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A Primer on the Language of Design
An architect nobly attempts to educate clients about what certain architectural terms "really" mean
Houzz Contributor. Just an architect, standing in front of an ideology, asking it to love me.
Houzz Contributor. Just an architect, standing in front of an ideology,... More »
I was presenting a project to my client a few days ago. I stood at the head of the conference table, flanked by my renderings, and began to ruminate on the design concept. The project was to be an urban intervention, and as such it would be formal realization of the tenuous balance between the needs of the community and the desires of the individual. The project would represent, in built form of course, the space between these contradictory forces — the interstitial realm, if you will.
As I ended my presentation and slowly opened my eyes, I was greeted with a collective blank stare.
Again.
I had the sobering realization that my clients had no idea what I was talking about. Why does this keep happening to me? I mean, we are speaking the same language, aren't we? I'm being perfectly clear, aren't I?
Well, obviously, since I didn't do anything wrong, I can only assume that everyone else needs to brush up on common architectural terms. I thought we had done this before (here), but clearly more study is warranted. Feel free to review these flash cards once or twice a day, as needed.
And please refrain from staring blankly at me in meetings. I'll lose my train of thought.
As I ended my presentation and slowly opened my eyes, I was greeted with a collective blank stare.
Again.
I had the sobering realization that my clients had no idea what I was talking about. Why does this keep happening to me? I mean, we are speaking the same language, aren't we? I'm being perfectly clear, aren't I?
Well, obviously, since I didn't do anything wrong, I can only assume that everyone else needs to brush up on common architectural terms. I thought we had done this before (here), but clearly more study is warranted. Feel free to review these flash cards once or twice a day, as needed.
And please refrain from staring blankly at me in meetings. I'll lose my train of thought.
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| Honestly, I could define "architecture" all day long. And sometimes I do. Then my clients move into the "architecture," and the "architecture" begins to define them. It's like the circle of life, only with more angst. |
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| We know, we know: All great architecture leaks. Please stop reminding us. |
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| Actually, "interstitial" is one of my favorite words. It means "the space between." Tell me that's not awesome. |
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| It must be from the unbearable lightness of beaming. |
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| Here's a fun fact: Whenever an architect designs a building that conflicts with its surroundings, we call it "juxtaposition." This is a large word, and it will take you a few minutes to mentally process it. We do this mainly to distract you from the fact that our design doesn't fit with its surroundings. It buys us some time. Then we'll point out the "interstitial" space between our building and its surroundings. Eventually, you'll get bored and move on. So it's really a win-win. |
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| I think they should remove that pillow. |
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| "It's all part of the process." This is what I tell myself and my clients when they're unhappy with the first attempt at the design. "It's all part of the process." But this isn't really true. I just let the interns slap a design together. I'm actually seeing it for the first time today too. We'll keep working on it. |
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| Are you looking at me? Good. |
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| Architects do not wear pleated pants. Ever. Keep studying. You'll get it eventually. More by Coffee With an Architect: Find Your Inner Minimalist Flash Cards for Architectural Terms Find Your Architectural Style Great Architecture Speaks to Us |
Ideabook published on April 17, 2012.
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One question - why do you close your eyes when you are presenting to a client? There's your first mistake! ;)
Blah...Blah.. Blah- sounds like corporate-speak jargon. or, in layman's terms.. BS. Too often designers, Architects and artists, live in a world of their own, speaking a language of their own, designed to make those who aren't IN on it.. seem ignorant, uneducated and tasteless. When actually- it is just the opposite. The uneducated, ignorant masses who "have no taste"- are actually the ones who DO have taste, and DO know what they want and how they want it to look. We just don't live in the world of cornices and modillions and dentils and thus tend to NOT hire Designers, decorators and Architects that we don't understand, especially if they seem to 'float' around the house as they describe their 'visions'.