I owe my love for design -like I do many things- to my parents who collected books ( as do I ) on all sorts of subjects , feeding my curiosity and giving birth to my wander lust. My favorite book was "Imperial Gardens of Japan by Teiji Itog;" A book of striking photographs that details three gardens in Kyoto , then capital of Japan. These gardens , intended for elegant leisurely activities and
contemplation, are the legacy of emperors and princes in 17 th century Japan. Deprived of political power by the ruling shoguns, the imperial court, turned its attention and refined taste to making art out of every moment of their lives. The hours I spent looking through this book educated me on the principles of Japanese construction and design and awakened me to the undeniable fact that gardens and buildings have the power to elevate our spirit and sensitize us to the beauty that surrounds us. I approach my work, as an artist does, by choreographing a series of powerful moments that lead the viewer to feel and experience the essence of a place. As such, the building is not just an edifice sitting on a plot of land but an organically conceived structure that speaks the language of the nature that surrounds it and conveys a unique spiritual message.