Eva Le Peutrec
What does architecture mean to you? And what brought you to it?
Architecture means everything to me. Whether we realize it or not, it has a profound effect on us. We all live somewhere, work somewhere, go to school somewhere... It affects our inner state of mind and our effectiveness. The environment we grow up in shapes us for life. From a very young age, I felt that this was my mission and the trajectory I wanted to take.
Why did you decide to go to Shanghai after graduation? And what was it like for you to start in a country where you knew no one and didn't know the language?
I'm of the opinion that young architects should be where they build to get as much experience as possible. In 2005, when I finished school, it was China. That's why I found a job in Shanghai. The whole six years of living there were very intense for me. Nothing can prepare you for such an experience. Asians don't have the same personal zone as Europeans or Americans, which is physically very exhausting. Because you're constantly being invaded in your personal space, and of course you subconsciously resist that. In a metropolis of 25 million people, there is also a pervasive noise that never dies down. The only way to get out of the city and into the countryside was usually by air. And then, of course, there are the cultural differences and the differences in thinking, values, ways of life. It would make a whole book.
You have already built 25 skyscrapers, but also, for example, a two-kilometre-long centre of the Chinese capital. Which of your completed projects is a so-called project of heart for you?
Paradoxically, my favourite was a project that unfortunately did not come to reality in the end. It was the Agriculture Logistic Center, a huge multifunctional project with a built-up area of 200,000 m2, which included a super high rise building, a skyscraper measuring 348 m. To make matters even more complicated, it was a spiral structure whose floor plan rotated 1' on each floor. I worked 103 hours a week on this project and had to develop a structural system that had never been used in China before. However, the timing of the project is also important in architecture. This was conceived on the cusp of the incipient global crisis in 2008, and because of the $3 billion budget, it never materialized.
Do you have a dream job that you would like to work on but haven't had the opportunity yet?
As for my architectural dreams, I have plenty of them! Their basic common element is that they are spaces that bring people together, encourage social interaction and the exchange of ideas. They serve as places for intellectual development, providing opportunities for individuals to expand their horizons and gain new knowledge. By enriching the mind and spirit, they make a significant contribution to creating a better world for all. They are places that serve as reminders of a nation's cultural heritage and inspire society to become aware of its roots. Places that offer new opportunities and foster growth in a wide range of fields, opening the door to innovation and progress.
Besides being a successful architect, you have written two books - what are they about?
The first book, The Architecture of Creative Thinking, is about the practical application of creativity in everyday life. This will help readers to find new solutions and therefore succeed in any discipline because they will think differently to their competitors. The second book, Memories of the South Pacific, discusses the joys and hardships of island life in the South Pacific. It's about French culture, culinary arts, education, and my 10 years living on the other side of the globe.
From structures and books to handles... For M&T you designed NOMAD, a fitting with an unusually subtle handle. How did this collaboration come about? And is this your first product design?
You're right, this is my first product design. When the Ulich brothers approached me, it seemed like a great chance to try and learn something new. Plus, M&T is from the East Bohemian Region, where I'm from, so it made a lot of sense to me to support my home region and promote a Czech brand to the world at the same time. Last but not least, I was delighted to have the luck of my own design, just like the world's greatest architects.
How did you find working with M&T?
The cooperation on the product was great. I was actually surprised how well industrial design can be developed over a distance of 20,000 km. At the beginning I visited the Dobruška manufactory and got to know the technologies used and also the limits of production. Next, we communicated mostly via the internet and met several times over prototypes. The final design basically follows the initial idea, which makes me very happy.
What was your inspiration for the handle design?
I like elegant, timeless design that doesn't come from current trends, but still looks great after 50 years. At the same time, I try to reduce and simplify in my projects, to look for the true essence. The quote by Steve Jobs resonates with me a lot: "Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains." And NOMAD brings it all together.
The handle was given a specific name. Why did you name it NOMAD?
I projected a part of myself into the name of the handle - I am a nomad by nature. I love travelling, it inspires me. Moreover, the design of NOMAD was conceived on a journey from Prague, through Helsinki and Osaka, to the South Pacific...
How different is the design of a handle from the design of a skyscraper? Do they have anything in common, or is there no comparison?
I don't think there's any comparison at all. Architecture is a privileged discipline mainly because of its complexity, which an architect must be able to capture. The ability to zoom from large scale to small scale and back again. Product design doesn't have that. But it is extremely rewarding to try designing these small products because one understands the importance of detail in design. And as Mies van der Rohe said, "The devil is in the detail". These elements help to complete the perfect whole.
What will you work on now? What will you work on now? Will you stay with architecture, or do you enjoy product design and want to keep doing it?
I have to say that I enjoyed the collaboration very much and I am passionate about product design and would like to continue doing it. My vision is to create my own design brand, Eva Le Peutrec, which will offer clients a wide range of my design products to complement my studio's urban planning, architectural and interior design services. At the same time, it will be a guarantee for clients of excellent workmanship of the smallest details even on the largest projects.
« I projected a part of myself into the name of the handle - I am a nomad by nature. »
