DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
MB : I wanted to transform a room of my house, which has a particular character, in a sanctuary away from the busyness of time and the external world.
To me, that room is a place where I can retire and enjoy my myself. A place to relax, think and create.
In that room, time is not important and almost it doesn't exist anymore.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
MB : I focused mainly on the concept of "Breaking the Time". Because New Zealand is known for its various species of birds, I centered my attention on the iconography of a bird.
Commonly, people says: "Time flies". Starting from this concept, I associated the 'Time' to a bird, which gets free from the constraint of the material time.
I also expanded the design concept to the rest of the room using installations made of different materials.
To satisfy the need of having a shelf for the internet router, I designed a shelf with the shape of a nest. It has been integrated into the design of the bird and it has been made of iron and brass.
Then, to recreate the feeling of "being protected", I designed a wooden ceiling to represent the irregular shape of a ceiling in a cave. The origami structure of the composition has been inspired by the building on the Wellington waterfront, the Waka house. Moreover, because New Zealand has glow worms in most of the caves, I used LED strips on the ceiling, as representation of them.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
MB : I'm writing a book about New Zealand designers. It is titled, "Design from the bottom".
When I arrived in New Zealand, I found out a society based on respect for people. I found a lot of persons who were focused on other people needs. They're trying everyday, to create a better cohabitation and a healthier society. I really believe the rest of the world should look at what New Zealand is doing and to learn, how better could be, to live in the respect of others.
This book want to be a celebration of 50 designers, 50 New Zealanders.
It's a book about people who design for people. People who don’t only synthesize functionality and aesthetics, but understand a consumer's thought process and emotions in order to motivate behaviour change.
They are drawn from diverse fields of design such interior, web, advertising, product, including both the very well known and the lesser known but equally talented.
The interviewers respond with an openness, generosity and vulnerability which sometimes surprised even them.
The result is a document of rare depth.
These are people of sensibility, hearth and inspiration.
They are great designers from the bottom of the world.
They are New Zealanders.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
MB : About a couple of months.
I made few models and multiple design structures, before to get the right one.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
MB : It has been just an intervention to improve and change the look and feel of my house. But, when I saw the result of the model, I understood it was more than just "changing colour to a room", it was going to be an important personal project.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
MB : No, it is a unique piece of design.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
MB : The main inspiration of the ceiling structure came from the Waka House on the waterfront of Wellington. I simply looked it, upside down.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
MB : Breaking time, the name I gave to this project, has been inspired by the concept of "step away" from the busyness of time. Break it, to get more focus on what I love more.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
MB : The wallpaper has been designed using Adobe Illustrator.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
MB : It has been made for people.
It's not only an aesthetic piece of design. It creates different feelings in the people who step into it. I saw people being surprised, laughing or being unbelieving about it. They can read a story between the lines and the geometries of the structure and give their own interpretation about the design of the bird.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
MB : I just shared my ideas and concepts with Cathy, my love and partner.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
MB : I have been invited, by a friend of mine, to look at the advertising on line of the competition. I thought it was interesting to show that particular concept to others, and explain what the purpose of my design.
