T H I S S E R I E S ::
I once heard a comedian say that most of their material comes from observations - and if they thought about said subject, grievance, irritation, or coincidence more than three times it becomes a duty and obligation to write about it. They continued to express the level of success behind those instances (in terms of the reaction in front of the audience) surpassed the more random, generated one-liners of an apt comedic jab - they have more relevancy and value.
I find this approach deeply satisfying - as the mind is pelted with a plethora of 'reveals' and 'exits' on a daily basis - especially as a business owner... and comedy is sometimes the best medicine - so in this instance, I found a great reward in experiencing sagacious, applicable advice from one the most favored mediums of information delivery.
This ongoing series covers one topic - that has seeped into topics of conversation or mental meanderings more than (3) three (x) times as of late - therefore, we write, and discuss, and release, and move on. Meant to be short as a challenge.
Hope you enjoy and please share anything that you have peppering your thoughts... In all honesty - we would love to hear.
Without further ado
I find this approach deeply satisfying - as the mind is pelted with a plethora of 'reveals' and 'exits' on a daily basis - especially as a business owner... and comedy is sometimes the best medicine - so in this instance, I found a great reward in experiencing sagacious, applicable advice from one the most favored mediums of information delivery.
This ongoing series covers one topic - that has seeped into topics of conversation or mental meanderings more than (3) three (x) times as of late - therefore, we write, and discuss, and release, and move on. Meant to be short as a challenge.
Hope you enjoy and please share anything that you have peppering your thoughts... In all honesty - we would love to hear.
Without further ado
O N A R C H I T E C T U R E ::
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its true essence, the value of real architecture and why it will never go away...
- You might notice that quite a bit of writings and sharings on our website (or in person if we have had the great benefit of meeting with you) are not strictly and haphazardly focused on the topic of 'architecture' or 'design' itself. We get questions about this often. We discuss and pay heed to so many other things because we realize and believe - deeply - that architecture is - and must be - about so much more. And if it is not - if it lacks a certain consideration regarding the onslaught of factors that are found in the very marrow of design - then it does not contain the true identity and very meaning of architecture - it becomes a mere act - a simple output that lacks any backbone, character or personality - it is just... plainly... building. Dare we say a reflection of a myopically induced euphoria of Capitalism and Development. Hey, some people have booze and molly, Others vice of choice - the hard stuff... cold, hard, cash - and what better to hit that high than in the ubiquitous form of real-estate development.
We want to be clear :: We believe that architecture and design is a by-product - or maybe an amalgamation - yes... let's go with that - amalgamation. Or, or ... a pain-stakingly planned and prepared mise en place. Or, or, or - a dazzling world of multitudinous particles dizzily whirling around a central body eventually being absorbed into one glowing whole... yeah, like that.
Architecture encompasses so many factors/considerations into one 'product' ::
- relational (between client, architect, customer, end user),
- social (understanding how humans behave on the grand stage to the needs / wants of the individual),
- ecological (how the building will effect environment and how the environment will effect the building)
- economical (budget, business practices, branding + identity, strategy)
- philosophical (the conceptual, cerebral, story, romantic side of the design process)
- technological (so much to mention here but tech is an obvious and omnipresent subject in modern practice)
- logistical (schedules, teaming, consultants, communication and everything in between - strategy dictates results)
- pragmatic (communication to codes and drawings to constructability - there is a very real, tangible process that takes place)
- science (how it gets built and how it functions)
- math (how it gets built and how it functions)
- art (why it gets built and how it makes us feel - the message)
To complicate and overwhelm the concept further... these could - very well - be broken down into sub categories.. Take for instance 'Social' :: social subset A - in terms of how we (as humans and society) are currently behaving, interacting, experiencing, thinking, living, moving (the macro understanding of human behavior) - to - Social subset B - Trends, needs, practical, personalities (the micro piece of the pie) - balancing the needs of the clients with the needs of the customer with the needs of the belonging far into the future. This all might seem incredibly banal - this all might seem exhausting to even consider but - whoever has sacrificed their time to stick with it thus far... please take this morsel with you - it is critical that your designer (or if you are a designer - you!) must think - must absorb and be highly capable, thoughtful and intentional - and be able to confront the questions of 'why' and 'how' and do so with a level of entertainment, novelty and thoughtfulness that will benefit you as a client and without saying - the project, the art, the product. This is the value differential between a truly talented design shop/team in comparison to the traditional office stuck in the grind of pumping out work because they have a certain bottom line - and that bottom line becomes the sole mission, vision and goal of said entity.
