3Dots

3y

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHsm6sergQq/?igshid=4nfchszt7q6u

Vox

3y

Houston museums

REMY

3y

Let's be real... architecture and interiors today are all lifeless and all look the same. When minimalism has become the new luxury, architecture lost it's real purpose to properly reflect life.

We can blame capitalism and the strive to show power and dominance.

REMY

3y

Let's be real... architecture and interiors today are all lifeless and all look the same. When minimalism has become the new luxury, architecture lost it's real purpose to properly reflect life.

We can blame capitalism and the strive to show power and dominance.

worldpeace

3y

how does this affect you and what are u gonna do about it

worldpeace

3y

how does this affect you and what are u gonna do about it

REMY

3y

I think it effects everybody and how they digest and perceive any type of architecture or interior - things become watered down and diluted the same way you see it in fashion and art, where the aesthetics take away from the purpose/intent (not saying one > other, but needs more balance).

I'm not in a position of power yet unfortunately to bring alot of change to the industry - but I think trying to work outside of the architectural industry and trying to start your own is a good start. There's alot of gatekeeping.

Bringing to light architecture and interiors that reflect all walks of life vs. just the Western or European point of view.

A great reference for this is "Architecture without Architects" by Bernard Rudofsky.

Skywalker

3y

You can't make these blanket statements about architecture as a whole without defining what you are talking about apart from "minimalism" as a whole. What is this "dilution" of purpose that you are talking about. In residential buildings ? commercial buildings ? industrial complexes ? There are vast differences between these building types and further differences in their designs regionally.

There is and always will be a lot of variety in architecture. One look at the front-page of a popular site such as Archdaily will show you that. The discussion around architecture from more perspectives is already well underway. This mindset that everything is so bad in our current times is awfully unproductive.

REMY

3y

Let's be real... architecture and interiors today are all lifeless and all look the same. When minimalism has become the new luxury, architecture lost it's real purpose to properly reflect life.

We can blame capitalism and the strive to show power and dominance.

dadye

3y

blame silicon valley for that whole
look

Mizaghi

3y

soooo Mediterranean mexico ..

REMY

3y

You're right, I can't make these blanket statements about architecture as a whole. When I speak of purpose/intent am I think more along the lines of relation to context and locality than functionality. When I speak of dilution, purpose, intent etc. I am thinking mainly of our experience with residential buildings although I think it can be applied to other building types as well to a degree.

I don't think it is awfully unproductive, but necessary to create conversation to what needs to be done or discussions need to be had - like you said, discussions from more perspectives are well underway. Nor am I denying that there is a variety in architecture. But how are you defining variety other than on appearance? I think architecture as a whole is much more than that.

I'd like to think any architecture can be and should be used as a tool to preserve/reflect culture. My problem is that in our current times, we'll determine its value more based on its visual aesthetic. For example - the novelty that is associated with living in a BIG building.

whygul

3y

what criteria do you value more than how it looks visually and why? I'm not asking to say anyone is right/wrong for having different values, but as someone who hasn't studied architecture/interior design it's all about how it looks and usability (comfort, function, etc) so I'm curious to hear what I may not be paying attention to.

REMY

3y

Don't sweat it- I'm not trying to prove one stance or perspective is better, but that the lens is actually much larger. Think that's a great question tho.

Architecture and design I think is always about balance, so it's tough to say that one thing is valued more since it almost denies the importance of another.

But I think it's important to try to take into account for example how a building relates to it's context - whether that is physically (scale) to other buildings, setting (landscape), or culturally (people).

Architecture/interior design can't exist without people, so when you begin to move towards visual evaluation, it almost starts to shift towards something that doesn't exist for a person but to only satisfy a visual need - which much design today is. Think about how social media and internet has influenced us in relation to capitalism and the idea of newness.

For example in fashion - something might look like s***, but it can be different story when you feel the weight of the fabric, experience the fit of it, or see it on someone in context with x y z body proportions.

