We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt ("KAMD").
Karla Aliaga, Architect and designer at a local and international level, the specialized press constantly publishes her creations and is considered a benchmark in the industry, both in Chile and abroad. Karla surprises with her works in exterior architecture, interior design and lighting. She is known for the order in her projects and the good use of materials, ergonomics as a differentiating concept in her work and always promoting the origins and roots of those who commission a work, are the nuances of an architect who defines herself as “distinct” as “creative”.
Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt.
Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt Design - Close Horizon House Extension
Designer Interview of Karla Aliaga Mac Dermitt:
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?
KAMD : I love all kinds of art, especially architecture and landscaping. I always had a sense of order and aesthetics and I was very attracted by the different ways of living and how they adapted the architecture to achieve a better functioning
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KAMD : My company is dedicated to the exterior architecture, and landscaping and we are getting to know the interior design.
DI: What is "design" for you?
KAMD : The design for me is in everything I do in my life, it has become my world and my way of living
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
KAMD : I love the exterior architecture, working the spaces as if they were interiors and adapts to the daily use.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
KAMD : I like all my designs since they are all unique and personalized,But if I were to choose one, I would stay with The Las Brisas II Project, a project designed and built by our team in 2017 and published in books of architecture.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
KAMD : I had the opportunity to finish my architecture studies and start my own company which I maintain until today.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
KAMD : My favorite material is the concrete in sight and the wood, both are worked in an extraordinary way in the architecture.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
KAMD : In architecture you always have to be at the forefront of things, so I like to use products that are new to the market, are economical and do not harm the environment
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
KAMD : It is very important before you start a design to know the customer as a whole, to see how he moves, how he lives, what he likes. These parameters are pre-present throughout the design process, so that the result is incredible.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
KAMD : Emotions can vary depending on the type of design, but in general it is very exciting to capture a person's desires on paper and then see them built.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
KAMD : Ver el diseño construido es el resultado de untrabajo arduo y mucha responsabilidad y de una satisfaccion increible.
DI: What makes a design successful?
KAMD : What makes a project successful is to be able to shape the client's wishes and transform them into reality.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
KAMD : Good or bad reviews are always positive for a project. I focus on the bad critics first since they give me the possibility to evaluate them and to improve my project.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
KAMD : In my case in particular, where most of our projects are related to landscaping and sustainability, I would say that design is the funtional part to be able to protect our environment, using non-polluting products, designing with less water and using waste With responsibility.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
KAMD : The field of design is always evolving, especially with the new technologies, that allow to design innovative elements.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
KAMD : The last exhibition was for the fair Jardinera, October 2016, the largest in South America, exposing the best landscapers in the country.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
KAMD : I am a person who is dedicated to look for different forms of design always prioritizing what the client wants
DI: 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?
KAMD : I really like the minimalist style, while less.
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?
KAMD : I live in Chile, South America and is a relatively new continent, compared to the old continent as Europe, I consider that my heritage is not affected since all my designs are unique and focused on the desire of the client.
DI: How do you work with companies?
KAMD : We work for companies and individuals, companies contact us for recommendations and advertising.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
KAMD : I think all the designers are different, each with their styles, I think that the company has to have super clear their needs and expectations at the time of looking for the indicated designer.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
KAMD : The design process is quite meticulous, an x-ray of the client is made, looking for their needs, priorities and styles. We are very interested in knowing that you are looking for and for whom it is designed, all members of the family are important, not only the one that hires, it is a process that works together with the client until you get the desired result.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
KAMD : I am very concerned about aesthetics, ergonomics, safety, materiality and circulation.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
KAMD : A common day leaves leaving my beautiful daughters in the school and then meetings in the office and supervision in each one of the works.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
KAMD : My only recommendation is that they be persevering and when they get a no as an answer do not be discouraged, always follow your dreams and never give up.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
KAMD : Probably the most negative is the ego that every designer has. And the positive is the creativity that is always presented to create incredible things
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
KAMD : The rule of thumb is the difference.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
KAMD : I think creativity and listening are the most important thing.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
KAMD : Basically we use sketchup for 3d projects, plus a Podium renderer and for everything that is flat autocad.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
KAMD : We manage the times with an excellent organization, and the planning is an important factor in our company.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
KAMD : A landscaping project takes less than two months, one of architecture can take almost a year.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
KAMD : A designer always has all kinds of questions, but I think the important question is how technology will affect our future projects.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
KAMD : My most important project was undoubtedly an exposition of paisajimo called Gardener's largest landscaping event in South America. Which we won in 2015.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
KAMD : My most important clients are private individuals and real estate.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
KAMD : I like much, designing exteriors of a particular house, since each of them are unique.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
KAMD : I would like to internationalize my career and do many projects outside of Chile.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
KAMD : We have a great team of work, where architects, designers and landscapers work.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
KAMD : At this moment we are working on several private exterior design projects, as well as designing for the construction company and some interior design.
DI: How can people contact you?
KAMD : People can contact me through my websiteWww.arqui-k.clFacebook Arqui-K + LandscapeAddress: Av. La Dehesa 181, of 203, Lo BarnecheaPhone: 56 2 2 951 6399
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
KAMD : Thank you for the opportunity to show my work.