AA alumnus David Chipperfield (AADipl 1980) has been interviewed by Marcus Fairs, founder and editor-in-chief of Dezeen, for the new ‘Face to Face’ podcast. In the interview Chipperfield discusses his career as an architect and his upbringing, and discusses what being a student at the AA in the 1970s was like.

Describing the variety of teaching that has always defined the AA, Chippefield said: ‘Each unit was doing exceptionally different things, and very fascinating things. And so therefore you did the work in your unit, but your friends were in another unit, so you know, one of my best friends was in Leon Krier’s unit, and someone else was in Rem’s unit. It was a very good time at the AA, although it was stressful as well because it was dangerous because it was a sort of cacophony, a sort of Babel Tower, although incredibly stimulating.’

Chipperfield also recounted a moment during his Diploma when fellow student Zaha Hadid stepped in to defend him during a review, and her constant reminders of her role in saving his Diploma many years later.

Listen to the interview