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Вакансия
French architect,
co-founder of the bureau local.
co-founder of the bureau local.
Matthieu Boustany
Matthieu defines the mission of his own office as the desire to create an environment that inspires and enriches life, expanding boundaries and setting new standards for quality and design excellence. Notable projects include the Greymatter Auby urban development project for representatives of different generations, the Paralympic Center in Riga, the wooden house in the Chateau de la Bourdeisiere in France, The Bellhop Hotel in Rotterdam and the Ground Effect Contemporary Art Gallery in Paris.
Matthieu studied at the National Architecture School La Villette in Paris and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm. He has worked on projects for Paris, Rotterdam, Moscow and Tokyo in the international firms Rem Koolhaas/OMA and Sou Fujimoto Architects.
How do you rest?
I sleep! That's the best. Sometimes I play sports – this is my attempt to distract myself from work, but it is more difficult to find time and decide on it. I also like to visit my parents at the cottage – they feed me and let me sleep.
How does a cottage near Paris differ from one near Moscow?
It is much further away from the hustle and bustle of the city – by the sea, where you can breathe in nature. When I get back, I'll try to convince my parents to take up gardening, I was inspired by the dachas near Moscow — there are excellent vegetables here.
I sleep! That's the best. Sometimes I play sports – this is my attempt to distract myself from work, but it is more difficult to find time and decide on it. I also like to visit my parents at the cottage – they feed me and let me sleep.
How does a cottage near Paris differ from one near Moscow?
It is much further away from the hustle and bustle of the city – by the sea, where you can breathe in nature. When I get back, I'll try to convince my parents to take up gardening, I was inspired by the dachas near Moscow — there are excellent vegetables here.
What is the best thing about being an architect?
The fact that you can do different things. Today you are working on a house, tomorrow on a sports center, then on a master plan or an urban resort. It's hard to get bored with such a variety and number of tasks that need to be studied and solved.
But at the same time, you have your own office: does the work of the head interfere with the work of the architect?
It's a problem, yes. When you have an office, you spend 95% of your time doing everything except architecture.
And it seems to me that this is the problem of architects — they are basically trying to improve everything and do not think of their bureau as an organization. This is a mistake. We need to gather professionals around us from different fields — administrative, technical. We have a young bureau, and it seems that you can handle everything on your own, but I'm already coming to the realization that this is not the case — you need to learn to be more organized and organize others.
Is architectural thinking different from universal thinking?
I don't know, I only have experience in architectural thinking. But it seems to me that architects are good at presenting complex ideas in a clear and precise way. Mathematicians probably also have a similar approach. This ability to combine a large amount of information into a single image is our most important skill.
Can you tell me how to acquire this skill?
When I worked for another company, my main task was to create drawings, graphics, and various visual materials. But having founded my own bureau, I understand that words are more important, so I would advise everyone to pay attention to them – to train the skill of expressing ideas in what you write and how you speak. It is also necessary to communicate with the city, with customers, and with the team. Although architects are more used to communicating with drawings and sketches.
The fact that you can do different things. Today you are working on a house, tomorrow on a sports center, then on a master plan or an urban resort. It's hard to get bored with such a variety and number of tasks that need to be studied and solved.
But at the same time, you have your own office: does the work of the head interfere with the work of the architect?
It's a problem, yes. When you have an office, you spend 95% of your time doing everything except architecture.
And it seems to me that this is the problem of architects — they are basically trying to improve everything and do not think of their bureau as an organization. This is a mistake. We need to gather professionals around us from different fields — administrative, technical. We have a young bureau, and it seems that you can handle everything on your own, but I'm already coming to the realization that this is not the case — you need to learn to be more organized and organize others.
Is architectural thinking different from universal thinking?
I don't know, I only have experience in architectural thinking. But it seems to me that architects are good at presenting complex ideas in a clear and precise way. Mathematicians probably also have a similar approach. This ability to combine a large amount of information into a single image is our most important skill.
