Interview with Renos Constantinou

Renos Constantinou ("RC") interviewed on Friday, 24 June.

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

RC : I had the great opportunity to work at ZAHA HADID and Scott Brownrigg. During my employment with them I was team member of international large scale projects such as: •BUSINESS BAY. MIXED – USE DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION, SKYCRAPERS IN DUBAI (DANCING TOWERS) •SPACE FOR ARTISTIC CREATION CORDOBA, SPAIN •OLYMPIC SWIMMING STADIUM 2012, LONDON, UK •ELEFTHERIA SQUARE AND SOURROUNDINGS NICOSIA, CYPRUS. •AFRODITE HILLS HOLIDAY VILLAGE, PAFOS, CYPRUS •NICOSIA TOWER •MEDITERRANEAN HOTEL, LIMASSOL, CYPRUS •EDEN HOUSE, UK The moment when I saw my name at the Design Museum in London I felt rewarded and forgot the 24/7 hard working lifestyle. All these years there I learned how to work on large scale projects and the importance of teamwork.

How did you become a designer?

RC : Since I can remember I always wanted to have a profession which has to do with creativity, creating and at the same time giving and contributing to the community. I feel grateful that I had the opportunity to achieve this and I am happy with my decision

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

RC : The first thing that comes to my mind is the importance of meeting the client’s expectations and brining it alive. The first discussions are very important to understand their needs and budget in order to be able to design something which suits their lifestyle and accommodates their needs. Good collaboration is essential as well for the successful delivery of each project. I always listen to my clients and communicate with them openly about the projects and make them feel part of it.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

RC : Good collaboration and teamwork is of high importance as everyone has to give something different and unique to the design. What I ask of the team is to let their creative ideas alive and to create with their hearts. I am satisfied with my team and happy that we can all coexist in the office with my family and my colleagues. The ‘oldGen’ with the ‘nextGen’. My father gives us his own ideas and experience and the nextGen puts its own elements. Both of my siblings work at the office my sister is an architect and my brother is a civil engineer. We joined the office over the past 15 years as directors and team leaders. We feel huge responsibility to carry on the business and the operation of the office which was established 45 years ago by our father, Andreas Constantinou at the highest level and to preserve its legacy. Our office is considered as one of the bests in the country.

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

RC : Good communication. I try to communicate in a variety of ways, from transmitting information to inspiring others and coaching. Self-awareness and humility are paramount for leadership as well. The better you understand yourself and recognize your own strengths and weaknesses, the more effective you can be as a leader. It is important is to have empathy. In addition, treating people with respect on a daily basis is one of the most important things a leader can do. It will ease tensions and conflict, create trust, and improve effectiveness. Leadership isn’t a destination — it’s something that you’ll have to work at regularly throughout your career, regardless of what level you reach in your organization. As a person I am very confident and I have respect for the people around me. Whatever I do in my life I give all my strength and I like to make people happy. I do not like to be static as a person and I want to do things and create. I like to travel and discover cultures

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

RC : I believe in the potential of our scholars, scientists and with the available supplies and technology . Several studies have been done and we are preparing for it. The theme of floating cities is sparking interest all across Europe. In the Netherlands, the marine research institute MARIN has been awarded a grant by the European Union to research possible solutions. The institute is a leader of the “Space at Sea” project, which won 1.6 million in EU funding to come up with projects for floating cities over the next three years wherever it is possible to duplicate a lifestyle on land - from vertical farms to ports and parks. With this goal in mind, MARIN is adopting an urban model that can fit all of the EU countries that border the sea. It is a first step towards the urbanization of water, and a bet that could bring the dream of floating cities within the reach of everyone.

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

RC : Good collaboration is essential as well for the successful delivery of each project, always listen the clients and communicate with them openly about the projects and make them feel part of it.

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

RC : Self-awareness and humility are paramount for leadership as well. The better you understand yourself and recognize your own strengths and weaknesses, the more effective you can be as a leader. It is important is to have empathy. In addition, treating people with respect on a daily basis is one of the most important things a leader can do. It will ease tensions and conflict, create trust, and improve effectiveness. Leadership isn’t a destination — it’s something that you’ll have to work at regularly throughout your career, regardless of what level you reach in your organization. As a person I am very confident and I have respect for the people around me. Whatever I do in my life I give all my strength and I like to make people happy. I do not like to be static as a person and I want to do things and create. I like to travel and discover cultures. What i do is what i suggest to everyone else because i think play important role to be successful

What is your day to day look like?

RC : I start my day with supervisions and meeting with my team at work and sometimes we have the meetings at the restaurant or bar :)

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

RC : We usually buy the latest Architecture books and we have very rich Library at the office

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

RC : The building elements are clear and concise in their geometry and the form is complemented by large openings and vertical blinds. The ground level accommodates the living quarters, open towards the swimming pool and the garden. Wide openings spanning the entire height maintain the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, while comfortable sheltered open air areas benefit from shading system to provide pleasant outdoor living conditions during the summer months. The first level contains the bedrooms and laundry area. The staircase becomes the main compositional element of the house interior.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

RC : When the design is ready is something that you can feel it. Is very unique feeling that is difficult to explain it :) We collaborate with our clients and we challenge them to think differently about their projects by asking the right questions. For us, real success is the moment when a client is presented with a design solution and says, “We did it.”