REMY

3y

You're right, I can't make these blanket statements about architecture as a whole. When I speak of purpose/intent am I think more along the lines of relation to context and locality than functionality. When I speak of dilution, purpose, intent etc. I am thinking mainly of our experience with residential buildings although I think it can be applied to other building types as well to a degree.

I don't think it is awfully unproductive, but necessary to create conversation to what needs to be done or discussions need to be had - like you said, discussions from more perspectives are well underway. Nor am I denying that there is a variety in architecture. But how are you defining variety other than on appearance? I think architecture as a whole is much more than that.

I'd like to think any architecture can be and should be used as a tool to preserve/reflect culture. My problem is that in our current times, we'll determine its value more based on its visual aesthetic. For example - the novelty that is associated with living in a BIG building.

REMY

3y

Don't sweat it- I'm not trying to prove one stance or perspective is better, but that the lens is actually much larger. Think that's a great question tho.

Architecture and design I think is always about balance, so it's tough to say that one thing is valued more since it almost denies the importance of another.

But I think it's important to try to take into account for example how a building relates to it's context - whether that is physically (scale) to other buildings, setting (landscape), or culturally (people).

Architecture/interior design can't exist without people, so when you begin to move towards visual evaluation, it almost starts to shift towards something that doesn't exist for a person but to only satisfy a visual need - which much design today is. Think about how social media and internet has influenced us in relation to capitalism and the idea of newness.

For example in fashion - something might look like s***, but it can be different story when you feel the weight of the fabric, experience the fit of it, or see it on someone in context with x y z body proportions.

Skywalker

3y

I can partly agree with you because I see what you are referring to in a lot of projects in the US. Big volumes, big windows, and minimal interiors are definitely a strong trend. There is no "culture" to preserve in this sense other than building big and building to impress.

When I look at projects around Europe and Asia I see a lot more variety. Variety not just in aesthetics but also in living layouts and the materials used inside and out. New buildings that blend into neighbourhoods and innovate on historical backdrops seem much more common than in the US.

What architect's work do you appreciate ?

REMY

3y

@whygul going to answer both here to prevent taking up space in this thread haha

Completely agree with you! I find western architecture to be exactly as you mentioned, which is what my commentary is specifically speaking to as well. European and Asian architecture are generally alot more thoughtful and well considered I think.

It's scary how much power western architecture has globally though. When you see 2nd and 3rd world countries start to develop their cities, they take alot of influence from western society. A good example is the recent development of Dubai. Totally different climate let alone culture and people, but has tall glass buildings that you can see being more a part of the New York skyline.

Another good example can be seen in mid-century homes and how they layout the rooms. Typically a maid's room and the services of the building are located on lower floors or towards the back where it is hard to be seen while the rest of the interior can be used for relaxing. Might sound like a reach - but if you had a maid, typically being quite wealthy, they were normally POC of a lower class. This is even present in Corbusier's Villa Savoye that is so greatly admired (rightfully so in it's own right). Might not be known but Corbusier has also had strong ties with facist and far-right parties during the time of WWI. Definitely worth questioning and re-evaluating.

I've always really enjoyed the work of Alvar Aalto (saynatsalo town hall being my favourite building), Carlo Scarpa, Antonio Gaudi, Peter Zumthor, David Adjaye - but really been into older buildings and spaces that don't really have an architect. They're kind of formed out of the person's necessities.

Skywalker

3y

Carlo Scarpa’s Tomba Brion really had an impact on me the first time a colleague showed it to me. Just from the pictures I have seen it seems to create such a special atmosphere. It’s one of the places I really want to visit one day.

Living in Switzerland it’s also been a loose goal to eventually visit most of Zumthor’s works.

REMY

3y

I am definitely in the same boat. Would love to go and experience the lighting in that space and detailing one day.

Wow. You're from Switzerland? Pretty jealous since you have the opportunity to look at his works. Do you happen to work/study in the architecture field?

Skywalker

3y

I took a foundation course and worked in an architecture office in Zurich for one year. Admittedly I got very lucky with the place because I got to design an extension to a 17th century house and multiple bathrooms in a renovation of a mountain home. Ultimately I decided to study something else but I'm still quite passionate.