Based in Hong Kong, James Law wanted to be an architect from the age of 11 years, and started doing odd jobs at architectural firms. The passion of that young age for architecture still runs strong even after three decades. He believes in architecture of purpose and his work takes him across the globe. In his recent visit to India, James Law speaks his mind on the present architecture and what the future looks like.
What does Architecture mean to you in one word?
If I have to give one word for architecture, it is ‘Life’. Architecture organizes our life, and its priorities. It im- pacts the way we work, live, entertain, enjoy public & private spaces, consciously and unconsciously. There is interconnectedness to human life and architecture.
How will you describe the evolution of architecture in past 10 years?
Like life, architecture keeps changing, growing and evolving with times. Every era has its own design philosophies and architectural styles. With newer technologies, advancements and lifestyles, we create architecture that matches it. Conversely, architecture too drives new change for people. It reflects our modern-day concerns about our surroundings, city, economy, environment etc. So, architecture is like a language and medium which is constantly spoken. New stories are told as our lives are changing every day.
In the last 10 years particularly, architecture has changed very quickly. We have seen the growing consciousness for sustainability, we have seen architecture becoming mindful about affordability. We have also seen architecture being cognizant about technology. We have seen architects adopting these three aspects to address the people’s needs in the recent times. It has a lot of promise of doing good if we are able to evolve architecture in a way to match what we need.
You are known to time travel. How do you do it?
It is important to be grateful for the past and have the audacity to project into the future. I cherish the significance of the current moment, I appreciate the past, rooted in my heritage, and also have the boldness to conceptualize the future. I revisit my past projects and get delighted to see how they've become an integral part of people's lives and neighbourhood. This reflection allows me to learn from my ideas, both validated and flawed. Even mistakes can be wonderful, illuminating new perspectives. By going back in time, I gain knowledge, which becomes path for future projects. I can accelerate the positive impact and build upon those ideas, oscillating between past and future. It's essential to remember that our projects outlast us, and caring about their legacy is a rewarding experience for architects, granting us wisdom to inform our future – that's my time-traveling technique.
Is technology only about creating something new or also reinventing the old?
Technology is not only for innovation, but also for repurposing the old. For example, we are now going back to nature and mimicking through biophilia and bio-engineering. We are learning from nature and using technology to improve our designs. In architecture, we're moving away from wasteful and material-heavy buildings to ones that collect water and store energy. My philosophy is that architecture should be a second nature, inspired by the fundamentals of nature, where we use new materials and technologies to create buildings that value the past and the environment. In the earlier days, buildings were designed with functionality in mind, like natural ventilation and light, but we lost sight of that with modern products. Now, we're going backwards, bringing back those values and combining them with modern designs to create sustainable and functional buildings.
Is architecture about creating landmarks?
As architects, we know our designs impact people and the cityscape. Iconic buildings no doubt have visual appeal, which is important, but it's just one aspect of its contribution to society. They also have to be functional and meaningful. Good architecture goes beyond aesthetics; it supports people's well-being, relationships, and balance in life. It's not just about providing space, but creating an environment where people can thrive, interact, and feel good. When we achieve this balance, we create a truly great architecture.
You are often criticized for being too much futuristic?
I accept that our proposals may be daunting and alien to some, but fundamentally design has the capacity to reinvent and while we may not be comfortable about the outcome of the future wishes, still experimenting to try to find it is essential. If we don’t, then we are very lost. I experiment to find new outcomes, despite discomfort with the future, to avoid chaotic progress. Consider Taj Mahal, Pyramids, and Great Wall of China - once unimaginable, now accepted. They are examples of projection of trying to achieve tangible positive results, out of invention. You need to dream big to make them true, and unless you don’t dream big, you will not aspire to fulfil that dream.
It's not about grand ambitions or achievements. It's about infinitely expanding your thinking beyond the bounds of what's acceptable, pushing creativity to its limits. I continually learn and strive to stretch my creative boundaries, which is why my projects often test the limits of acceptability, making them unsettling for some. I keep learning and try to allow my creativity to stretch further and that’s why my projects are scary for people.
Known for extravagant projects your understated works are for less privileged.
That’s correct, people's impression of me is largely based on my high-profile works, which are often associated with affluent locations and rapid execution of grand ideas. While it's true that these projects have been supported by significant resources, I also have a substantial body of work that is more understated and humbler.
These projects reflect my commitment to address fundamental issues. For instance, I'm deeply passionate about affordable housing, having grown up in Hong Kong, where housing scarcity and unaffordability are major concerns. We've explored various solutions, including repurposing container boxes to O-Pod homes. In collaboration with charities and NGOs we support those in need of housing. These projects are just as important to me as my more visible works, because our driving force is people-centric. We cannot ignore the fact that many individuals lack access to high-quality architecture, creative solutions, and basic necessities like affordable housing, safe environments, and innovative technologies. I strive to make a positive impact on society by serving those needs through my work.
You are also passionate about educating youngsters on design & architecture.
When we're young, we're often unaware of our remarkable potential and talents. However, given the right environment and opportunities, we can discover our passions and interests. It's like the biological concept of stem cells, which can evolve into anything with the right spark. I was fortunate to have found my spark at the age of seven, when I saw something that inspired me to become an architect. I pursued my passion with dedication and enthusiasm, and it greatly accelerated my progress in following my dreams. My Cybertecture Academy aims to offer similar opportunities for young individuals to be exposed to design, architecture, and technology at an early stage.
It provides experiential learning for youngsters (11- 18 yrs old) who want to learn about anything that can change the world through design, technology, architecture. They see seniors working on projects, and sometimes they approach me, saying, 'Wow, that's amazing! I can do that!' They become activated, and then they share their newfound passion with their parents, saying, 'I know what I want to do now. I want to be an architect,engineer, or computer scientist.' At a young age, they start planning their lives, thinking about which college to attend, which subjects to study, and developing a sense of purpose. They focus on mathematics because they want to become a computer scientist or study arts because they want to be a designer. I believe this is how we can improve the prospects and challenges of our next generation. My message to them is your passions and talents can light up your future, so find your purpose as soon as possible, and it will take you to places you never thought you could reach.
Architecture continues to project into the future as a dynamic platform for humanity in this ever-changing world. It's like a creative journey to explore life, learn and grow.
Architecture is more than just creating buildings. Be grateful for the past and have the audacity to project into the future. Dream big, have purpose and passion for design.
Our projects outlast us, caring about their legacy is a rewarding experience for me, granting wisdom to inform the future, that's my time-traveling technique.
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