EPISODE · Feb 17, 2026 · 49 MIN
Sigurd Larsen — The Courage to Build Your Own Path | BEYOND FORM
from Beyond Form – Stories That Shape Us · host Abdallahi M. DIOP
"I had six weeks of money left in the bank when I started my own studio."Most architects wait for a safety net. Sigurd Larsen did the opposite. After training with industry giants like OMA (Rem Koolhaas), MVRDV, and COBE, Sigurd walked away during a recession with nothing but a plan.In this episode, we dive into the raw reality of building an international architecture and furniture studio from scratch. Sigurd shares the story of how a single wooden box, The Shrine, became his "Trojan Horse" into the industry, and why he believes the era of the ego-driven "Star Architect" is officially over.In this episode, we discuss:The Leap: Quitting a stable job with zero financial security.The Strategy: How furniture design can lead to massive architectural projects.The Myth: Why the "Hollywood version" of an architect is toxic for the industry.The Survival: Sleeping in the office and the power of sharing ideas.Whether you are a student, a young designer, or someone looking to take a massive career risk, Sigurd’s journey is a masterclass in creative resilience.Connect with us:📸 Instagram: @Beyondform.podcastGuest:Sigurd Larsen (Berlin-based Architect & Professor)
What this episode covers
"I had six weeks of money left in the bank when I started my own studio."Most architects wait for a safety net. Sigurd Larsen did the opposite. After training with industry giants like OMA (Rem Koolhaas), MVRDV, and COBE, Sigurd walked away during a recession with nothing but a plan.In this episode, we dive into the raw reality of building an international architecture and furniture studio from scratch. Sigurd shares the story of how a single wooden box, The Shrine, became his "Trojan Horse" into the industry, and why he believes the era of the ego-driven "Star Architect" is officially over.In this episode, we discuss:The Leap: Quitting a stable job with zero financial security.The Strategy: How furniture design can lead to massive architectural projects.The Myth: Why the "Hollywood version" of an architect is toxic for the industry.The Survival: Sleeping in the office and the power of sharing ideas.Whether you are a student, a young designer, or someone looking to take a massive career risk, Sigurd’s journey is a masterclass in creative resilience.Connect with us:📸 Instagram: @Beyondform.podcastGuest:Sigurd Larsen (Berlin-based Architect & Professor)
NOW PLAYING
Sigurd Larsen — The Courage to Build Your Own Path | BEYOND FORM
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Jan 2, 2026 ·47m
Dec 21, 2025 ·46m