Arch. Paolo Cucchi is Italian architect born in Parma-Italy and are already 13 years that he lives in Malaysia. We had this interview with him during Interact 2009.
Is this the first time you are in Sofia?
Yes, this is the first time I’m in Sofia and I’m very impressed by the Country and its environment. I want to highlight that you have the merit to have preserved the green of the city and this is a peculiarity that not many towns in Europe were able to keep. I see interesting opportunities, which, developed in the proper way, could exalt the distinctive character of this place where urban fabric and rich traces of the pass are well blended with the greenery. You have to do your best to maintain these features.

What do you think about it? Did you like something?
I am very surprised by the architectural elements that I found walking around the city. Inside Alexander Nevsky Cathedral I felt overwhelmed by a wrapping mystical aura: the sense of solemnity suggested by the large dome, the darkness dialoguing with the tremulous lights of the candles animating precious icons from the shadows, are a spiritual experience. It is has been another great pleasure to breath the romantic atmosphere of shaded boulevards discovering the old fashioned opulence of magnificent buildings, parks animated by sculptures’ exhibitions or charming corners where you can eat fantastic salads near the lakeside or in the wood, left inside the town, and crossed by slow motion tramways. The same small crowded coffees nearby the University are extremely stimulant for the desire I have noticed in the young to participate and express a voice.
What about the contemporary architecture?
I have seen several new developments in these days. Just in the suburban area of the town there are buildings designed by local architects, proposing interesting architectural schemes with good controls of the façade elements, Georgi Stanishev is one of them. I saw also attractive areas of old socialist buildings and could be strategic to consider a proper restoration plan, integrating them in the cultural activities of the town. I had the chance to visit the exhibition of the projects for “New City Center of Sofia”, and, contrary to the opinion of some colleagues, I like Dominique Perrault’s project. A long green corridor runs through the site, as a spine of the district, resembling with its hilly silhouette the geophysical environment. The urban design is very strong in the concept, the organization of the space is very clear and interacts well with the context, one, I think, of the winning points of this proposal. I fully agree with the jury’s choice.
What is the difference between working in Europe and working in Malaysia?
I have worked 14 years in Europe and then 13 in Malaysia. Even if we talk about globalization, the approach to the design in Europe and Asia is totally different: cultures and environments make the difference. In Europe is still strong the conservatism despite the demand of renewal. In the young countries of Asia the work is more stimulant. The most exciting design is the high-rise building not only for the continuous aim to built a taller one but also for the involvement of functions complexity and social issues. The dynamicity of the urban growing, in a town as Kuala Lumpur, motivates a restless research of technological iconicity that offers also a symbolic identity for a community in search of social identification. But a project in Malaysia could be also dangerous, the risk to produce forms without sense and commercial architecture is very easy. All the time that I design I try to find a meaning of the shape, a symbol that could respond to the existing context.
Do you think that you could work anywhere in the world?
Yes, an architect should be able to design everywhere in the world: a new environment, a new culture is a new challenge. The analysis, the history, the culture of the country where you go to do projects, are important. You cannot simplify. Today the globalization is destroying the architecture. I am not against the globalization of the technology, but I am against the globalization of the architecture. Every country has its own identity and the work of the architect is to find this identity and translate it into design if it is possible seizing emotion. The architect is a translator in form of traditions, cultures and histories that have to respond to the context.
What do you think is the new tendency of architecture?
It is the design. I think the architecture is dead. Today the client wants design, a small jewelry that represents itself. What today is demanded from the architects is their capability to attract, to astonish; we don’t have to forget that we are living in an era of images.
Do you think that architecture is more business and management than art?
This is a tricky question; most of the times unfortunately it is a business, but sometimes it is also art. The percentage of art compared to the percentage of business is very small. So I can see that the architects are producing very commercial design to satisfy the economical request of the client that wants to optimize the investment as much as possible.
What is your opinion on sustainable architecture?
I think this is the future.
Do you think it is the present?
Today to build a construction conformed to the contemporary standards of eco-sustainability should be obligatory part of the project but there is lot of talking and not to much action yet. To see a real green building is not so easy, due to the cost. Many developers don’t believe that they can get back their investment from green building, they want profits as fast as possible especially in the part of the world where I am living now. The idea of sustainability is better understood in the Western countries than in the Eastern.
Where do you think you will work in the future?
I can’t answer to you, it depends on the opportunities and how the life goes. Malaysia is very different culture and it is a stimulating place to work, it is also like my second home.
Thank you for this interview.