Sir David Chipperfield is one of the UK’s best-known and most distinguished architects.
He founded his own practice in 1984 and it now has offices in London, Berlin and Milan, employing 250 staff in 15 countries. It’s also won more than 50 national and international competitions. This year Sir David has won the Royal Gold Medal from RIBA and the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture for his rebuilding of Berlin’s Neues Museum.
Sir David is known for museums and galleries in Europe and the US. And he is also sought after for projects that help capture how cities see themselves. Examples include Barcelona’s law courts and Venice’s cemetery island extension. In 2007, his America’s Cup Building in Valencia and Museum of Modern Literature near Stuttgart were both shortlisted for the Stirling Prize. The second was the winner.
In the UK, Sir David’s work includes the River and Rowing Museum in Henley, and this year will see the opening of two Arts Council-backed venues – the Turner Contemporary in Margate and the Hepworth Wakefield.
Who or what inspired you to become an architect?
At school I spent most of my time on the sports field or in the art room. I was fortunate to have an inspiring art teacher who was interested in architecture and encouraged me to pursue it at university.
What are you working on now?
We’re building several museums, in St Louis, Mexico City, Milan and Berlin, also office buildings in Seoul and London. Next year we’ll complete our most important project in London, the Café Royal Hotel in Regents Street.
Which of your projects are you most proud of?
The reconstruction of the Neues Museum in Berlin was certainly the most challenging project we’ve done. The importance of the building and the public interest and concern meant our task had significance beyond the normal issues of an architectural project. Its complexity wasn’t just in its sensitivity but also in the physical and technical challenges of carrying out the conceptual and formal ideas.
Who has inspired you?
I’ve been fortunate in the people who have taught me and in those I’ve worked with. I’m continuously inspired by my contemporaries as well as the generation of great architects that we looked up to during our studies.
What would be your dream project?
The best projects are determined by context and personalities. The quality of the client is more important than anything else.
What would you be if you weren't an architect?
A painter, a writer, a biologist, an archaeologist... There are many things I’d have liked to do but there’s no particular evidence that I’d be any good at them. I’m jealous of people who excel at something and seem to operate in an independent way, protected by their indisputable talent and dedication.
Any advice for aspiring young architects?
Students now are under pressure to worry about where their studies will take them professionally. I’d always encourage them to widen their studies and interests as much as possible. The best designers are those with a cultural perspective, not just a highly developed talent.
Images below from left: Museum of Modern Literature, Marbach am Neckar, Germany and Neues Museum Island, Berlin, Germany.
