We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Niloofar Niksar ("NN").
Architecture is not just a job for me. It is a life style; a very complicated but fun style. All the time all my senses are practicing to find a way to design a sanctum where invites it’s users to serenity among social, economical, cultural and gender mash up ,though it is artificial.
Niloofar Niksar Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Niloofar Niksar.
Designer Interview of Niloofar Niksar:
DI: 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?
NN : I have studied architecture so it is obvious I am familiar with art. Especially sketching and drawing are my tools to experience the world
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NN : Studio Davazdah is a Tehran-based small architecture firm focused on research and design. What makes us distinct from similar groups is how we treat the most specific elements of design and execution as well as a comprehensive study of the context of each project leading to a clear awareness of their cultural and historical particularities.
DI: What is "design" for you?
NN : Architecture is one of those fields where an informed and educated observer can recognize the distinctive quality of any designed or executed work through careful examination. Particular regard for detail and an awareness of its impact on shaping an architectural whole and creating harmony, in terms of form and content, between a whole and its parts determines the vision and performance of this engineering group.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NN : I like designing houses.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NN : nowadays I follow Japanese architecture for small urban houses. there are completely different plan layouts on those houses and they have new descriptions for how to live.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NN : Concrete and metal sheets.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
NN : In the early morning
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
NN : Looking at context carefully and being sensitive about the user's future experience are the most important things I focus more during designing
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NN : Fully concentrate
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NN : Being happy besides feeling stress
DI: What makes a design successful?
NN : It is important to be concerned about the details
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NN : What is the relation between the form and context?
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NN : Have positive roles in social ecology.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NN : The design has an archaic role in shaping human living and being a shelter to protect them from their fears.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
NN : Last summer I had an exhibition In Tehran
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NN : It comes from literature and movies
DI: 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?
NN : I live in Iran. My country's cultural heritage and social and political situations have influenced my perspective. Iran has rich architecture in the past, so it can be considered. Of course, political and economic problems, as well as vast economic corruption in construction are caused critical problems in this profession.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
NN : Be flexible about details and be welcome to new ideas
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
NN : An antique desk, a rug and the wide window with a panoramic view to garden
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
NN : I wake up early in the morning and eat my breakfast with my beloved son. At 8 am my professional life begins and after 7 pm I go home and my family routine begins
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
NN : Hard working, make different models and trust in team working
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
NN : Have a keen sight about everything is around
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
NN : Beside a paper and pencil for sketching, Autocad software is my main tool
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
NN : I think architects sold themselves to time and you must organize your whole life with your design project
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
NN : It depend on the projects scale and their issues.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
NN : What is the main role of the architect to give a good mood for the city?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
NN : The construction site is like a school for me to experience the real meaning of what we design
DI: Who are some of your clients?
NN : We have various clients. But most of them are CEO of a company
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
NN : The projects with the complicated issues! Because I love to solve puzzling situations
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
NN : We have a restoration project. It is an abandoned amphitheater
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
NN : We design and develop it by team working
DI: How can people contact you?
NN : By my office website www.studiodavazdah.com