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Architecture Prize - An inspiring conversation with Andrea Deplazes about the essence of design

As part of the BETON 21 architecture prize, in which Bearth & Deplazes won with the Bernina Pass maintenance base project, we spoke to Andrea Deplazes about his profound views on architecture. Already active as jury president in 2009, Andrea Deplazes emphasizes the importance of grasping a design in all its depth and appreciating it as a dialectical synthesis of the arts - both as an exemplary case study and as a unique object.

For Andrea Deplazes, the true art of design lies in orchestrating conflicting goals. "Architecture is highly dialectical," he explains. "Opposites and contradictions - once you have learned to tolerate them - create a tension that enriches both the project and life."

But simply fulfilling expectations, regardless of their nature, is not enough for the experienced architect. Andrea Deplazes wants to be surprised, he longs for the unexpected, for something that goes beyond the usual discussions about "sustainability" and "technological innovation". Because change in itself, he emphasizes, is no guarantee of quality. It is the concrete project that counts - the architectural idea that is translated into space and form.

Deplazes sums up his philosophy with a quote from the legendary Graubünden architect Rudolf Olgiati: "Architecture is not about what you know, but about what you see." This clarity and focus on the essentials, far removed from theory, politics and social expectations, is what defines true architectural quality for him.