I keep thinking how to stay true to architecture

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I keep thinking how to remain faithful to architecture

Szigeti Vajk István István is a young architect whose passion for architecture and photography are of equal importance in his work. He is a graduate of the Architectural Department of the Nagy István Art High School in Miercurea Ciuc, which is recognized for training generations of architects with a special interest in understanding local architecture. During his studies at the Faculty of Architecture of the "Spiru Haret" University of Bucharest, he distinguished himself by his talent in the studio, his interest in the theoretical aspects of the profession and his participation in urban scenario workshops.

Since 2015, he has been employed at Larix Studio Architecture Office, where he has managed to combine his passion for architecture (by participating in the drafting collectives of several works for the restoration and valorization of the rural heritage in the Gheorghieni area and as co-author of the project of the Equestrian Center of Sânsimion) with his passion for photography, taking photographs of the works of the office led by Köllő Miklós.
He has won prizes in architectural and photography competitions. He considers it a self-evident duty to pass on the knowledge he has gained through constant participation in the "Minimum-party" professional art and creation camps and architectural workshops in Plăieșii de Jos, Harghita County.
Szigeti Vajk István István's photographs are characterized by a sensitivity that allows him to capture the complex relationship between architecture and landscape, almost always making us feel the human presence.

I believe that we need as many young architects as possible to put their talent and professional knowledge at the service of their local communities, with the same dedication that is evident in all of his work.

Ana Maria Hariton: When did you decide to become an architect and what made you decide to become one?
Szigeti Vajk István: Until me, no one in my family had higher education. It so happened that in the fifth grade I started to draw quite well and my parents and I decided to take an exam at the Nagy István Art High School in Miercurea Ciuc, where I was admitted to the Architecture class. I had architect Korodi Szabolcs as my specialized teacher, who passionately passed on to us that knowledge about architecture that can be passed on at the high school level, and he did it so well that eight of us became architects.

Ana Maria Hariton: Did you find it hard to work?
S.V.I.: Very hard, although I did design before I graduated from college. After graduating, I was determined to go back to Miercurea Ciuc or the area, to take the knowledge I had acquired back home and, as much as possible, to change mentalities. But it was a time of crisis and the year after graduation was very difficult. I became unemployed. In the spring of 2015, I received a phone call from Köllő Miklós, who had seen my portfolio and invited me for a chat. It went well and, after a three-month trial period, I became Larix Studio's employee.

Ana Maria Hariton: Larix Studio is known for the quality of the rural architecture they practice. How has it influenced your professional development?
S.V.I.: I had a certain vision of the value of rural architecture even before I was hired, compatible with that of the office. Gheorghieni is surrounded by rural settlements with a strong leadership, which has accessed a lot of funds through competition, and many interesting projects have emerged, from mill restorations to church restorations and modern buildings. One of the basic principles of the firm is, in addition to preserving heritage value, the creation of value, regardless of the urban or rural context.

Szigeti Vajk István (b. 1975)

www.szigetivajk.com

2008 - graduate of the Faculty of Architecture, "Spiru Haret" University, Bucharest
Since 2015 - architect at SC LARIX STUDIO SRL Gheorgheni;
photojournalist at "Csíki Hírlap", local newspaper in Miercurea Ciuc, "TransylvaniaNow", online media

Awards
2011 - First Prize in the photo contest "The charm of detail" - Industrial treasures
2014 - 1st Prize Photo Contest "Revitalization of the saddles"
2015/2017 - "Octavian Radu Topai" Award. Photo contest "Modern Romanian Architecture".
2015 - Third Prize Design Week Sfântu Gheorghe
2016/2018 - Second Prize / First Prize - Hungarian Journalists Union of Romania Photo Contest
2016 - First Prize "La noi acasă" Photo Contest
2018 - Mention Ideas competition "Revitalization of Székesfehérvár historical center" (Hungary)
2018 - BNA - Mention Architectural Photography
2018 - First Prize Photo Competition "The Last 100 Years Succession"
2019 - Mention - Ideas Competition Revitalization of the church at Kalvaria, Budakalász mountain (Hungary)
2019 - Nomination Mies van der Rohe Awards - The Equestrian Center in Sânsimion

Ana Maria Hariton: When did you start photography?
S.V.I.: I started photography during high school. I have a cousin, Szigeti Gábor Csongor Csongor, an artist in Budapest, who showed me a few things and I started as a self-taught photographer. During college I won first prize in a local competition: a photography course of the Harghita County Cultural Center. I also had very good teachers here, including the ethno-photographer Ádám Gyula. I moved to another level when Köllő Miklós Miklós asked me to photograph his architectural works and gave me a free hand. I traveled to sites where there are people and landscape, and all this had to go into a photograph that conveyed the spirit of the place.

Ana Maria Hariton: How do professional organizations help you?
S.V.I.: Professional organizations play an important role in promoting the exchange of ideas. There is a sense of progress with the new generation in the leadership of the OAR. The guides on rural architecture and the fact that they address both specialists and "laymen" are to be appreciated. There have also been experiments (at the OAR Brasov, Sibiu, Timisoara) with the monthly completion of tables with the activities of the trainee architect and the coverage of uncovered areas by weekend courses outside the firm.

Ana Maria Hariton: What are your plans for the future?
S.V.I.: I keep thinking... The situation of architecture in the country is quite sad and the work is not appreciated. It's hard to make it as an architect. For me photography is an opportunity to express my creativity that architecture doesn't offer and at the same time, I've reached the point where I've started to earn from photography. You can make a living from architecture. The responsibility is high, the work is unpaid. I keep thinking... how can I stay true to architecture. The creative part has become insignificant. Maybe 10% of an architect's work is dedicated to the creativity and beauty of the profession. The rest is bureaucracy. I hope these things will change, because I would like to continue to combine architecture and photography.

SUMMARY OF ARCHITECTURE MAGAZINE, NR.2-3/2019
BNA 2018 600 For the Future