David Nikuradze

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer David Nikuradze ("DN") 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?

DN : Born and raised in Tbilisi, Georgia. Went to Georgian Technical University for the bachelors of Architectural studies. After completion of university moved to New York, US and started my professional career as an Architect and builder, have spent overall 20 years abroad in various countries pursuing architectural and construction projects varying from mega projects to single family houses. Have returned to Tbilisi, Georgia and established SPECTRUM LLC in 2014.

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

DN : The main motivation about my job is the feeling that I can make the difference as an architect, something that really matters - creating safe, healthy environments for people to live and work and entertain in, contributing work that will live on long after we have gone. Creating healthier planet and contributing towards the future.

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

DN : I knew from a very young age that this was the only profession I wanted to pursue and practice.

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

DN : A complete model of self sustained healthy habitat, a model of well being and contextual setting for a specific environment. A new and innovative way to live, work and help the planet.

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

DN : My suggestion to young and upcoming designers would be taking risks, trying new approaches or methods – these are virtues that separate the very best design from the quickly forgotten ones. With every brief comes the opportunity for expression, for being unique, for trying something you’ve never tried or thought before. As an architect, it’s inherently important to approach each challenge and each project with an open mind.

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

DN : The good architect creates aesthetically pleasing projects with an adequate function. Great architects create a future and broaden the horizon of mankind.

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

DN : Imagination, innovation and environmental impact are the main criteria while judging the project. A really good design is a sophisticated puzzle that has multifaceted tasks and provides a comprehensive solution to each and every factor surrounding the project.

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

DN : The good architecture is extremely valuable, especially when it serves the society and does not harm the environment, sets new and innovative standards for generations to come.

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

DN : The process of designing itself is more valuable than overall project range. Given the circumstances public building and infrastructure projects are preferable as it affects a much greater number of people and urban fabric.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

DN : Public garden that has sacred qualities, where people enter to rejuvenate and heal.

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

DN : Hard work and hunger to create is the ultimate secret of every designer, only with hard work, dedication and commitment one can come up with the greatest ideas and develop them to fruition.

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

DN : Le Corbusier, Frank Loyd Wright, Louis Kahn…

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

DN : Ancient Japanese temples and gardens, as they are never ending story and are forever extremely important and critical to society in large.

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

DN : To try to challenge and re-think every aspect of already known ways to design… rather take risks and look further than one specific project.

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

DN : Probably writer or art historian.

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

DN : A never ending process of interconnecting dots that creates a very specific aspects of our conscious and unconscious life. A process where everything is possible and achievable with no limits and boundaries.

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

DN : My mother from earliest years and my wife still the greatest support

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

DN : A constant strive to learn and develop.

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

DN : Not to give up an idea that one day we can create things and having the opportunity to influence planet and society.

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

DN : It depends on the project and on the audience, could vary from very casual story to a full fletch technical presentation. Main point one must tell the compelling story.

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

DN : We have several very interesting projects we are currently working on, each one of them is very unique and distinctive, we pride ourselves to be able to offer cutting edge solutions.

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

DN : Being able to create a project where it will be my version of the story going forward in future.

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

DN : Unique design solutions and long lasting, sustainable values that will withhold the time.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

DN : Offering meaningful design solutions, especially in a field like architecture, it can change the life of the society, as it affects directly our everyday lives.

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

DN : Working on a very authentic traditional Georgian restaurant that will serve as a major tourist attraction not only as a restaurant, but almost like a museum under sky concept, wherein one can become very familiar and experience ancient way of Georgian culture and tradition.

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

DN : No preference on project types, coud be from outdoor wood bench to major public building.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

DN : Less trendy solutions and more emphasis on environment and well being of our planet.

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

DN : The design field is evolving very fast in the last few decades due to technological and informational boom. The improvements in technology are allowing architects to work more efficiently. A reduced need for 'technical' support means that architects are back in control of the design process to the benefit of architecture. The future of design lies in how much architecture will impact the nature, the trend of environmental protection covers all fields of design and especially architecture.

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

DN : It always depends on project features, there are some projects we deal with in a few months, but some of them take much longer. We have ongoing projects which will take years to complete, but will create a new landmark for the city.

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

DN : The very first thing I do is a very detail and complex research. I carefully listen to our client’s need and try to understand what’s their expectations. The next stage is learning about the market – considering all the factors affecting our project, I go through the references and take time to explore more the aspects of successful project for each function.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

DN : Create healthier environments and solution to help out the planet

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

DN : It’s a two-way process that one cannot escape. Only the most daring ones have the courage to think out of box and create the iconic items, that push the boundaries of trends and any adopted rules.

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

DN : It is an undivided part of the design process.

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

DN : I personally use a pencil and markers to sketch and edit the design we are working on. Sometimes use cadd, and Photoshop to put ideas on paper.

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

DN : Material and color palette are used to create personality and character of the design, they provide a set of emotions or visual effects.

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

DN : What’s the story behind the building is the most interesting thing to talk about.

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

DN : First of all it’s an appreciation of hard work and unlimited creativity which grips my mind. And the second thought is the motivation it gives to become better, to create something as unique and bold as the one I look at.

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

DN : My team members are the best people I can think of to work with. It’s an incredibly talented team of professionals with unlimited ideas, which help us to create the projects which push the boundaries. Buildings are met to be designed in groups not by individuals.

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

DN : Miles Davis, Sun Ra, John Coltrane

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

DN : Little Prince by Saint Antoine ..

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

DN : Years and years of practice, readings, and never ending process of self improvement.

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

DN : A Jazz legend Sun Ra – person which is an example for me of the mind without boundaries – the one for whom the space and time where insignificant.

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

DN : I appreciate it and consider the award as a great honour.

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

DN : White, New York, Meat pie, Fall, Nike

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

DN : Once in New York Client asked me to design a pool house for entertainment for his friends and family. After the design was completed it ended with such an excited project that he changed his mind, considering he would be busy all the time receiving and hosting guest and pool house would become a very demanding and time consuming element of his life. After careful consideration, he decided to cancel the project.

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

DN : When am able to create something I thought as a concept and after putting down on paper I see 100 more versions of the same with unlimited possibilities and directions, what is a truly satisfying feeling.

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

DN : Almost from very young age, I was always fascinated by building and structures, paintings and sketches, the process of creating a new environment.

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

DN : Mankind will spread into other planets and invent a new way to live and take care of our planet.

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

DN : Never happy or satisfied with anything I have completed before a devious look to connect remaining dots to tell the story.