It all comes down to time. Great design takes time because there is so much to consider (remember architecture is a by-product, a mergence of many, many influences, parts, and things) - and if its fast and cheap and easy - then the question must be asked :: what, from the above list, is not being considered - and how much of your project is suffering because of it.
If you have a new or current project and you are working with an architect/designer/firm. If your designer/architect is worth their salt... Then they will understand exactly what I am referring to - and they are living it... not just picking up on the latest buzz words on behalf of lip-service. They are in it - knee deep in the strong currents of 'actions louder than words' - with their feet firmly placed in the muddy underbelly of 'your reputation precedes you'.
The value of the designer/architect and what will make the project a true 'success' is a balance, integration, and execution that considers the constellation of these beautiful complexities. Layers and layers of information - just like an attention-grabbing, thought-worthy, conversation-starting work of art.... or an emotionally-evocative, quote-laden, awe-inspiring, memorable movie.... or a beautifully-composed, nostalgically-executed, superiorly-serviced, palate-popping plate of food. You get the point - the difference is obvious. Do not underestimate the value (and yes, the often associated price that is paired with it) of these experiences... they are memories, they are worth talking about in the positive, they move you - they - are - well, worth writing about. They shift our make-up - little by little and create a new vivid hue in our genetic spectrum.
We want to be clear :: We believe that architecture and design is a by-product - or maybe an amalgamation - yes... let's go with that - amalgamation. Or, or ... a pain-stakingly planned and prepared mise en place. Or, or, or - a dazzling world of multitudinous particles dizzily whirling around a central body eventually being absorbed into one glowing whole... yeah, like that.
Architecture encompasses so many factors/considerations into one 'product' ::
- relational (between client, architect, customer, end user),
- social (understanding how humans behave on the grand stage to the needs / wants of the individual),
- ecological (how the building will effect environment and how the environment will effect the building)
- economical (budget, business practices, branding + identity, strategy)
- philosophical (the conceptual, cerebral, story, romantic side of the design process)
- technological (so much to mention here but tech is an obvious and omnipresent subject in modern practice)
- logistical (schedules, teaming, consultants, communication and everything in between - strategy dictates results)
- pragmatic (communication to codes and drawings to constructability - there is a very real, tangible process that takes place)
- science (how it gets built and how it functions)
- math (how it gets built and how it functions)
- art (why it gets built and how it makes us feel - the message)
To complicate and overwhelm the concept further... these could - very well - be broken down into sub categories.. Take for instance 'Social' :: social subset A - in terms of how we (as humans and society) are currently behaving, interacting, experiencing, thinking, living, moving (the macro understanding of human behavior) - to - Social subset B - Trends, needs, practical, personalities (the micro piece of the pie) - balancing the needs of the clients with the needs of the customer with the needs of the belonging far into the future. This all might seem incredibly banal - this all might seem exhausting to even consider but - whoever has sacrificed their time to stick with it thus far... please take this morsel with you - it is critical that your designer (or if you are a designer - you!) must think - must absorb and be highly capable, thoughtful and intentional - and be able to confront the questions of 'why' and 'how' and do so with a level of entertainment, novelty and thoughtfulness that will benefit you as a client and without saying - the project, the art, the product. This is the value differential between a truly talented design shop/team in comparison to the traditional office stuck in the grind of pumping out work because they have a certain bottom line - and that bottom line becomes the sole mission, vision and goal of said entity.
It all comes down to time. Great design takes time because there is so much to consider (remember architecture is a by-product, a mergence of many, many influences, parts, and things) - and if its fast and cheap and easy - then the question must be asked :: what, from the above list, is not being considered - and how much of your project is suffering because of it.
If you have a new or current project and you are working with an architect/designer/firm. If your designer/architect is worth their salt... Then they will understand exactly what I am referring to - and they are living it... not just picking up on the latest buzz words on behalf of lip-service. They are in it - knee deep in the strong currents of 'actions louder than words' - with their feet firmly placed in the muddy underbelly of 'your reputation precedes you'.
The value of the designer/architect and what will make the project a true 'success' is a balance, integration, and execution that considers the constellation of these beautiful complexities. Layers and layers of information - just like an attention-grabbing, thought-worthy, conversation-starting work of art.... or an emotionally-evocative, quote-laden, awe-inspiring, memorable movie.... or a beautifully-composed, nostalgically-executed, superiorly-serviced, palate-popping plate of food. You get the point - the difference is obvious. Do not underestimate the value (and yes, the often associated price that is paired with it) of these experiences... they are memories, they are worth talking about in the positive, they move you - they - are - well, worth writing about. They shift our make-up - little by little and create a new vivid hue in our genetic spectrum.
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