The Original Minimalist: Architect John Pawson
British designer John Pawson (1949) is known for crafting the serene aesthetic of Calvin Klein and Jil Sander stores, designing the impressive London Design Museum, and renovating the spectacular Jaffa Hotel in Tel Aviv. 'my spaces evoke emotion.’
“‘When people walk into one of my spaces, you can see the physical impact. They sigh, their shoulders relax. It stirs something meditative within them’”
You’re recognized as a pioneer of minimalism. What are your thoughts on that?
‘I don’t care for the superfluous, that’s true. Even as a young man, I had few possessions. Though minimalism is a broad concept; it can be interpreted in countless ways. It was, of course, also an art movement in the 1960s. Most importantly, my interpretation of minimalism isn’t sacred to me. Not every room in my home is spartanly furnished.’
How minimalist are you in your daily life?
‘My wardrobe is modest: grey trousers in winter, khaki ones in summer. We eat light, and my wife Catherine insists I do Pilates. We recently got a sofa. I didn’t want one because I find them too bulky. In our summer house, we recently added curtains made from unbleached boiled wool. They only cover the sides of the windows, breaking up that geometric line in the window frame. To be honest, I still can’t get used to the look of curtains.’
Where does the idea for a new project begin?
‘There isn’t a single moment when I know: this is it. I visit the location, absorb the atmosphere, study the local architecture, the weather, the light. You can’t get that information from photos. I worked on The Jaffa Hotel for fourteen years. In 2005, the nuns were still there (it was a former hospital). Recently, I visited the St. George’s Church monastery in Venice. To touch what Andrea Palladio once worked on, to see how he built the dome – simply breathtaking. Research is crucial. Once you take action, there’s no turning back.’
Which people have influenced your view of the world?
‘From hotelier Ian Schrager to designer Calvin Klein: these are remarkable individuals, and I’ve learned more from them than they have from me. But also my ex-wife, Hester van Royen, my wife, Catherine, and my son have shaped the way I think. Catherine taught me how to run my studio. Before that, I couldn’t care less about the financial side of this profession, and the workplace was much more chaotic. Hester has that relentless Dutch work ethic. She’s an art dealer, and through her, I was introduced to different art movements and artists, like Donald Judd. She has a very black-and-white taste. Let’s just say there’s never any doubt about whether she likes something or not. The Dutch are certainly direct!’
Your son, Caius, has his own record label, Young Turks, representing artists such as The xx and FKA twigs.
‘Recently, I was introduced to Jonathan Ive (chief design officer at Apple). He said, “John Pawson... Are you by any chance related to Caius Pawson?” Amusing, how suddenly the tables have turned.’
Has your son followed a different creative path than you?
‘At home, we often had classical or jazz music playing. Hester's brother was the artistic director of the Concertgebouw, so that must have inspired him. My childhood home, on the other hand, was filled to the brim with knick-knacks. Traditional English style—which I rebelled against.’
Where does your love for minimalism come from?
‘Halifax, where I grew up, is next to the moors. A treeless landscape and 19th-century architecture in a single colour, built with local stone, from floor to wall to ceiling. That simplicity likely had an impact on me.’
Is it true that you wanted to become a monk?
‘Yes. I was 24 when I went to Japan. I had seen a documentary about Zen Buddhist monasteries and thought I might spend my days as a monk. Quite naïve. I didn't last four hours, but it did lead me to product designer Shiro Kuramata, the equivalent of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. I became an apprentice to Kuramata.’
Your work often seems to evoke a meditative state.
‘When people walk into one of my spaces, you can see the physical impact. They sigh, their shoulders relax. It stirs something within them. During the opening of a church in Augsburg, Germany, thousands of people were waiting to get inside. It felt like a rock concert.’
A snapshot of John Pawson
John Pawson studied at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London but did not complete the course. Despite this, his oeuvre has become world-renowned over the past thirty years.
At the age of thirty, Pawson began his journey in architecture, opening a studio in London in 1981. His first project was the Van Royen Apartment in Elvaston Place, London, which he shared with his then-partner, the Dutch art dealer Hester van Royen.
In 1993, he designed the flagship store for Calvin Klein, which marked his breakthrough. Pawson's work spans both large and small scales, from residential homes in Long Island, Mallorca, and Treviso, to the airport lounge for Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong, and from churches and monasteries to the set design for L'Opéra Bastille in Paris. He has also launched interior collections and published eight books.
