Nicolas Kuseni

A look back at your ESMA years

What drew you to the world of space design?

I’ve always loved architecture and design, ever since I was a teenager. I had the opportunity to visit my uncle Paul Kuseni, an architect and designer in the Lille region, and that’s when it all clicked.

Why did you choose to study at ESMA?

I had a friend who was studying at ESMA and she invited me to come along to the Open Days. I loved the open days and it made me want to do the MANAA.

What did the course bring you?

I had no basis in drawing, so the course enabled me to express my ideas better on paper.

Was there a subject you particularly liked?

Making models in Space Design.

Your career path

When you left the course, did you have a clear idea of what you wanted to do?

I really wanted to set up my own business and get into the workplace quickly. I worked for 2 different companies for 3 years before setting up my own.

Can you tell us about your job and your career path since graduating?

My job today is to create atmospheres and layouts for professionals and private individuals.

After graduating in 2009, I spent a year and a half working in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for a French architecture firm based in Montpellier. In 2011, I joined the POLLUX architectural practice created by Paul Kuseni in Lille, where I stayed for a year and a half.

In your opinion, what are the skills/qualities needed to do this job?

For me, above all you need to be curious and feed that curiosity every day (going out, travelling, meeting people).

What do you love about your job?

Never doing the same thing twice.

You opened your own studio, NK Design, about ten years ago. What was it about opening your own structure and not staying in a studio?

I’ve always wanted to stand on my own two feet, even if it’s not always easy.

What projects are you working on? What do you like about them?

I work for both private individuals and professionals. What I like is meeting new people, listening to what they want and making it happen while bringing my own vision to the table.

How do you approach a project when it’s presented to you?

Generally, when the customer tells me what they want to do, I already have images in my head. I take a lot of notes and make a few sketches to set out my ideas.

In the course of your career, you’ve worked abroad or in the French overseas departments and territories on a wide variety of projects. What have these experiences brought you?

All experience is good, whether it’s good or bad. In any case, they help us move forward and build up our experience and know-how.

For the people of Montpellier, your name is also associated with the Marché du Lez project, a place that has become a must. Can you tell us about it?

The Marché du Lez is a great project and I’m very happy to have been able to take part in it. The project was carried out in several phases. The final phase was the Halles du Lez. It’s a project that has demanded a lot of my energy and involvement.

The concept was to redevelop a series of buildings and offer different destinations (shops, restaurants, offices, etc.) To do this, I drew inspiration from several projects I’d had the opportunity to visit, including LX Factory in Lisbon and Food Hallen in Amsterdam.

Is there a Nicolas Kuseni signature?

I don’t think I have a Nicolas Kuseni signature, but some people have told me that they recognise the projects I’ve worked on.

Is there a project you’re particularly proud of that you’d like to share with us?

I’m proud of everything I’ve done, the important thing is to see my client satisfied.

To conclude

Any future projects?

I’m currently working on projects for private individuals. One of my creations will soon be published in a decoration magazine.

Any advice for students and future students?

Stay curious, that’s the key to success.