The Interview
In a recent interview Mike Rasmussen mused on his philosophy for Design and Life.

What is your passion?
First and foremost I am passionate about architecture and the quality of the built environment. I try to inspire the same passion in my staff and clients. I never tire of the thrill of taking a sketch from paper to a completed building.

How would you describe yourself?
Most probably as - Chardonnay, Chinese and Van Morrison.

As opposed to…!
Beer, Chilly and Bruce Springsteen – that’s not to say I don’t like beer, chilly & Springsteen, I do – I guess it all depends on my mood at the time. There will be times when I’m Burgundy, Roast Beef and Segovia – it all depends.

How do you approach design?
Every design is different, unique to that Client, that site, the budget and the environment.  I only come up with the design after many hours of careful thought.

Why should I use an Architect?
When it comes to commissioning a new building far too many clients only look for the lowest budget and fees; and that is why we have such a poor built environment.  When a Client holds the embryo of a new building in their hands they have a duty of care to future generations to leave something of value. Only an Architect has the depth of training and imagination to create the sublime. They say – “Doctors burry their mistakes but Architects and Clients mistakes are there for all to see – so choose wisely!

How do you work on a Building Project?
I work as a team within the office and with other professions such as Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Project Managers, and Interior Designers etc.  The Client and the contractor are integral parts of the team. I find this approach produces projects on time and on budget; with the one proviso that the Client does not make changes to the design once the project has started on site; if they do they may as well write the contractor a blank cheque!

Are Architects Expensive?
Like everything in life quality costs. If you pay peanuts you get monkeys – but to be serious, a client once said to me “but you guys just charge a lot of money for a few drawings”.  I wish it were that simple.  Architecture just does not happen. To translate a design into a building takes a lot of time, planning, thought and management.  We have to pull together a vast array of legislation, specifications, construction, detailed drawings & tenders not to mention the monitoring and inspection of the works once under way. We must also have project management and people skills.  We have a duty of care from our professional body to keep proper records, to carry professional indemnity insurance & to monitor project finances etc.  All this takes time and it is only through careful management that we can bring our clients’ projects in on time and on budget.

In relation to fees I occasionally have a new Client who calls me to give a fee quote over the ‘phone. I always refuse. Before we get that far we have to meet the Client, assess their personality, visit the site and discuss the draft brief & budget. The relationship between Architect & Client, especially for a private commission, is very personal.  We will ask a number of rather searching questions on family life & life style, without which we just cannot even begin the design process – let alone discuss fee.

What do you do when you are not working?
My other passion is Music – I am Artistic Director for a local Deeside Musical Society with whom I also perform along with my wife Kathleen. I attempt to play the guitar. My wife and I also take part in classic car rallies, I own a 1958 Austin Healey 100/6, which has been all over the UK and Europe. We took part in the Pre Des Alps a few years ago and coaxed the car up many a Swiss mountain pass and one day I intend to take part in the Classic Mote Carlo Rally.  I also enjoy sailing; my ambition is to sail the Atlantic & arrive in the West Indies at dawn! and I am also a boat builder.  I am presently building a Shetland Faering & restoring a 1932 Dragon. Travel too is a passion. I come from a colonial family with connections in Denmark, India, Argentina & the USA. I was borne in Africa & was brought up in Hong Kong so I love meeting new people. There is a big world out there!

What about your Family?
I have been married to my wife Kath for 34 years. We have two children Sara 31 and Tim 25.  Sara is an a qualified Outdoor Education instructor and Youth Inclusion Devlopment Worker & qualified teacher. She has taught skiing, canoeing, rock climbing & mountain pursuits all over the world and finds time to play in a Samba Band. She lives in Edinburgh. Tim, who is lead guitar in a heavy metal band, “Sons of Slaughter”. They were recently signed to an independent producer, Retribute Records and brought out two albums in 2006  `Blood Blind` and `Extermination Strain`. If you want your ears blown off, check them out! Tim also lives in Edinburgh.

How would you sum up your philosophy?
Design is everything.

 “The Earth is Alive with Spirit we must Honour and live in Harmony with her.  This means asking before taking, not taking too much and giving thanks for what has been taken. It means walking as softly as possible upon her and causing as few ripples as possible as we pass.  What we do to the earth, we do to ourselves:  we cannot be separated from her - this is the way it is.”

A traditional saying of The Dakota Nation


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