Patrick de Louwere is the Design Director of M Moser Shanghai and the project manager of WPP headquarter in Shanghai. MATSU thought he focused on interior design only, but to everyone’s surprise, he achieved a lot in architectural design and product design. When asked the design questions such as which designer he fancies most, Patrick answered us, out of expectation, with a name of a German composer, J.S. Bach. Maybe, this is where Patrick de Louwere’s inspiration comes from. He is a designer with free mind and unfettered creativity. just like today’s developing China. All possibilities and surprises come with the fast development.

Bio Patrick de Louwere

Patrick is the design director of M Moser Shanghai. He carefully partners with clients from concept through to project realisation, allowing him and his team to deliver the best design that also meet a client’s personal design preferences.

Backing up this creativity is serious talent and a proven record. He has more than 20 years of experience across China, UK, the Netherlands and Italy; and covers architecture, interior design, product design and tailor made furniture. Patrick de Louwere is a chartered architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB).

His work has gained consistent media attention and is much acclaimed within the industry, including two Interior Best of Year design Awards, 40under40 for the most promising European talents, two Interior Innovation Award and the prestigious Good Design Award. He writes a bi-monthly column for a leading Dutch design magazine, and has been a member of several design juries.

Can you share some of the ideas (about architectural design, space design and product design) and recent works?

A little introduction might be helpful. I have been trained as an architect and worked on many buildings in The Netherlands, Italy and UK. Whilst working as an architect I started to enjoy making interior designs too. In the old days this was common practice, architects doing both, but I found that nowadays this is happening less and less. When I was doing the interior design I was unable to find the furniture that I was looking for so I decided to make designs myself. Out of this fascination for furniture I started my own boutique furniture company. In essence I am a very classical designer, with the capability to design anything and everything. My designs always start from a need. A need for something that is not there yet; they are on the border of design and architecture. And very practical, furniture is there to use, not just to look beautiful.

M Moser concentrates on commercial architecture and space. In related to future commercial architecture (office building) and the trend of office space, do you have some advice for us?

I think office spaces will become social hubs. There will always be a need to physically meet people, offline! A lot of communication can be done via web-based applications, it doesn’t mater where you are but being together creates different dynamics and can spark creativity. One needs space for the unexpected.

More and more people fancy home-like office room. As the boundary of living space and office space becomes increasingly blurred, against this tendency, how to balance work and life and what do you think of it?

Having a good work and life balance is becoming harder and harder. Everybody is dragging work around on her or his mobile phone. I have to admit I am pretty addicted myself. So I think it becomes increasingly important to find time to work and time not to work. This needs to happen at home and paradoxically at work. Not working at work can be extremely relaxing and energizing. And I don’t just mean the lunch break; walking away from your workstation to water the plants, stare out of the window and hear the birds sing can be very nourishing for the brains too - you should try!

You’ve been to Britain and stayed there for 8 years, engaged in architectural and space design for that long time. Now you are in China, doing almost the same work in this field. What makes you feel different in related to the two countries’markets?

They are worlds apart from the outside but on the other hand there are similarities. Both countries have a rich cultural history and have influenced global and regional culture hugely. Where the UK and the whole of Europe dwell on the past a bit too much sometimes you see the opposite in China. China is forward thinking and this is reflected in the market, anything is still possible, this creates an enormous dynamic and endless possibilities. And where London is known for its creativity, Shanghai is becoming the creative hub of Asia, very exciting!

It is heard that you are also interested in design science and education. Can you tell us some idea and suggestion about Chinese design education? How can we learn from western colleagues to give full play to our strength and make up for the weakness.

I have been a teacher at Delft University of Technology, one of the leading architecture institutions in Europe, for over 8 years. I have no experience in China yet, it would be very interesting to find out!

Which designers do you admire most? Can you give us some explanation of their works?

That is a tricky question, but if you push me… for me it is the composer J.S. Bach, his compositions are designed so cleverly. Every bit of his music creates a new universe in my minds eye. It is never too early or late for his work. His work is the beautiful and perfection, untouchable…