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Designer Sketch: David Howell
The Kiwi architect talks about the birth of his career in a garage, the infinity of his native landscape and what he'd change about kitchens
When he's not completing Manhattan loft spaces for Facebook and Google executives, designing the latest Coach flagship store or working on a boutique hotel in Brooklyn with walls swathed in graffiti and antiques, architect and New Zealand native David Howell continues his quiet mission of making the world more interesting and unique, one work at a time. Howell takes a personal approach to the business that bears his name. It's not uncommon for him to have an informal meeting with clients in his home, in Manhattan's Gramercy neighborhood. Housed in a building he and his team designed and built from the ground up, he shares the home with his wife and twin daughters.
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What are some of the interesting projects that you're working on now?
There's a ski house in Alta, Utah, nicknamed the “Tube and Crystal” — an entirely concrete poured-in-place house for clients who live in New York City. The house is in two forms connected by a bridge and a tunnel. We've also just started designing a flagship retail space in the Meat Packing District for a Swiss intimate apparel company. And we are finishing up two German bakery/bars which feature authentic German bread and baked goods, ales and wines. At any one time, we are always designing or renovating several New York City apartments.
What inspires your work and designs?
I'm one of the lucky ones. I work with enormously talented and inspiring people on a daily basis.
When did you know that you wanted to be an architect?
When I was 14 and friends of my parents visited our house, I was building something in the garage and someone floated the idea [of becoming an architect] to us. I always loved to sketch, and it seemed like a good match. That summer I worked for a local [New Zealand] architect, Paris Magdalinos, who was very inspirational. I still recall being intimidated by his exotic name.
There's a ski house in Alta, Utah, nicknamed the “Tube and Crystal” — an entirely concrete poured-in-place house for clients who live in New York City. The house is in two forms connected by a bridge and a tunnel. We've also just started designing a flagship retail space in the Meat Packing District for a Swiss intimate apparel company. And we are finishing up two German bakery/bars which feature authentic German bread and baked goods, ales and wines. At any one time, we are always designing or renovating several New York City apartments.
What inspires your work and designs?
I'm one of the lucky ones. I work with enormously talented and inspiring people on a daily basis.
When did you know that you wanted to be an architect?
When I was 14 and friends of my parents visited our house, I was building something in the garage and someone floated the idea [of becoming an architect] to us. I always loved to sketch, and it seemed like a good match. That summer I worked for a local [New Zealand] architect, Paris Magdalinos, who was very inspirational. I still recall being intimidated by his exotic name.
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| Is everything in your process digital nowadays, or do you still draw sketches by hand? Almost everything is digital except for the messy first part of the design process. All files are on CAD, but we're looking to transition into Revit by the end of 2013. A member of our team is a fantastic sketcher, so he still does these wonderful evocative pencil drawings. Which professionals in your industry do you admire most? Tom Kundig, because I love his dedication to the craft and that everything in his work gets designed. Also, most of his designs he actually gets to build. I like Glenn Murcutt, who can talk so eloquently about the Australian bush and always tries to have his structures “touch the ground lightly," which I admire. And William Van Alen. I get to look out my office window and stare at the Chrysler Building every day; [the Chrysler Building] makes New York a better city. |
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| Can you talk about this luxurious property in Mexico? It's easy to miss all the details in this picture, but this is actually a bathroom image within a massive master bedroom in a hacienda [located in] San Miguel de Allende [Mexico]. The owner and I instantly fell in love with its gorgeous boveda ceilings. We decided to make this bathroom into a lounge so two people can really hang out in the space: One can be reading while the other soaks in the tub. The bathroom even has a see-through gas fireplace because it gets cold at night in those parts of Mexico. Your ideal client is? Annie Lennox or Tom Richardson. Actually, my current clients are already pretty ideal. |
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| What's the most comfortable piece of furniture that you have in your home? The Body Raft by David Trubridge. Do you seek architectural and design inspiration elsewhere? We travel a lot, and it's always inspiring to see new cities, but I love my native New Zealand landscape; it's a mix of density and openness. The bush is so thick and pungent and full of tiny plants mixed in with giant kauri trees. And then we have the rolling hills, [which are] open and endless and inspire a sense of freedom. It's an infinity that isn't confused with the idea of ownership. Where in the world do you want to go to next? I'd like to experience Antarctica on my own, go to Alaska with a friend and travel to Japan with my family. |
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If you could change one thing about architecture, what would it be?
I'd make kitchens look less like kitchens.
Do you have a signature style?
I don’t think so. I try not to, but some people say they recognize our work.
More Designer Sketches:
Noel Cross | Jean Dufresne
I'd make kitchens look less like kitchens.
Do you have a signature style?
I don’t think so. I try not to, but some people say they recognize our work.
More Designer Sketches:
Noel Cross | Jean Dufresne
Comments
Becky Harris This was so much fun to read. David Howell is so talented; I love his diverse portfolio of beautiful and thoughtful work.
12 months ago · Like
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Cathy Lara @Becky — What he said about the Chrysler building totally makes sense. It was such a joy to look through his portfolio. And thanks for the San Miguel de Allende tour. Wow, wow, wow!
12 months ago · Like
David Howell Design Thank you Becky - as always too nice! 
12 months ago · Like
FORMA Design Great work, David!
12 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on May 19, 2012.
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