At Fublis, our Design Dialogues series is dedicated to showcasing the innovative minds and creative journeys of architects and designers who are making a significant impact in the industry. Through in-depth conversations, we celebrate their achievements and explore their unique perspectives, offering invaluable insights that inspire both peers and emerging talent.

In this edition, we are honored to feature Elias Bey, an architect whose work seamlessly integrates interdisciplinary research, hand-drawn illustration, and architectural storytelling. With experience spanning institutions in Europe, the United States, and South America, Elias brings a diverse and deeply informed perspective to contemporary design. His projects, including Het Verhaal van Brugge, Neckarbogen, and Wohnsiedlung Primeo, exemplify a commitment to crafting spaces that engage with history, culture, and community in meaningful ways.

In our conversation, Elias shares how illustration serves as a vital thinking and communication tool in architecture, allowing for organic exploration and deeper engagement with clients and stakeholders. He also reflects on the challenges and discoveries of working in historically rich urban environments, the evolving role of exhibitions in shaping architectural discourse, and the balance between preserving cultural heritage and pushing design innovation forward.

Join us as we delve into the thought process behind Elias Bey’s work, uncovering the philosophies and methodologies that drive his approach to architecture. Whether you’re an architect, designer, or enthusiast of the built environment, this conversation offers a compelling glimpse into the intersection of art, history, and spatial storytelling.

Your studio emphasizes interdisciplinary research and illustration as a core part of the design process. How do hand-drawn illustrations influence decision-making in architecture, and how do they help communicate ideas to clients and stakeholders in ways that traditional methods might not?

Elias Bey: Hand-drawn illustrations serve as both a thinking tool and a catalyst for architectural decision-making. They create a space for intuitive exploration where ideas can evolve organically, free from the constraints of software and technical precision that sometimes hinder the conceptual phase. More importantly, they serve as a powerful communication tool—stakeholders, whether clients, city officials, or the public, often connect more deeply with a sketch than with a seemingly final digital rendering. The provisional nature of hand drawings invites dialogue and imagination, making others feel like active participants in the design process rather than passive observers of a predetermined outcome.

Much of your work aims to captivate hearts and minds. What strategies did you employ in this project to create an emotional connection between the public and Brugge’s architectural heritage in Het Verhaal van Brugge – The Story of Bruges?

Elias Bey: In Het Verhaal van Brugge, our approach centered on creating meaningful connections between historical narratives and personal discovery. Rather than presenting a single, authoritative version of Bruges’ story, we embraced the complexity of its layered history. We carefully interwove different perspectives, timelines, and current patterns of use and underuse, creating a multidimensional narrative that allows people to connect through personally resonant details. Understanding that Bruges’ architectural fabric is deeply intertwined with its inhabitants’ identity, we proposed alternative uses that respect this connection while opening new possibilities. The positive feedback we’ve received has encouraged ongoing collaboration with city stakeholders to further explore these themes.

Working on a city with such a deep cultural and historical identity must have been insightful. What were some of the most unexpected discoveries or challenges you encountered while developing “Het Verhaal Van Brugge”?

Elias Bey: Working on Het Verhaal van Brugge revealed unexpected insights about the city’s living heritage. We discovered that Bruges’ history isn’t simply preserved in its famous landmarks—it’s actively lived and interpreted by its residents in deeply personal ways. This understanding shaped our approach to the project’s key challenge: creating meaningful engagement for three distinct groups—residents, visitors, and those who work in the historic center. We focused on developing suggestions for multiple types of use that would serve all these communities while maintaining the delicate balance between preservation and accessibility. Our goal was to make history tangible and relevant without oversimplifying the city’s rich complexity.

With experience across institutions in Europe, the US, and South America, how has this diverse international exposure shaped your design philosophy? Are there particular architectural approaches or cultural influences that have significantly impacted your work?

Elias Bey: Each region has profoundly influenced my architectural perspective in distinct ways. Working in the United States taught me to think boldly while navigating complex, multi-stakeholder projects within the context of iconic urban environments. South American experience exposed me to more organic, socially-driven design processes, where resource constraints often led to ingenious solutions, and the warmth of local communities deeply influenced project outcomes. European practice has immersed me in a tradition of architectural precision and material sophistication. This international exposure has reinforced my understanding that architecture transcends pure form—it’s about crafting narratives, ensuring adaptability, and creating meaningful dialogue with its surroundings.

