Tariq Nmila

NAME a Memory

I can’t pinpoint to a specific memory, but I recall wanting to be an archaeologist when I was a kid, first showing an interest towards buried objects, rocks and bones.

It truly first started with ruins. Imagining what the remains of buildings and cities looked like in the past, the way they were used, the people inhabiting those spaces... and making up stories for all of that. Up until now, I find it fascinating to sit and imagine the events that took place in the spaces we inhabit daily, how they all continuously unfold; at times leaving behind traces, but most of the time remaining unnoticed.

NAME a City

Oslo. I fell in love with the city instantly. The first thing that I loved was the abundance of nature within the city itself; and how the parks, rivers, waterfalls, lakes and islands are seamlessly integrated into this modern capital. Although the weather in winter can be quite rough, the endless summer evenings definitely make up for it! The peculiar rhythm of the city makes the daily life in Oslo very exciting yet peaceful, which is why I tend to return whenever I get the chance.

NAME a Quote?

“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This quote from The Little Prince has always been one of my favorite quotes, from one of my favorite books.

NAME a Building

Grundtvig’s Church in Copenhagen. It was built in the 1920s by P.V. Jensen- Klint and it is one of the rare examples of expressionist church architecture. The exterior is unique, but I feel that the magic really takes place once you are inside. Over five million bricks were used for the construction, and the simplicity of the interior is striking yet so beautiful. How natural light enters and fills the space, the way sounds resonate and the airflows under its vaulted ceilings – these elements create a truly unique experience.

NAME a Material

Limestone is a material I’ve always been obsessed with. The fact that it has been used in construction for thousands of years all around the world and up until today makes perfect sense since it is widely available around the globe. The infinity of colours and textures give it a timeless appearance and endless possibilities of treatment. Limestone is so versatile that it can be used as big blocks, bricks, tiles, etc. of various shapes and sizes.