Inside the Mind of… Maja Kozel

Maja Kozel is a rarity among the members of the design community. Most know her as the founder of Maja Kozel Design, a member of a rapidly rising discipline of design – spatial design – which crosses the boundaries of traditional design specialisms such as architecture, landscape architecture, landscape design, interior design and service design, as well as certain areas of public art. Even more impressive – at least to us – is her prowess as product and experience designer. In collaboration with Hernan Hoentsch, Maja and Hernan’s product design was chosen as the overall winner of Surge’s Design, Dine, Make A Difference 2017 Gala Competition.

During our conversation with Maja, it became apparent that her life before Dubai reveals the origin of her passion in design, the roots of which lie in the picturesque city of Hague. The spark that eventually led to a career in spatial design was ignited somewhere during the many site visits she’d go on with her father. “It all started when I used to visit projects on site with my father, who was a renowned contractor specializing in renovation and restoration of monumental buildings. We would walk through the building, while he explained the vision and changes he would make and I could visualize it”, says Maja.

After studying at the prestigious Willem de Kooning Academy, she immediately moved to Hong Kong in 2006 following an offer to work with a local architectural firm called WDA. “It was a big step to make and also one of the best decisions of my life. Hong Kong has given me the dreams to design not only interiors but also architecture and landscaping.” She also adds, with pride, the other things that the city taught her, “… the resilience to work under a huge amount of pressure and the inspiration the city gives on daily basis!”

After three years, she moved to the UAE – a move inspired by an article that was featured on Dubai she found in the newspapers. “It was about the vision and dreams of the country; and at that moment, I knew that one day I will live there! Now, after more than nine years in Dubai, I have rooted myself here and can call it my home.” She elaborates further, “I can proudly and happily say that this is the best thing that ever happened to me! Hardworking, but intensely happy.”

Do I really have to choose?! I guess it would have to fall somewhere between commercial and public interiors. Here I’m thinking about museums, art galleries or airports (a field I’m looking forward to working on in the near future). Recently, I’ve worked on a café – which was my first F&B project, and I really enjoyed it! With such a diverse range of experience, it gets harder for me to answer this question.

Besides the usual suspects; it’s visiting the interior design fairs and exhibitions, reading books and design magazines, and of course, browsing the internet. Last year I joined my friend on a photo walk, which is something she found on Instagram. This is where photographers and passionate folk, like myself, get together and go for a walk, in a specific area, to take pictures. I’ve met some amazingly interesting people from different parts of the world, who are all in different fields of work. I love this type of social activity as it broadens the lens through which you see the world. It’s almost like a mini-vacation. It’s a reminder to soak in all the inspiration that lies around us all the time; we just never notice them, in detail.

On a recent project, a friend of mine commented, “Maja! I didn’t know this side of you existed!” I don’t place much importance on crafting a certain defined “style.” As a designer, I think I’m more of a chameleon who can adjust herself to any given situation or context. I believe it’s important to adapt to each project and not force your style onto the concept. 

During my time at WDA, we worked on a private mansion in Zhongshan. The client had an amazing imagination, and envisioned a tower from which he could overlook his land to check his stocks. And inside the mansion, a swimming pool that had a round, glazing window – so the people on the floor below, while enjoying a foot massage, could view the swimming pool from below. Yes, these kinds of ideas remain in the realm of dreams! But, we worked hard, designed the project to represent his dream and we got it built!

I have worked in The Netherlands, in Hong Kong and now (for almost ten years) in Dubai. The main difference I would say is TIME. Both in Hong Kong and Dubai, deadlines are intense and manpower scarce. We work at a crazy pace but it’s worth it.

Without a doubt, I’d be a fashion designer! At one stage of my life, before entering the interior design field, I was contemplating spatial design or fashion design. I’m still hopeful for some opportunity down the line for a collaboration of sorts between the various design disciplines.

To design a foster home where kids feel at home and they experience a sense of love and care. The idea is for this to be a “home”, in the true sense of the word, versus the idea of housing these kids in a “facility”.

Stay curious, ask questions and do things you think you can’t do! Keep pushing yourself. And do it to the best of your ability by giving it your all. I’m still learning every day; be it a new software program or a new material to use. It’s a sure way to grow, both professionally and personally.  

That’s a tricky question, to be honest.

When I started on my own I had two contradicting pieces of advice. One person told me to “never say no to a project” and the other told me, “If you’re overloaded or the project doesn’t feel right, it’s alright to say no!”

I listened to the latter. When I take on a project, I make sure I’m 100% committed and present for everyone involved. This approach seems to take care of everything in-between.