Simply minimalist

Having been chosen to design the prestigious Four Seasons hotel in Maldives, architect Murad Ismail shares the contours of his unique designs

Walking into his office, I take in the surroundings which one may call the ideal balance between, or blend of, nature and development. This is also reflected in his most recent achievement which has gained him international recognition.

The man in the spotlight is publicity-shy Murad Ismail, who believes almost to a fault that anonymity is the key to being truly free.

A young Sri Lankan architect, Murad who designed the Four Seasons Hotel in the Maldives which opened last month, only agreed to talk to us on the basis that sharing such an experience would no doubt encourage and stimulate more Sri Lankans to aspire to greater heights in the global arena.

How did it all happen? “One day in 2002 I received a call and a ‘foreign sounding voice’ at the other end asked me if I would like to design a hotel in the Maldives. Well, who wouldn’t?”

Not ruling out the possibility that this could be a joke by another like-minded prankster he agreed. “I guess he sensed my caution so he introduced himself and said that he was representing the Four Seasons chain and was assigned to handpick a Sri Lankan architect for the company’s newest project to kick off in the Maldives.”

“So my next question was obviously ‘why me ?’ His answer was simple. They had referred the work of some of the local architects.”

So how did it feel? “I must be honest. Somewhere deep in my heart a butterfly was fluttering his wings so fast I thought he would fly out of my mouth at any given time. I was excited. And I was flattered. This had to be the turning point in my professional life. And it was.”

The Four Seasons Hotel, part of the chain that was founded in 1960 has 73 hotels in 31 countries, and more than 25 properties under development. The Canadian-based hotel chain consisting of luxury hotels and resorts, is aimed at an upmarket clientele.

Murad explains that he started the project by studying the ‘not-to-dos’ that some of the other hotels in the Maldives had already done, including that in some hotels, living areas, especially the bedrooms masked the spectacular 360 degree views of the Indian Ocean and the natural surroundings, simply because of the easy vantage for people to walk about the island.

“This gave us a lead into the type of design we were envisaging for ‘Four Seasons’. Another was conventionality of the ‘gimmicks’ to living ‘closest to the sea’. For instance, having a glass floor where one can ‘walk on water’ was considered ‘out of this world’ a couple of decades back. But in the modern-day context, it was nothing but ‘old hat’. Having glass on the floor was a novel idea, no doubt, and one which was considered essential since guests expected it. But our design team was committed to finding a way to add some newness to this experience.

“So we came up with this simple concept. Where would one sit for some time with nothing to do, except stare into space? The toilet seat, of course. What if we placed the glass floor just at the feet of a person who would sit there? The idea was bought and that is just what we did. Today, this has become a talking point.”

The concept for the Four Seasons, Landaa Giraavaru island, Maldives, was that one can experience this sense of space. The stressed Western up-end traveller seeks tranquillity and freedom in destinations like the Maldives because of this. “They pay a premium to just get away. The extraordinary design of the Four Seasons offers this sense of serenity to the weary traveller.”

“Contrary to convention, there is nothing fancy at the hotel. That in itself is the fundamental difference. Tiered waterfalls have been replaced by natural spouts. Earthy, colours have been opted for as opposed to loud flamboyant ones. Polished cement floors have been used as opposed to mosaic tiles or plush carpets. Gentle almost unobtrusive lights caress the rooms with a warm glow rather than heavy chandeliers. Everywhere the eye roams, there is a distinct presence of wood, as pillars on the ground, as bars supporting the ceiling, as sculptures against the beautiful backdrop of the ocean, as decorative items and furniture.”

Murad’s trademarks are not defined lines or free spaces but rather simplicity and the need to create places where one can be happy. “No one can claim trademarks in this field, least of all me. I go by gut feeling. I always base my designs on the ground situation. It gives me pleasure to work with nature rather than against it. As architects, we only work the contours and build around the natural setting, bringing in the best of nature for the inhabitant to enjoy comfortably,” he says.

“I’m a believer of simplicity. So I guess whether it’s a hotel, an office or home, you would essentially experience simplicity in all my designs. I’m a minimalist. I feel more space created, more space will be available for people to live free within an enclosed environment. Even a building must be free of hustle and bustle.”

So did the hotel turn out exactly as he envisioned it? “For sure,” came the prompt and convincing reply. “I guess the expression I saw on the face of my wife when she first saw the hotel really gave me the feeling that I had done something worthwhile. She is my biggest critic and also the person who would be most frank in her opinion. When we approached the hotel, she had the ‘did you really design this?’ kind of look and I must say I was flattered because I know if I got that reaction from her, then everyone else would be easy street.”

“I am happy I can leave a lasting impression of what I believe in, in the form of my designs such as the Four Seasons so that my son who is only four, will one day visit these places and be inspired to do something with tangible meaning, that has the power to touch people,” Murad adds.

Speaking on what made him choose architecture as his line, although he started off at the Science Faculty at the University of Colombo on his way to becoming a marine biologist and chemist, he says that after campus, he felt that his calling was to use his scientific knowledge and background in a creative sense. “To me, creativity itself was a science and I was keen to pursue a career which helped me to ascertain that. Architecture somehow beckoned. So, I enrolled at the Institute of Architecture more as the better option of the limited options available rather than by actual desire. However, the transformation I experienced while studying the subject was remarkable. I can say I was really touched by the potential this discipline provided me. I was inspired to make a difference. I saw architecture as the means to an end. It was not a subject that people only spoke about. Architecture allowed one to create an end result, one that would be a lasting monument.”

The ‘end result’ for each person varies, Murad says. “For me, it is not designing the biggest building in the country or overseas that would be my ultimate goal, but rather to do whatever I do, in the best possible way, is what gives me the ultimate satisfaction.”