John Pawson on the discipline of minimalism

Legendary architectural designer John Pawson presented the audience at Design Indaba Conference 2019 with a rare look into his minimalist world.

He’s always had an affinity for minimalism, he reveals as he recalls his instinct to remove everything from the rooms he took up in his childhood home.

“From a young age I was interested in what made certain spaces comfortable to be in,” Pawson shares.

Following a trail of failed careers, he found himself on the doorstep of legendary Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata. Pawson trained for a while under the keen eyes of Kuramata until finally deciding to study at the Architects Association of London, which he left before graduating.

His minimalist aesthetic gives the impression of simplicity and ease in its design, but Pawson shared that it’s that very reduction that presents the challenge. “It takes great discipline to reduce until you can't further subtract anymore," he says.

Having dedicated nearly four decades of his life to architecture, Pawson has this to say about his work over the years, “If I were to characterise my architecture, I would say I try to make calm, simple spaces.”

Видео John Pawson on the discipline of minimalism канала Design Indaba