16 REFLEXION | 2021-22 | AIA Utah I think (as an architectural community) we have done very well. We are not over the top with iconic projects, but have developed the Wasatch Front very reasonably. I think altogether we have been very respectful as architects. We have respected the community, respected the mountains, respected the environment. And there has been a sense of preserving history. But we all have to do better. There is a lot more to do. What is a good building? Architecture needs to be relevant to where it is, what it is doing, what it is trying to achieve, and what it adds to that whole environment. A good building needs good clients — without a client that is able and willing to visualize with you can’t go that next step; to create and design something that is relevant, that is in context to what you are doing. Salt Lake City Library was one of our very important projects, working with Moshe Safde. The context was to create a living room for the community that everybody can come into and feel comfortable. One reason it was successful was Nancy Tessman, the library director. She got the board bought off on doing a unique building. I said to her, we have to be careful, we have got to control this. We have so many homeless people we don’t want to come in and have them take their morning shower and wash. Nancy said, “Niels, homeless people are part of our community; they belong here too. That was a real moment for me. I was like, “I want to keep this beautiful building away from people that might destroy it.” Instead, she opened the door and said, “Come in.” Guess what? Those homeless — continued from page 15 Architecture needs to be relevant to where it is, what it is doing, what it is trying to achieve, and what it adds to that whole environment. A good building needs good clients — without a client that is able and willing to visualize with you can’t go that next step; to create and design something that is relevant, that is in context to what you are doing. people sitting on the carrels up along the wall are in there and sit there and read every day all day long, and they are more a part of that building than maybe other people. Now that is architecture to me; it is socially responsible, environmentally responsible; it is in context. What advice would you have for a young architect starting out? Not to do what I did. Find out about architecture. I think in many ways it is really to explore the world, maybe go somewhere else and practice: South America, Europe. Get your mind open — go out and get away from just the narrow scope we live in. If you live in Utah, you see Utah as the world. There are people on the other side of the mountain. Then, find a niche where you are strong: a certain design, a certain direction, a certain social, psychological emphasis that you want to be involved in. It can be all parts of architecture – it can be design, it can be technical, it can be in spec writing, it can be whatever. Create and become an expert in that, because that is what architects in the world need. b To watch the full interview, please scan the QR Code. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqKFVWHObp8
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