a few technologies that the designer can research on the scale of human behavior in space. CAD is the important technology to view 3D.
RN : My design software is ArchiCAD by Graphisoft. It is very useful to view and draw everything from conceptualized design to construction with several systems for the builder.
RN : It depends on how skill the designer creates with his own hands on color and material.
RN : Anything whatever the people ask about my design. I cannot answer what they will ask until I will know when they ask about my design.
RN : To bear in mind, the design needs to include new products to obey the program.
RN : No, I am only the one partner.
RN : By inviting architects and designers to review my design. I will provide a refreshment for them to make sure they are satisfied with the design.
RN : Many books about the contemporary houses from around the world. I subscribe Resident Architects, Architectural Records, Architects, Dwell and The Plan.
RN : I have spent much of my time to research and develop by myself to become a master designer. I have some people who are working to be integrated in the team for the design project.
RN : I can invite some designers/architects from the local society in architecture for meeting during lunch or coffee to discuss more details about the design. Most of them are also hearing loss architects who share their similar experience in professional area of architecture with me.
RN : I am very happy about the Silver Trophy A'Design Award. That is my first time I ever won for the house design since it was completed last year. I would be delighted to meet with new faces to share our experiences in work at the Gala Ceremony, perhaps we will keep in contact with each others afterwards.
RN : Red, Siena, Italy, pasta, fall, BMW, Pinot Grigio, Kevin Spacey.
RN : Pantheon taught me that the dome without a hole is where the light is not, and the space is inside where the light is from outside. It is a matter of no-light or electrical light. To make a dome which raises above the wall and which makes its own roof of no-light, but oculus cuts to open in middle to bring natural light: that is the marvel of the designer.
RN : When I work hard on marketing to get a contract for my business, I would be very motived myself to design and build a good structure.
RN : As a kid, I was fantasized by FLW's Guggenhiem Museum, TWA Terminal at JFK, and New York World Fair in New York, where my grand parents used to live. Many interesting architectures by great master builders gave me very motivated to learn to become a designer.
RN : I think that the new "Computer Revolution" will change many softwares for every designer to work in competition with each others to build a new futuristic structure. Many new technologies by the computer's software are endlessly changing new tools in design for human and animal to earn their living to avoid from being affecting by the global warming. If not working, then trip to another planet!
RN : Some of them applaud me for receiving the award in recognition of my courageous work as hearing loss designer. I wish my parents could be proud of my excellency in my working design which received recognized awards if they were alive.
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