Written by: Mladen Pleše
Hani Rashid (65), a world-renowned architect and esteemed university professor who has so far completed projects in the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, began his interview with the Symbol by recalling his first encounter with Čedo Komljenović, aka Monty Shadow, on one of his many trips around the world, specifically during a Formula 3 race in Monza.
– He struck me as an incredibly focused and intelligent man, not your standard agent or middleman. In fact, I had no idea at the time of his historic role as a fighter with an innate ability to outperform everyone else. We hit it off instantly and formed a deep friendship. He even commented that I reminded him of the legendary Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, who he was particularly close with, so we bonded from the start.
Not only did Komljenović value Rashid highly as one of the most brilliant architects in the world, but he also thought of him as a fascinating and amiable person with whom he rapidly forged a remarkable friendship. He used to say that Rashid was among the most educated and capable individuals he had ever met.
He revealed that what brought them together in particular was that they both shared an intense passion for innovation and venturing into unexplored territories of the creative process in their work. During the interview with our magazine, Rashid explained that becoming a creative individual is not an easy feat.
– Many creative people rely on previous experiences and tried-and-true ways. However, I don’t think or act in that way. I find myself in awe with each new creative undertaking, and I often take the road less travelled.
I seek solutions on a fresh level, explains Rashid.
– This means that in the beginning, I often spend a lot of time in what may appear to be inaction, and I can even feel a bit desperate until my ideas fall into in place. I’m so used to the notion of “writer’s block” that I almost always expect it anytime I start a new creative project.
Together with his wife Lise Anne Couture, he co-founded a New York City-based architecture firm. According to experts, the company has set itself apart through its intelligent, innovative, and visionary projects. These projects encompass a wide range of areas such as building designs, master planning, art and technology installations, virtual and augmented reality environments, as well as interior and product design.
Rashid proceeds to explain how he and his wife have transitioned towards a more artistic approach rather than operating as a conventional architectural firm.
– We’ve found ourselves spending a lot of time working on experimental architecture and theory, as well as researching more esoteric aspects of our field. We have gradually converted Asymptota into a new type of architectural practise over the years..
He explains to us that while other architectural firms focus on construction projects, client needs, efficiency, and attention to budgets and deadlines, their work is centred around exploration, experimentation, and provocation. Currently, their office is working on a number of projects in the United States, Europe, and Asia. They are at the moment in the process of completing the ARC River Culture Pavilion, a multimedia museum in Daegu, South Korea, as well as two residential towers in Seoul’s Yongsan area, twin towers in Zhehzou, China, and the ING Bank headquarters in Ghent, Belgium.
Rashid’s academic career is nothing short of impressive. He has held positions as a visiting professor at several prestigious institutions, including the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, the Berlage Institute in Amsterdam, the University of Michigan, Lund University, and the Princeton University School of Architecture.
He has taught at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation in New York, and was awarded the Chair to the Cátedra Luis Barragán in Monterrey, Mexico. Additionally, he has also served as a professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
Hani Rashid has garnered numerous awards and accolades for his visionary projects, which span from captivating art installations to the impressive design of large-scale buildings. He represented the United States at the 7th International Architecture Biennale in Venice, and his firm, Asymptote Architecture, designed the 9th Venice Biennale of Architecture. For this, he was awarded the esteemed Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the progress and merging of art and architecture.
He reveals that his and his wife’s creative journey can be challenging and very stressful at times..
– It’s a feeling of an intense pull to take a leap into the unknown rather than choose the safe route and avoid troubles.
His partner, Lise Anne Couture, was a professional skier and member of the Canadian National Freestyle Team.
– Whenever we would journey into new and undiscovered territory in the course of our collaborative work, she would say something that became my guiding thought: “Everything boils down to getting as close to the limit as possible, or, to put it simply, being at the asymptote.” And the asymptote is a straight line that a curve approaches indefinitely but never actually touches…
He explains how he derives inspiration for his works from a diverse range of real-world and life experiences.
– I draw my inspiration from a variety of sources, such as mathematics, music, and architecture, as well as from observing nature and exploring different aspects of human society, from the interaction of light and form – everything that I perceive to be true beauty in the world.
He is adamant that the creative partnership with his wife is the bedrock of his life and work.
– Since the day we first met, we have collaborated together with a dynamic and adaptable mindset. We not only appreciate each other’s strengths and talents, but also acknowledge our own weaknesses. This is especially true when it comes to making art and architecture. It means that we are constantly evolving, learning, and growing, ultimately pushing the limits of our creative endeavours.
He tells us that his ideas often tend to be a little abstract, breaking away from the constraints of reality and needing grounding and structure.
– Lise Anne’s remarkable mind plays a crucial role in moulding and refining these ideas, which would otherwise remain unrealistic. Moreover, Lise Anne holds a unique perspective characterized by her distinct curiosity and insatiable thirst for knowledge. By combining her profound understanding and a vast array of knowledge with my touches of the “logic of dreams”, an exciting synergy is created that has not only resulted in remarkable works together, but has also enriched our lives with a dash of magic.
According to Rashid, the most profound discoveries and innovations emerge when limits are tested, when risks are taken to explore the unexplored, ultimately resulting in breakthroughs and pushing the limits of what is possible in their work.
– Furthermore, we are deeply engaged in a number of virtual architecture projects, ranging from the design of a digital museum to the creation of virtual galleries and exhibition spaces for well-known brands in Switzerland and Italy. These endeavors reflect our dedication to expanding the limits of architectural innovation in both the physical and virtual worlds.
They are currently actively involved in the development of an international airport, but the specifics are being kept under wraps. In the meantime, they’re building a new SO Hotel in Budapest, nestled at the foot of the iconic Széchenyi Chain Bridge. They’re also considering the conceptual design of a futuristic drone port in Dubai, demonstrating their dedication to innovative design that keeps up with technology changes.
At the end of the interview, he tells us that it was exactly through the Yas Hotel project in Abu Dhabi that they discovered the intriguing contrast between the high glamour of Formula One, sailing, and yachting, and the region’s restrained cultural essence, its deserts, and ancient traditions.
– This prompted us to draw inspiration from desert tents, aerodynamic shapes, and the play of light on intricately carved stone surfaces, resulting in a design that embodied these intriguing contrasts – concludes Hani Rashid.