Clarisse Labro on architecture as an art form
Can you tell us about your creative process as an architect?
Architecture is complex so in order for the process to stay creative, it’s very important for me to always go back to the original concept of a project – to always go back to the words that define it. If we are not precise with our words then our project can lean towards something we didn’t intend it to be, get lost in too many hands and heads.
Searching for the right words, you read more, you learn and therefore you stay creative. Exploration, failure, and making with my hands are very important. There is no limit to enriching the project! Making is very important, drawing, modeling and remaking – and not being easily satisfied! Knowing how and when to make decisions, trusting yourself, is part of any creative process.
What made you want to transmit your experience to students?
A couple of things : first of all, I like to be useful and architecture and its apprentissage is very useful to understanding the world. It can serve anyone; it can serve younger people to fully and slowly grow. I wanted to transmit these notions I had been lucky to learn from others over the years. Then, what is wonderful about teaching is that you learn a ton of things yourself (as a teacher)! When I started at 20 years old, I was a TA for younger students and I learned a lot about others, and I re-learnt materials, methods, it’s like going back to school myself. On top of it all, I love being with students, it brings me a lot of joy! It forces me to be my best self. If I transmit well, I can open doors to them. If they decided to get educated, they need their teachers to be their best self. It is an extremely humbling, enriching and invigorating practice – the teaching practice.
As an Architect, would you describe yourself as an artist or as a craftsman?
As an artist who needs to work with craftsmen. What is exciting about architecture is how it ties both fields together – they are not as separated as your question puts it. Architecture and the way one practices it also comes from the type of architecture education you received – some schools teach architecture as an art form while others have a more technical approach. I am from the artistic type of school, and I came from a fine arts background.
As your projects each have a unique style, how would you describe a work from Labro – Davis ?
The work from Labro and Davis wants to be as much in dialogue as possible with the context in which it sits. Hence why the “style” is different every time. Our language is rooted in what is there to hear, to feel, to see and understand. Then the project wants to enhance what is there and make it a full spatial experience. A project from Labro and Davis is a space developer. In the “photo developer” chemical sense of the word, not in the “real estate” sense of the word…
What is your vision on the future of design with emerging challenges such as sustainability?
We have to rethink and repair instead of throw away. I prefer the words that start with “re” instead of the word upcycle which is a system on its own. Going full circle is important. I like to use the words re-pair, re-use, re-assess, re-think in general.
Working in a group can sometimes be challenging, what has been your experience working with a partner?
My partner is my husband so it’s a great experience and it is only constructive because we complete each-other. If you are with the right partner, if you are willing and have energy, then being together is stronger and very enriching.
What is the most exciting step of your projects?
The first steps, which is when we discover the context, the site, the client and have to come up with the ideas – the schematic and conceptual phases. That is where I thrive. The building and constructing phase is also is one of my favorites. That is when we are one with the physical materials and the craftsmen.
What type of materials do you like to work with?
I like to work with paper, plaster and wood.
Are there childhood influences or inspirations that have led you to this passion?
I was lucky to travel with my parents. Traveling has definitely opened up my passion for being with others and trying to understand what surrounds me. Discovering is inspirational at any age. It lights up these “I crave to make”, “I crave to react” buttons within me. Architecture is a lot about making like I said, but also about working with others. To understand people, explain, translate and share. It is a very generous art form. Communication in general is an intended skill that you nurture along the way and I was raised by two communication experts, so I suppose that has influenced me as well.
Is there a memorable moment in your career that you would like to share with us?
There are many I suppose… Seeing my students dance on (and in) the one to one scale construction we had conceived and built together is a very strong memory.
What advice would you give to prospective artists?
Take your time, be smart, read, be kind and have fun!
Finally, what is your definition of art?
Art is cutting through the bullshit and making it beautiful.