What is your biggest design work?

RC : I had the great opportunity to work at ZAHA HADID and Scott Brownrigg. During my employment with them I was team member of international large scale projects such as: •BUSINESS BAY. MIXED – USE DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION, SKYCRAPERS IN DUBAI (DANCING TOWERS) •SPACE FOR ARTISTIC CREATION CORDOBA, SPAIN •OLYMPIC SWIMMING STADIUM 2012, LONDON, UK •ELEFTHERIA SQUARE AND SOURROUNDINGS NICOSIA, CYPRUS. •AFRODITE HILLS HOLIDAY VILLAGE, PAFOS, CYPRUS •NICOSIA TOWER •MEDITERRANEAN HOTEL, LIMASSOL, CYPRUS •EDEN HOUSE, UK The moment when I saw my name at the Design Museum in London I felt rewarded and forgot the 24/7 hard working lifestyle. All these years there I learned how to work on large scale projects and the importance of teamwork.

Who is your favourite designer?

RC : Me, my brother and my sister followed his footsteps of my father and we learned and still keep learning a lot every day as we work in the same environment. He has 50 years of experience, over which he faced many difficulties and learned all the secrets of architecture in order to deliver the best results. Some of them are the following: To be committed to service our clients the best possible way, to the profession and to the community. To make our firm a creative, fun, fulfilling and rewarding place to come to work each day and to promote the design and delivery of the built environment as a collaborative effort. We are motivated by what is best for the project and client, and we are skilled enough to make what is best for architecture and we bring ideas to the table that have value. After decades in architecture, interior design and planning, we’ve learned that outstanding work is built on relationships. We collaborate with our clients and we challenge them to think differently about their projects by asking the right questions. For us, real success is the moment when a client is presented with a design solution and says, “We did it.”

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

RC : Good communication. I try to communicate in a variety of ways, from transmitting information to inspiring others and coaching. Self-awareness and humility are paramount for leadership as well. The better you understand yourself and recognize your own strengths and weaknesses, the more effective you can be as a leader. It is important is to have empathy. In addition, treating people with respect on a daily basis is one of the most important things a leader can do. It will ease tensions and conflict, create trust, and improve effectiveness. Leadership isn’t a destination — it’s something that you’ll have to work at regularly throughout your career, regardless of what level you reach in your organization. As a person I am very confident and I have respect for the people around me. Whatever I do in my life I give all my strength and I like to make people happy. I do not like to be static as a person and I want to do things and create. I like to travel and discover cultures

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

RC : Good collaboration and teamwork is of high importance as everyone has to give something different and unique to the design. What I ask of the team is to let their creative ideas alive and to create with their hearts. I am satisfied with my team and happy that we can all coexist in the office with my family and my colleagues. The ‘oldGen’ with the ‘nextGen’. My father gives us his own ideas and experience and the nextGen puts its own elements. Both of my siblings work at the office my sister is an architect and my brother is a civil engineer. We joined the office over the past 15 years as directors and team leaders. We feel huge responsibility to carry on the business and the operation of the office which was established 45 years ago by our father, Andreas Constantinou at the highest level and to preserve its legacy. Our office is considered as one of the bests in the country. Apart from the 45 years of experience, our office operates a one-stop-shop firm, providing all kind of services in industry such as architectural design, interior design, structural design, sustainability design, lighting design etc. This is a very important question thank you for asking. We give emphasis on new methods and technology to revitalize our services. We start working on site analysis using drone scanning. In addition, using them for site scanning and feedback during the construction process, even taking the incorporation of drone scanning a step further by integrating drone data feedback loops into their design practice. 3D printing is one of technology’s most revolutionary innovations, with the potential to change the face of so many industries including architecture. When presenting to clients or exploring design in further details, creating a 3D-printed model can help both designers and clients see a clearer picture of the project, seeing how a design interacts with its surroundings. Building Information Modeling (BIM) throughout the design process helps to improve quality and accelerates design processes with integrated workflows for concept design, modeling, multidiscipline coordination, and construction.

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

RC : Sustainability was a key factor in the design of the house, emphasizing solar protection, natural ventilation and the use of photovoltaic / solar panels. The swimming pool was placed adjacent to the living room, for natural cooling The building’s placement enhances natural ventilation and lighting, and large openings add to the connection between inside and out.

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

RC : First of all, thank you for the opportunity to do the interview. A Design Award is one of the best to promote your work for any professional. The questions for the interviews related issues as well as topics such as planning the future taking into account climate change and the coexistence of Architecture with the way of life in each country. Also it is very important that he gives the opportunity to young Architects and professionals to express their views through the interviews. The questions are targeted, to the point in order to be able to give a comprehensive reply. I wish you good luck and I am sure you will continue to do a great job.

Renos Constantinou Profile