WITH 90+ CATEGORIES AND 300+ JURORS, THE ARCHITIZER A+AWARDS IS THE WORLD’S DEFINITIVE ARCHITECTURAL AWARDS PROGRAM. IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE EXTENDED DEADLINE, JANUARY 30, 2015, WE ARE PUBLISHING Q&AS WITH 2014 A+AWARD WINNERS. TO SEE A FULL LIST OF CATEGORIES AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE A+AWARDS, VISIT AWARDS.ARCHITIZER.COM.
HEAD Architecture won the 2014 Jury Award for the Architecture+Branding category with Great Food Hall.
Your name: Mark Panckhurst
Firm name: HEAD Architecture
Location: Hong Kong
Education: BArch(hons) RIBA
© HEAD Architecture
Great Food Hall
When did you decide that you wanted to be an architect?
I decided to become an architect when I was around 15 years old. I wanted a profession that combined creativity with technology.
First architecture/design job:
I studied at the School of Architecture at the University of Auckland and my first job was in Auckland, New Zealand.
© HEAD Architecture
Great Food Hall
Who is your design hero and/or what is your favorite building
I am a big fan of the Case Study houses built in the 1940s–1960s on the west coast of the United States. The simplicity and efficiency of these homes is inspirational.
Tell us something that people might not know about your submission:
The business remained open while the entire store was rebuilt — it was completed in roughly ten phases, much of it overnight.
© HEAD Architecture
Great Food Hall
Among your fellow A+Award winners, what is/are your favorite(s)?
I think the residential categories will often have the toughest competition. Lots of great work. I liked (1) Alpine Cabin on Vancouver Island by Scott & Scott; (2) Mountain Cabin in Laternser Valley by Marte.Marte Architects; (3) Arborg in Slefoss Iceland by PK Arkitektar; and (4) Villa Kogelhof in Zeeland Netherlands by Paul de Ruiter Architects. I also like the Lucerne Finish Tower by Andreas Fuhrimann Gabrielle Hachler Architects. They are all fairly small projects but with great attention to detail and understanding of materials.
© HEAD Architecture
Great Food Hall
Other than your computer (or phone), what is your most important tool?
My 0.25mm black pen is more important than my phone or computer.
Outside of architecture, where do you look for inspiration?
I enjoy doing photography and am inspired by the work of Ed Ruscha, Edward Burtynsky, Ian Lambot, Julius Schulman
What is the most important quality in an architect?
Responsibility
Who would be your dream client, and why?
© HEAD Architecture
Great Food Hall
I have done a couple of projects for myself. I enjoy the freedom of being my own client.
What do you find exciting about architecture and design right now?
The proliferation of vanity blobitecture, particularly in China, is unsustainable. As clients grow weary and wary of impractical buildings, I am looking forward to a return to simplicity and functionality. I genuinely believe that there is an increasing demand for projects that prioritize quality of space, functionality and longevity.