Interview with Rado Iliev

I wanted to become an Architect since my teen years. I am a creative person and like to create things. Motivation comes from interest in the design subject and solving the problems that come with it.

It was my wish

I like all aspects of creative design and in my experience I have been involved in all disciplines from town planning thru large scale architecture, interiors, furniture. All can be interesting but recently my focus is on the smaller scale – houses, interiors, furniture.

I am not a design legend. Focus on work but keep an eye on the world around.

The point of view I guess. Good designers would probably debate that too. Maybe it is the extra mile one would go to deliver above expectations.

When it does the job right and as per the brief. And when it has lasted 100 years and we still learn from it.

Sustainability. Good stuff lasts and you don’t have to pay for one thing too many times.

Anything, anyone. And I usually find time. Of course it helps a great deal to have a client that would trust you unconditionally.

Always the one I am working on at the moment. And the next one.

I don’t hold any secrets. Luck plays a role here too. And that is mainly the right client.

Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Right, Schindler, Rogers and many others

Too many to list but I should mention the Ronchamp Chapel, The Eiffel Tower, Lloyds in London. They are brave and they have done the test of time.

I don’t see my design as great. I only try to get things right and I am happy when I succeed. I can not single out anything in particular. The Madeira project was a success, but I have also done few good jobs while working for other people – the Tate Modern first shops, still proud with that. My summer house was also fun to do and people seem to like it.

No recipes here. Look, listen, learn. And keep trying till you get it right.

I would be a painter

Work and pleasure. And insomnia

People around me – family and colleagues I have had the luck to work with.

My interest in beautiful things, my work.

My path was clear. It just took a lot of time.

Couple of small houses in the near future. Curiously both are for female divorcee friends.

Honesty. And getting more work.

We hope to educate but it doesn’t always work. Sadly not everyone thinks that design is important.

As mentioned above – couple of small houses. One is by the sea, the other in the woods. Modern stuff

The ones completed following my drawings. Madeira is a good example. I had a dream client there.

Improved communication between designers and producers. Better understanding of responsibilities and more honesty.

One never knows. Design is seen as luxury so I suppose we will follow the money again.

How long is a piece of string? I always try to have everything finalized before production but it is never the case. People are very impatient

I ask about the money. Is there enough to achieve the desired product?

Never thought of that. I should think though. Honesty and simplicity is probably a good one.

Works both ways. The stronger wins the battles.

Helpful, but limited. I use mainly my head and heart.

CAD, Photoshop, my right hand

That is design. We just try to get them to talk to each other.

I wish I designed that

A good client. All design is co-designed. Collaboration between client, designer, manufacturers.

Clients usually but I always try to steer them to where I like to go.

All of them I suppose. It is the same with films, you don’t follow the story, you look at buildings and furniture. I get a lot of inspiration that way.

Thru work I guess and again - look, listen, learn.

Le Corbusier. I would be probably too shy to talk about work to him, but it would be great to shake hands and maybe have a drink together. I would always brag with that

I have won only one award. And I am not famous

I have no favourite color. The thing with colors is that they are never alone – there are always other colors next to them. It is about getting the balance work. Places are many, but I will mention Barbican here. I worked in the area for years and spent many days there. It thought me a lot. For food – Thai stands high but I am always pretty open when it comes to something new. All seasons are beautiful.

My father was acting as a construction consultant on my first house project. When I changed a dimension on my drawings he refused to amend his documentation following the change saying that the building was ugly anyway.

When I have enough time to concentrate on actual work. And when I see that things are going the right way. Then it is followed by a bad night sleep.

Little was obvious then but I liked to draw a lot

No idea. Hope it will be exciting and I will be still around

I always show to the client three options for the design and usually a forth gets built. Just kidding – it’s usually the third.

I stared on my own in 2014 after I left Gensler's London office. I worked there 11 years. Previous to that I was a retail designer at Lumsden Design Partnership in London.
I designed and built my summer house in Bulgaria in 2011 and was approached by clients for house jobs. I have been working on houses and residential interiors since 2014.

Design is the process of creating an algorithm for production of a manmade item. Every manmade item has a design for the purpose to serve people or the please the eye. When the two criteria meet we get good design. Designers push the boundaries of product and structure making also use of materials.

