Past, Present, Future is an interview project by Itinerant Office, asking acclaimed architects to share their perspectives on the constantly evolving world of architecture. Each interview is split into three video segments: Past, Present, and Future, in which interviewees discuss their thoughts and experiences of architecture through each of those lenses. The first episode of the project featured 11 architects from Italy and the Netherlands and Episode II is comprised of interviews with 13 architects from Spain, Portugal, France, and Belgium.
The goal of the series is to research these successful firms and attempt to understand their methods and approaches. By hopefully of gaining a clearer picture of what it means to be an architect in the 21st century, the videos can also serve as inspiration for the next generation of up-and-coming architects and students as they enter the field.
When Freek Persyn co-founded the firm 51N4E immediately after finishing his education, the practice was able to grow organically due to Belgium’s dispersed client culture. From its beginning, 51N4E was unconstrained by the expectations of the industry, preferring instead to work on projects which asked interesting questions. Focusing on a hands-on, experiential approach, the firm’s interest in adaptability and transformation allows opportunities to rethink traditional architectural relationships and roles.
