Speed Date / MARTIN SKOČEK, architect

Where are you from?
From Bratislava, from Medzierka.

Where did you study?
At the Faculty of Architecture in Bratislava.

Who was your best teacher?
Na škole to bol Ivan Gürtler, mimo školy brat, u ktorého som prakticky od začiatku školy niečo robil. In school, it was Ivan Gürtler and out of school, it was my brother at which I was practically from the beginning of my studies doing something.

Who were/are your parents?
They’re both architects.

What don’t you enjoy in design?
Sanitary fittings and plumbing systems, electrical installation, fire prevention and most of all, energy budget.

And on the contrary, what do you?
Everything else.

What do you listen to?
Nothing specific. The only source of music is my surroundings and a car radio. I’m quite happy with silence.

Your favourite film or cartoon?
Pictures by Wes Anderson, Simpsons, Black Mirror, Narcos.

Who do you respect as an authority in and out of your field?
Anybody who leaves something behind them and it is worth it. In any area.

The last thing you bought?
A baby stroller.

Do you buy professional literature? What was the latest book?
It happens. Last time it was Prečo pyramída (Why Pyramid?) and a monograph of Vincent van Duysen.

Do you vote?
Yes, very gladly. Also because it’s the only reason how to return to my primary school.

Who throws best parties?
The best parties have always happened out of the blue.

Your favourite dome?
A stainless steel ladle.

Party dress. Made by…?
A white MUJI cotton shirt.

Your hero from the past?
Ayrton Senna, Andre Agassi, Robin Hood.

Best/nicest house?
There are plenty of them, but the closest to my heart is my parent’s house in Medzierka.

Do you have any stereotypes when you work? How do they show?
For sure I do, I just can’t name them.

What’s on your desktop?
I use my desktop as sorted waste to chuck it in one bin later on.

Best exhibition/artwork?
Richard Serra in Gagosian.

Morals or money?
This question seems to want to demonise money.

Extraordinary book?
Rochla’s tables (a handbook for draughtsmen).

Optimist, pessimist, nihilist?
Realist.

Do you have any hobby?
I used to play tennis from my childhood. I’ve stopped, as my physiotherapist told me I have a tennis elbow. Surprisingly, from working at the computer.

Solo or in a collective?
I’m more of a solo type and if in a collective, then in a very small one.

Slovakia as the Promised Land?
Sure, sure.

 

http://www.martinskocek.sk/sk/home
https://www.facebook.com/architektmartinskocek/