In the beginning there is the vision – but for it to become a building, you need Meri Siren! Originally from Finland, she is a renowned implementation planner in Berlin. In this interview she tells us what attracts her to realising ambitious designs and how Finland has shaped her view of architecture.
Mathis and I studied together in Berlin, and afterwards I always followed from a distance what he and Sebastian were building up. We never really lost touch. When I was invited to the launch party for their new office last year, Mathis asked me whether I could recommend someone from the field of "detailed design" – my speciality. They were looking for someone at the time.
I didn't know anyone; detailed design is rather unsexy for many architects. And as a practice it is extremely difficult to find someone who is really good.
Yes, Mathis, the sly old fox! (laughs) He then talked me into moving to OOW. And honestly? I haven't regretted that decision for a single day! Here I've found an environment that places enormous value on the quality of detailed design. In Mathis and Sebastian I have two bosses who share my love of detail. And: we have extremely exciting clients, and thanks to a shortened working week I can balance family and career wonderfully – I have two children. Couldn't be better!
Most architects see themselves as artists. They want to design and see their magnificent facades around the city! Detailed design is supposedly the boring part: it's very technical, I draw up plans for the construction site so that the workers know exactly what they have to build. It's all about sealing and connection details.
At the start of a building, there's always a grand vision. But afterwards, it naturally needs to be developed so that it can actually be built. There are countless DIN standards that must be met, and I find it incredibly exciting to find a solution, even for difficult and ambitious designs, that can stand up in reality. The brain smokes at the end – but the complexity is exactly what I love!
There's no such thing as a normal daily routine. Different tasks come up every day, really, and that's what makes it so varied. At OOW I no longer draw everything myself. For me that saves an enormous amount of time and I can concentrate on the essentials: I discuss with the client, for instance, which windows they would like. What the advantages of wooden windows or sliding windows are, and how that decision affects the space as a whole. We discuss types of parquet, and I'm in constant contact with companies and manufacturers. And of course everything is planned so that it meets all the standards and regulations as well as the client's requirements.
I think it does. We Finns think in very functional terms and love clear shapes and colours. Precision comes first for us. Our design is hardly playful at all.
Sometimes I do, but we have a summer house in Finland and it takes me five hours door to door. That's well worth it even for a long weekend! I can no longer imagine living there full-time again. I love the urban life.
I really can't say. Apartment buildings, social housing, student flats: they all have their appeal. I always find it exciting to get the best out of small spaces. It's astonishing what you can do there with good architecture! But of course it's also great fun to design a 400-square-metre villa for two people! What matters to me on every project: I don't like run-of-the-mill solutions. Bold and unconventional designs are what appeal to me. Getting there is probably not the easiest or quickest route. But it's worth it! And that's what makes OOW wonderful: we have hugely exciting projects – and the ambition to deliver the very best quality!
