Julian Gaviria
What convinced you to become part of the hej.build architectural advisory board?
We need to collaborate to accelerate the sustainable transformation of the construction sector. I look forward to contributing to constructive work that can help reshape our built environment in a sustainable way.
What are you currently most concerned with regarding architecture, interior design, or even building products?
What matters most to me is maintaining a holistic vision of projects. In particular, ensuring that design processes incorporate the principles of energy efficiency, resource efficiency, CO2 reduction in construction, circular economy, human well-being, and the integration of nature into the projects.
In just a few words, what defines good architecture/interior design for you?
This is a difficult question that cannot be answered in just a few sentences: For me, a piece of architecture is good when the building is adapted to the climate and surroundings, clear in function and form, flexible and multifunctional, energy-efficient, resource-conserving, built with durable, high-quality components and materials whose connections are recyclable, and, last but not least, rich in »third places« where people spontaneously want to linger. Architecture should evoke emotions in its users.
Is there a current highlight project or an all-time favorite that you’d like to tell us about?
At the moment, two projects come to mind that demonstrate how buildings can contribute to sustainable change:
The Dreischeibenhaus by HPP Architects: With a very efficient floor plan, functions are easily integrated, and the structure is so well thought out that the building has adapted to multiple generations. The materials are of high quality and long-lasting. Since the 1960s, the building has been an iconic example of circular economy in the construction sector in Düsseldorf.
The Cradle by HPP Architects is also a project where human health was prioritized from the very beginning. This, combined with the dismantlability of the building components, makes it a pilot project for the new era of architecture. Additionally, the high-quality and natural materials have reduced the carbon footprint of the embodied energy compared to conventional construction. The building envelope is multifunctional, optimized to constructively enhance energy efficiency, and provides spaces between for spontaneous human interactions. The shape of the façade also gives the building a clear identity.
