Other Than Expected: Fabian Bircher on Combining Art, Architecture, and Code

About this episode

Liam Spradlin interviews architect and artist Fabian Bircher about his creative process and the intersection of art, architecture, and technology.

In this episode, Liam speaks with Zürich-based architect and artist Fabian Bircher, whose work spans buildings, custom lighting, and interactive installations. Fabian discusses his unique creative process, where inspiration flows from both artistic concepts and the discovery of new technological possibilities. The conversation explores the materiality of light through his Buoy lamps and dichroic foil installations, the process of revealing hidden digital systems with his "Reporting Device," and the unexpected role of randomness in creating kinetic art. Find a full transcript and more at interfacecafe.com , and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Episode Chapters: 01:16 Intro and Background 03:52 The Exchange Between Tech and Creativity 06:04 Breaking Into the Unknown 07:52 Buoy Lamps and the Vermicelleria 12:58 The Materiality of Light 16:12 Bringing Light to a Brutalist Schoolhouse 19:15 The Reporting Device 24:02 Revealing the Unseen 25:49 Anthropomorphic Architecture 29:54 The Role of Randomness 31:54 Does it All Make Sense? 34:34 What Should We Be Focused On? 37:40 Outro

People in this episode

Host: Liam Spradlin

Guest: Fabian Bircher

Topics covered

• art
• architecture
• technology
• creative process
• kinetic art
• light installations

Keywords

• Fabian Bircher
• architecture
• art
• light
• interactive installations
• technology
• kinetic art

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Buoy lamps, Reporting Device, dichroic foil installations, kinetic art

Places: Zürich, Brutalist Schoolhouse

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