Sebastian Aristotelis is a Danish architect and co-founder of SAGA Space Architects, a Copenhagen-based practice working at the intersection of architecture, engineering, and space design. The studio focuses on research-driven projects that explore habitation in extreme environments, developing experimental structures, material systems, and construction methods. Its work spans from Earth-based prototypes to space-oriented design, most notably LUNARK, a foldable, origami-inspired habitat tested in Greenland to investigate living conditions for future lunar missions. Through this approach, Aristotelis examines how architecture can address isolation, climate, and resource constraints while maintaining spatial quality and human comfort.
What inspires you?
Evolution inspires me; the way that nature creates design is very interesting. I also think technology is very inspiring. We pursue projects because we want to learn about a new way of manufacturing. Finally, I think, fiction books, especially sci-fi, are also very inspiring.
What inspired you to become an architect?
I always wanted to create adventures. I always wanted to create the feeling of a real adventure. You know, Harry Potter is not real, but how can we create the feeling for adults like Harry Potter in kids? And I think the best way to do that is through architecture. You can watch movies, but ultimately, the most powerful thing is the physical world, and doing it through architecture is the best medium to do that.
What is your favorite project?
I cannot say, it’s like saying which is your favorite child.
What is your favorite detail?
What comes to mind are the things that we are working on right now. Personally, I’m working on an aluminum chair, and I love the details on that.
Do you have a favorite material?
We don’t have a favorite material, but I think cork is probably one of my most favourite materials.
What is your process for starting a new project?
We start with research, we dig into the subject, focus on really understanding, looking at the context, the nature, and the physics, which are closely related. And then, right after that, we start making as many sketches as possible, 100 sketches per project, 100 concepts per project.
How do you fuel your creativity?
So the work we do itself is very inspiring, which actually fuels the creativity. But of course, making progress, doing new things, bigger things, more impressive things, more challenging things, is also inspiring. So I think our work itself and the momentum are quite inspiring. But also, once in a while, taking a break and stepping back and traveling, going to conferences, not so much for the conferences, but to meet people. Recently, I was at MIT, visiting the architecture faculty and visiting different labs, and that was very inspiring. Talking with people who are some of the best in the world at what they do is inspiring.
What inspired the LUNARK?
Origami was the main inspiration. We knew that the expanding structures were interesting, and we realised that the use of rigid panels had not really been explored in this context. And then Origami, which is, you know, the Japanese paper craft, was really something that aligned well with the goals for the mission and project.
How did materiality shape the SAGA Vietnam Office?
The materiality for the SAGA Vietnam Office meant almost everything. We had a strong idea of not wanting to do too much to the space. I think it’s one of the few truly old buildings in Vietnam. It’s more than 100 years old, and there aren’t many buildings this old, especially non-commercial ones. So we wanted to bring that forward and do as little as possible. Then, of course, we wanted it to feel warm, so the obvious choice was bamboo flooring, and, of course, light is very dear to our hearts because we work so much with it, so we also got good lighting. We put on limestone wash on the walls as it is non-disruptive, so you can remove it again. Especially with a building of this age, it was really important for us that our changes could be reversed if needed. But everything in the office is very tactile, and loads of bamboo.
What advice would you give to young architects?
This is going to sound crazy, but I would say don’t become an architect unless you are ready for a challenge. To see your work come to life, you really need to put everything you have into it. Once you put your hand on a project, you will only have challenges on the way to making the project look like how you envisioned it to be, so this will be the reality. If you end up going down the path of becoming an architect, then I would say start building and get practical references as soon as possible. Get off the computer and build something. If you don’t have the budget to get someone to build your projects, build it with your own hands, get some references, no matter how small the project is, because that is such a great experience, and it will help you for the rest of your career.
