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May 15, 2016

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Creating simple spaces where life takes place

Source: Shanghai Daily | May 15, 2016, Sunday | Print Edition

WHO is she?

Mariya Kovacheva is chief architect at MASS, a design­company based in Shanghai.

She was born in Bulgaria, studied architecture in Paris and specialized in urban design in the US. Previously working in Europe and China, she contributed to a large array of projects. During her past four years at MASS, she has focused on renovation and interior design.

Tell us about some of your works and the one you’re most proud of.

I am proud of all of our work as it takes such an in­terdisciplinary effort to make it good. We are very much involved in building the pro­gram and defining the uses, as well as being on site as much as possible, solving issues with construction, striving to achieve the highest building quality.

One of my favorite base proj­ects is the Tianyaoqiao base living — a hybrid between a boutique serviced apartment and a Japanese share house. The complex has a great ty­pological variety of private spaces from studios to a 3 bed­room villa and an even greater communal life.

Another one of my favor­ites is the design I made for Franck Pecol’s Grains coffee roaster at Wukang Rd. It was a very slow project that took over a year to complete and therefore had time to mature. The client is very discerning and always up to date with the latest trends in the f&b indus­try. The aim was to design a place where the coffee culture of America’ northwest meets a French roast espresso. Moving through the space is thought as a sequence of scenographic discovery.

What are you currently working on?

Currently I am developing a mixed-use concept for a prop­erty on Anfu Road. where our flagship BaseCo co-working space is located.

I am also finalizing a design for a semi-serviced residential high rise in Tianjin for a com­pany we partner with. The Tianjin market is saturated with cookie cutter serviced apartments, however the ten­ants’ taste has been maturing and is now ready for some­thing fresh. We aim to bring an entirely new design con­cept for small rental units as well as some high-end duplex apartments.

Describe your design style.

My architectural vocabulary is based on functionality and simplicity with a low-tech ap­proach and the desire to create inspiring and comfortable spaces where life takes place. Minimalism to me is not about style — it is about economy of means and materials but also a sort of mental hygiene. A peaceful, bright space built with natural materials is a white canvas for your life ex­perience, you can bring your own soft touch and customize your environment.

Where are you most creative?

I find creativity comes with boundaries and obstacles. I love a good challenge, I enjoy competition, difficulties push me to find new ways of doing things. Strangely enough most of my creativity goes into fighting with air conditioners and their mysterious pipes that always try to creep their way to your best designed spaces. Being away, travelling or simply commuting, being “in-between” is also a great way to enhance your creative thinking.

What does your home mean to you?

I think home is within, it is something you carry with you wherever you go and it is truly yours. Architecture can merely be the framework for your home. These days home is no longer defined by your apartment, you carry a piece of home into your workplace and away when you travel.

What do you collect?

As I move around quite a lot I have abandoned most of my physical collectibles. I collect memories and experiences, I have a vintage box made out of nacre where I store some small items like notes and pictures and small objects.

Where would you like to go most in Shanghai?

Shanghai is fascinating with the variety of scales that can coexist, from the very cramped and lively lilongs in the center, to the lonesome boulevards in suburb. I love the neighbor­hood around Xinhua Road as it has a very lovely lane life.

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