CONVERSATION
Award-winning architect Roger Ferris reflects on his meticulous approach to building homes for art collectors
得獎建築師Roger Ferris分享為藝術收藏家建造精緻家園的心得
A taste for creative minimalism paired with meticulous execution make Roger Ferris highly sought after for projects of varying scales. His Connecticut-based practice’s portfolio spans residences for the likes of Steve Cohen, Steven Spielberg, and David Mugrabi as well as landmark properties such as the extraordinary Bridge Golf Club in Southampton. Here, he speaks to us about his earliest memories of architecture, working with billionaires, and the future of design. 擁有簡約創新意念和細密心思的Roger Ferris是無數工程項目的首選建築師。他在美國康乃迪克州開設的工作室曾負責多個大型工程，包括為Steve Cohen、史提芬史匹堡、Frank Gallipolli和David Mugrabi等星級人馬打造住宅，還有位於修咸頓的Bridge Golf Club等地標建築。Roger跟我們細談他對建築的初心、跟億萬富豪合作的點滴，以及對設計未來的感想。I was always drawn to construction sites and watching buildings rise up out of the ground and take shape. From a very early age, I was only ever interested in playing with toys I could build with. 我一向對建築地盤充滿興趣，喜歡看著建築物在一片荒地之中慢慢建立成形。自小只愛建造類型的玩具。I’ve learned to listen carefully to my clients. You become very mindful of the process of understanding your clients’ expectations, and you have to listen and not jump to conclusions or solutions too quickly. 我學會細心聆聽客人們的要求。你會非常著重了解客人的期望，而且必須認真聆聽，不能急於下定論。
Everything influences my work and perspective. I say that in the most inclusive sense. Certainly art and sculpture, dance and music, but also fashion and even fiction. 所有東西都會影響我的工作和觀點。我是一概而論的。這當然包括藝術和雕塑、舞蹈和音樂，甚至是時裝和小說。Perhaps the most seminal project for my practice was the Bridge Golf Club in Bridgehampton, New York. It was one of the first contemporary clubhouses in America and followed its own set of rules from both a pragmatic and stylistic sense. 也許對我的工作室來說，紐約布里吉漢普頓的Bridge Golf Club是最具開創性的工程。它是美國其中一個最先創建的當代會所，以其兼容務實和風格意念的獨有規則打造而成。I’ve always been fascinated with art and understanding the contribution that art can make to a space. Art collectors typically want their artwork to be a primary consideration in organizing space. In a residential space, you’re working with the client who is going to live in it and occupy it.我一直熱愛藝術，而且明白藝術對空間的貢獻。藝術收藏家在規劃空間時很自然會把自己的收藏品視作首要考慮。處理住所項目，你就是跟一位將要居於其中的客人合作。Commercially, it takes a little more speculation, as you are anticipating the needs of the occupants who are going to inhabit any one place. 在商而言，建築師需要作多一點推測，因你需要估計即將入住空間的住戶會有什麼需求。The best design stimulates inspiration. It’s historically been the case and it is true now more than ever. It can inspire people in different ways without necessarily understanding the creator’s intent. If it’s meaningful, it’s inspirational. In 10 years, I don’t think that idea will change. But technology is allowing us to explore different forms and materiality, and to take greater risks. Technology will solve a lot of the issues we are currently faced with and allow us to think more creatively over time.出色設計能啟發靈感，這是自古以來不變的事實。即使未能透徹了解作者的本意，其設計也能以不同方式啟發人們。只要有意義，便能帶來靈感。我認為這個想法在未來10年也不會改變。科技讓我們能以更多形式和物質進行探索，亦能承受更大風險，為我們解決很多現正面對的問題，同時推動不斷發掘更具創意的意念。//