We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Marius Mateika ("MM").
I am an architect. I represent MAMA architects. I am the founder of this studio. We are a small but professional and creative team capable of handling large, complex projects. Our focus is: eceptional objects and complex public buildings. Our moto: architecture is not a job for us and it is not a profession, architecture is a way of life. We create for people, so our focus is people, and how they will feel in our buildings. We are always interested in the relation of architecture or interiors with people. "A room should start a conversation before a word is spoken" Barry Dixon.
Marius Mateika Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Marius Mateika.
Marius Mateika Design - Symphony Orchestra Music Hall
Designer Interview of Marius Mateika:
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?
MM : I am an architect. I think I was born an architect. It is my vocation and my way of life. I live like an architect, think like an architect and dream like an architect.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MM : I represent MAMA architects. I am the founder of this company. We are a small team working on large and complex projects. We focus on public buildings, theatres, concert halls and other exceptional structures. But it's not the size that counts, it's the ability to apply unique solutions. We strive to make every building iconic and timeless.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MM : We are always striving for something new in our work. We want to create something that hasn't been created yet, to try something that hasn't been tried yet. To mix materials, styles that have never been mixed before. So we try to FIND OUR OWN WAY.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MM : I like objects that require a high energy load. I.e. nightclub, theatre, church. In such projects there is the most room for experimentation.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MM : My favourite interiors are Le Corbusier's Ronchamp chapel and Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen's Temppeliaukio church. Being there is something special.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MM : Nothing spectacular. A detached house on the outskirts of town.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MM : I've never had a favourite material, but now that we've completed the interior of the Klaipėda State Music Theatre, my favourite material is natural clay. Its possibilities are endless.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MM : Late in the evening, when it's quiet and I can concentrate.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MM : The most important thing is to understand why you are doing it. Who the consumer is. How they need to feel, what message we need to get across. And of course we don't want to replicate anything. We want to have our own touch, our own unique style.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MM : No emotions. At that time, I am a conductor. I believe in the archetypes that are in all of us, they just need to be released.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MM : I feel like a parent letting his child live an independent life.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MM : First of all, a great love for what you do. Then listening. Understanding the task. Understanding the context. And the desire to reinvent the bicycle.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MM : Contextuality, coherence, originality are my main criteria.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MM : If we're talking about interiors, there's not a lot of responsibility, because it's an internal space with little contact with the whole external context, so we can afford to be selfish. We can create whatever we want. If you don't like it, don't go there. If we are talking about public spaces, then it's a different story. In this case, we have to realise that the building has to please everybody, which means that our design has to be as universal as possible, acceptable to the masses.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MM : I think there will be more influence from artificial intelligence. Which will give us a lot more opportunities. There will be more and more new materials used in interiors. Sustainability is also a topic that is not exhausted and the interiors of the future will be full of it.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MM : We architects don't organise exhibitions. Each of our works, if successful, is a separate exhibition.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MM : As I said before, I believe in Jung's archetypes. When I create, I am a conductor. I believe in the archetypes that are in all of us, they just need to be released.
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?
MM : I don't know what our style is. It's probably more visible to others. But I hope they are different. We are not looking for some kind of uniformity. We are always experimenting, looking for a new approach. You can see in our work ethno motives, links with Eastern cultures. I think that the union of eastern and western styles has not been explored yet.
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?
MM : I live in Vilnius. In the wonderful city of Baroque heritage. We are the link between Eastern and Western Europe. It certainly influences our worldview. I think it enriches our vision.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MM : In a friendly way:)
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MM : I think the work of a good designer speaks for itself.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MM : I can't tell you much. It all seems very simple. The most interesting and challenging part of the work is the discussion with my colleagues. It takes time to find a common solution that satisfies everyone. There is a lot of talking, sketching and arguing before any idea is accepted. And then the purposeful, consistent work begins.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MM : Nothing unexpected: pencil, eraser, phone, computer, graphics tablet.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MM : Work, work, work, work.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MM : You will be defeated many times over. You will lose against yourself, against the client, against the builder. You will fail to defend your idea, the ideas you have implemented will not work for you, etc... Don't give up!
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MM : NEGATIVE: 365 days a year is not enough for an architect. POSITIVE: We are slowly making the world a better place.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MM : Think differently
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MM : The most important skill for an architect is to see things globally.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MM : Books only. Lots of books.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MM : To be honest, time management is a big problem for me. But I have a justification for it. Whatever we do, it can always be done better, more perfectly. So if you really believe in the project you're working on, you give it as much time as you can.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MM : Depends on the scale and complexity of the project.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MM : where do you get these ideas?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MM : I like complex objects that make you think differently. That's when I learn the most. For example, the symphony hall was something that made me think about acoustics and aesthetics at the same time. The interior of a nightclub makes you see objects in a different way, because what looks good during the day doesn't necessarily look good in stage lighting, and so on.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MM : Good people.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MM : I like complex objects that make you think differently. That's when I learn the most. For example, the symphony hall was something that made me think about acoustics and aesthetics at the same time. The interior of a nightclub makes you see objects in a different way, because what looks good during the day doesn't necessarily look good in stage lighting, and so on.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MM : I have a dream. To design a sacred building, no matter what. It could be a church, it could be a temple. I'm sure it will happen.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MM : We are a team. A small but very capable team, capable of doing big things.
DI: How can people contact you?
MM : Anyone interested can contact me by phone (+37065287853), or by email (marius.mateika@gmail.com). Or find me on Facebook or Linkedin.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MM : Nothing else. Thank you.