Just a Moment
Architects are often known for being poetic almost to a fault. We have these ideas of grandeur and visions of spaces that often get misconstrued throughout the design process. We argue why we can't have a column in a certain area because it takes away the feeling of weightlessness. We choose materials for their aesthetics that contractors look at and find cheaper alternatives. We as architects are constantly battling to get our message across, but sometimes we lose the uphill battle. We fight for a vision of what could be...
Peter Zumthor writes a beautiful book that sums up all the characteristics that architecture should embody. He poses questions from a phenomenologist perspective to better represent how we can create atmosphere through all of our senses. In a way, Zumthor shows how a student can create unique and interesting projects outside of the constraints of the real world. The reality is that most of us won't be presented with the same opportunities that Zumthor is. We will have to fight battles of cost and feasibility.
This isn't to say that we can't fight for the same visions for our architecture that Zumthor can, but we have to find a delicate balance between artistry and practicality. Let's face it, contractors and engineers won't care about the metaphors we weave. We have to be able to create our vision and explain it to those whose eyes glaze over when philosophy is mentioned. I supposed our challenge is to find beauty in the smallest of things. That is what I am learning through our comprehensive project this semester. By forcing ourselves to consider the technical aspects of design, we get to find beauty in the things that often get overlooked. It is all about finding the small moments to celebrate in the architecture.
Taylor, you make a great comparison of the poetic narrative we try to weave as architects, to the realities of budgets and means/methods of built work. I've got a memory of listening to a presentation by the "Chief Design Officer" of my previous internship, that showcased slides from Zumthor, Kahn, Piano, and other architects renowned for their detailing. The presenter kept praising the attention to detail and how designers can argue for their intents. Right after the presentation, me and my team went back to our desks to attend a meeting with the client and contractor to Value Engineer out the cool details we had just gotten all this praise for. Fun Stuff!
ReplyDeleteTaylor, I think that's one of the skills of architects that isn't as valued as some of our other talents, like storytelling. But our strength comes from weaving together design intentions with the reality of costs and clients who call the shots. And like Dan mentioned, try to build your intention into the design so it can't be entirely value engineered out.
ReplyDeleteHey Taylor,
ReplyDeleteI also had the similar strugelling experience as yours, the interests and discipline knowledge of different parties are so different, even though there are some overlaps. For myself, I truly care about the spiritual or poetic aspects of architecture and have been keeping integrating this quality into the practice. The thing is that it is unmeasurable, so it is always difficult to convince other parties including the owners. So when engineers hired by owner, construction advisor or contractors stand up and agianst the design and saying something like "It is unconstructable", then the owner would believe them.
I always believe that the discipline knowledge determine the quality of project, but the masterpiece is born from taking risk. No award-winning architecture is admired because it obeys the code or it does collapse. Starting from this point, I would like to say spiritual or poetic quality is the "risk" of architecture. As an architect/ architectural designer, we cannot let other parties to decide the quality that we want to deliver. So I have been trying my best to learn fundamental knowledge of architecture (dicipline knowledge) but related to other deciplines, such as structure, mechnical systems, constructions, professional practice. Besides discussing with consultants of other desciplines are also importants. Through discussion with them, I can have more clear vision on what I am designing. Using sound and solid scientific proof to fight back is efficient.
Taylor! Really good thoughts here. I think I'm learning something similar with comprehensive this semester - that perhaps, the small moments of intention and metaphor that show up in a building that simply works and does its job can be just as fulfilling for us as designers. Coming from the world of engineering, I have a unique enjoyment for the technical, however I can tell you that no one will fight for the story and the meaning if the architect does not. Here we go, being the mediators yet again.
ReplyDeleteI think getting our message and ideas across to a project team is really only successful if we sell it correctly. That is, we need a reason behind why and what we do, instead of creating a concept and trying to sell it. Simplicity and cost will always push our ideas to the backburner, however, we can integrate them within our 'visions'.
ReplyDelete