Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 52
Occupation: Architect and founder of Amos Goldreich Architecture, as well as founder and creative director of Tamart, a new furniture brand launching this month in Milan.
Instagram: @agarchitecture and @tamart.designs
Hometown: London.
Studio location: Our studio is based in the leafy suburban area of North London, in Highgate.
Describe what you make: Tamart is a newly established furniture brand dedicated to the memory of my late parents, Tamar de Shalit and Arthur Goldreich, who first crossed paths at Central School of Arts and Crafts (now Central St Martins) in the 1950s. Collaborating on various ventures, ranging from exhibitions and product design to theater productions, as well as architectural and interior endeavors, they left behind a legacy of creativity and innovation. The Tamart collection draws inspiration from a curated selection of bespoke furniture pieces crafted during their prolific careers. We will debut in Milan with 10 reimagined midcentury pieces, each exemplifying my parents’ design ethos.
At AGA, as architects, we specialize in crafting buildings and spaces that enrich people’s lives and provide an enjoyable experience. Our expertise encompasses residential, commercial, and social projects, such as purpose-built shelters for victims of domestic violence.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: In 2018, we completed the Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence in Israel, one of only a handful in the world designed and built in consultation with the staff who will occupy and operate it. This project is unique, and we consider ourselves privileged to have contributed to it. Not only did it present an exciting architectural challenge, but it also holds profound significance for the lives of women and children who have endured unimaginable trauma and abuse.
My mother initiated this project together with Ruth Rasnic, the founder of the charity No to Violence. It was meant to be in memory of my grandmother, Ada. Sadly, my mother passed away before the shelter was completed, so it was named after both her and my grandmother. It is now called The Ada and Tamar House. The project was a collaboration between Amos Goldreich Architecture and Jacobs Yaniv Architects.
Describe the problem your work solves: As an architect, I address issues like space use, structural strength, environmental impact, visual appeal, and fitting design into surroundings to craft buildings that serve communities. Similarly, as a furniture designer, I strive to produce pieces that are practical, comfortable, visually pleasing, and durable enough to withstand the test of time and be passed down through generations.
Describe the project you are working on now: I’m in the process of preparing for the launch of Tamart in Milan. We’ll debut the furniture collection with an exhibition titled “Tamart: Powered by Love” at Design Variations 2024, hosted by Moscapartners. The decision to launch Tamart arose from a desire to honor my parents’ creative partnership and love story while contemporizing their designs for a modern audience. During the pandemic, I had a dream where I envisioned presenting the brand in Milan. It took several years to muster the courage to take the first step, but here we are.
In my architectural studio, we’re working on several residential projects across London, as well as advising a homeless charity on a new pilot project to convert existing houses to accommodate homeless individuals and families.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: With a wealth of material in our archives for reference and inspiration, we look forward to expanding our range for Tamart in the future. I’m enthusiastic about the potential for Tamart’s future development, as it holds a special significance for me and I’m deeply committed to its growth.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Excellent coffee to start the day and keep the team going, and music. We have a varied music taste.
What you do when you’re not working: My weekends are sacred for family time. Recently, I’ve returned to past hobbies such as line drawing and photography.
Sources of creative envy: Paulo Mendes Da Rocha, Oscar Niemeyer, Alvar Aalto, and my parents. Inheriting their archive has exposed me to their rich and diverse portfolio, which is a source of inspiration.
The distraction you want to eliminate: Procrastination is a continued personal struggle.
Concrete or marble? Deep inside, I’m a brutalist, but I also love marble and other natural materials.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember. History and memory informs are designs at both AGA and Tamart.
Aliens or ghosts? Aliens ever since first seeing ET.
Dark or light? Light is indispensable. Without it, there’s no space or architecture. “A room is not a room without natural light”—Louis Kahn.
Portrait photography by Tom Mannion.
