Karim Rashid

July 21, 2023
9:15 am

Today, I have the privilege to share with you my recent interview with the renowned architect,
Karim Rashid.

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Today, I have the privilege to share with you my recent interview with the renowned architect, Karim Rashid. In just a few words, I would like to express my deep admiration for his incredible work and the impact he has made on the world of design. Karim Rashid’s artistic vision is nothing short of extraordinary. His innovative and boundarypushing approach to architecture has left an indelible mark on the industry. His designs are characterized by their boldness, vibrancy, and seamless fusion of form and function. Through his creations, Karim Rashid has transformed spaces into captivating experiences that ignite the senses. His unique blend of shapes, colors, and textures transcends traditional boundaries, resulting in visually stunning and highly functional structures. Beyond his undeniable talent, Karim Rashid’s unwavering passion and dedication to his craft are truly inspiring. His ability to envision and bring to life designs that challenge conventions and ignite conversation is a testament to his visionary mindset. Furthermore, Karim Rashid’s influence extends far beyond the realm of architecture. He is an advocate for the power of design to improve lives, promote sustainability, and foster positive change. His commitment to creating environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also socially and environmentally conscious is commendable. In conclusion, I am in awe of Karim Rashid’s extraordinary contributions to the field of architecture. His boldness, innovation, and commitment to making a positive impact serve as an inspiration to aspiring architects worldwide. Thank you all for your attention, and let us celebrate Karim Rashid’s remarkable achievements and his ongoing dedication to transforming our world through the beauty and functionality of design.

Throughout your illustrious career, you have designed countless iconic structures. Could you share with us one of your upcoming projects that you are particularly excited about and why?

I just opened a new restaurant, Raionul de Pește Floreasca, in Bucharest. It was a unique concept a program for me. The idea was to create a fluid more functioning space that has a relationship with seafood. The feeling I wanted to provoke is like one has entered the sea and since the fish is so fresh it is as if you are in the sea eating the fish directly. One can’t have a fresher food experience than that. Upcoming I am working on apartments in London, a building in Washington DC, outdoor furniture, televisions and furniture with Turkish companies, home speakers, a pet collection, placemats for a Danish company, art toys, swimwear, duvet covers in Korea, a hospital in Tel Aviv, bathroom fixtures, a hotel in Jaffa, Israel, and other projects.

Your designs are known for their vibrant colors and innovative forms. How do you see your style evolving in the future, and what new design elements or materials are you eager to explore?

Although I am associated with strong colors and organic forms, I don’t design by form first. I ‘inform’ form. That means I focus on all the contemporary criteria at hand and respond and solve those issues. Hence my work has natural materials, monochromatic pallets, hard edges, and a plethora of diverse materials, depending on client’s brand, production process, material, technology, and the human experience I am addressing. I really like the new possibilities created with printed porcelain. Its very versatile and strong compared to marble, quartz and other materials that have long been seen as a luxury. I am interested in biodegradable materials. I am trying to use bioplastics; the Garbo can is made of corn and the Snap chair by Feek is made of 100% recycled polystyrene and is 97% air. A while ago I designed packaging for a fast-food restaurant using starch and potatoes that are injection molded and have the exact appearance of plastic. These innovations are finally becoming part of the consumer zeitgeist.

As a visionary architect, you have continuously pushed boundaries and challenged traditional design norms. What aspect of the design process intrigues you the most and drives your passion for creating extraordinary spaces?

What interests me is to think more about the human experience at an anthropometric level; how we sit in space, how we enjoy the space. Rather than look at architecture as more objectified or a style of a building, consider how we’re using it and experiencing it. I guess because I’m a product designer, that’s the way I think. And the second part is to see what kind of innovation I can do. If not in construction, at least in material. And if not in materials, at least in social behaviors in space.

Looking back on your extensive portfolio, is there a specific project that holds a special place in your heart, and why does it resonate with you on a personal level?

I will always love the Garbo. Garbo was a case of rationalism meets sensualism. At that time the ubiquitous plastic wastebasket on the market was a rectangular black can with absolutely no character and there was little alternative. I immediately thought of a sensual, yet functional object and it taught me that design must work. It can be artistic, conceptual, but must always function perfectly. I thought that banal objects need life, they need presence, but they also need to make awful tasks more pleasant. I immediately thought about a more sensual object, an object that is wider at the top than the bottom to peak semantically about a mouth for garbage, and then raised handles in order to make it function better. The scoop top prevented you from touching the garbage when picking it up. I used recycle polypropylene in various colors to give a lightness, a ephemerally to the object – to make it sensual to float it, to de-stress a chore, to add color, simplicity and sensualness to ones space.

With your exceptional career accomplishments, many consider you a role model in the architecture world. Can you share with us one aspiration or dream that you still hope to achieve in your professional journey?

Currently, I’m building my dream home. It’s amazing to see my dream house come to fruition – a futuristic yet economical house in the country with panoramic views. I want a home with no sharp corners and no obstructive columns. Living through the pandemic made me realize how important it is to connect with the exterior. I want to open an art gallery and coffee shop, design more private homes, a hospital, museum, and a church or mosque.

As an advocate for embracing design in everyday life, what are some of the common mistakes or misconceptions you often see in the architectural industry, and how do you believe they can be rectified?

I am inspired by mistakes in our built environment and make sure I improve them. That’s how we can make a better world. Products and architecture must deal with our emotional ground thereby increasing the popular imagination and experience. Focus on the human experience. We don’t see a lot of original work in the world because many just copy or make derivatives. Few ideas, many variations. Designers and Architects must not look at the same typology of a project or you will only appropriate. Look at social structures, new technologies, and human errors.

You have achieved incredible success and recognition for your contributions to the field of architecture. Looking forward, what legacy would you like to leave behind, and what impact do you hope your work will have on future generations of architects?

I preach about how design shapes the future and culture. I believe that design is extremely consequential to our daily lives and can positively change the behaviors of humans. Good design can touch you and embrace you. I hope my legacy will be the public understanding that Good design can shift and change human behavior and create new social conditions.

Interview by Marco Bassi