D E S I G N S T A T E M E N T
In every profession, there are opportunities to challenge oneself, refine one’s skills, and make contributions through research and theory. In almost every case, the process of becoming an architect begins with a recipe of elementary facts regarding design, building systems, and historical precedence. Obtaining this knowledge base enables the novice architect to enter the professional world with the basic skills necessary to survive. This knowledge base and the perspective through which an architect approaches design is not a constant. It is through research, theory, and an ever increasing awareness of experiences that an architect is able to transform architecture from an object to an experience. The ability to implement such designs becomes the responsibility of the architect. Through a continued search for knowledge and understanding, architects are able to refine their design sensibilities to adequately define problems and propose solutions appropriately addressing the responsibilities to the social, natural, economic and political conditions architecture influences.
Knowledge
Understanding architecture involves studying and reflecting upon the infinite conditions that affect the way the built environment and the user interact. How does the intersection of the building and the landscape change the architecture’s ability to engage attention to specific details? Or how can the penetration of natural light into interior space change the user’s awareness toward an environment? It also includes the way in which history has led architecture to its current state and how architecture is striving to improve upon its historical precedent. For example, understanding how the Agora of Athens has impacted the way the shopping mall of today is organized and structured helps architects see the use of program and interactions from a much more holistic perspective. Developing a hunger for answers to these questions is essential to obtaining an academic and theoretical understanding of the architectural profession.
Therefore, it is also imperative that practicing professionals operate in both the realm of academia and practice. Theoretical research and concepts are imperative to the progression of the built environment; however, if never built, the true implications of the concept can never be understood. Likewise, architecture without theoretical concept or rational becomes meaningless. But, when both theory and practice are combined together, architecture becomes more than an environmental barrier. It has the ability to transform culture, act as a catalyst for economic activity, and frame new perspectives of the natural world.
Design
Effective design synthesizes knowledge and theory to create a solution to a problem. Therefore, it can be assumed that as knowledge of a topic increases the designer’s ability to effectively generate solutions to problems should also increase. However, knowledge of a topic is not enough to implement a successful design. Design must take items such as scale, climate, materials, light, and program and integrate them in such a way that provides an answer. Answers become more refined as research can be utilized in such a way that it presents a compelling argument for the design solution. Because the success of a design solution in many cases is unknown, research and case studies enable architects to forecast conclusions.
Design must also consider the ephemeral and momentary transactions that occur. Architecture is not a stagnate object but rather has the ability to control elements that interact with the human senses. It has the ability to create experiences for individuals. In order to create these experiences, architects must be able to use their knowledge of physical conditions. Truly effective design occurs when architecture is able to provide a solution to a problem while utilizing the natural and social context to provide energy and stimulation to a space.
Responsibility
While architectural design must be able to make knowledgeable decisions when proposing solutions, these decisions must also take into account multiple social, natural, economic and political factors affected by an architectural application. While codes and regulations require certain design specification to be met, responsible architecture must also consider these additional factors in order to produce a contextually appropriate building. It is also imperative to understand that there is a blurry line between all of these factors and it is only through intense scrutiny that the hierarchy of these items should be established.
Socially responsible architecture strives to understand and enhance a culture’s ability to interact, sustain economically, and provide space for both private and public functions. As architects develop space in an urban or rural environment, consideration must be given to the social implications of the building’s form, accessibility to the building’s program, and the relationship to the surrounding context. When these factors are incorporated into an architectural proposition, it has the ability to change the way in which cities and landscapes are able to be experienced. More specifically, a use of public space within cities encourages citizens to interact socially incorporating a variety of different perspectives. Therefore, in order to influence the momentary experiences previously discussed, the architect must consider the building’s social association to its context. While social consideration is not a mandated responsibility in the context of creating an engaging experience, architects should understand the importance of implementing socially responsible design.
Architects also have a responsibility to the natural landscape and environment in which a design solution is proposed. This responsibility can only be met by having an in-depth understanding of materials, building systems, and how structures interact with their natural surroundings. Nature also serves as an extraordinary source of sustainable inspiration. The physical properties by which nature is able to naturally reproduce, harvest energy, and self-regulate its environment should be continually investigated and incorporated into architectural resolutions. Responsible architectural design should also incorporate the natural landscape and environment in which the design solution is being proposed. The intersection of the landscape and the built environment provides infinite possibilities to frame society’s perspective of the natural world.
