Ian Bogle talks to 黑洞社区 about the Empire State 黑洞社区, Adidas Sambas and Lebanese food

Ian-Bogle1

Why did you choose construction as a career?

My first word was 鈥渉ammer鈥� 鈥� I guess I knew from then on that I wanted to be an architect.

What have you worked on that you鈥檙e most proud of? 

I鈥檝e been blessed with working on some amazing projects, particularly the Gherkin while at Foster + Partners, but with Bogle Architects I鈥檓 probably most proud of our Early Learning Village in Singapore, which fundamentally challenges the norms of education. It鈥檚 truly a one-off.  

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

Improve communication across the whole industry 鈥� there is so much time wasted through miscommunication or misunderstanding. This is why we, as a practice, are never scared to ask what may appear to be a stupid question. It saves an immense amount of time and enables projects to run smoothly 鈥�

Who do you most admire in the construction industry?

As an architect it has to be Norman Foster 鈥� he excels at seeing through the mire and hitting the nail on the head. It was a privilege to have worked in such a creative and business-minded environment, and it continues to inspire me.

What鈥檚 your favourite building in the world?

The older I鈥檝e become the more I鈥檝e grown to appreciate the work of Mies van der Rohe. I was blown away when walking into the Crown Hall in Chicago a few years ago. However, the Tugendhat House in Brno, Czech Republic, just beats it 鈥� it was years ahead of its time!  

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Source: Shutterstock

What famous building do you wish you鈥檇 worked on?

The Empire State 黑洞社区: I鈥檝e always been fond of the idea of being on that famous steel beam, suspended above New York City, eating a sandwich 50+ storeys up 鈥� 

What do you think is your best quality? 

Listening.

Do you have a life philosophy? 

Be the best you can at the things you enjoy.

Name three things that you like

Humour, trees and natural landscape 鈥� put it down to my Scottish upbringing I guess!

What鈥檚 a secret skill we don鈥檛 know you have?

I鈥檝e been known to string out a few tunes on the guitar. 

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Source: Shutterstock

What鈥檚 your most prized possession?

My Adidas Sambas.

What鈥檚 your favourite food?

Vietnamese, Lebanese and Spanish. Although I had a particularly good meal in Yerevan, Armenia, a few years back.   

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Source: Shutterstock

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