Kyle Bergman is a New York City-based architect who not only founded the Architecture & Design Film Festival, he serves as its director. Recognizing the strong connection between architecture and film, he launched the festival in 2008 as a way to educate and entertain people who appreciate design. Bergman serves as president on the board for the Pacific Rim Parks Organization, who have built seven parks so far and have an added goal of building one park in every country that touches the Pacific. In addition to the above, Bergman teaches at the Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Vermont. He also created an architectural lecture series about the design/build process for the Smithsonian Institute and produced a play about the design of Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House and Phillip Johnson’s Glass House, entitled The Glass House. For this week’s Friday Five, let’s check in with Bergman to see what else he’s passionate about.
1. The Beach
The moment where land meets the sea is always stimulating. In buildings, in life and in nature the edges are more interesting to me than the middle areas. Beginnings and endings are so important; they define the transitions or thresholds, which are exciting. The beach is also inspiring because somehow it taps into our primordial self. Being in the ocean is good – but coming out of the water onto land always feels exceptional. Being at the ocean is stimulating because of the variety of overlapping experiences of the sound, the sun, the wind, the clouds nature doesn’t get any better than at the beach.
2. New York City
I was born in Manhattan and as an adult I have moved away many times, but I always come back. I’m addicted to the energy, the chaos, the diversity and the humanity that is so vibrant and always stimulating. The seductive lure of New York is a powerful reminder to be bold, stay fresh, be original, work hard and to know that anything is possible.
3. Movie Theaters
Seeing movies in a theater is like a mini two-hour vacation from everything. I get to drop into a different world and become completely immersed in a new story. Somehow it’s comforting to know that there are other people following the same story, together. After the seeing a film in the theater, there is time to reflect before getting back to my own story. It’s really important not to check my phone until after I’ve had some time to digest what I just experienced.
4. The Unknown
I love going to countries where I don’t speak the language or really know the culture. In general, I like trying things that I’ve never done and as an adult it’s exciting to be in situations and places that are not familiar. It makes me feel like a kid again. Of course there is something slightly uncomfortable about being in an unknown environment but it often fosters a creative spark. It’s so important to push yourself out of your comfort zone. These experiences help me think creatively and tap into the wealth of experiences and knowledge that we gather layer by layer, over time.
5. Limes
Everything about limes are great — the color, the zest, the pulp, the shape. I use them to enhance my cooking from my favorite mescal to blackberry pie. Limes inspire me to try and add a finishing layer of brightness to everything — that extra little zing is usually memorable.