We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Michel Ghostine about their original and creative Cultural Space design work. Michel Ghostine is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original cultural space works.
Michel Ghostine ("MG") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work The Afterlife Cultural Space. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
MG : The main principle behind my design philosophy is to create spaces and structures that deeply resonate with human experience and emotion. Drawing inspiration from various art forms, including music, literature, and cinema, my designs aim to tell compelling stories and evoke powerful emotions. Whether it's a residential dwelling or a cultural landmark, each project is driven by a desire to enrich the lives of those who interact with it, fostering a sense of connection, belonging, and beauty in the built environment.
MG : The main focus in designing this work is to transform a symbol of war and destruction into a beacon of hope and peace. The goal is to create a space that not only honors the memory of those affected by the Cold War but also inspires contemplation, understanding, and dialogue about peace. Through architectural interventions and symbolic gestures, the aim is to turn the bunker into a peace center that promotes reconciliation, education, and collective action towards a more peaceful world.
MG : Implementing the award-winning design in Berlin is the primary future plan. The goal is to turn the conceptual vision into a tangible reality, creating a space that serves as a symbol of hope, remembrance, and peace for generations to come.
MG : The design of this concept stemmed from a deep sense of curiosity and intrigue upon learning about the bunker. Motivated by this, I reached out to the project lead in Berlin, visited the site, and embarked on a personal design journey to explore the potential of transforming the space into something meaningful and impactful.
MG : I intend to produce the work myself.
MG : My fascination with the bunker and war relics sparked the vision to repurpose it into a cultural space, inviting the reimagining of the future for such sites.
MG : The world in general, the German government and the people in charge of the Honecker Bunker project.
MG : The unique aspect of this design lies in its innovative approach to the facade, which reflects the bunker and symbolically shatters it into a million pieces, a concept I have yet to encounter elsewhere.
MG : "The Afterlife" suggests a transition from the past to the future, from conflict to harmony. It conveys the idea of rebirth and transformation, reflecting the project's aspiration to turn a once-militarized space into a symbol of renewal and hope
MG : Photoshop, Autocad, sketchup
MG : The most unique aspect of the design is its facade, which serves as a transformative element. It reflects the bunker's imposing structure while simultaneously shattering it into a myriad of pieces. This dynamic facade symbolizes the transition from a symbol of war to a beacon of peace and cultural revitalization.
MG : Collaborating with Mr. Hannes Hensel, the project lead at Honecker Bunker, was instrumental in bringing this design to fruition. His expertise and insights into the historical significance of the site enriched the project, ensuring that it honored the past while embracing a vision for the future.
MG : We used technology to have enhanced visualization of the project to better depict the concept
MG : Our design was heavily influenced by extensive research into the historical significance of the bunker and its impact on the surrounding area.
MG : One of the main challenges we faced during the design and realization of our concept was transforming a symbol of war into a space that promotes peace and reflection. Additionally, ensuring structural integrity while implementing architectural interventions posed technical challenges.
MG : I received an invitation from A' Design about this project I had entered in another Competition. After researching A' Design I saw the value of submitting this project there.
MG : During the design process of this work, I learned the importance of perseverance, courage, and innovation. It taught me to overcome adversity and to approach design challenges with resilience and creativity.
MG : No, all good.
