SOMA has been the vanguard of New York City architecture since its 2003 inception. Mexico City and Beirut subsidiaries subsequently opened in 2006 and 2009 respectively and ensured around the clock success of projects of all scales. An international amalgamation of a young and highly developed workforce spanning 13 nationalities and led by the Principal Michel Abboud allows for the ease of execution of creative and complex programs within complex sites, globally. SOMA’s position at the forefront of cutting-edge architectural practice has imbued it with an enviable track record for delivering projects of the highest architectural excellence that combine innovative design, craft, and environmental responsibility. SOMA constantly attempts to extend the boundaries of architectural design, while also introducing the newest digital technologies and in doing so invariable succeeds, which its projects such as the ultra high-end Park51 Community Center in New York stand testament.
– How did you come to become so engaged in architecture, what drove you to it?
- By mistake. I wanted to be a painter. I hated architecture school. The only reason I stayed in school was because of some (very hot) girl I dated throughout college. The only reason I completed my masters at Columbia was to run away from yet another girl. Then on a clear NY morning, I realized I actually could channel my creative energy through a new and broader understanding of architecture, one that would encompass all forms of space making.
– Your desire to create, where do you find the inspiration?
- I would better describe it as counter-inspiration. Basically, my drive has always been a need to create that which is missing or lacking; an obsession to perfect the daily experience of my lived environment. My drive is fueled by the frustration of an imperfect world that I try to counterbalance with each intervention of a creative act.
– Your work has a very organic, yet technical side to it, can you tell us a little more about your approach?
- I believe in an underlying order that allows all elements of life to be translated in mathematical form. Even the most chaotic events. the same way, in our projects, every architectural element is the result of pragmatic and functional reasoning, both in content and in form. Every project is a clear, site and program specific response to a set of unique constraints that feed all our decisions and shape the project. For these reasons I can assure you that this organic layered process is based on extensive technical research and development, which results in an almost automatic form making process…
-How would you classify your style?
- …ctnd. We find that the process of 4D CAD design, basically in real-time within the 3 dimensional digital space using script based form rather than manual form modeling or what is fashionably labeled today “Parametric Design” describes best our approach. We make it a point to be at the forefront of architectural design by mastering all the available tools and techniques. We are now able to conceive extremely accurate spaces in record time, with all systems integrated, that could be turned into built products in the matter of hours, and instantly customizable and upgradable. The form is translatable in mathematical formulas or scripts within the realm of the digital space of creation; it is “intelligent” and truly organic, as opposed to the rigid volume sculpting methods of the past.
– Who would be your subconscious mentor in architecture?
- My “subconscious” mentor is the folder of portfolios of all the fresh graduate applicants. My more or less “conscious” mentors are Herzog+DeMeuron and Jean Nouvel
– When you don’t work, how do you pass your time?
- I watch large quantities of films or drink lesser quantities of Double Black with single whites.
– What do you wish for your future, both in career and personal achievements?
- Money, fame and success, doesn’t everyone???
– You lived and grew in New York City, now you are in Beirut. Is that frustrating?
- No comment.
– Tell us the spots to be in Beirut if you are looking for a creative crowd?
- Don’t go to Beirut. Chose Berlin, it’s only two letters different.
This entry was posted on Saturday, October 15th, 2011 at 3:27 am and is filed under persona. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Build more in NYC please!!!
Oh wow I know this guy, he is even crazier in person! Great crazy I would say and so freakin talented!!!