„A Globalisation of Relations“
30.04.2019 / Expert Articles
The importance of relations is continuously rising in every sector. Cooperation between countries commonly lead to benefits and advantages for every participants. A well-wrought cooperation in every area gives people the chance to form their own path and future. This topic should certainly be used as a positive extra tool.
First building brick in the education
Starting from the education, international relations could help pupils and students to open up their horizons. For example, educational institutions should be directed more towards international cooperation. It should always be a big topic. Student exchange programmes like „Erasmus+“, that support students not only financially but also as a „guide“, should highlight the attractiveness of this chance. The stay abroad does not only help one to learn another language, but also opens up the all over way of thinking. You get to know another culture, you meet new people and you even follow other rules and laws. An open-minded person works very differently than a person who refuses to let go of the blinkers. Of course it is still important to hold on to some values, like historical heritages. Nonetheless, internationalisations of many sectors can enrich the economy and culture.
The ongoing trend in institutions, which especially support the international cooperative work, is not only an important issue among education, it also plays a big role in architecture.
The international exchange in architecture
The world is steadily changing – just like the resources in architecture. It is not a secret, that architecture is a very diverse and various topic. The beauty lies in the fact, that different cultures have an impact over the architecture and therefore help to form it as well. Doing so, partnerships, networks and cooperation offer architects the chance to adapt to the international situation better and learn the basic knowledge. For example are other constructive topics the main focus in different countries, while at home these issues are not that relevant. Countries, that lay near the tectonic plate borders are exposed to natural disasters. In these countries one of the most important subject is earthquake resistant constructions and building codes. So this exchange of knowledge could be combined with one’s own expertise and competence – an enrichment for upcoming projects, that not only benefits the work, but also helps people to extend and to improve oneself.
With the international exchange of knowledge one can complement in expertises in planning and creativity, which higher the success of project results. The growing trend of the internationalisation of architectural offices takes a big role in it. Evermore firms and offices decide to start foreign partnerships or locate other additional offices abroad. The close exchange increases the performance of an office. Of course these cooperation form strategic and economical benefits as well.
Multicultural teams in practical experiences
We are a multicultural team and know the importance of this topic. We strive to pass this know-how onto our clients and use it in the projects. Figo advises their clients in foreign situations as qualified as in national matters. On that account, we reach back to a pool of international co-workers and freelancers. Our offices in Bochum and Berlin only register a team from over eleven nationalities speaking nine languages fluently. The foundation of an effective and efficient teamwork are the various languages and the knowledge about the cultures of the particular countries. Furthermore there is professional knowledge about different legal and geographic occurrences, which flow into the planning.
Especially in the area of architecture, it is essential to see the bigger picture and to build expertises that reach over the country borders. Nowadays every brand and firm follow the international market. Along with that, the internet as an important tool, helps the clients and consumers to get information over products and themes. Meanwhile the need to test a product on the spot grows as well. That means that showrooms, pop-up stores, shop-in-shop systems, flagship stores and normal stores become more and more required.
In summary it can be stated that architectural offices should rely on cultural trainings, diversity of languages, legal international expertises and geographical know-how starting from the first education throughout further education. These skills provide an optimal teamwork in international business relations and support the successful management of the circumstances on site.
When the location of the store is fixed or the project has ended, the detailed knowledge comes into place, which is the symbolic language of colours, communication strategy, used colours and interest of national occurrences that help the store. Language is an important factor, where digital elements in the store can be used easily and be adjusted cost-effectively while designing.
If you are interested in an international roll-out, we as a team are at your disposal competently and advisory any time.
About the author
Ayse Ulupinar
Architect
Ayse, born in 1987, is Architect and Project Manager at Figo GmbH. She majored her studies in Dortmund (GER), Milan (IT) and Istanbul (TUR) and specialised herself in the area of international cooperation and earthquake engineering. Her studies abroad have shaped her work and way of thinking primarily and helped her to become fluent in 3 different languages. The transnational language of architecture is her main motivation.