Interview with Polina Nozdracheva

Polina Nozdracheva ("PN") interviewed on Monday, 31 October.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

PN : Architect or Creator? For this question, you might want to tell how many years you are in the industry, as well as mention some prominent companies you worked for, some great clients you had or your educational background. I was born in architectural family. Both of my parents are architects. So, I am in this profession from my childhood. Then quite long way of different architectural education (MARCHI, Moscow, Russia; course in Royal Town Planning Institute, UK; postgraduate course in IHS, the Netherlands) and working in architectural companies. In 2005 I have decided to create my own company ALPN Ltd. During all this period my company are working with quite different clients - from private to government clients.

How did you become a designer?

PN : The most important persons of my education and my teachers were my parents, especially - my father who was very famous architect who constructed a lot of building in Russia and abroad. I have got the very good education in my country (in Russia), then - in Great Britain and in the Netherlands. For me the most impressive is urban planning and I am like the fairy who should create this magic story.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

PN : The most important words for each architect are benefit, durability, beauty. But, of course, for me is the most important - the general idea, maybe a little bit crazy thoughts in my head. That is a very intimate process. Then, and that is also very important - the place where the future project or existing project will be built or rebuilt. And I don't like decoration, I prefer the functionalism. That is like a puzzle for finding the best solution and I had to find this key for answer from the first dot to the final line.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

PN : It is always exciting, regardless - you are only at the beginning of the journey or are already approaching the completion of construction. Of course, if all that was conceived in the project is fully implemented - this is a special feeling of happiness about the work done.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

PN : I like the topic of color and I believe that color should be present in the project (no matter it is a town - planning project, an architectural project or an interior design element). Here I always admire Impressionists; their work is very inspiring to me. With color, you can create a completely unexpected sense of shape and space. As for the perception of form, Constructivism have no equal. As for urban development projects, these are Japanese theme for me.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

PN : I would like to create a City. This is a completely unique and complete structure at its core. Here everything is completely and thoughtfully, like all life on the planet. I guess this topic is the maximum set of the most complex and diverse tasks for an architect.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

PN : It is necessary to work. As much as it is possible. And greedily grab everything that gives you a profession - experience, emotions, knowledge.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

PN : We had to follow our thoughts and feelings. Work together and respect the work of people who are on the same team with you.

What is your day to day look like?

PN : The best part is this is when work is carried out jointly by all specialists on any project. When all breathe the same air and when the vector of thoughts focused and pointed in one direction.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

PN : I am sure it is necessary to develop your own style. And such individualism can be worked out only at infinite saturation of information which is at the moment possible on the Internet or traveling.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

PN : I would like to answer one more time - the benefit (functionality), the durability (constructive and engineering) and the beauty (architecture and design).

How do you decide if your design is ready?

PN : The realization that the project documentation is transferred to the construction site does not allow me and my colleagues to have the right to make a mistake. Of course, we always want to reach the final result to shining. The biggest critic of an object is the author, i.e. the chief architect. With each new object, the architect learns something new and unknown, moving forward.

What is your biggest design work?

PN : It is process. Each new project is like a new life with the own soul and individualism. The most significant projects for me are those projects where the work is carried out from the original concept of the site, further-the development of urban planning documentation in full, then the design of buildings themselves until this project comes to life. When urban planning, architecture and design live together, not in isolation, when all these components are as a single organism. We have quite a lot of such projects.

Who is your favourite designer?

PN : There are a lot of brilliant people and creators. And each of them corresponds to the own era or period.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

PN : There are many beautiful cities. For me, the most important thing is the availability of water in the city (waterfront). This is the place where there is a feeling of freedom. Music - of course jazz, because it is this music that reflects emotions absolutely freely without any conventions. When you come up with a project, you are also completely free, your thoughts and fantasies freely fall on a sheet of paper.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

PN : Any architect cannot work alone. This is not a profession that can afford it. The designing is always a collective work of a very large number of specialists.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

PN : I'm always open for carrying out workshops, master-classes and lectures. And I do it with great pleasure, both in Russia and abroad. I have quite a lot of experience in this field. In addition, I have experience during 15 years as a lecturer of Moscow Architectural Institute, Russia.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

PN : The organization and holding of the contest is a very correct event. Especially-if this competition allows you to submit the project, not on the stated topic. Participation in such events is very important from a professional point of view. The exchange of experience and present their ideas to colleagues and professionals at the highest international level allows to assess and to feel the areas in which you, as a professional, I want to move on. And, it is even better if your projects are appreciated.

Polina Nozdracheva Profile