Lastly, responsible architecture must factor the economic and political consequences of a design solution. Architecture plays a vital role in political and economic viability of a population. For example, the way a building interacts with the street front directly impacts the success of the businesses within that space. Likewise, federally associated architecture has the ability to represent itself as a unified, systematic agency through its structure’s design. When architectural solutions do not take these economic and political dynamics into consideration, it has the ability to drastically affect the economic and political sustainability of a region.
Reflection
Possibly the most valuable strategy to progress architectural knowledge design and responsibility is through the act of reflection. By taking the time to refocus the way in which a professional studies and practices architecture, it enables the architect to evaluate the influence and effectiveness of the work being conducted. Reflective feedback also provides an architect with a chance to assess how well design propositions meet the intended outcome. Without reflection, there is no way to recalibrate and adjust the methodology used to conduct design. Reflection also enables an architect to process the influential elements that make a design solution successful. Understanding these elements enables them to be built upon and reused in future work. Most importantly, reflection provides a system for understanding the progression in theoretical, technological and social systems. Without this understanding, architecture is not able to effectively utilize the energy provided by these systems.
Conclusion
Every architect will frame their perspective of architecture through a different course of study practice. Differences in perspectives regarding the social, economic and political systems will vary the way in which architects approach their architectural responses toward these factors. These diversities create the infinite solutions and creative resolutions to the way architects influence the built environment. While these differences in approach provide the diverse range of architectural solutions presented, the methodology used to progress the architect’s capacity to factor the wide range of influential elements into design solutions remains constant. The progression begins with a knowledge of not only architecture, but the many components that impact the success of an architectural application. This knowledge involves constant research and continued questioning to refine what is known about the built environment. Knowledge is then combined with problems to generate a solution. The effectiveness of the solution is measured by how well it addresses the many responsibilities an architect must regard when executing theories into an architectural reality. These propositions have the remarkable ability to impact the experiences and perspectives through which humans relate with their environment.
Architects must realize the implications design solutions have on the environments they influence. They must seek continual refinement of the way in which architecture influences the state of the human experience. It is only through this continual renewal of thinking and reflection that architecture will continue to progress in its ability to energize and frame the experiences of the individuals who develop a relationship with their surroundings.
Knowledge
Understanding architecture involves studying and reflecting upon the infinite conditions that affect the way the built environment and the user interact. How does the intersection of the building and the landscape change the architecture’s ability to engage attention to specific details? Or how can the penetration of natural light into interior space change the user’s awareness toward an environment? It also includes the way in which history has led architecture to its current state and how architecture is striving to improve upon its historical precedent. For example, understanding how the Agora of Athens has impacted the way the shopping mall of today is organized and structured helps architects see the use of program and interactions from a much more holistic perspective. Developing a hunger for answers to these questions is essential to obtaining an academic and theoretical understanding of the architectural profession.
Therefore, it is also imperative that practicing professionals operate in both the realm of academia and practice. Theoretical research and concepts are imperative to the progression of the built environment; however, if never built, the true implications of the concept can never be understood. Likewise, architecture without theoretical concept or rational becomes meaningless. But, when both theory and practice are combined together, architecture becomes more than an environmental barrier. It has the ability to transform culture, act as a catalyst for economic activity, and frame new perspectives of the natural world.
Design
Effective design synthesizes knowledge and theory to create a solution to a problem. Therefore, it can be assumed that as knowledge of a topic increases the designer’s ability to effectively generate solutions to problems should also increase. However, knowledge of a topic is not enough to implement a successful design. Design must take items such as scale, climate, materials, light, and program and integrate them in such a way that provides an answer. Answers become more refined as research can be utilized in such a way that it presents a compelling argument for the design solution. Because the success of a design solution in many cases is unknown, research and case studies enable architects to forecast conclusions.
