We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative VASSILIS SIAFARICAS ("VS").
Vassilis Siafaricas is an entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in startups and companies focusing on real estate, prop tech, and mobile gaming. He owns real estate companies that design and develop environmentally friendly projects in Greece's most exclusive and upscale areas. Vassilis Siafaricas also co-founded several start-ups, including a mobile gaming company with a Communicator & a Webby Award, with over 10M downloads worldwide. Vassilis Siafaricas founded ECLÉDE, an environmental-friendly design, construction, and land development company that designs and develops zero-energy-consumption buildings. He is also a civil engineer, designer, senior project manager, and real estate consultant.
VASSILIS SIAFARICAS Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by VASSILIS SIAFARICAS.
VASSILIS SIAFARICAS Design - Atlas and Pleione Subterranean Luxury Villas
VASSILIS SIAFARICAS Design - Atlas Summer Villa
Designer Interview of VASSILIS SIAFARICAS:
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?
VS : I have always been very interested in both design and implementation. This is why I became a civil engineer and got involved with design.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
VS : ECLÉDE, or Eclectic Design & Developments, is a design and development company focusing on luxury and eco-friendly properties. Design, Develop, Distinguish.
DI: What is "design" for you?
VS : Design is a combination of inspiration and functionality. To create something new and unique, you need to be inspired, but your design must also be helpful.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
VS : Green Residential Properties is my all-time favorite
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
VS : All my designs are my children, and they are part of me. They are all my favorites. To answer this question, my favorite design is the next one that's coming.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
VS : It was in 2005 when I had to improve the designs of a big project made by a famous architect. This was the time I understood I had it in me.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
VS : I love marble and wood. At this very moment, I am intrigued by the LEED and other for Homes certificate specifications. It is exciting and inspiring.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
VS : When I travel, I see new things, and my mind can't stop thinking and creating.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
VS : Balance and Functionality. For me, there is no reason to create something beautiful but nonfunctional
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
VS : This kind of pleasure that you don't want it to end.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
VS : Gratefulness
DI: What makes a design successful?
VS : The concept, the inspiration, and the utility.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
VS : The concept, the inspiration, and the utility.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
VS : Nowadays, all designers are responsible for thinking about the environment because they respect society and all individuals.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
VS : Environmental friendly design is the next best thing
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
VS : At 47circles in Athens for Cleopatra's box. My next exhibition will be there too, in December
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
VS : As I previously said, it is traveling and reading.
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?
VS : When your priority is to respect the environment, the environment leads you to your design solution. I recommend minimalistic interiors, though minimal interiors are not always the choice. Minimal fluidity would be a good approach.
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?
VS : Athens, Greece, is steeped in history, which profoundly inspires me. While my country has numerous aspects that require change, it also has many treasures that deserve preservation and greater visibility.
DI: How do you work with companies?
VS : As an outsourced cooperation
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
VS : See their work, but mainly ensure the designers will respect the company's ideas and concerns for the project
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
VS : We studied history and surroundings, understood business plans, and finalized our concept inspiration and design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
VS : Paintings, dining tables, sofas, bedroom, and the bathroom.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
VS : Working, working, and probably working.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
VS : Simple solutions are usually the best and most functional. Respect the environment.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
VS : The problem with creators is that they must accept that everyone might not like their creations. So, persistence is the most significant advantage of a realistic designer and the biggest disadvantage of a dreamer designer.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
VS : Simplicity and Functionality.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
VS : To listen, understand, and be inspired.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
VS : Autocad, Photoshop. Keynote, Office, Sketch and many many more
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
VS : To manage your time, you need experience, and experience is obtained through the years.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
VS : It depends on the object or the project.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
VS : How did you think of designing this?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
VS : The next one.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
VS : Private Individuals
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
VS : Residential because it is always challenging
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
VS : An eco friendly building in Athens center
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
VS : As a team
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
VS : The Izanagi project, Boomerang Athens
DI: How can people contact you?
VS : Via email or social media