Some time ago I wrote about Aurland Look Out that become a big architecture sight in Norway. Designed by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen, Aurland Look Out offers a spectacular view of one of the largest fjords on Norway’s west coast. In one of previous articles on NDB I have published an interview with Tommie Wilhelmsen that has evoked big feedback and interest among NDB readers. After this interview I felt that we must to publish an interview with Todd Saunders, but due the my tight business schedule this article was postponed. Finally, I found some gap in my activities and come to Todd with a request of an interview and he was so kind to answer to few our questions:

NDB: Hi Todd, many readers of NDB have seen pictures of Aurland Look Out, and this creation is very popular among many lovers of Scandinavian design and architecture, can you describe the creative process, how this beautiful idea was developed, and how the collaboration with Tommie Wilhelmsen influenced to final result?

TS: We designed the project on-site.  Tommie and I sat down up there and may 3-4 sketches and used the 3 hour drive back to the office to discuss the direction we would take.  We cooked the idea down to one simple and eloquent line in nature.  We used the next few days making some of the necessary drawings, but basically stayed true to the one main strong idea.

NDB: Where do you get your inspiration from?

TS: Walking in the woods, day-dreaming, and laughing.

NDB: Tell us about your favorite work you have done?

TS: It´s hard to beat the Aurland lookout, but I´ve just finished a house (villa storingavika) that I have been working on for the past three years.  It has just been photographed by Michael Perlmutter from Sweden.  This coming summer, Villa Glittenberg, will be finished and will be a smasher!  And in 2 years I´ll will be finishing a project in Canada that will be the best I have ever worked on, but it is a secret until the client will let us tell people.

NDB: This is a popular question that we ask our favorites. What the top three songs are currently on your playlist?

1) Dead Flowers by the Rolling Stones
2) The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness by Nancy Griffith
3) Love Reign over Me by The Who

TS: All sad songs, but I´m an optimist by heart.

NDB: Can you point to three Scandinavian Architects/Designers which creations you love?

1) Aalto
2) Sami Rintala
3) Sverre Fehn

I´m a bigger fan of what it going on in Austria and South America at the moment.

NDB: Finally Todd, any words of wisdom for our Nordic Design Blog readers?

TS: Vita Brevis.  This is the only life that you will have to make good architecture.  

If this doesn´t help, I would listen to any of the great quotes by Kermit the Frog.

See you!

NDB: Thank you, Todd, and we wish you inspiration in your creative work!

Link: www.saunders.no