John Pawson — "Minimalist Architecture: Making Calm, Simple Spaces"

Legendary architect John Pawson reveals the philosophy behind minimalist architecture — how stripping design to its essentials creates calm, simple spaces that transform how we live. Known for his uncompromising minimalism, John Pawson shares his approach to minimalist architecture and minimalist interior design at Design Indaba Conference 2019. From his early influences in Japan to designing modern homes with natural materials and light, Pawson demonstrates why less truly is more in contemporary architecture. Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction 0:09 — Four decades in architecture: Kew Gardens footbridge 1:06 — Childhood: knocking down walls to expand rooms 2:13 — Destiny in Japan: seeking out Shiro Kuramata 4:05 — Returning to study at the Architecture Association 4:41 — Second London home: space, surfaces, and light 5:13 — NOI house on Mallorca: first house from foundations up 6:44 — The monastery project: austere but "very happy monks" 8:01 — A "project of a lifetime": 20 years and counting 10:49 — "Minimum": his philosophy of simplicity in 11 themes 11:37 — Douglas Fir chapel: stacked trunks on the edge of the woods 12:29 — Light: replacing stained glass with onyx in Bavaria 14:14 — Design Museum London: his first truly public work 15:36 — Jil Sander store Tokyo: learning more from clients 16:32 — Tableware for the monks' refectory 17:25 — Ballet sets: architecture as container for movement 18:21 — The discipline: "reduce until you can't improve by subtraction" 19:40 — Berlin bunker gallery: the intentional "indoor lake" 20:05 — Calvin Klein Madison Avenue: 25 years unchanged 20:43 — The bronze bowl: visual shorthand for his design language 21:03 — Buying a farm: a minimalist architect in the country 22:04 — From steak knife to monastery: design that brings pleasure 📌 Design Indaba — the world's leading platform for design, creativity, and innovation. Subscribe for more talks from the brightest creative minds. #Architecture #JohnPawson #Minimalism #InteriorDesign #ModernArchitecture #ArchitecturalDesign #MinimalistDesign #DesignInspiration #CreativeProcess #JapaneseDesign #LuxuryArchitecture #ArchitectLife #ContemporaryArchitecture #DesignPhilosophy #SpatialDesign #ArchitectureTalk #ModernLiving #ArchitecturalInspiration #MinimalistLifestyle #DesignThinking --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See more of our design talks and interviews: http://inda.ba/1XqFuU3 Follow Design Indaba on: Twitter http://inda.ba/2qA9jbG Instagram: http://inda.ba/1QRVKhn Facebook http://inda.ba/2qA8Mq9 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: http://inda.ba/TwaPdH Chapter Markers 00:00 Introduction to a Life in Architecture 00:17 Early Inspirations & Childhood Spaces 01:28 Failed Careers Before Architecture 02:13 Discovering Japanese Design in Tokyo 02:47 Meeting Shiro Kuramata 03:20 Lessons in Design, Discipline & Hard Work 04:05 Studying Architecture in London 04:41 Designing His Family Home 05:13 First Major House Project 05:30 Building a Career Project by Project 06:32 The Philosophy of Calm & Simple Spaces 06:44 Designing a Monastery for Monks 08:01 A Lifetime Architectural Project 09:12 Living Among the Monks 10:27 The Philosophy of Minimalism 11:16 The Beauty of Unadorned Space 11:35 Designing a Chapel in Germany 12:20 Houses, Light & Spatial Design 13:42 Interior Design for Luxury Spaces 14:14 The Design Museum London Project 15:37 Tokyo Retail Architecture & Collaboration 16:24 Cafés, Tea Rooms & Human-Centered Design 16:40 Marks Made by Man: Landscape & Pavilions 17:21 Architecture & Ballet Collaboration 18:20 The Discipline of Reduction 18:34 Cathay Pacific Lounge Design 19:32 Designing Galleries & Public Installations 20:03 The Calvin Klein Store Design 21:03 Restoring the Farmhouse Home 21:55 From Oxfordshire to Stockholm 22:04 Designing Objects, Buildings & Experiences 22:28 The Influence of Shiro Kuramata 22:52 The Human Enterprise Behind Architecture 23:02 Final Reflections & Closing Remarks