"He always felt closer to the natural world via science, yet it lacked the poetry he craved. He eventually decided to go into the profession after all. He did realize that one of his favorite outdoor activities had much in common with the field. "Mountain climbing was also a way into architecture for me, there are a lot of parallels," he explains. "It's not just about getting to the top, it's about the elegance in how you get there.""
"Always deferential to a structure's surroundings, his architecture is quietly powerful and connected to the human experience. He also envisions various gizmos which reveal the wonders of physics within the natural world, crafting tactile moments that are often forgotten in today's digital overload. Whatever the project, Kundig collaborates with artisans and engineers to challenge design conventions while continuing to evolve his practice."
Tom Kundig grew up with an architect father but initially gravitated toward science and the natural world before choosing architecture. Mountain climbing influenced his approach through an emphasis on elegant processes rather than simply reaching a goal. Sculptor Harold Balazs mentored Kundig, encouraging experimentation and risk-taking that shaped his practice. Kundig joined Olson Kundig and became an owner in 1994, focusing on the relationship between people and environments and designing buildings that respond to their surroundings. He creates tactile gizmos that reveal physical phenomena, collaborates with artisans and engineers, and relies on hand drawing as a primary design and problem-solving tool.
Read at Design Milk
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