Aijaz Hakim Architect

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Aijaz Hakim Architect ("AHA") 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.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

AHA : I have formally been taught architecture and i hold two degrees in architecture. The first B. Arch. from Bombay. India from "THE ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE" The second M. Arch. from Denver. Colorado. USA from "THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO"

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

AHA : I cannot think of any other way of occupying myself. Design fills my life.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

AHA : I discovered architecture by accident. But now i choose to be an architect.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

AHA : I design buildings, I design the interiors of buildings, I design the surroundings of buildings. I would like to design parks, public plazas and other such areas within cities.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

AHA : I don't consider myself a legend. However as an encouragement to young designers, I can say that they need to be truthful to themselves. Once they realise their strengths and weaknesses, they can manoeuvre around these and improve.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

AHA : Skill and Sincereity are tools towards greatness.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

AHA : Everything that we have imagined at office, we document. Then we stand and deliver. The delivery is the final act and very important. The struggle lies in delivering.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

AHA : There are too many to mention. From time to time someone springs to mind and inspires.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

AHA : I like apple products. Steve Jobs took design, turned it into a product and brought it to the masses. I love this quality about him.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

AHA : Keep an open mind, do not accept the normal. Keep testing your capabilities. Collaborate with smart people.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

AHA : Oh this is a question I've been waiting for. There is no doubt in my mind, I would have been a lead guitarist in a rock band.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

AHA : My country and its countrymen have contributed a lot to my success. They have been my biggest obstacles and my biggest supporters.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

AHA : I was fortunate to apprentice under Cabell Childress as an architect in training. He turned me from an ordinary designer into what I am today. Divine intervention from time to time has always been favourable.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

AHA : If it was an easy ride, it would not be worthy of becoming design. Through adversity if one can shine, you are doing the right thing. One can steer clear of obstacles, but you cannot avoid them. You can only overcome them, and then they are not percieved as obstacles anymore.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

AHA : I have no ultimate goal. I see myself designing all the way to my death bed.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

AHA : We have a few interesting projects lined up, that the office is excited to execute. However whats most interesting for me is, bringing to life my new mechanised manufacturing facility.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

AHA : I think the era of a lone master architect has come and gone. I truly believe that many hands make more work is the way of today and humans controlling machines is next.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

AHA : It is a chicken and egg situation. One cannot seperate the two. However good design and detailing cannot be substituted.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

AHA : Technology has become very important in design today and will increasingly become more and more integrated. We try to be in the forefront of technology as far as we can.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

AHA : In my country everything is measured tangibly. I wish people were more interested in how we can change their lives by good design. I wish the interaction with my clients was more cerebral. I wish design was used as tool to better lives and surroundings. Unfortunately subconsciously clients are always floating numbers in their heads.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

AHA : The first thing that comes to my mind is the fact that it is so simple and how could someone have not thought about this before.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

AHA : Everyone influences design in one way or another. Design is meant for people.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

AHA : I watch children and youngsters all the time. They are so inspiring. I also travel a lot, meet people from different cultures. This world is an amazing place and Ibelieve everything on this planet was meant for me.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

AHA : Oh. Now youve got me in the sweet spot. Alexander the Great. Daniel Bernoulli. Ferdinand Magellan. Genghis Khan. Michael Schumacher. Andrea Palladio. My Grandmother. I can go on forever, this list is very long.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

AHA : I find that every award needs to be earned. It gives our office a sense of belief that we are still relevant in the current world. That we are still being recognized for our work that people find appealing and functional. We wear our recognition badge as a badge of honour.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

AHA : When I was a child I was happy just to be able to fly kites and play football. I had no inclination that one day i may be writing down this interview.