I think that anyone who makes anything, it can be related to architecture or not, should think about what they are doing. This what, contains the why, the how and all the motives that go behind the construction. For someone it could be money, for others it could be a certain sense of accomplishment. Everyone has a reason for doing something and for most people it’s not really about the money. What is common however, is that people are doing things without being aware of this background. Even if you start from a financial motive, eventually if you really want to grow in your career.. the truth will come out and maybe you will move on to something else or find the right way to do things in what you are focusing on at the moment. In construction we can see this all the time and I know many people who have simply transformed after they have really found their inner calling in architecture.

I tend to be a bit philosophical at times but so is my work when I go out there and explore my possiblities. I like to go the roots of things and find an essence, a starting point in everything. There are many things in life that can remind me of these kinds of circumstances, for example my recent visit to a Drum Show in Beijing. Always mixing pleasure with work as they tell me. But who would go to China without having a bit of fun, right! This is an intense show, where they use the ancient Chinese Jiangzhou drums to make the performances. In fact, it is performed by the most famous and popular “Jiang Zhou Drum Troupe” who have come far from the mountains to perform right in the capital city of Beijing. A place I go frequently for work and architectural meetings. Anyway, this show truly had an effect on me, both physically and mentally. Because the music is so impressive and really goes deep into your being, where it penetrates and gives you a sort of an enlightement.

For me, this enlightement was our roots and how my inspiration is at the very core of human consciousness itself. When there is a construction project, I like to make sure that the basis of the work is perfect in so many ways. The Chinese drum is just the same, where the beat is the same as the beat of the heart. Something that gives life to things, from buildings to apartments, to anything that wants to become alive through the medium of a human being. This indeed, is my mission in architecture! To go into the beat of the ancient drum that controls our hearts. The Beijing drum show was exactly and even more that, a connection with your being that wants to create beautiful things. It wants to preserve nature, to unite people with knowledge and tune with the drum that gives us direction and meaning in our work.

If you want to see the intensity and impressiveness for yourself. Well, I would suggest visiting Beijing like I do frequently. If that’s not an option for you, just see the drum show trailer and you will at least get a sneak peak of the jiang zhou drum performance. Exploring YouTube has indeed been the second best inspiration source for me after travelling. At least, when I am at home of course!

See you in China! <3