Stephan Maria Lang

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Stephan Maria Lang ("SML") 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?

SML : i am trained in TUM Munich and ETH Zürich Switzerland, i worked in London i was teaching at the TUM Munich

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

SML : i love to create to find unique solutions and to work with an holistic approach

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

SML : life is a creatice flow i was thrown into

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

SML : Museums i mainly design high end residences and would like to design more museums

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

SML : do not compromise . Find and follow your own artistic solutions

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

SML : passion and personality to express something unique

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

SML : it touches your senses , your soul

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

SML : it uplights your life

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

SML : sculptures

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

SML : tolerance and indulgence

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

SML : FL Wright, Schindler, Neutra, Lautner, Benisch

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

SML : Falling water and Sidney opera they touch my soul after all these years

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

SML : House P is a huge Villa and sits gently in its Garden

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

SML : do not copy. find your own answers, don't be comfortable in repeating yourself

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

SML : a postman or a gardener

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

SML : i you do not feel that it is design things become selfexplaining and people enjoy having it

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

SML : my friendly and highly professional team

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

SML : to find clients , loyal partners and to build up a highly professional team

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

SML : it is always so individual be passionate and authentic

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

SML : a residence in Switzerland. i hope to realize the most beautiful houses at the nicest places around the world

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

SML : to build a falling water or a Guggenheim museum

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

SML : decent authentic approach to fulfill their personal dreams

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SML : society does not become better trough design

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

SML : 3-6 Villas at exciting sites. i love the variety of solutions for my individual A- list clients

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

SML : private residences give you the opportunity to create everything from the exterior to the interior to the garden as a "Gesamtkunstwerk"

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

SML : green an natural

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

SML : the design process is short the building process takes up to 2 years

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

SML : i start with needs and dreams of the client combines with the restrictions and opportunities of the site

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SML : i am a maximalist

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

SML : good design should be timeless

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

SML : a tool to make life easier

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

SML : Archicad 2d drawing and pencil scetching

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

SML : at the end it is all about atmosphere amd we shoultd carefully watch every detail of a space

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

SML : lovely great inspiration for my life

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

SML : my team is very important. they complete so many abilities i do not posses

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

SML : the craftsmen on site and my Bauleiter

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

SML : a book about Schindler and Light in Japaneses architecture

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

SML : learning by doing

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

SML : FL Wright and Schindler

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

SML : it is a recognition for a hard and long development we had in the office

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

SML : the nature with the constant change of season creating unique light texture colour is touching my soul

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

SML : the compliment of a rich client: Stephan the house is a dream; more beautiful then i could have ever dream t of

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

SML : the moment of "coincidence" when after a long struggle a solution appears on the paper

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

SML : playing Lego i hated to mix color could be a hint

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

SML : the human kind is probably extinguish itself and nature will eventually recover

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

SML : The quality and beauty of Stephan Maria Lang's works lays in the integration of architecture, garden, and interior into a Gesamtkunstwerk