Push the Envelope
One quote that particularly stood out to me was the idea that the architects last threshold of design is the envelope. That engineers, interior designers and landscape architects can handle all that other stuff, us architects will make the building look good on the outside, maybe shade the inside too! I disagree with this statement and feel discouraged if this is actually where architecture is headed. I feel like architects are to be jacks of all trades when it comes to the building. I’m not saying we have to size the beams, air handling units and select all the vegetation for the project. But we should know enough about all those elements so that we can push out design goals and ideas to the surface. The envelope is good with providing visitors a first impression of the building and relating to the surrounding context, but what happens when you enter the building? Architects have a special, trained sense about the relationship of spaces and program that can make the project complete. Therefore, it is up to us to ensure that design is integrated with all other aspects of the building. We shouldn’t send plans to the engineer worried how much it will mess up the design. We should in fact, know just enough to make their job easier and lead to a complete project. Even better if the entire team has the opportunity to work together so there are no surprises along the way.
University of Arizona Cancer Center | ZGF
I couldn't agree more with your post and I love that you mention that architects should be a jack of all trades, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we need to be responsible for every aspect of the building. But based on our training we have the intellectual capacity to lead the conversation with a variety of other disciplines (landscape, interior, engineering...) It's important though that these conversations happen at the very beginning of the project so that the image of the project can be clearly collaborated and defined by all disciplines involved.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you post and Amanda's response. The architect should have some kind of knowledge about all trades in order to come up with general design ideas and concepts. And it is important to bring the project team together from the beginning to discuss ideas and design decisions so that everyone is on board and each discipline can contribute their specialized knowledge.
ReplyDeleteYes, the architects are not only the outside surface designer. We need to know everything a lot. A good envelope has a lot of things behind it. That also cooperate with structure and all other things.
ReplyDeleteI think a larger thought here may be how to integrate the envelope into the design, rather than a literal surface level detail. If the envelope is a direct response to the interiors of the building as well, then yes, this is what separates architects from other design professions. It goes beyond just the envelope.
ReplyDeleteI agree! The envelope is interesting and powerful, but there has to be so much to architecture than that. I hope that more firms integrate engineering in-house so that design is a collaborative, team approach.
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