Cases and Apps
So, the iPhone represents an a nigh ubiquitous piece of design. We're familiar with it, most of us like it. This applies to all smartphones, really, but iPhone's are easier to talk about. Apple's presented us with a very efficient structure, and nobody argues with it.
Now while the structure works very well--it has a good chunk of memory, processors, and if Siri likes you, you can make a phone call--but we feel the need to stick this structure in an envelope. I'm not saying that's bad, but we do. She's a fragile, doesn't necessarily weather well, and since more emotion is better than less, we like it to have some meaning. Sometimes she'll require an extra accessory on her case to do what she needs to.
iPhone Cases
(instead of pasting in like 12 pics)
In this sense, an iPhone case functions exactly like a building envelope.
Obviously, there's a lot of creative potential for an iPhone case (see the link above if you doubt). Because the iPhone structure works so efficiently, single designers rarely modify that structure. I'd argue that in many cases, the conventional structure of a project need not be extensively modified--e.g. hotels, k-12s, low-cost multifamily, office space, etc.--because if you modify it too much, the apps won't run. Many apps (aka programs) on the market today are designed to work in a very specific way, which has optimized for the conventional structure. Changing the structure too much means these apps will crash more often and interfere with your workflow and lifestyle which rely on these standardized apps, which will then update in the future, further complicating any strong deviations.
I see the role of the typical contemporary architect as designing an interface (for an iPhone literally something going between two faces) between the efficient structure supporting workflow/lifestyle apps and the user's unique desires, tastes and needs.
******
That's not to say that the structure and apps need to stop improving--but I think far fewer designers will be working on structure and apps than on envelope at any given time.
I also think that often the project-specific envelope may occasionally contain programming--e.g. see the cases in the link with tools attached, such as wallets, knives, or bottle openers--but that these will not always show up.
She wants someone to tell her she's pretty.
Now while the structure works very well--it has a good chunk of memory, processors, and if Siri likes you, you can make a phone call--but we feel the need to stick this structure in an envelope. I'm not saying that's bad, but we do. She's a fragile, doesn't necessarily weather well, and since more emotion is better than less, we like it to have some meaning. Sometimes she'll require an extra accessory on her case to do what she needs to.
iPhone Cases
(instead of pasting in like 12 pics)
In this sense, an iPhone case functions exactly like a building envelope.
Obviously, there's a lot of creative potential for an iPhone case (see the link above if you doubt). Because the iPhone structure works so efficiently, single designers rarely modify that structure. I'd argue that in many cases, the conventional structure of a project need not be extensively modified--e.g. hotels, k-12s, low-cost multifamily, office space, etc.--because if you modify it too much, the apps won't run. Many apps (aka programs) on the market today are designed to work in a very specific way, which has optimized for the conventional structure. Changing the structure too much means these apps will crash more often and interfere with your workflow and lifestyle which rely on these standardized apps, which will then update in the future, further complicating any strong deviations.
I see the role of the typical contemporary architect as designing an interface (for an iPhone literally something going between two faces) between the efficient structure supporting workflow/lifestyle apps and the user's unique desires, tastes and needs.
******
That's not to say that the structure and apps need to stop improving--but I think far fewer designers will be working on structure and apps than on envelope at any given time.
I also think that often the project-specific envelope may occasionally contain programming--e.g. see the cases in the link with tools attached, such as wallets, knives, or bottle openers--but that these will not always show up.
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