Your work has been showcased at the Venice Biennale and recognized by institutions like Fundació Mies van der Rohe. How do you see the role of architectural exhibitions in shaping public perception of design, and do they influence your studio’s projects in any way?

Elias Bey: Exhibitions like the Venice Biennale and recognition from institutions such as Fundació Mies van der Rohe serve as crucial platforms for architectural discourse. They create spaces where architecture can be explored beyond functional constraints, allowing for deeper investigation of ideas, speculation, and provocative thinking. While these exhibitions don’t directly dictate our project approaches, they significantly influence how we position architecture within broader cultural conversations. They provide valuable moments for reflection and critical thinking, often leading to refined approaches in our practice.

Sustainability is often measured in energy efficiency and material choices. However, long-term adaptability and social resilience are equally important. What strategies did you implement in Neckarbogen to ensure that the design remains relevant and adaptable for future generations?

Elias Bey: At Neckarbogen, we approached sustainability through a comprehensive lens that extends beyond energy efficiency and material selection. Our focus was on creating enduring value through adaptability and flexibility to future scenarios. This meant developing spaces that could evolve with changing social and economic needs while maintaining their core identity. We emphasized flexible building typologies, durable material selections, and design strategies that foster community engagement. These elements work together to ensure the neighborhood remains vibrant and relevant for generations to come.

Hand-drawn illustration is often considered a nostalgic or personal medium in an increasingly digital world. Why do you believe it remains relevant in contemporary architecture, and how do you see its role evolving with new technologies like AI and parametric design?

Elias Bey: Hand-drawn illustration maintains its relevance in contemporary architecture because it captures something essential that digital tools often miss—the human element. It communicates personality, immediacy, and a level of abstraction that engages imagination in unique ways. While AI and parametric design are revolutionizing architectural practice, they can’t replicate the spontaneity and emotional resonance of a hand sketch. Rather than seeing these as competing approaches, we view them as complementary tools, with hand drawing offering a vital counterpoint to digital workflows and enriching the overall design process.

Your project Wohnsiedlung Primeo in Basel Switzerland is deeply rooted in its urban and cultural context. How do you balance preserving the historical and social essence of a place while introducing innovative architectural solutions that push boundaries?

Elias Bey: In transforming the Power Station near Basel, we focused on integrating contemporary design while honoring Basel’s architectural heritage. We believe that preserving a place’s essence isn’t about replication—it’s about understanding its fundamental rhythms, materials, and social patterns. Innovation should feel like a natural evolution rather than an imposition. Our approach involved working with local spatial typologies while reinterpreting them to accommodate contemporary needs, particularly focusing on new models of communal living and strengthening connections to the surrounding context.

You have worked in New York, Basel, and now Zurich—three cities with very different architectural landscapes. How has working in these locations influenced the way you approach urban design and spatial storytelling in your projects?

Elias Bey: Each city has contributed uniquely to my architectural perspective: New York demonstrated the poetry of density and adaptation, Basel taught the value of precision and material craft, and Zurich has deepened my appreciation for thorough process and collective dialogue. While these cities maintain distinct spatial identities, they share a fundamental connection between built form and human experience. This varied urban exposure has enhanced my ability to read and respond to city-specific nuances. Currently, I’m exploring these insights through a series of urban proposals for Zurich, drawing on comparative analysis with my lived experiences in other cities.

Looking back at your journey in architecture, what have been the most defining lessons that shaped your approach to design, and how do you see your work evolving in the future?

Elias Bey: A fundamental lesson from my architectural journey has been the power of narrative—not just as storytelling, but as a means of creating intuitive, meaningful spaces. I’ve learned to view constraints—whether material, budgetary, or contextual—not as limitations but as catalysts for creative problem-solving. Looking ahead, I envision my practice continuing to explore the intersection of architecture, illustration, and storytelling, with increased emphasis on adaptability and social engagement. The future of our work lies in creating spaces that not only serve their immediate purpose but evolve meaningfully with their communities.