Meet the JAJAS: Martin

Martin is one of our newest team members. To get to know him better, we have asked him a series of questions.  

How did you get into architecture? 

Looking back in time I guess there must be around three main reasons. First, I have always enjoyed drawing. Not just as a kid but also in my youth. Secondly, my father worked as a surveyor at building sites around most of Zealand. As a kid, I sometimes joined him at work in my holidays which later turned into undertaking some of the odd jobs at different building sites or being part of the work gang working with concrete. Finally, the meeting of a new friend studying architecture, made me realize that I could combine these interests for a living.

What interests you most about your job?

I guess somehow that through the years I have realized how complex it is to build. My interest somehow lays in the awareness of embracing this complexity. I consider it like the opportunity to enter a lot of different “bubbles” of meaning through projects. It could be details, the end user, communication, economy, city development, materials – just to mention a few. What is finally accepted in general and most urgent right now is the sustainable agenda. In that context, I am very curious about the impact on/from each of these bubbles and the relationship between bubbles. Some of them are getting more important every day, new types of bubbles show up and others just might burst. I find the decision-making and management of this complexity both very urgent and interesting in the process for a promising future.

What was it like to start at JAJA?

Amazing, you know my very first meet with you guys was the summer party – what is not to like? Now I have been here for approximately 2 months and between the summer party, the following goodbye-interns-party, congratulations-doc.-party, the pavilion-celebration, the weekly have-a-nice-weekend beer/wine, we do work 😉 And I guess I have noticed that though we are busy it is with a very joyful and openminded approach to both architecture and each other. I like that.

When you’re not at JAJA – what do you like to do?

I love spending time with family and friends. Whether it is taking a walk, doing something action-packed or having dinner doesn’t really matter – I just enjoy their company. When it is time to relax, I try to spend some time in our garden with my wife. It is our kind of “free space” where we get a mental boost together.

Favourite meal and movie on a Sunday?

Well… I really do enjoy eating and I appreciate a good movie too. Since we’re talking about a Sunday, it would most likely be a casual moment with my family. I guess some kind of joint cooking of a Buddha Bowl or a homemade pizza and a cold beer while watching a movie about a thoughtful and ironic teenage life, could quite possibly create a favourable atmosphere for all four of us at the end of a weekend.