Gerry.Cruz--SED新西林景觀國際執行設計總監

　　1988年10月畢業于菲律賓遠東大學建筑學專業，獲建筑學理工學士學位，1989年獲建筑師執業資格證書，并于2002年畢業于菲律賓東方大學，獲建筑工程管理碩士學位。自1989到1997年一直工作于馬尼拉多數著名的建筑設計公司，現任SED新西林景觀國際執行總監。

　　關于SED

　　《建筑周刊》：查閱了一下您的履歷，您是2002年畢業于菲律賓東方大學，獲建筑工程管理碩士學位，為何后來從事景觀設計工作？

　　《ArchWeekly》：According to your resume, you got a degree of B.S. Architecture from Far Eastern University in Manila and acquired a Masters degree in Architectural/Project Management from University of the East also in Manila in year 2002, what made you change your career into Landscape Architecture?

　　就讀的馬尼拉遠東大學時，景觀設計是建筑學總課程的一部分，因此對我來說，景觀并不是一個陌生的領域，與其說角色的轉換，不如說是職業發展。事實上，只要通過景觀建筑許可考試，就可拿到該專業學位，但由于當時我一邊工作，一邊繼續碩士專業學習，時間有限而不得不遺憾擱置。我的職業轉折點始于貝爾高林香港，該公司在菲律賓馬尼拉成立新的設計小組，多元化的公司文化和全新的設計之路是一個巨大的挑戰。但從那時起，我發現自己癡迷于景觀設計咨詢，對我而言是一種職業和個人發展中的莫大成就感。

　　Landscape Design is a part of curriculum or a course in B.S. Architecture that’s why it is not strange to us Architects and therefore I can say that it is not really a change in career path, but rather we can say it’s a career development. In fact, I could have also acquired a degree in Landscape Architecture should I pursue to take the Licensure Examinations for L.A. but due to time constraints while working and at the same time taking up my Masters degree, this was put on hold. This career development started when I was employed by Belt Collins Hong Kong to build and start a new team on their Manila office (VHS Philippines) I thought it would be such a very big challenge working in a multi-national company and in a new designing path. Since then I got hooked up on Landscape designing and landscape consulting with different offices, that should I say was a fulfillment and rewarding for my career and personal development.

　　《建筑周刊》：您選擇加入SED新西林國際？是如何考慮的？

　　《ArchWeekly》：Why did you join SED, what do you think about this company?

　　我從各種渠道看到聽到SED，無論是從雜志上，朋友，同事還是其他菲律賓設計師，他們對SED的認知都出奇的好。機緣巧合，正當我想從前公司抽身出來透會氣的時候，SED悄然而至。我給自己一次機會，嘗試著跟公司其中一個領導進行了一次非正式的面試（我更喜歡稱之為一次愉快的談話經歷），真的很高興能有這樣的機會真正認識新西林景觀公司，不管是從公司管理還是工作本身帶來的欣喜，都讓我覺得自己做出了正確的選擇。加入SED既是我專業設計生涯中的一次機遇，也是一次挑戰。在這個年輕充滿競爭力的專業景觀設計公司中，公司管理層都予以我更重大的責任，不僅是概念設計和管理團隊，而是更加深層次參與公司事務。公司擁有一大批富有創意的員工，我們樂于分享工作經驗和心得，共同進步。

　　I learned about SED on magazines, friends, colleagues and other Filipino designers. I didn’t get any negative feedbacks about it and it was during that time I want to have a breather on my former office and it came at a right time, I gave it a try and during the informal conversation/interview with one of the company’s executive, I was glad and somehow it gave me a perception on how they manage and work that it made me thought I am on the right track.  Joining this company is a big step and challenge for me, a young competitive and professional organization, the Management has entrusted me with more responsibilities, not only in design conceptualization, not only in handling teams but as well as being involved in managerial level.

　　An organization with productive and proactive people and people who embraces all the knowledge and experience I can share, people who listens to ideas and vice versa, all these to help both parties make improvements.

　　《建筑周刊》：您目前在SED新西林國際所帶領的團隊和您之前所帶領的團隊有哪些差異？

　　《ArchWeekly》：How can you differentiate SED team and the teams you led in your previous companies?

　　當我加入SED時，設計團隊已經做得很好了。就如我之前提過的，這是一個年輕而富有激情的專業團隊，與我之前領導過的團隊并無太大區別，如果實在要區別開來，我會說SED年輕的設計師們更有強烈的學習愿望，并以開放的態度尊重我的設計知識和經驗。

　　When I came in, teams were already there and doing well. Only minor changes and improvements are needed. As I stated earlier it’s a young competitive but much more professional organization with productive and proactive people, it was not a big disparity between my former office but rather a huge comparison where this young organization have a great willingness to learn and have a more respect in my experience, knowledge and they welcome it with openness.

