The importance of dialogue; Meinhard von Gerkan discusses his architectural philosophy with Xu Xiaofei of Tsinghua University, Beijing

Architectural Review, The, July, 2008

Q. What is the most important factor of an architectural design? How do you define 'successful' architecture? What factors make a building successful?

A. The most important element of an architectural design is the concept, comparable with the score in music. As in music, neither the single musician, nor the famour soloist is ultimatly the determing factor, rather it is the overall composition. The same is true for architecture. The composition of architecture encompasses the overall idea, or concept, as well as the individual detail. When all these components are in accordance with each other, when a balance has been struck, when each element is assigned to the overall concept, functions adhere to the intended use, the material is durable and the appearance is concise and individual - this is the definition of successful architecture.

Q. Ecological aspects have recently gained greater importance, the outcome being 'green' architecture, 'sustainable' architecture and so on. What do your think of sustainable architecture - is this a new trend or real technical prograss? Do such considerations play a role in your own architecture and town planning?

A. Sustainability and ecology - that is, the sensible treatment of materials and energy - have played a key role in our work from the very beginning. However, we have never turned this into an ostensible marketing tool, or used fashionable terms that quickly date and have little relevance to actual concerns. The fact that sustaniability, ecology and green architecture are now increasingly the centre of attention is connected with wider socio-political developments - for instance, the awareness of the senseless waste of energy, the vices of our throwaway society, the perishables that are cheap and quickly lose their value. This has grown into a fashion, ostensibly following a new awarness, by which, in truth, is by no means sustainable or ecological.

Not everything that looks like technological progress is such, and many things that prove to be logical and sustainable in the construction process do not involve any special technological progress or new technology. Simply, the appreciation and respect for natural materials and the importance of proper construction and craftsmanship are all that is necessary to generate a good piece of work. Many things currently being celebrated as progress are actually the re-discovery of cherished past qualities, especially durable materials and craftsmanship. However, the willingness of society and clients to approve and realise proposals concerning sustainability and long lasting ecological solutions has fundamentally changed.

Q. We are presently living in the information age. Has information technology modified building? If so, to what effect?

A. Information technology has considerably changed the building process in many ways. When we complete drawings for our Chinese projects late in the evening in Germany, a few hours later they can be printed out in Beijing, Shanghai or Shenzhen and delivered to the building site. But though the dynamic is tremendously accelereated by this technology, decisions also become increasingly short term. Another negative consequence of information technology is the rapid distribution of original ideas and intellectual achievements via the in ternet, with the result that ideas conceived and invented in one part of the world can be instantly copied in another. This ultimately contributes to the frustrating spread of globalisation and loss of identity.