Hajar Al-Janabi

Library, Melaka
True creativity can only be achieved with limitations. It is an ability to work without limitations. To me, architecture is the act of translating and delivering clients’ dreams and aspirations into reality, while responding to and creating a strong sense of place. As Peter Zumthor said, “Every building is built for a specific use in a specific place for a specific society.” Locations dictate your building style and how you should approach the design. My focus is the experience of an individual as they pass through or by buildings, therefore, there is a heavy emphasis on the impact of materiality and texture, whether clashing or complementing the surroundings depending on the desired “feel” the building needs to portray. I also believe that you can influence a person’s perception of a space through the balance of subtle and extravagant details. I believe instead of an architect showing their own individuality through a building design, the architect should create a building with its own individuality. Architecture is a visual art and buildings need to speak for themselves, for me, this is successful architecture.