Bobir Klichev: architects should not think like customers

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan is been changing in our sight, building up shopping centres and residential buildings. The architect, founder of the ARC architectural bureau Bobir Klichev told us about what the modern Uzbek architecture lacks and how to improve it.

How do you assess the current status of the architecture of Uzbekistan?

We didn’t have a free-minded architecture for 30 years. Construction boom has begun just recently, commercial orders have appeared and it has turned out that Uzbekistan lacks great architects. Over the past years, experts have either left the country or adapted to work in subordination with the customer. Such an architect thinks like a manager: the main thing is to satisfy the chiefs. Thus it is impossible to re-shape this kind of specialist who has worked for 10 years in this mode, due to his disabilities to offer original solutions, look for cost-effective options and even argue.

How to improve the situation?

Now the country is solving the problem of the lack of talented architects by attracting foreign bureaus. Foreign specialists are great, but it is necessary to develop our own staff.

What should Uzbek architecture be like?

Special. Perhaps it exists, but general public does not aware of it. Imagine if a young architect in Kashkadarya has built an original store from clay. Proper use of local materials - is a sign of professionalism! However, unfortunately, only local residents know about this fact.

In addition, it is necessary to develop a social direction. Currently there is a trend throughout the world that architecture is not only a matter of beauty, but also a matter of solving some problematic issues. For instance, let’s consider prestigious Aga Khan International Prize. This year a micro-library project in an Indonesian village is presented in its short-list. The walls of the building are made of ice cream containers. So the architects, having a small budget, are trying to solve the problem of low literacy in the country. We also can overcome current difficulties with the help of architecture.

What should be done to find talented architects with fresh ideas?

To achieve this aim the whole world uses the institution of contests and awards, which must be developed in Uzbekistan. How do we know that a cool architect lives in a remote area? Only if he or she submits his work to the contest.

This year Uzbekistan will host an independent review contest for architects and interior designers Me’mor//2019 with a total prize fund of 119 million UZS for the first time. The organizers of this event are KNAUF company in partnership with the association of architects and designers “ADP” with the support of the Union of Architects. I am a co-supervisor of the project.

How was Me’mor jury//2019  formed?

To ensure absolute objectivity we have invited only foreign colleagues to judge. These are prominent practitioners, owners of their own offices, members of unions of architects of their countries from Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and Spain. They will assess the submitted works through the prism of their own experience. The members of the jury faced the same time challenges as we did. For example, Oleg Drozdov had a project of an avant-garde theater in the historical part of Kiev, which caused a lot of sensational noise in local society. The building constructed in a very modern technique caused a burst of negativity. People wrote on social networks: “Why does the capital need a black coffin and a sarcophagus that disfigures the Andrew’s Descent ensemble?” You see how difficult it is to organically combine history and modernity.

How will Me’mor//2019 help young participants?

The prize will give an initial impetus - will bring the work to the general public, and then market mechanisms will enter into effect. When a competent international jury declares that the architect is great, then local entrepreneurs will definitely pay attention to the talented person and will want to cooperate with him. Uzbek specialists will gradually be able to master the markets of other countries. A special nomination for compatriots working abroad has been added to Me’mor//2019. This is a matter of prestige. When the Uzbek restaurant opens in Moscow, we are proud. When the Uzbek boxer wins the opponent - we are proud. Everything should be exactly the same in architecture.

You can apply for participation in an open competition for architects and interior designers Me’mor//2019 until May 20, 2019 on the web-site memorawards.uz