Daniel Mattjik talks design philosophy, achieving design goals and pushing boundaries within his graduation project.

Describe your proposal in 3 key words:
Light, Contemplate, Rejuvenate

What is your design philosophy?
I believe that in every project, we as designers have to first understand what I like to call as the “essence of things”. In my search for this “essence of things”, I always go back to what architecture essentially is, a dwelling space for humans. This reminds me that we are designing for humans with emotions, or in other words, every design decision we make has the ability to influence the well being of the users of our designed space. More importantly, as interior architects, we tend to deal with existing structures that have their own history. We need to acknowledge that the previous use of the building might hold important memories or significance for someone. These memories and significance of the previous use is what drives me in developing a conversation between the old and the new that is capable of relating to the users of my designed space at an emotional level. Based on this philosophy, I have chosen to put an emphasis on the idea of “Light” in this project. This is because the White Bay Power Station was one of the first power stations that provided light in Sydney, therefore providing a sense of security during night, warmth, and hope for a better life. I believe this idea will allow me to develop a design reinterpretation that can emotionally relate to both local and international users of the building.
 
Goals that you may have had in first year, and how have you gone in achieving them?
The field of interior architecture is entirely new for me during my first year. As such, my goal in first year was to like what I do and to find what being an interior architect meant to me personally. In my second semester of first year, one of my tutors introduced me to a book by Peter Zumthor. My favourite phrase in one of Zumthor’s book is “A building is a sensitive container of human life”. It becomes the background for every life event, whether they may be sad or joyous events, for every single person who used the building  / space. Again, this means as a designer we have the responsibility and the ability to increase someone’s quality of life through our design. We, as designers, are capable of comforting someone, inspiring, providing warmth, protection, and being remembered within someone’s memory, without the need of physically being present. We can offer them a helping hand through our thoughts as a designer. This goal is what keeps me going throughout the semesters.

In what ways will your project push the boundaries of what is expected within interior environments?
My project aims to innovate through its materiality, more specifically on how it interacts with light, both natural and artificial. I also aim to use materials that are perceived as dirty or mundane in a way that change people’s perception on those materials and at the same time also establishing a strong character for my scheme.

To check out more of Daniel's work please head to: https://imprint.be.unsw.edu.au/projects/daniel-mattjik