Credit: Designboom
Not many architects can claim to have a former career as a rockstar, but this is perhaps what makes Michel Rojkind special.
The Mexican architect, who spent over a decade as a drummer for Aleks Syntek‘s band La Gente Normala before pursuing a career in architecture, has used his unique creative flair to design some of the world’s most awe-inspiring buildings, from the award winning Tori Tori Restaurant in Mexico City to the Nestlé Chocolate Museum, Toluca, Mexico.
We talk to Rojkind about his impressive portfolio of work and get his perspective on Toronto’s architectural landscape.
You were a member of a rock band for over 10 years. Did you ever consider choosing music as a career path instead of architecture?
It was very clear to me from the beginning that music (at least as a drummer) was only temporary, even though music is a very important part of my life, architecture became more of a life-long career. We cut four albums with Virgin Records and toured many countries and this definitely was an incredible input for my formative architectural student days.
Rojkind Arquitectos has received many awards and accolades. Which project of your own design do you feel a strong connection with and why?
If I had to choose one it would be The Nestle chocolate Museum, because in this project I discovered that, aside from solving the correct pragramatic need or functionality of a building, architecture can give someting back.
As well as hiring local people as staff, the project gave the community a museum which didn’t exist before! So not only did it help in terms of jobs, but also as a cultural component that was not given by the government or a private collector.
Moreover, building it in two months and a half, being there on site, and working together with all the teams involved to getting it right, was an incredible experience.
What is your impression of Toronto’s architectural landscape?Are there any particular buildings in Toronto that you admire?
There is a whole lot of construction going on, and I mean a lot! I enjoy the high density with the ease of the waterfront projects. In particular, I like the buildings from the early 60s – the Toronto City Hall and the University of Toronto’s Pharmacy Building by Foster. And I love the work that’s been done in the urban scale by revitalizing streets.
What projects do you have in the pipeline at the moment?
We finished the design and are now overviewing the construction of the National Film Institute in Mexico City. Also, we are overviewing our design for the HighPark mixed-use building in Monterrey, Mexico as well as two new designs for Liverpool department stores in Mexico (both of which are in C.D. stages). Other projects that are in the pipeline include, a co-working space (transformadora) for the Cola-Cola company in Mexico City, a grocery store with a harvesting field/park on the rooftop and an independent film school on a rooftop of an existing building.
Finally, can you give us an example of what you consider to be an outstanding piece of architecture in the world today and explain why you think so?
I would have to say any building that understands how the values have shifted from an imposing architecture to an architecture that gives something back. One of the best examples is Cameron Sinclair’s initiative “Architecture for Humanity”.
Tori Tori Restaurant, Mexico City
Nestlé Chocolate Museum, Toluca, Mexico
Liverpool Department Store, Mexico City
Falcon Headquarters, Mexico City
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SÃle Cleary is a regular contributor to Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at @silecleary.
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