Define your Style
One of the most common things I hear when working with new clients is that they like many styles but do not know which one they want for their own home. Descriptors like “Coastal”, “traditional”, “Classical”, “Modern”, “Farmhouse”, “Japandi”, and “Boho” are used though often not grasping at what they intend to say. Which classical empire? At which time? Whose traditions? A farm in Southern France or in the Andes? Did Tadao Ando’s use of concrete become an icon for Japanese design or are we imagining a nature-centric, from the earth design approach highlighted in their tea houses? Bohemian? Traveling Gypsies or non-conventional with an emphasis on art?
Design as a language is multi-dimensional and in the design stages, it is used to communicate intention. Roman Architect Vitruvius cites 3 golden truths when it comes to Architecture, firmitas, utilitas, and venustas. Durability, convenience, and delight. When setting a design intent, understand that the decisions made will have implications on these truths. An ability for architectural work to balance all three in a manner that is relevant to your project will not only create a compelling composition but also make it a sustainable habitat for you to live in.
Durability, strength, foundation
When it comes to durability, a project’s location will need to be taken into consideration. Does the climate encourage a strong separation between the interior and exterior for the home to be durable? What materials are we using? Vitruvius lived in a time when the winds were studied in regard to carrying illness and walls were expected to stop cannonballs. What’s going on in and around your space that should be taken into consideration when setting your intent with regard to durability? Answering these questions will set the stage for what can occur within and what design options are available for the durable form.
Convenience, function, program.
What are you doing in the space? Certain programs have implications when it comes to a building form. This is most evident when looking at older homes. We often see spaces without garages, laundry rooms, and one shared bathroom for all residents. How we want to use square footage on a lot relates to how we live. How we live evolves. What do you spend your time doing? How can your habitat facilitate this? There are schools of thought in design that take this a step further and attempt to anticipate change. Though two tangential lots may not immediately warrant returns, they can provide flexibility for future expansion. Flat roofs can be seen as the floor of a phased add-on. When defining the style of your Architecture or Interior design project, remember what you plan to do there and how adaptable you want it to be.
Delight, Beauty, Attractiveness
Delight, the heart of style. Here we focus on how the previous two can be expressed through an infinite number of forms, evoking unique moods and interactions. Do we intend to highlight objects inside the home or stow them to keep surfaces clear of obstruction? Does color and pattern in our surroundings create a memorable and enjoyable context or do we prefer the home to act as a calm backdrop for less permanent features to evolve with the home itself? What messages are we sending the subconscious mind? Are we aroused by order or disorder? Loud or calm patterns? Would beams on the ceiling make us feel safer? Does balance matter? Support? Do we want to see more of what’s around us or less? Do we feel good in the space? How would we like the quality of light within the home and how will that impact tonality?
Though there may be many right answers and most anything can be turned into a successful composition, architectural design is a long-term relationship that takes years to come to fruition. Choose a style you can marry, not just date. Become aware of patterns between elements and how they relate to a project you are considering. A project location and site will inform its building systems and what form it may take to be durable. How you live and what you like to do will also shape the space. A home for a family and one for an executive working 80-hour weeks will need to address different programs to remain convenient. Lastly, mood, character, and health can all be impacted by the ability of a space to delight. What design has remained appealing to you throughout your life and could remain attractive for the many years you will live in the space? What currently delights you in the context of the project location and scope? Find out what is working for your site and harness it when considering improvements.