Can you tell me how to acquire this skill?
When I worked for another company, my main task was to create drawings, graphics, and various visual materials. But having founded my own bureau, I understand that words are more important, so I would advise everyone to pay attention to them – to train the skill of expressing ideas in what you write and how you speak. It is also necessary to communicate with the city, with customers, and with the team. Although architects are more used to communicating with drawings and sketches.
Now there will be a difficult question: what is a good architecture?
It’s really difficult one! For me, it’s when the architecture is defined by a purpose, a function. When something is designed just for the sake of appearance, I don’t understand it.
But when you try to explain to people what makes a building bad and what makes it good, it becomes very difficult.: You spend time choosing your words, but it’s like everything is obvious. I always use the example of the Pompidou Center in Paris. People think they see a design when they look at it, but it’s actually functional. This is a perfect example of good architecture.
It’s really difficult one! For me, it’s when the architecture is defined by a purpose, a function. When something is designed just for the sake of appearance, I don’t understand it.
But when you try to explain to people what makes a building bad and what makes it good, it becomes very difficult.: You spend time choosing your words, but it’s like everything is obvious. I always use the example of the Pompidou Center in Paris. People think they see a design when they look at it, but it’s actually functional. This is a perfect example of good architecture.
The work of Materia is focused on Moscow, so my first question is about it. How do you like Moscow as a foreigner and an architect?
The first time I visited here was in 2010, and there have been a lot of changes since then. I would even call it evolution. When I come here once a year, sometimes twice, I see something new every time.
What’s your favorite?
The first thing that comes to mind is parks. Gorky Park is a must-see for all architects. Like VDNKh, this is my favorite place for walking. I also really like the New Tretyakov Gallery, both the building and the exposition, I never miss an opportunity to visit it.
You’re a Parisian. Is it possible to compare Moscow with your native Paris?
It’s difficult. The scale is very different. People use the city in a different way here. And the city is developing in a different way. In Paris, we are trying to restore everything, we have been doing this for 15 years. And in Moscow, over the past 3−5 years, the city center has completely changed, as it seems to me, it has become very pedestrian. Although there is still traffic, you have very few parking spaces on the sidewalks, even on the main thoroughfares: Tverskaya, Mira Avenue. I remember how it was on my first visit… not like that!
There are no such rapid and effective changes in Paris, everything is very constant.
Which way is better?
I think the changes are good for the city. This is a distinctive quality of Moscow, which has become very pleasant to walk around. Another example is the Boulevard Ring, I don’t remember walking along it in 2010.
The first time I visited here was in 2010, and there have been a lot of changes since then. I would even call it evolution. When I come here once a year, sometimes twice, I see something new every time.
What’s your favorite?
The first thing that comes to mind is parks. Gorky Park is a must-see for all architects. Like VDNKh, this is my favorite place for walking. I also really like the New Tretyakov Gallery, both the building and the exposition, I never miss an opportunity to visit it.
You’re a Parisian. Is it possible to compare Moscow with your native Paris?
It’s difficult. The scale is very different. People use the city in a different way here. And the city is developing in a different way. In Paris, we are trying to restore everything, we have been doing this for 15 years. And in Moscow, over the past 3−5 years, the city center has completely changed, as it seems to me, it has become very pedestrian. Although there is still traffic, you have very few parking spaces on the sidewalks, even on the main thoroughfares: Tverskaya, Mira Avenue. I remember how it was on my first visit… not like that!
There are no such rapid and effective changes in Paris, everything is very constant.
Which way is better?
I think the changes are good for the city. This is a distinctive quality of Moscow, which has become very pleasant to walk around. Another example is the Boulevard Ring, I don’t remember walking along it in 2010.
Yuri Pimenov. new Moscow. 1937
from the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery
from the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery
The Paralympic Center in Riga
the Pompidou Center.
photo: Zairon
photo: Zairon
Fossvang Activity House
Bagn, Norway
Bagn, Norway
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