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Interview with Hactor Kabo Malete |
Home > Designer Interviews > Hactor Kabo Malete |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Hactor Kabo Malete (HKM) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Hactor Kabo Malete 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?
HKM: Since high school, I have always wanted to pursue a career which involves a combination of Art and Science. Architecture was my best-suited choice. I hence, have always known from high school that Architecture is the career I would like to pursue. Spaces, beautiful buildings, large buildings, high rise buildings have always fascinated me as a teenager. My love for beautiful building structures grew to the extent I imagined myself as a creator of these structures at some point in life. To me, these were not only buildings, but works of Art. My interest in joining the profession was with the aim of further pushing the envelope in the design of spaces and buildings.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
HKM: After working for a private Architecture firm for roughly 12 years, I decided to open my own Architectural Company. The name of my company is called Hactor K. Malete Architects and it has been operating for roughly a year now. It mainly does projects in Botswana and South Africa and some of the countries in Africa. It currently stationed in South Africa. This year we will be opening another branch in Botswana.
FS: What is "design" for you?
HKM: The conventional understanding of design is interrogating the problem, addressing it to achieve a particular intended purpose. For me however, it goes beyond that, I would define design as the art of creatively and poetically addressing issues while ensuring that the intended purpose for which the design is done is achieved. As a Design Architect, it is critical for one to define their design philosophy which becomes their drive in their professional career. It helps one as a Designer to focus on a specific area or 'style of design' to ensure a well-crafted design. Architecture must not be understood merely as a process of designing buildings and defining spaces. The term 'building' should be divorced from the process of Architecture (and understanding spatial quality, syntax etc.), It should rather be looked at as a moment in space that results from an interplay of various factors. This then becomes a provocation of a series of ongoing events in time. Therefore, in light of this, Architecture becomes a moment in space that 'sparks' a series of events in a continuous progression of time. It is an inescapable fact that the term 'building' limits one's thinking and results in the designing of 'conventional' & inhumane 'buildings' that also lose relevance with time. A well-crafted Architectural design is one of mankind's perfect tool to challenge the rule of time. As an Architect, I endeavor to create 'Architectures' that are timeless, humane, and sustainable and evoke a true sense of 'dwelling'. This is a paradigm I believe should be harnessed further in the 'sphere' of Architecture. Once this is the case, we are confident that our places of dwelling, neighborhoods, towns, urban spaces and edges, villages etc. will be delightful places to inhabit.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
HKM: Currently I enjoy designing hospitality buildings and buildings that are located within a natural landscape. However, my wish is to one day design a mega sized international airport and other large sized public buildings like skyscraper hotels, museums etc.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
HKM: My favorite design is the Agritourism development that I designed in Botswana (in a small town called Letlhakane) for a private client. The building comprises of; the entertainment center, hotel, conference center and farming activities. The buildings are designed in a way that it resonates with local culture and makes use of local traditional indigenous Architecture in a more modern way. It goes beyond a conventional building. It’s an artwork that, once completed, will be exhibited to the local and international market.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
HKM: I designed a public space (proposed upgrade of a street, public square and a heritage monument) at a city called Gqeberha in South Africa
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
HKM: I prefer to use rustic and natural material for all my designs located in natural landscape. In terms of the mediums that I use in my design process, I prefer using hand sketches. However, for drawing and rendering software, my favorite is Revit Autodesk for modelling and Twinmotion for rendering
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
HKM: Very early in the morning or when I’m out to have coffee relaxing or taking a walk. When I feel stuck, when designing, I usually take a break and have a cup of coffee then come back refreshed and ideas come through much better.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
HKM: I focus more on the overall composition of the building and how public spaces around the building relate to the building and each other. My aim is to ensure that the overall design is well knitted together. I also focus on the overall 3-dimensional expression of the building. I ensure that it's aesthetically pleasing.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
HKM: Before I design, I look at the site for which the building is to sit, some sites are very exciting to work with even before I start designing. The same goes with the type of building to be designed, it’s exciting even before the design starts. However, it usually gives a feeling of uncertainty everytime I start a design from scratch because it takes hard work to come up with a design. It’s a stressful time to be honest up until I see the design taking shape.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
HKM: I get a feeling of relief, excitement and fulfilment.
FS: What makes a design successful?
HKM: A successful design ensures that it serves the intended purpose, it’s humane, sustainable and furthermore aesthetically pleasing. Architectural work is also a work of Art, it should be wowing to look at.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
HKM: Does the building serve the intended purpose? Does it contribute positively to urban spaces around it? Is it aesthetically pleasing? Is the building sustainable?
