SENSE OF MARCH BY ZANE TETER-SCHULZE

My feeling this month is one of undeniable sadness and confusion, but the belief that darkness is always followed by light. It seems important to make good use of this time by evaluating your actions and their impact. It is an opportunity to get to one's individual essence and devote energy to what is truly important. Inspires the ability of fellow human beings to cooperate in the name of humanity, setting ambitions aside.

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How do architecture and design contribute to change in society?

Architecture and design influence individual and collective mood and behavior, can promote unity, play a big role in preventing current problem situations and creating a better future. For example, urbanization, sustainability and the European Green Course are important topics for society at the moment. Therefore, building communities, bringing nature into the urban environment, reuse of materials, environmentally friendly construction, etc. are on the agenda of architects and designers.

One of the current projects of "Open AD" is the multifunctional quarter "Grīziņdārzs" - the former factory "Rīgas adātījas" and the complex of office buildings "Zemitānu centrs". First of all, the project envisages preserving the original volumes, adapting them to modern needs. While developing it, we have thought about the well-being of users at every step. For example, block priority will no longer be given to cars, but to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as additional functionality will be given to the roofs of buildings by installing terraces and placing greenery on them. Together with the developer, we see that "Grīziņdārz" has the potential to become a new landmark of the district and a gathering place. If we talk about a smaller scale, we recently created an interior for the dental clinic "LAVA Dental", where our task was, among other things, to promote the well-being of patients by reducing anxiety and pain.

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Interaction of interior and design with other fields.

As a supporter of the modernist philosophy, I believe that the interior cannot be separated from the architecture of the building and the surrounding landscape or environment, and therefore the design must be approached with an understanding of and sensitivity to this context. This complex approach involves cooperation with a wide variety of specialists, from network designers to craftsmen and artists. Accordingly, it is very important to develop the ability to cooperate, convince and involve in the implementation of the vision, supporting and complementing each other.

Of course, the entire design process takes place in interaction with the client, learning the wishes, needs and values ​​of the family or company and translating them into the language of design. Regarding companies, the interaction of the interior with the brand image and marketing strategy should also be mentioned. Among the recently implemented projects of "Open AD", this is clearly demonstrated by the interiors of the restaurant "Snatch" and the office of the financial company "TWINO", as well as the wellness complex "Ziedlejas", where architecture and design help to attract new audiences, strengthening the sauna culture and its importance in society.

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How big is the role of ecology and sustainability in architecture and design in your view?

It is a story about the right decision. Sustainable solutions depend on research and insight, on the ability to see the big picture and not blindly follow trends. It is about the ability of architects, designers, developers, policy makers and other stakeholders to act not in the interests of the client but in the interests of the public.

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