Every project for me is a challenge. Interview with Konstantin Levin | Sergey Konnov, Office Next

The objective of Sergey Estrin Architectural Studios General Director Konstantin Levin is to implement most extraordinary idea of the architect.

How would you word Studio’s philosophy?

Konstantin Levin: We only deal with non-standard design – two cannot be alike. Completed projects should remain live and remarkable for yet another ten years at least; shouldn’t become out-of-date or lose its urgency. In order to achieve that we have to work on the edge of market abilities, on one hand assisting, on the other incapable of providing all materials necessary to employ an inventive design. Each new project has countless novel elements and new manoeuvres with various fit out materials. No revolution novelties have arrived to the market over the recent years and we have to apply directly to manufacturing companies to come up with solution together. Our department was founded by the Studio exactly for these nonstandard solutions. Our employees have mainly technical engineering education, know suppliers, have experience in construction industry, prepared to deal with foremen and capable of providing any technical support in project implementation.

At what stage does your tem join in?

K.L.: The moment the idea was born we begin to work it over with the architects. Creative team lead by Sergey Estrin develops conceptual idea. After that managers of my department start to select suppliers, inquire samples, work over possible assembling technology, follow up working schedule, financial issues and quality of work; when necessary are present on site and monitor a contractor.

How did you managed to astonish and surprise during recent projects?

K.L: For example, now we work on entrance lobby in Eurasia Tower. The main requirement was usage on non-flammable fit out materials, basically limiting us to concrete, tiles and metal only. Sergey, however, has designed very beautiful project with veneered wall panel elements in the shape of trees and leafs with orange lighting. Apparently it wasn’t easy to implement this idea. Only one company in Sweden manufactures the panels in accordance with required technology, but only in standard shape. We, however, needed bend 3D petals and we had to go to the factory, talk to manufacturer, and look for solutions to bend metal, study ways of lighting it and installing on ceiling.

However, for a client your work comes out as extra costs…

K.L.: Not necessarily. Our objective is to realize the project within stated budget. Sometimes people are scared by the concept of “author architecture” itself. Yet most our solutions are about idea, not costs.

For instance, our recent project Enter Sviaznoy was very creative, yet very simple in execution. We have developed detachable elements with photos, instead of average curtains. The Client needed a large table without legs for visitors to sit at any spot. Our company has invented the solution and worked over the technology with contactor. We received a table that could be used as a runway: walk it or sit by it – it’s up to you.

Do builders always manage to implement your creative ideas?

K.L.: Sometimes not. Recently we have completed an uneasy shape entrance lobby in Johnson & Johnson – reception with two side corridors. One of the elements planed was eyelash shaped light fixtures already used in the previous office. This time we have slightly changed their appearance by building a wave curve with set distance and inclination angle of “lashes”. Having received 50 light fixtures with assembling equipment the builders have decided to install it themselves. Yet failed to bring elements out of slab at given spot and 196 degrees angularly. The Client was obviously unhappy and decided to reject the idea. The entire interior concept was built on it after all! In five days only our group has managed to solve the problem. Our team exists exactly to solve this kind of situations.

Are we to understand that you mainly work with manufacturers of custom made solutions?

K.L.: No, exactly the opposite. Our objective is to take a standard product and use it in non-standard way. For example, for our Wave project, (Best Interior Design Apartment Europe  Award 2013) we planned to use corean table with live fire at the end of it. I found quartz  pipes used for factory oil pressure control. Then instead of using one large pipe for fireplace we created an interesting structure.

As I understand the fireplace wasn’t the most complicated element developed for this project…

K.L.: Construction wise the most complicated part was the wave itself.  4.5m high and 12m long. It seemed impossible to implement such design. But gradually we have found the solution. The glass elements were produced on three different factories in Germany. Intricate hardware was developed and made separately. But how shall we make the foam on wave crest? We have tried painted gypsum board, plastic, searched through all existing materials, but they were simply ruining the design. The way out came unexpectedly – pieces of broken fritted crystal – this technology was never used by anyone before in interior.

How would you describe the typical client for these unique projects?

K.L.: One cannot name a  specific group – we work with banks, lawyers, large business centres, institutional organisations like Aeroflot and RZhD. Projects come from management companies and directly from clients.

If a client is not satisfied with project price are you ready to leave something out?

K.L.: Sometimes, but usually we are trying to explain to the client that this is not just an interior, but the face, the image.  It is not always worth saving on. Although sometimes savings can be relevant. For example on one of our projects builders have estimated the costs at 280,000USD. The client was ready to refuse. We have immediately reacted, involved our suppliers, studied various methods and technology and found the solution allowing us reduce the price down to 60,000USD. Everyone was happy.

Have you noticed that because of the current economical situation client is not often ready to spend large money on implementation of creative ambitions?

K.L.: Theoretically it is true, but in our experience it does not happen much. If a unique project costs almost as much as a standard one, it is quite plausible for the former to be more desirable buy a client. It is always possible to develop effective yet inexpensive solution that would make the space more attractive, remarkable and standing out. Therefore our goal is an exact mach of that of a client.

Interview — Sergey Konnov, специально для Office Next