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
HKM: The designer is responsible for ensuring that the building/design contributes positively to public spaces around it. It should create pleasant spaces for people to inhabit. As designers we are also responsible for creating designers that contribute to the reduction of the global carbon footprint. Climate change has become a serious challenge in the last few decades.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
HKM: The future of design is evolving towards a trajectory where it will see design inseparable from technology. The future of technology in design cannot be ignored. It will form a much bigger part of the design process. We can already see it make strides. The amount of time it will take for a design process in future will most probably take a fraction of the amount of time it takes now.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
HKM: I’m an Architect, I have not held any exhibition yet
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
HKM: I draw inspiration from my clients’ background and requirements, climate, nature of the site as well as building type to be designed. I also get inspiration from works of reputable Architects, award winning designs and nature.
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?
HKM: Contemporary minimalistic designs that are rooted in culture and place.
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?
HKM: I was born in Botswana but I’m currently based in South Africa. I always ensure that all projects that I design Identify with the cultural heritage of the place for which I’m designing. I can design any building anywhere in the world and ensure that it identifies with the character and cultural heritage of that specific area. I will have to carry out research and study the culture of that specific area.
FS: How do you work with companies?
HKM: Sometimes I work with companies as my clients and at times I consult for other Architectural companies to offer Architectural design services if they do not have enough resources or they specifically require my special design services.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
HKM: The best way for companies to select a good design is by advertising the vacancy and asking candidates to submit a portfolio of previous work done. Companies will be able to ascertain which designer produces great designs.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
HKM: My design process is as follows and in the following order: 1.I get client’s brief and understand his/her requirements 2.I then study the site, analyze it and analyze its context (including culture, climate, buildings around, movement, access, to mention but a few) 3.Then I’ll start with hand sketches to develop a concept 4.From hand sketches I’ll develop the concept further and start using Architectural drawing software to sketch and design more to scale 5.The next stage will be to further detail the design of Architectural drawing software 6.When I’m confident about the design, I then export the model to my Architectural rendering software to produce 3 dimensional renders 7.After producing renders, I will further develop the design to produce working drawings and construction drawings
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
HKM: Coffee table, picnic table, bedside lamp, couch, book shelf
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
HKM: I start my day with prayer and a cup of coffee, check my emails, and note things to do for the day. If I have a design a design, then continue with then I’ll continue with the design.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
HKM: Do as much research as you can on design and learn from award-winning designs. Also subject your work to rigorous critic by other designers and Architects.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
HKM: The beautiful thing about design is seeing your idea take shape and your client happy with the product. The down part about design is you may come up with a design concept that you might have to change completely either because the client doesn’t like it or yourself as a designer you are not happy with it. It takes a lot of effort and stress to get to a point where as a designer you are also happy with your design.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
HKM: Always subject your design work to critique by other designers no matter how good of a designer you are. Designers never stop growing.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
HKM: Creativity, Research skills, critical analysis, imaginative mind, being able to design with hand sketches, presentation skills, being able to translate hand sketched to computer aided designs
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
HKM: Books, hand sketches, site, client’s requirements and brief, drawing and rendering softwares, internet
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
HKM: At design stage, I ensure that I do design everywhere I go and at any time. Even if I go out to the shops or watch movies etc., e ensure that I think about design so that by the time I sit down it takes a short time to come up with the design. Designing is part of my everyday life regardless of the time and place or what I’m busy with at the time
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
HKM: It depends on the size and complexity of the project. However, good designs always take time
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
HKM: 1. What inspired your design? 2. How long did it take to design? 3. How much does it cost to design? 4. How much does the design cost to build?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
HKM: Being given an opportunity to design the biggest project my previous employer was ever contracted to.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
HKM: My clients are currently mainly private individuals and private companies
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
HKM: I enjoy designing buildings that I located in nature because. I love nature and the only way to interact with it is directly personally and also via my creations/designs.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
HKM: I would like to grow my Architecture firm into a big establishment that does big projects all over the world. I would like to have my footprint in most of the continents. My goal is to win more design awards and ultimately win the Architecture Pritzker Award with time. My next plan of action is for me to open up a branch of my company in Botswana this year.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
HKM: I currently develop designs by myself. However, once I have hired designers in my company, I will develop designs together with my team. Every team member that develops a design will have it discussed by the team internally before presentation to the client.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
HKM: I am currently working on another Agritourism project, residential houses, and hotels, all of them in Botswana.
FS: How can people contact you?
HKM: Email: hactor.k.malete@gmail.com Cell: +27 72 498 1223
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
HKM: Everything has been covered
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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