While working for other companies I have worked in almost all areas of product and architectural design. I have enjoyed most of it especially when the subject of job was interesting for me. I work mostly on residential jobs these days but would take the challenge on any other aspect of the profession if the project excites me.

If the question is about my projects - the design I currently work on or have worked on at the period of time.
I have more or less successful projects but would not pick one out as a favorite.

An office space

I would not pick a favorite material or technology. Every project is specific for the client and place where it will be built. So far concrete, steel, stone, wood and glass have been in almost all my projects.

I feel creative all the time. When I work or look at other architect's work. Inspiration is everywhere.

Space, volume, ergonomy, context, environment

Frustration and elation. Sometimes together

Frustration and elation. Sometimes together

When it serves the purpose of the intended design

Serving the purpose, good looks and right in context

Designers age responsible for the longevity and sustainability of their projects. Also for the ease of demolishing and recycling of the product of their design

You should ask the generations to come. Design could evolve in most mysterious ways.

I have exhibited my paintings. Last time in London in 2007. I have participated in exhibitions by A Awards with my architectural projects

Inspiration comes from all good design I encounter every day. In the city I live in and the design media I follow

I am probably rational modernist. I like the thinking and esthetics of this style. I approach design with rational thinking and clean lines in mind.

I live in Sofia, Bulgaria. There are many good buildings in Sofia from the 1900 - 1945 period of the last century. You can see great examples of Arts and Crafts and Modernism from that period and I remember most of them from my childhood here. Sadly many of them are neglected. Lots have disappeared in the last 40 years as well. A designer can work from just about everywhere in the world provided with Internet and International airport. Sofia is my home town and also just a little bit cheaper to live in.

I have not done design with other design companies since I started on my own. Occasionally I do commissioned illustration work for other architects.

Quality designers prove themselves in the work process. If one is good It usually takes no time to get noticed. Portfolios and CVs could be misleading.

I follow the steps and stages of most designers and I learned that thru experience. Feasibility Studies, Concept, Schematic Design, Construction drawings, Tender, Execution.
Finding it hard to explain it to some of my clients in this part of the world.

Campana Pendant Light Fitting by Joe Colombo, Jeffrey Harcourt leather lounge chair F976 by Artifort, Floor Light Fitting by Harvey IGuzzini, my parents bought in the 1970's, My work desk I designed for myself, The steel book case in my living room I also designed

Up at 10. Warm lemon water and going thru mails and WhatsApp messages. Espresso at Dabov (50 meters from my place). Back home responding to urgent mails and messages. Work on current projects - sketches, drawings, calculations. Mails to clients and production people. 2L of water by 6pm. 7pm - Wine time
Of course there are different days. I go to the gym as well.

Give up immediately if you feel that this is not your thing or spend a limited amount of time to find out that it might be. If it is your thing start work after picking the subject you feel most exited about or wherever they take you on. Always keep an eye on what is happening outside your office and in the wide open design world. Work on your communication skills - there are lots of people you will need to deal with.

Designer is an emotional and rewarding profession and one is getting great joy to see his work built (that is when it is good and you feel proud of it). It is great to see you your clients happy (when they are). In the process you get to meet a lot of people and some of them are interesting and you can make lasting friendships.
Negatives are in the brackets above

Simplicity

Communication skills - all aspects

Computer, Pen, Paper, Mobile phone, Car
It used to be gun, radio station and a dog, but that changed.

I draw realistic timelines, I turn down work I would not be able to take on.

How long is a piece of string?

"Can you do this job for us?"

Working in a large office with lots of people where I got exposed to many different jobs and learned how to communicate with my coworkers.

Professional people I design homes for. They come with different backgrounds and professions. I stay friends with most of them.

I enjoy all types of design work as long as the subject is interesting to me. I like the process and to see the job completed.

Next is the next exciting project. My work takes to different places on earth and I like that a lot.

I work alone. Sometimes seek help, mostly on renderings and technical support.

I have three projects under construction in Bali, Indonesia I am very exited about. Two large houses and a development of five villas. Looking forward to see two of them completed in 2025.

phone +359 879 683 079

mail radoilievdesign@gmail.com

Instagram rado_iliev_architect

Thank you for inviting me for this interview