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Interview with Jean-Pierre Trou |
Home > Designer Interviews > Jean-Pierre Trou |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Jean-Pierre Trou (JT) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Jean-Pierre Trou by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
JT: I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. My design ideology has been shaped through exposure to the modern architecture of the City and by the legacy of sustainable architecture practiced by the Incas. This is an architecture characterized by its responsiveness, adaptability and tectonics. These concepts of adaptation and performance have always captured my interest. I studied architecture at La Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima when I obtained my bachelor's degree. Then I moved to the United States and went to the University of Texas at Austin to continue my Architectural education. During the pursuit of my Master of Architecture in Design and Theory, I focused my research on “Complex Adaptive Systems”; an architecture capable of adaptation, self-regulation, and conservation as an alternative approach to sustainable design. I learned music before I discovered architecture. I started to write songs when I was a child and that creative process translated pretty well with architecture and design. I see similarities in the use of concept, language and rhythm. I’ve always loved to create things, so when I discovered architectured it was like love at first sight. I’ve always been intrigued by the phenomenological aspect of space and the impact of a well design space in people’s lives. That is what motivates me, the idea of improving people’s lives with design.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JT: Runa Workshop was created out of a common desire to live and work creatively. My business partner and I wanted to create a studio that inspires design collaboration, encourages practice and fosters creativity. We didn’t want to name our architecture firm after our names, we wanted something that represented the way we approach design, and at the same time, us. "Runa" in Quechua, the native language of the Incas, means "people". A workshop is a place for creativity, where ideas and solutions rise, and where a craft is developed. Together, Runa Workshop means, "people exchanging ideas".
FS: What is "design" for you?
JT: Design for me is a feeling. It is also a mix of science and art. It is a materialized concept that has the perfect balance between function and beauty.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JT: I design commercial spaces, but my background is in residential design. I enjoy both of them, but I chose to do commercial since it has bigger impact on the community and provides an opportunity to improve the built environment and to shape the city. I wish to design more large commercial projects and public spaces.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JT: Caffé Medici, ViaSat, 801 Barton Springs. The level of impact they have on people’s lives. I designed the coffee shop when I was having my first son and I could imagine what it would be like for a family to experience the space. Seeing my son (and others) “wowed” by the shapes in the space is very rewarding.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JT: A two story shopping mall at a beach resort in Piura, Peru for a national competition with Javier Artadi.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JT: Material: Concrete. Platform: Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology: 3D printing
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
JT: In the shower.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JT: Concept.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JT: Excitement and joy.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JT: Proud and self reflection.
FS: What makes a design successful?
JT: A sincere desire for collaboration is often at the source of great design and project success. Usually the best designs are those that appear to be so simple and effortless, yet are very complex and achieve a high level of detail.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JT: Execution, function and aesthetics.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JT: We have a huge responsibility to create well designed spaces since they have an intangible impact on people’s lives. The profession is one of the biggest contributors to carbon monoxide production in the world, so sustainable practices are imperative on every project. we have to have positive contributions to the built environment.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JT: N/A
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JT: Last year I was selected to participate in the national exhibition, Perspectivas. One of our projects, ViaSat was featured. The goal of the exhibition is to promote and celebrate the work of Latinos in Architecture. It was featured at the Texas Society of Architects Convention at the Austin Convention Center in the United States.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JT: It just happens, like a strike of lightning. I always clear my mind and let the ideas flow. My design process starts by analogue - writing or sketching- it’s fluid. Then, it clicks.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
JT: I don’t know that I have a style. Every project is its own story and all our projects are concept based. So, it is the concept that dictates the design aesthetics, not the other way around.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
JT: Yes, of course. I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. My design ideology has been shaped through exposure to the modern architecture of the City and by the legacy of sustainable architecture practiced by the Incas. This is an architecture characterized by its responsiveness, adaptability and tectonics. These concepts of adaptation and performance have always captured my interest. I studied architecture at La Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima when I obtained my bachelor's degree. Then I moved to the United States and went to the University of Texas at Austin to continue my Architectural education. During the pursuit of my Master of Architecture in Design and Theory, I focused my research on “Complex Adaptive Systems”; an architecture capable of adaptation, self-regulation, and conservation as an alternative approach to sustainable design.
