THE DESIGN VISION
THE DESIGN VISION
The architect does not randomly produce fine design. It is the oeuvre, the life's work of applied discipline that leads to complete understanding of the production of the built environment. But this discipline is not static nor is it rigid in its application. As an architect I can appreciate the limitations of material and budget and yet I must intuitively and rigorously apply those design principles to the materials and program that fully expresses not only the program but also the greater purpose of the building as communication of an aesthetic ideal . The following is a brief listing, but by no means an exhaustive list or method of application, of the principles of design that guides the production of the work for the client:
• Place, Path and Boundary (enclosure): Every aspect of the environment can be understood as a relationship between the place for a specific function, the designated path between functional spaces and boundary, or the physical or implied enclosure to the entire designed environment. We can think of rooms, hallways and enclosing walls as a simple way to think about this but properly understood this scheme allows us to evaluate every aspect of the design. The implications of this are that nothing is overlooked or devalued in the complete design. The old notion of hallway as merely a means to get from point A to point B is no longer valid. The path itself is an integral part of the design and must reflect a great deal of thought and consideration in the design process. Even a doorway can be thought of as a place, path and boundary. The design of the elegant door, its opening, the thickness of the wall, the treatment of the jambs, head and threshold creates an experience that ‘sees' the doorway as a place among places, it is a beautiful passageway to another place and it is bounded by well considered attention to detail around its frame and walls.
This brief consideration of place path and boundary is the heart of my design approach and informs the entire range of design techniques employed by this office.
• Symmetry / Asymmetry and Proportion: The understanding of the impact of symmetry is crucial. Briefly, Symmetrical form and space, such as a circle and sphere, give the sense of complete and static enclosure. Perfect symmetry gives the sense of placement and rest. Asymmetry, on the other hand, is the means whereby form guides space. It gives sense of dynamic movement and a natural rhythm. The type of symmetries employed will give the overall character to the design project. I may employ one type or both in a design, depending of the program and client needs.
Proportion of all design elements is the means to organize them into a cohesive ‘fit' that engenders a sense of connection of elements and allows the total design to ‘breathe' in a relaxed way. One may think about this simply as “Not too big, not too small.”
• Organizational Methods and Relationship of Spaces: Either within a room, capturing and incorporating a view into the design, how one thinks about the relationship of spaces and functions guides the treatment of these relationships and is a crucial understanding in organizing them. For instance; using the idea of ‘Axis' is not only a means to connect all functional spaces but engenders the sense extending the experience of the built environment throughout the entire built and natural environment. It is how we build proper relationships within the project and give a sense of embrace of the entire environment we are building within.
• The Contextual, Material, Textural and Stylistic “Mood” of the Design: Based on place, the client desires the general mood that the whole environment as well as needs for individual spaces a program of style, material, color and texture is fitted to the clients as individuals. There are five basic design “families” that describes these moods and become a necessary aspect working with the client in deciding the best way to address these important design elements.
Historic examples and models as well as the physical context of the project can be, and often is, the main force behind the design of the project. It is important to identify these forms and to evaluate their importance to the client.
Elements of Design | Living With Land | The Nuts & Bolts of Architecture
