Designer Andrew Kovacs founded his practice in Los Angeles, where he also serves as a faculty member at UCLA’s Architecture and Urban Design Department. RECORD asked him five questions about his work in preparation for the Chicago Architecture Biennial. Scroll through the slideshow above to see some of his key projects.
Architectural Record: Tell us about your practice. What differentiates you from other firms?
Our goal is to “make architecture from architecture.” If architecture organizes the world around us, then “making architecture from architecture” is about evaluating what exists and rearranging that material towards new architectural purposes. In other words, architecture should aim to reimagine the world.
We have an affinity for:
1) things that are readymade
2) things that are everyday
3) things that are playful
4) things that are colorful
5) things that are cheap
6) things that are collaged
7) things that are fast
8) things that are miniature
9) things that are colossal
10) things that are beautiful etc.
How do you get into the creative headspace?
The longest project I have worked on continuously is Archive of Affinities. This is a project that has no client, no deadline, and no budget - therefore it is a project of pure passion and curiosity. Archive of Affinities is a crucible for all the work that I do. Archive of Affinities influences my thinking, my design work, my teaching, and, in turn, Archive of Affinities is influenced by these other activities.
Who are your design heroes?
Too many to list. Everything on Archive of Affinities.
What do you hope to contribute to the Chicago Biennial?
We are producing a scale model that is both an homage and an attempt to rethink Sir John Soane's home, now museum, and collection in London, England. We propose a new contemporary collection of architectural matter that is assembled into a speculation on collective living. In other words, we are re-conceptualizing Soane's home as a city, the interior as exterior – one in which a collection of objects are not only meant to be viewed, but also inhabited.
Most importantly, when it comes to pizza, deep dish or thin crust?
Deep dish for sure. Pequod's Pizza and Burt's Place are the best.
The Chicago Architecture Biennial runs from September 19, 2017, to January 7, 2018. Read more of our coverage of the event here.
