Keith Boswell, Technical Partner for SOM Architect’s San Francisco office, is one of the Glass Processing Days 2017 visitors and honorable speakers.
Keith orchestrates design and development for all of the company’s San Francisco construction projects. Notably, he is actively engaged in the research of new materials for use in SOM’s technically complex designs where glass naturally plays a pivotal role.
In this brief interview, Keith was asked to share what brings him to GPD ever since his first visit in 1997, what is so special about this conference and how he sees GPD developing in the future. Find out this and even more from this interview with Keith Boswell.
Q: What did you think of your first GPD in 1997?
A: Someone in the industry at the time told Jorma Vitkala that he needed to “get Boswell to attend”. And so I did. At the time, I felt that it was a good opportunity to get around others with similar interests and to learn something new. But what awaited me far exceeded my most optimistic expectations!
It was pure professional nourishment. As architects and designers, you’re always interested to get around others and have casual conversations. As an old cartoon once said: “If you’re not careful, you may learn something before it’s done!”
I was also amazed with the contacts I made – and I felt that GPD gave me a sense of knowing who to contact for more specialized expertise to develop informed solutions. And this is what has continued to bring me back to GPD all these years.
Q: How would you describe your experiences with GPD over the years?
A: I was in total awe when I first came to GPD. It was simply unbelievable! It’s a wonderful network of people that you know – or that you want to get to know.
Q: You’ve also chosen to work as Co-Chair with Dr. Leon Jacob several times?
A: Yes – Leon and I have co-chaired the event four times. He’s a glass designer – or more specifically, a glass specialist. I tend to gravitate towards people who do things that I don’t. So, Leon and I work like yin and yang. Our times of being co-chairs were a good bit of work – and also lots of fun!
What’s more, I’ve hired him for at least a half dozen projects that we wouldn’t have been able to execute on our own.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories of GPD over the years?
A: In the early days, the conference covered about 60% automotive and 40% architectural. The automotive presentations and technologies were usually years ahead of the architectural glass applications. So, I learned the most from them. After one or two years, I could see that some learnings from automotive had finally been applied in architectural applications.
We were also always given the chance to see how glass was made in the Tampere region. And when you can see manufacturing and processing in action – you start to think about ways to incorporate higher performance technologies in glass in your projects.
Today, it’s more about computational items. How to achieve better energy efficiency and conservation. And it’s great to see approaches and design processes from other parts of the world. It’s truly professional enrichment.
Q: How do you hope to see GPD developing in the future?
A: In my opinion, it’s time to encourage the next generation of designers to learn from peers and to share our passion for taking the glass industry ahead.
I feel it’s really critical to get new blood into the organization, so as in previous years, others from my office will participate.
Q: What were your experiences from GPD China and GPD Cuba?
A: Really enjoyable. It was a great opportunity to bring both architects and other technical speakers to China during a time that the country, along with the glass and architectural community, was growing by leaps and bounds. I was there at GPD China in 2005/2007, which at the time, provided architects with tremendous opportunities to implement innovative solutions in a very rapid time frame on an unprecedented scale.
The architectural glass industry began to emerge in China in the late 1990s. And GPD provided a wonderful combination of an emerging economy with the knowledge base of how to do business with glass.
Cuba in 2016 was a great opportunity as well when the country started opening up to the rest of the world. It was a positive eye opener to see the participants who were truly hungry to learn about emerging technologies and trends in the architectural design and glass industry after being in such an insulated economy.
Participate the high Rise Workshop 27th June 2017 in Helsinki
A: Someone in the industry at the time told Jorma Vitkala that he needed to “get Boswell to attend”. And so I did. At the time, I felt that it was a good opportunity to get around others with similar interests and to learn something new. But what awaited me far exceeded my most optimistic expectations!
It was pure professional nourishment. As architects and designers, you’re always interested to get around others and have casual conversations. As an old cartoon once said: “If you’re not careful, you may learn something before it’s done!”
I was also amazed with the contacts I made – and I felt that GPD gave me a sense of knowing who to contact for more specialized expertise to develop informed solutions. And this is what has continued to bring me back to GPD all these years.
Q: How would you describe your experiences with GPD over the years?
A: I was in total awe when I first came to GPD. It was simply unbelievable! It’s a wonderful network of people that you know – or that you want to get to know.
Q: You’ve also chosen to work as Co-Chair with Dr. Leon Jacob several times?
A: Yes – Leon and I have co-chaired the event four times. He’s a glass designer – or more specifically, a glass specialist. I tend to gravitate towards people who do things that I don’t. So, Leon and I work like yin and yang. Our times of being co-chairs were a good bit of work – and also lots of fun!
What’s more, I’ve hired him for at least a half dozen projects that we wouldn’t have been able to execute on our own.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories of GPD over the years?
A: In the early days, the conference covered about 60% automotive and 40% architectural. The automotive presentations and technologies were usually years ahead of the architectural glass applications. So, I learned the most from them. After one or two years, I could see that some learnings from automotive had finally been applied in architectural applications.
We were also always given the chance to see how glass was made in the Tampere region. And when you can see manufacturing and processing in action – you start to think about ways to incorporate higher performance technologies in glass in your projects.
Today, it’s more about computational items. How to achieve better energy efficiency and conservation. And it’s great to see approaches and design processes from other parts of the world. It’s truly professional enrichment.
Q: How do you hope to see GPD developing in the future?
A: In my opinion, it’s time to encourage the next generation of designers to learn from peers and to share our passion for taking the glass industry ahead.
I feel it’s really critical to get new blood into the organization, so as in previous years, others from my office will participate.
Q: What were your experiences from GPD China and GPD Cuba?
A: Really enjoyable. It was a great opportunity to bring both architects and other technical speakers to China during a time that the country, along with the glass and architectural community, was growing by leaps and bounds. I was there at GPD China in 2005/2007, which at the time, provided architects with tremendous opportunities to implement innovative solutions in a very rapid time frame on an unprecedented scale.
The architectural glass industry began to emerge in China in the late 1990s. And GPD provided a wonderful combination of an emerging economy with the knowledge base of how to do business with glass.
Cuba in 2016 was a great opportunity as well when the country started opening up to the rest of the world. It was a positive eye opener to see the participants who were truly hungry to learn about emerging technologies and trends in the architectural design and glass industry after being in such an insulated economy.
Participate the high Rise Workshop 27th June 2017 in Helsinki
At GPD, Keith will present:”The Building Façade Concept” in the session ‘Do’s & Don’ts of Building Facades.’