Interview

Ana Morcillo Pallarés [Cieza, 1980] architect, ETSAV and Jonathan Rule [Brooklyn, 1980] architect, ETSAM and March I, Harvard GSD, along with José Morcillo Martínez founded the studio Morcillo+Pallares arquitectos in 2005. The professional activity covers a variety work areas in architecture and urbanism: new construction, restoration, interior design, urban design and landscape. The studio aims to offer a design quality by approaching problems through dialog and participation in order to produce results that are both stimulating and unique.

When did you realize you wanted to become an architect?

Ana: During the construction of one of my first projects.
Jon: During a class at the University at Buffalo, which focused on theories of person-behavior-environment interactions.

Who was your "maestro"?

Our fathers, who are both architects as well.

As you design, what is the first thing you do?

Ana: I try not to think about anything I have seen before and I start sketching.
Jon: Take the problem apart.

Your house is on fire, what book, what movie and what works do you save?

Our cat “George”.

With which architect of the past would you chat?

Aino Aalto and Charles & Ray Eames in their workshops.

What is your favorite building material?

Anything hand crafted. Artisanal work is on the verge of extinction.

Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Ana: Beatles.
Jon: Rolling Stones.

Mac or PC?

Boot-camp.

Le Corbusier or Mies?

"Mies is more".

Mouse or pencil?

Whatever you can draw with.

Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas. Do they still make sense today?

They do because they propose a balance between the three. However, in some cases this idea has been forgotten

Is there architecture without architects?

Why not?

Is there architecture without buildings?

If we are able to be aware of it, certainly there is.

The house you would like to live in?

Ana: A house is related to a place and I can't pick up a place yet. However, I wouldn't mind to be lost for days in the forest of Woodland Cemetery of Asplund.
Jon: The Eames House, Case Study House #8

What you most despise in contemporary architecture?

Optimism and sometimes the lack of common sense.

Can architects be dangerous?

As dangerous as any profession with a social role and a civil responsibility. We are not that important even if we would like to be.

Digital technology has a role in defining contemporary architecture?

Ana: It has, but from my opinion the development of digital technology is faster than our conceptual assimilation of it.
Jon: Yes, for better and for worse.

What is your motto?

"DON'T STOP NOW!" From a chinese fortune cookie.