Curiosity Killed The Cat...8 Lives Left: Multidisciplinary Designer

Will Alsop was born and raised in England. Studying at one of the top architectural schools in the country, he is an inspiration to prof. designers, students and particularly to me. He steps out of the rigid and restricted box of orthodox architecture and design to create buildings, objects and spaces that are far from ordinary. Having been lucky enough to attend a lecture by him in my final year of studying at St. Martins, he inspired me that anything is possible and that you just have to work hard enough to make it possible. Challenging your designs and ideas...pushing boundaries and the norm. Standing out from the crowd in creating spaces that are both visually unique and functional. One comment made by him which particularly stuck in my mind was that you had to enjoy, experience and explore as much of the world as possible before really getting into what you want to do with your life. We need the places we explore and the people and objects in them to help us really shape ourselves and find out who we really are and what we really want in life. Without this we are restricted and reserved people with limited imagination and experience, which in the end reflects in our work and what we strive to achieve.

A couple of buildings most recognised as his in London are Peckham Library and Goldsmiths College. He has recently completed 'Chips' housing scheme in Manchester. However my favourite building to date is Ontario college of art and design in Toronto. He has also dabbled his design skills in watch design, with the release of the 'Daytimer' watch last autumn. Working with Frederico Grazzini for Alessi to produce an exceptional piece of eye catching digital design...one of which I would clearly like a piece of. I began this post just to document how much I want this watch, however I clearly got carried away when remembering how much Alsop inspires me. It just goes to show that you do not have to limit your skills in just what you set out to do...along the path we change and discover new skills. Hopefully we will see some exciting new spaces, watches and who knows what is next from Will Alsop and Alsop architects.