FS: How do you work with companies?
JT: We have an owner-centric approach and a spirit of collaboration in all we do that helps us work well with any company.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JT: Consider what your relationship will be and what your involvement with everyone on the team looks like. As a smaller firm, we pride ourselves on exposing our clients to the highest level talent in every stage of the process.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JT: I start by listening to the client’s needs, understanding their business, understanding the restrictions of the site and research. I need to know everything about the project. Once I gather all of this then it begins to come together. It is an exercise of questioning, it is the design concept that helps me make conscious decisions.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JT: Eames rocking chair in my son’s room, our mid-century modern walnut dining table, mid-century teak credenza, coffee table made by my wife’s grandfather, and my guitar.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
JT: Quality time in the morning with my kids and wife, drop kids at school, go to work, coordinate with the design team, give myself enough time to work on the design of projects, mentoring and running the business with my business partner. Then back home to spend more quality time with my family.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JT: I would recommend young designers to always question everything, there is always a better way. Be humble and learn as much as they can from their peers. Always listen; to the clients, to the workers, consultants, even the mason, they all have something valuable that will enrich their knowledge and make their design and craft better.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JT: We see the world with a different lense. We get to appreciate the beauty in nature, and how it is designed. We see the city and we see opportunities. We can tell the story behind every space, but at the same time… We are always critical.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JT: “No, you can’t” is never an answer.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
JT: Communication.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JT: Sketching (Lots of hand sketching to convey my ideas), 3D modeling for form exploration.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JT: I manage my time by setting up goals and I always allow myself a time away from the design so when I come back to it, I come back with a clear mind. I think that gap is important. It is important to put the pencil down and come back to it later, and know when to do that.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JT: It is relative to the size and complexity of the task or project. A good estimation is always 3 times longer than you think it will take.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JT: How much is that? There is always a concern for cost in every project. As designers we always need to be mindful of our client’s needs and capabilities. It is our responsibility to provide them with great design that meets their budget.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
JT: I think working at a large firm exposed me to a different scale of projects and a lot of resources that I benefited from in the early stages of my career.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
JT: Commercial developers, local businesses, national tech businesses and start-ups.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JT: N/A
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JT: Growing the company and opening offices in other thriving markets.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JT: Always a team. We strive to bring a collaborative spirit to all that we do.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JT: We have an unbuilt project that won a competition, in response to the Urban Heat Island Effect. On a vacant site in the heart of downtown Chicago, we set out to provide a solution to a recurring problem, Urban Heat Island Effect. The all-inclusive program required a green roof, farm, mixed residential, commercial and service areas. Our approach to the program informed our design, utilizing the building as a holisticthermal machine. The structure, clad in glass with a veil of thermobimetal, employs the building’s thermal properties to function as a battery. Like human skin, thermobimetal captures and stores heat before re-distributing it for future energy needs. The coloration of the screen is determined by the amount of active sun hitting the surface. At the peak of heat collection and harvesting, the screen goes flat like shades being drawn. As the weather becomes cooler, the metal enters usage mode, lifting in various locations, creating natural movement and pattern. A migration of green tiered terraces at each level provide an alternative to the typical “green roof”, helping to reduce urban air temperatures. As a fully-functioning farm, the crops service the tenants, restaurants, and marketplace, as well as yield hops for an on-site brewery. Harvest provides a sanctuary for the community while pioneering technologies benefiting the city’s future. It would be incredible to see a project like this developed.
FS: How can people contact you?
JT: Email is always great. jtrou@runaworkshop.com
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
JT: Our collaborative approach begins by listening to our client and their vision, then continues with the team throughout the project. Our owner-centric approach; paired with our design sense, passion for innovation, technical mastery, and spirit of collaboration is what equips us to provide our clients lasting, innovative designs.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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