EDDIE IZZARD
SM_issue4_2015
SM_issue4_2015
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The VTB Arena in Moscow, a 15,000-capacity indoor arena in the heart of Moscow, is set to be completed next year (2016)<br />
highlights were seeing our first three arena<br />
projects open in China. A recent high<br />
point was the win in Los Angeles for the<br />
NFL stadium, because we were up against<br />
three established companies, and we were<br />
selected as the lead design architect.<br />
How do you judge whether<br />
a building is a success or not?<br />
First of all it must be built! Nearly anybody<br />
can draw a creative building on paper, but it<br />
takes a completely different kind of focus,<br />
and a strategic sense for compromise, to<br />
get a building out of the ground.<br />
Once built, my gauge for success is based<br />
on the people who use it. If the building<br />
brings people true joy, and it’s a place they<br />
want to return to again and again, then this<br />
is the final and most important factor in<br />
identifying which buildings are successful.<br />
What is the best part of your job?<br />
One of the best parts is walking into the<br />
studio every day to greet my team for<br />
what I call “another day of awesome”.<br />
The entire team is talented and driven,<br />
and it’s an honour for me to lead, work<br />
with, and learn from them every day. And<br />
although it is challenging and tiring, I<br />
consider myself lucky to be able to travel<br />
the world to do these projects. I meet the<br />
most amazing people, make lifetime friends<br />
and end up working on a building which will<br />
last for generations in the process.<br />
What is the worst part?<br />
I despise chasing projects. I don’t do it<br />
often because many of our clients come<br />
to us. But on occasions when we have to<br />
pursue projects through a formal interview<br />
process, the effort is excruciating, it’s time<br />
consuming, a risky use of precious time,<br />
and can be very stressful.<br />
I sometimes pass on projects because I<br />
don’t feel like going through the pursuit.<br />
Which other architects do you admire?<br />
I admire many of my peers and<br />
competitors. We’re all in the same<br />
trenches working hard every day to do<br />
something special. When I see an idea<br />
from them that makes me think,<br />
sportsmanagement.co.uk issue 4 2015 © Cybertrek 2015 73
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