Point: Theories

In our first unit this semester, Theories, we have talked about just that – a variety of different theories regarding architecture and design. There are reasons behind just about everything that has been designed, whether it relates back to a series of deep research or experiments, objects and buildings aren’t designed because they just look good.

On our first day, we talked about architecture and buildings using a comparison of a basic bicycle shed and the Lincoln Cathedral. While some may think the basic shed isn’t really architecture and that it is “just” a building, I think they are wrong. Everything is designed with a purpose. The shed was designed with considerations in mind and made to the needs of a bicyclist. This brings me to the next topic of that day, Considerations in design. There are several factors that can impact our designs: inside and outside relationships, the third dimension, the fourth dimension (time), light, color, materials, and furnishings. If all of these considerations are applied, I think that is one way to make good design.

Another important lesson from this unit was from the words of Sir Henry Wotton – “In architecture, as in all operative arts, the end must direct the operation, the end is to build well. Well building hath 3 conditions: commodity, firmness and delight.” This is great way to look at architecture and design by these three factors. Commodity in design is the ability to have function and a purpose. Firmness involves stability. Delight is simply beauty in the design and the ability to interest someone. I think there are many buildings that really can include all three of these words from Wotten. Although I think if the considerations from our first lesson can be applied with Wotten’s to make it stronger in design.

Aedicule is the way of looking at architecture and design. It is the simplest form of architecture, a roof and 4 posts basically. All buildings are made up of aedicules. This is like the foundation or building block of everything. It seems like everything that is done in the world has a similar system and building block. For example in science and experiments, there is the scientific method - a system of steps to help prepare and follow through with an experiment. With culinary, there are recipes and ways to start cooking so you can add stuff in later to change and manipulate the recipe. And in design, there is our building block and other different ways or rules to do things. Once you have the foundation, you can reflect back on the classical world, look at alternative inspiration, or explore new ideas.

The Design Cycle is another thing we learned about in this unit. This was adapted from anthropology and tries to explain why some styles last and some don’t. Many ideas can factor into why things go out of style: vernacular and high style differences, regional influences, and many others. The ability for something to stay in style must be because it is truly great design.

The nautilus shell best describes the unit, in my opinion. Roth discusses architecture being the unavoidable art and how we must design for the environment around us. Also, architecture is a physical record of human activity (Roth, 3). The mollusk builds its nautilus shell around itself to house them. It is a hard shell of calcium carbonate and the mollusk adds on as it becomes bigger, keeping the part of shell that was there before. This shell describes what Roth was talking about. The shell also is an example of Wotton’s, commodity, firmness, and delight. It shows commodity because it has a function of being the mollusks home and protection. It shows firmness because of the strong materials its made of that can protect the mollusk. It shows delight because the shell is interesting and nice to look at. The nautilus shell can be related to theories throughout this unit, which is why I think it is a great image to represent the unit.

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