　　《建筑周刊》：您把公司當作第二個“家”，和我們分享一下在這個大家庭生活中發生的趣事？

　　《ArchWeekly》：You take office as a “second home”, would you like to share with us some interesting issues happened in SED?

　　不只是在新西林辦公室，在遠離菲律賓的任何一個國家和地區工作，我都會把辦公室當成自己的第二個家去享受工作帶給我的一切。SED擁有良好的辦公環境，設計師在這里可以自由放飛靈感。這里給我家的感覺。

　　It is not only the office itself but in any place where I work other than my homeland will always be my “second home” in order to enjoy my stay anywhere. SED can do just that because of the office environment they wanted to project, I guess that is one of the advantages of being a not so big company where we can always feel a homey and family atmosphere.

　　關于設計

　　《建筑周刊》：能不能簡單介紹一下您所秉承的設計理念？

　　《ArchWeekly》：Would you like to elaborate on the Design belief that you use?

　　從來就不存在任何錯誤的設計，而是這個設計是否能實現，功能化？外觀新穎？或是結構上推陳出新？還是僅僅只是擁有美麗的外觀。一個吸引眼球的設計誰都會做，但并不是每個人都可以在考慮各種因素后再做出優秀的設計。

　　There is no such thing as a wrong design, it’s just a matter on whether is it possible, is it functional, is it aesthetically pleasing and can it be structurally sound. Or it only looks good? Because anybody can do an eye-pleasing design but not everybody can create a good design by considering these factors.

　　《建筑周刊》：您如何看待“功能決定形式”這句話，并把它體現在您的設計中

　　《ArchWeekly》：How do you understand your design philosophy “FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION” and how do you show it in your designs?

　　功能決定形式這句話源自著名建筑大師弗蘭克?勞埃德?萊特。作為一個設計師，我深信并尊重這點。漂亮美麗不僅僅因其外表，而是該設計的某些功能使其深得人心。在設計領域里有句習語“設計三位一體”，指的就是：1. 必須具備功能性 （每樣東西都有其設計目的）， 2. 外表美觀 （賞心悅目并具可實施性）， 3. 具備結構特征 （強度和穩定性）。 如果大家有機會看到我的設計成果，無論是景觀 （軟景，硬景）還是建筑方面，總能看到及感受到以上這些要素，給用戶提供一個美好和諧的生活環境是我設計的唯一目的。

　　It was a design idiom of the Great Architect Frank Lloyd Wright. As a designer I fully believe and respect this, a word which can mean that beauty can only achieve if it has a purpose, or in any way that you won’t sacrifice its function just to have a nice form. This idiom goes hand in hand with “The TRINITY of Design”; this consists of 1. It must be Functional (everything must be with a purpose), 2. It must be Aesthetically Pleasing (beauty, but possible to build) and lastly, 3. It must be Structurally Sound (strength and stability). You will always see and feel these phrases and belief in all my designs whether in a Landscape projects (softscape, hardscape) or in an Architectural designs I have done, to give its end-user a better and harmonious environment, a better place to live.

　　《建筑周刊》：您認為一個好的設計作品應具備哪些因素？

　　《ArchWeekly》：What kind of elements a project must have to make it a successful one?

　　就我而言，鮮明獨立特征、唯一性、新理念的引入運用和空間關系恰當是幾個關鍵要求。綜合以上幾點，再融合自然與文化之間的基本平衡元素就能設計出優秀的項目。

　　In my own opinion, Individual character, its uniqueness, introduction of new technologies and its space programming. Mixing these with all the basic elements in balance with nature and cultures can elevate a certain project to its success.

　　關于設計產業

　　《建筑周刊》：您如何理解“設計師應具備高度社會責任感”這句話？

　　《ArchWeekly》： What is your understanding of the phrase “Designer should have a good sense of social responsibility”?

　　設計師不僅僅用思想和手中的畫筆工作，而更應該考慮項目背后隱藏的傳統文化和歷史。當地人需要好好思考這些因素，而作為項目的設計師就更應該調查清楚，因為你的設計可能會影響到他們日后的生活。

　　Designers not only works with his mind and draw with his hands but he should take into considerations all the traditions, culture and the history of any place where a project is located. These give you responsibilities not only to the locality, the people but also to social influences you would create.

　　《建筑周刊》：作為一位杰出的景觀設計師，您對國內市場未來發展有何看法?

　　《ArchWeekly》：As an Outstanding Designer, what’s your opinion of the domestic market in the future?

　　顯然中國是很廣闊的發展市場。景觀行業在將來要滿足人們的需求，而非客戶的意見或個人喜好決定我們的設計。一名優秀的設計師只會引導設計潮流和新穎技術，孜孜不倦地追求個人理念以給人們創造更好的生活環境。

　　It is a very big market out there, it is just a matter of keeping pace of the people’s needs and wants but this does not mean that we have to follow their opinion or personal goals. A good designer will always start and introduce a trend, new technology and will always pursue on his ideas and concept to create an ideal environs for a better place to live