Design must also consider the ephemeral and momentary transactions that occur. Architecture is not a stagnate object but rather has the ability to control elements that interact with the human senses. It has the ability to create experiences for individuals. In order to create these experiences, architects must be able to use their knowledge of physical conditions. Truly effective design occurs when architecture is able to provide a solution to a problem while utilizing the natural and social context to provide energy and stimulation to a space.
Responsibility
While architectural design must be able to make knowledgeable decisions when proposing solutions, these decisions must also take into account multiple social, natural, economic and political factors affected by an architectural application. While codes and regulations require certain design specification to be met, responsible architecture must also consider these additional factors in order to produce a contextually appropriate building. It is also imperative to understand that there is a blurry line between all of these factors and it is only through intense scrutiny that the hierarchy of these items should be established.
Socially responsible architecture strives to understand and enhance a culture’s ability to interact, sustain economically, and provide space for both private and public functions. As architects develop space in an urban or rural environment, consideration must be given to the social implications of the building’s form, accessibility to the building’s program, and the relationship to the surrounding context. When these factors are incorporated into an architectural proposition, it has the ability to change the way in which cities and landscapes are able to be experienced. More specifically, a use of public space within cities encourages citizens to interact socially incorporating a variety of different perspectives. Therefore, in order to influence the momentary experiences previously discussed, the architect must consider the building’s social association to its context. While social consideration is not a mandated responsibility in the context of creating an engaging experience, architects should understand the importance of implementing socially responsible design.
Architects also have a responsibility to the natural landscape and environment in which a design solution is proposed. This responsibility can only be met by having an in-depth understanding of materials, building systems, and how structures interact with their natural surroundings. Nature also serves as an extraordinary source of sustainable inspiration. The physical properties by which nature is able to naturally reproduce, harvest energy, and self-regulate its environment should be continually investigated and incorporated into architectural resolutions. Responsible architectural design should also incorporate the natural landscape and environment in which the design solution is being proposed. The intersection of the landscape and the built environment provides infinite possibilities to frame society’s perspective of the natural world.
Lastly, responsible architecture must factor the economic and political consequences of a design solution. Architecture plays a vital role in political and economic viability of a population. For example, the way a building interacts with the street front directly impacts the success of the businesses within that space. Likewise, federally associated architecture has the ability to represent itself as a unified, systematic agency through its structure’s design. When architectural solutions do not take these economic and political dynamics into consideration, it has the ability to drastically affect the economic and political sustainability of a region.
Reflection
Possibly the most valuable strategy to progress architectural knowledge design and responsibility is through the act of reflection. By taking the time to refocus the way in which a professional studies and practices architecture, it enables the architect to evaluate the influence and effectiveness of the work being conducted. Reflective feedback also provides an architect with a chance to assess how well design propositions meet the intended outcome. Without reflection, there is no way to recalibrate and adjust the methodology used to conduct design. Reflection also enables an architect to process the influential elements that make a design solution successful. Understanding these elements enables them to be built upon and reused in future work. Most importantly, reflection provides a system for understanding the progression in theoretical, technological and social systems. Without this understanding, architecture is not able to effectively utilize the energy provided by these systems.
Conclusion
Every architect will frame their perspective of architecture through a different course of study practice. Differences in perspectives regarding the social, economic and political systems will vary the way in which architects approach their architectural responses toward these factors. These diversities create the infinite solutions and creative resolutions to the way architects influence the built environment. While these differences in approach provide the diverse range of architectural solutions presented, the methodology used to progress the architect’s capacity to factor the wide range of influential elements into design solutions remains constant. The progression begins with a knowledge of not only architecture, but the many components that impact the success of an architectural application. This knowledge involves constant research and continued questioning to refine what is known about the built environment. Knowledge is then combined with problems to generate a solution. The effectiveness of the solution is measured by how well it addresses the many responsibilities an architect must regard when executing theories into an architectural reality. These propositions have the remarkable ability to impact the experiences and perspectives through which humans relate with their environment.
Architects must realize the implications design solutions have on the environments they influence. They must seek continual refinement of the way in which architecture influences the state of the human experience. It is only through this continual renewal of thinking and reflection that architecture will continue to progress in its ability to energize and frame the experiences of the individuals who develop a relationship with their surroundings.