黑洞社区

When 黑洞社区 interviewed Ivan Harbour in 2000, he worked for Richard Rogers Partnership. His aim for the decade was to stay where he was and, as the new name of the practice attests, that鈥檚 what he did. 鈥淚鈥檝e been working for Richard for 25 years now and I鈥檇 say the big change for me is being on the letterhead. And the best part is that, despite the change, I鈥檓 still foremost an architect.鈥�

His high points over the past 10 years are all linked to being recognised by peers through awards such at the Stirling prize, which the practice has won twice for buildings he oversaw the design of - London鈥檚 Maggie鈥檚 Centre and Madrid Airport.

His low point, as for many others, was having to make people redundant: 鈥淚t made me feel very responsible indeed,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd I never want to have to repeat that.鈥�

In terms of the next 10 years, Harbour says: 鈥淚 expect I鈥檒l be more of a mentor than I have been because that way you can help people come up with really bright ideas that they can develop and use to work towards the future.鈥�

In 2000, he said he didn鈥檛 have a hero and he hasn鈥檛 found one since: 鈥淚f you have a hero, and you meet them, they鈥檒l always be disappointing, because they are just people. The concept of heroes has never really crossed my mind.鈥�

And finally, what would he advise a 21-year-old? 鈥淒on鈥檛 take drugs, don鈥檛 be deflected from ambitious ideas, no matter how crazy they are, and be yourself.鈥